the world. also this morning. iran says it has produced and tested nuclear fuel rods. what does that mean for the u.s.? a live report from tehran coming up. and republican presidential candidate rick santorum seems to have the momentum. the last few days before the iowa caucuses tuesday. we'll take you live to des moines. ♪ but right now we get back to the new year celebrations. you were probably enjoying your own party so we wanted to show you how other folks celebrated. check this out. >> five, four, three, two, one. happy new year! >> that was the scene in times square. the ball dropped as it always does but this year there was something new. see if you see this in it. show that video. but it was the mayor, oh, there's mayor and there's lady gaga. no, cut away. they kissed. enough said. i wonder what his gir friend thought about that? anyway. nashville, that is what was happening there. the big twang, the biggie tar music note dropping. it was the third annual music city new year's celebration. first one though for the big note drop. and in london, london hosts the 2012 summer games and there were about a quarter of a million people there for the fireworks. police say 77 of them were arrested during the event. ♪ and finally, new year's at the vatican. pope benedict delivered the traditional holiday from st. peters. in his address the pope said that young people will fill the future with hope and will become, quote, builders of peace. that was just a taste of how new year's was celebrated. we'll have much more on how the world lit up to ring in 2012 coming up in about 40 minutes. we move to politics and the countdown to iowa. just two days away from the iowa caucuses. the first official votes in the republican presidential race. and a new poll out of iowa shows a dead heat right at the top. the des moines register poll has mitt romney at 24%, ron paul at 22%, and rick santorum at 15%. but check this out. here's what it looks like the you just use the last two days of the polling. on thursday and friday, take out wednesday. that's santorum in second place. definitely surging at what most people say is the right time to do that. meanwhile, minnesota congresswoman michele bachmann was one of the early leaders in iowa, the state she was born in, but now near the bottom of the polls. bachmann claims she's not done. she doesn't matter how she finishes in iowa she will press on to the next two contests in new hampshire and south carolina. as the candidates crisscrossed iowa yesterday cnn crews followed them along the campaign trail. >> of this country, i don't want to become more like europe. europe isn't working in europe. i want america to remain quintessentially american with people coming here from all over the world seeking our freedoms. >> i think we're faced with problems much bigger than we understand. we have enemies out there who are much more serious than we realize and we have not yet developed a strategy the size of the problem. i think we have two different challenges. one is china but that's primarily an american challenge. if we fix our school, if we fix our manufacturing base, if we fix our science and technology the chinese won't catch up with us us for 100 years. that so that's about us. the other is radical islamism and i think neither of which, nor obama, has real liesed how deep the problem is and how serious the threat is. >> i feel very, very good that, you know, the people of iowa has seen us out there, kicked the tires, bdone 360 down home meetings. the vision we laid out, full spectrum consistent conservatism and will make the changes that american needs and they don't need to settle for nothing less. >> tuesday we tend to win here in iowa. that's our plan. that's going to be the cannon shot. that's the cannon shot that's going to launch us across the country and we'll be heading out and taking on state after state after state because the ultimate victory is to defeat barack obama, make him a one-term president so that the country has a chance to grow again. >> political analyst is in des moines, iowa. so we've taken a look at these polls. and we saw this santorum surge right now. traditionally does that continue on or should mitt romney as he's been either at the top or near the top for basically the whole time, should he feel pretty confident? >> i think mitt romney has every reason to feel confident. rick santorum even though he is surging. you can feel that surge when you go to his events, he's still almost ten points behind mitt romney. mitt romney is exactly where he wants to be. the card out here is ron paul. he is basically in a dead heat with mitt romney. so that is who romney really needs to worry about. romney is doing so much better now than anybody predicted. he's going to come out of here in a good position more than likely. >> when gingrich moved up he was writing his death sentence out. it was amazing. i couldn't understand it because if you go through enough political seasons you see these things go up and down and people are all of a sudden the flavor of the minute and no one wants them the next. now, iowa, traditionally isn't the place where, you know, you say, oh, whoever wins there, that's going to be the nominee. 50/50 with their picks. what about the number two spot? is there a sense that some people -- i heard this about michele bachmann, i don't know if it's true or not. some people are sticking in the race and will continue for the next few because they want attorney crease their exposure to be number two? >> sure, absolutely. a lot of these candidates, when you hear people going really, really positive at this point in the race when it looks like they're going to lose, they're probably trying to get a cabinet position or presidential nomination out of it so we see somebody like michele bachmann. she's been very, very positive with the other candidates. even newt gingrich has kept it clean with the other candidates. if somebody is not going after their opponents that means they might want to work for them some day. if you hear them not taking shots at their opponents that's probably what they're up to. somebody like rick perry is going very hard after the other candidates. even rick santorum. the nicer they are probably the worst they're expecting to do. >> nice guys finishing not first. all right. patricia, thank you very much. we'll talk to you in just a little bit. thanks. >> sounds good. >> okay. well, if you were here in atlanta yesterday you realize that the weather was pretty nice. and we're going to get a check on the weather for the rest of the week in just a little bit with reynolds. meanwhile, tonight, join anderson cooper because he is going to take a look at the last minute push for iowa votes. we've had some great specialists on cnn where you've really gotten the chance to understand the candidates and their positions. you want to join anderson for that last-minute look. countdown to iowa and you can see that at 8:00 p.m. eastern. just 48 hours left. now, on to the other headlines this morning. iran seems to be one step closer to being a nuclear nation. the country's news agency reports scientist successfully built and tested their first nuclear fuel rod. joining me now on the phone from tehran is cnn producer -- i'm going to mispronounce your last name. can you say it for me? >> sure. >> thank you very much for being with us. what is this significance of these fuel rods? >> one of the significance is that iran has successfully enriched uranium from 3.5% to 20% which is needed for the fuel rod. and the other one is that it's a signal to the european group that is about to reportedly resume talks with iran about the nuclear program that iran does not really need anybody for its nouk cl nuclear program and can go it alone. >> was there a belief in the united states that tehran really had the capability to do this? >> i'm sorry, what? >> did people in the united states, scientist, politicians, did they think that iran could create these fuel rods successfully or did we feel like we had some time to buy? >> well, the last report that came out of united states when iran said that it is capable of enriching uranium to 20% was doubtful but then i think, as much as i remember, they admitted to iran is capable of it. so we were convinced that iran was capable of producing 20% uranium which can be used to manufacture the rods and within is manufactured and tested and being used at the tehran university of research reactor. >> the iranian officials continue to say this is not for any kind of military use. what's the feeling on the ground in iran? do people believe that this is for peaceful pourps or do they think that this is a show of force or might? >> well, people in iran, because of the pressures that have been put on iran and its people by the united states and europe, feel that they're strong about this issue and they think that iranians right to have a nuclear program and iran maintains or has maintained all along. but the united states and europe do not believe this. >> shirzhad, thank you for joining us. respective from people who are right there. they know what's going on on the street. they talk to people around them. get a pretty clearview of how folks are reacting there. meanwhile, in north korea. a new directive for the new year. the country's annual new year's message called on people in that country to defend the new supreme leader to the death. the message said the army, the ruling party, and people should, quote, become human rifles and bombs to defend that man, kim jong un. he took over as north korea's leader after the death of his father kim jong-il last month. miami dolphins star running back reggie bush won't be in the lineup against the new york jets today in the final game, but you won't believe the gift he got for his entire offensive line. it may make you wish you had decided to play pro football for a career. and he's back. we're talking about banana sam. the san francisco zoo welcoming back the missing monkey. where was he, who found him, and how did he get back there? we've got details. our weather has been going bananas in michigan. where we're going to see the rain come first and later on, the snow will begin to pile up. some parts in northern michigan, a foot of snow before the day is out. all of that coming up. you're watching "cnn sunday." e . ♪ that's why we created the share the love event. get a great deal on a new subaru and 250 dollars goes to your choice of five charities. ♪ with your help, we can reach 20 million dollars by the end of this, our fourth year. 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[ding] [fans whirring] announcer: chill raw and prepared foods promptly. one in 6 americans will get sick from food poisoning this year. check your steps at foodsafety.gov. from college bowl games to a botched up nba layup, 2011 ends with a bang, not a whimper. it was at the hln sports anchor here to talk about these stories and much more. >> yeah. and we were talking about it. it's kind of a weird day not to have college football. >> it's been so good. >> during january 1st on new year's day but you is a the nfl and tim tebow. huge game for him me has to be the quarterback who used to play for the broncos who started the season and denver. a win by the broncos would put them in the playoffs, additional title. however, horton was release bid the broncos in november. he comes to denver from the kansas city chiefs and for tebow, this would certainly mean redemption after last week's disaster when he threw four interceptions at buffalo, two of which were returned for touchdowns. this is certainly doing to be a big game for the broncos. broncos nation and for tee who and that robbery there with kyle. >> what's going on with reggie bush? >> i love watching him run. >> he was traded in the off season from the saints to the miami dolphins. >> 1,000 yards? >> right. first time he ran forever 1,000 yards now. reynolds, you know this, normally when a professional running back eclipses the century mark he usually goes out and gets his offensive lineman some kind of gift showing his appreciation. in the past guys have received a rolex watch, a trip to hawaii. . he went out and bought each of them a segue scooter. >> what a great move. >> reynolds, what do you do here? >> in my situation? >> yeah. >> what would i give my offensive line? >> co-anchors for making me look good at times. >> yeah. >> we get biscuits and segues. >> shake me down for breakfast. everybody else who comes to atlanta and fills in here brings us food. >> we get biscuits and they get segues. they are not cheap. they can range from 1,000 to $8,000. so, you know, he did not spare any expenses with this. good nor reggie bush. >> what other games are you excited about today? >> i got to show you this from last night before we get to other games. >> what happened? >> denver nuggets, he had a chance to win this game, tie this game against the l.a. lakers. what does he do? yeah. wide open layup and he actually misses it. watch it here again. how embarrassing is this? he claims he was fouled but i didn't see a foul there. it was more like a -- >> pretty -- >> no doubt he's going to be the talk of the town today. and definitely going to receive some ripping by, you know, by his teammates. but obviously the big story today, nfl, you get your nfl forecast. >> yeah. it's a game that's meant to be played outside. no offense to those who play the dome. >> careful because i'm a colts fan. >> i know. let's look at the forecast here. tailgating should be outside. can we -- >> absolutely. >> there you go. >> the chiefs, broncos in denver. sunny, cold, 37 degrees. winds southeast at five miles per hour. >> go tebow. >> i will say this, broncos have won nine of the last ten home games against the chiefs. i have to go with the broncos as well. >> what about this one, chargers and raiders, 60% plus the sun. edie? >> i don't know. >> won three straight today. i think they get fourth in a row. >> ravens and bengals, 42 degrees. edie, ladies first? >> ravens. >> well, consider this, 3-4 on the road this year, plus lost 5 of the last 6 in cincinnati, who do you go with? >> ravens. >> bengals. >> what do you think those wins try to kick it, tight game? >> very tight -- very tight -- very windy stadium, too there in cincinnati. and you mentioned the fact former place kicker at eastern illinois, also the former college and home of tony romo played quarterback at east illinois. much later than i've played ten years, to be exact, huge game tonight. it's going to be the cowboys and the giants. and the giants stadium, prime time. >> cowboys. >> cowboys. >> betcha. >> sorry. tony. >> what about arizona, larry fitzgerald? >> i like arizona in that game. i do. i like arizona. >> see, the pressure is on. let's put the pressure on her. no, no, no. see the picks from yesterday. >> word, perfect. >> here we go. i went a&m. got a&m. okay. and then i went auburn. >> war eagle. >> i was concerned about your big guy there. >> there you go. next pick. >> i oops, i went vandy because, you know, i just felt for them. i wanted vandy to win this one. clearly they didn't. and then we got tell know and ucla and i went with the ucla. that was not -- that was not a good choice. >> ray, what do you think about ucla being in a bowl game with a losing season. >> i know. but it happens. it happens. >> do you really want to hear my -- >> bring it on. >> there are so many bowl games now you completely lose track. >> ridiculous names. >> card care bowl, you know, the brass bowl, you know, there are so many -- >> do we need the playoff system? >> absolutely. >> i think the president's on board with this, too. doesn't he have some clout? can't he get -- >> i played college football which at the time was ncaa, it was a playoff system. we went to the playoffs my junior year. beat the fourth ranged team in the country, we were 16th. so it means something to me when you can go in there and beat a team that is ranked higher than you. >> college playoffs. i think you can incorporate it as well. >> banana sam, back home at the san francisco zoo and we tracked his adventure on twitter. update and a few mormon i can twe -- monkey tweets coming up.no c! these clothes are too big, so i'm donating them. how'd you do it? eating right, whole grain. [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don't. multigrain cheerios... five whole grains, 110 calories. . welcome back. i'm e.d. hill. it is a new year for us all but the stories, the news, important update, it was a tragic day for the atlanta braves family yesterday. the wife of the team's trainer was killed after being hit by a georgia state patrol cruiser. according to our affiliate wsb the trooper was responding to a local chase and was supposed to assist when he struck the suv instead. three others in the vehicle including porter were taken to the hospital with injuries. officials are now offering a $60,000 reward leading to the arrest involving the arson fires in california. one mayor is using strong words calling this a new form of domestic terrorism. there have been more than three dozen fires so far. most started with cars and then quickly spread to nearby buildings and homes. a report from the new york police department indicates one officer was injured last night during a dispute with occupy protesters. one person was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. it is happy new year for one little mischief jous monkey. after a day of freedom, the missing monkey banana sam is back home. he was returned safe and sound last night. someone spotted him hanging around in a park about ten miles from the zoo. they lured him in with a backpack and called the authorities. anonymous user rekrooe eighted a mock twitter account with frequent updates and banana sam's adventures. santa even made the feed. i was excited about being on cnn until i found out it doesn't stand for capuchin news network. just this morning writes, just telling the other monkeys what it's like out there. we all prefer the free prix fixe dinners in here. they say he was in good physical condition but physically hungry, trembling and thirsty. good news he's back though. if your top new year's resolution is to get in shape, my next guest says the answers are in the bible. share some of the verses that he claims will help you get fit. health evangelist jerry anderson just ahead on "cnn sunday morning." when a moment might turn into something more. and when it does men with erectile dysfunction can be more confident in their ability to be ready with cialis for daily use. cialis for daily use is a clinically proven low-dose tablet you take every day, so you can be ready anytime the moment's right. ♪ [ man ] tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. don't take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain as this may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. 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