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Flu Season Hits Early; Malala Released from Hospital; U.S. Troops/Missiles Arrive in Turkey; Network and Train to Get Better Job; Obama Officially Re-Elected; Gabby Giffords May Visit Newtown; Fire Risk Leads to Subaru Recall; Super Bowl Ads Going for $4 Million; India Politician Accused of Rape
Aired January 04, 2013 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: If you haven't gone out to get your flu shot yet you might want to hurry up because flu season arriving early this year. The CDC saying there is a spike in flu cases across the nation. Wide spread flu cases slamming the south east in particular.
Senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen who I guarantee got her flu shot well before any of us. There she is nodding, yes. So every year I say this that I feel like this year is worst than all the others, but this year I really do feel like it is worse.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, I think you feel that, Ashleigh, because it was so early. They started to see a large number of cases in like mid-November, which is really early.
So if you look back over the past 10 years there have only been two or three other seasons that started this early and it is still growing. So the CDC this morning came up with new flu numbers.
Take a look at this, last week 29 states were showing high levels of flu, the week before it was only 16. So you can see that is a big jump in just one week.
BANFIELD: It is and I think a lot of people wonder if they are getting that one flu shot does it help them against all of the strains that are out there or might you still get the lesser known ones?
COHEN: Right. You could get one that they didn't predict. You know, they have to start making the flu shot in the spring. So they kind of look at Australia, they look around and they say what do we think is going to be out there. So they put certain strains in.
They can't do it 100 percent correctly. It is impossible. So this year the shot is working well, but it is not fool proof. I mean, certainly you can get the flu even if you got the shot, but you diminished your likelihood. So that's why it's good if we get the shot.
BANFIELD: And what about this idea that you should run out and get it now? Is it too late or can you get the flu shot all through flu season and then inoculated against it.
COHEN: You know what? It's not too late and the reason why is that it hasn't peaked yet. We haven't necessarily seen the worst of the flu this season. They are predicting a moderate to severe season. We are going to see more so go get that flu shot even you.
BANFIELD: I knew you were going to say that. I thought I skated, but I'm going to have to go -- I hate them. All right, Elizabeth Cohen, great advice and thank you very much.
COHEN: OK, thanks.
BANFIELD: So I'm glad to bring you this one. A major step for a girl whose story shocked the world, Pakistani school girl, Malala Yousefzai, who was shot in the head by Taliban militants because she demanded equal education for girls in Pakistan, well here is some better news.
Nearly three months later, this is Malala, walking out of a Birmingham, England hospital and looking healthy and happy. Matthew Chance has more in this report.
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MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Holding the hand of a nurse, Malala Yousefzai made her own way out of the hospital where she has been treated for her traumatic injuries. She even managed to wave at staff as she was discharged.
A hospital statement said Malala is a strong young woman and has worked hard with the people caring for her to make excellent progress in her recovery. Doctors say she may benefit from being with her family, but will need to be readmitted for reconstructive surgery on her skull in several weeks.
This recovery is far from complete. From the early age of 11, Malala Yousefzai has been an outspoken campaigner for female education in a native swat valley region of Pakistan criticizing the Taliban who ban schooling for girls.
She was shot in the head and neck in October after her school bus was stopped by Taliban gun men who demanded the other children identify her. The attack outraged Pakistan provoking cause for a crack down on militants.
It also made Malala who was evacuated to Britain for medical treatment an international symbol of courage. Hundreds of thousands have signed a petition for her to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
For now though the focus is on her first steps. Malala's father has been given a job at Pakistan's Consulate in Birmingham allowing the family to stay in Britain for the years of therapy and medical treatment that now lie ahead. Matthew Chance, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE) BANFIELD: And I'm going to take you ahead to Syria where we may have been reluctant to get involved inside that country but guess what, our troops, American people are now very close by. They are stationed at a border town. I will explain why and what they role is in a moment.
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BANFIELD: With the death toll in Syria now reported at 60,000 people, the United States is making a move to try to keep the bloodshed from spilling over into Turkey to the north. The Turkish state media reports 27 U.S. troops are now in a border town and they are there to man patriot missile sites.
Those missiles were sent to Turkey to defend against the scud missiles that are being launched below them in Syria. This YouTube video reportedly shows the aftermath of a scud that just happened to miss its target in Syria.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh has more on this story from Istanbul -- Nick.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Ashleigh, Turkish media reporting late Thursday night nearly 30 U.S. military personnel flew into the southern city of (inaudible) staying at a hotel there reportedly about to begin site surveillance as to where the patriot missiles could go.
The U.S. Embassy expanding on that today. They are saying from Friday military personnel and equipment are being flown in gradually to the military base in the south of the country.
They will be joined by Dutch and German troops, each nation contributing two patriot missile batteries and hundreds of support staff to answer Turkey's request for that extra level of NATO protection along its very volatile border in Syria.
Remember this all started because the Syrian regime fired shells at Turkey and Turkey firing back and going to NATO for extra help. The key thing is we have NATO, the largest military machine in history on the door step of this very volatile 20-month long civil war.
Concerns of course, that this could escalate in some way were the regime to reach and strain in the Turkish/Syrian border, but all sides on NATO now absolutely stressing. This is purely about defending Turkey. U.S. troops are now right on the border of this civil war -- Ashleigh.
BANFIELD: Nick Paton Walsh for us in Istanbul. Thank you.
Career counselors saying getting ahead in your current job, believe it or not, could be as easy as raising your hand. We can tell you what else you need to know to get a raise or move up the career ladder. Advice coming next.
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BANFIELD: As we reported earlier, the December jobs numbers are out. The U.S. economy ended the year by adding 155,000 jobs while unemployment held steady at 7.8 percent. Millions of people are still out of work and a lot of people are still underemployed too.
Career counselors are urging clients to do all they can to keep the present job even if they prepare for better opportunities later on. Our Tom Foreman has this American journey.
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TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Roughly 12 million Americans are without of work, nearly 5 million for a half a year or more. So career counselors across the country are starting 2013 with a clear message, keep hanging on.
ROSEMARY HAEFNER, V.P., CAREERBUILDER.COM: It is incredibly competitive right now whether working or not working. I think that individuals who have that advantage of having employment right now should make sure they are taking full advantage of that.
FOREMAN: That they say means three things. First, ask for opportunity. Build your professional network inside and outside of your office. Workers who go unnoticed are often the first to go out the door.
TRACEY WILEN-DAUGENTI, APOLLO RESEARCH INSTITUTE: They don't raise their hand. They don't raise their hand for the difficult projects. They don't ask for lateral moves. They don't ask for more responsibilities. They don't join teams. These are things that companies look for people for the longer haul.
FOREMAN: She works for the Apollo Research Institute, which promotes further education. And that's what many job advisers say is the second key, take advantage of every training opportunity.
HAEFNER: Good times or tough times you should be looking at how you're going to be developing and growing your skills whether for your current employer or current position or perhaps something down the road.
FOREMAN: And lastly, unlike the unhappy guys in the movie "Office Space" embrace all sorts of technology.
DAUGENTI: By the year 2020 almost 75 percent of jobs will have a technology component. I think that is very important for people to understand for longevity and for employment for the future.
FOREMAN: Staying employed this year will be easier in some fields than others, of course. For example, jobs in health care and business services like sales are expected to be plentiful. As 2013 goes on the job market is predicted to pick up steam setting the stage for better days in the next New Year. Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
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BANFIELD: Coming up, a video that you have got to see. Villagers hear a woman scream and they go into her home. And what happens next is nothing short of vigilante justice. A scene that turns chaotic lasts for hours.
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BANFIELD: The re-election of Barack Obama, the 44th president to the United States believe it or not just became official within the past few minutes. Here is how it happened.
A joint session of Congress held in the House Chamber, here you can see Vice President Joe Biden presiding over the session in his constitutional role as president of the Senate. They counted the votes state by state in alphabetical order.
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SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the state of Alabama seems to be regular in form and authentic and it appears Mitt Romney of Massachusetts received nine votes for president and Paul Ryan of the state of Wisconsin received nine votes for vice president.
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BANFIELD: So on and on it went. They opened sealed envelopes containing the votes of the 538 electors recorded on December 17th in state capitals right across the country. They then examined the contents and they counted those votes by hand and lo and behold those electors cast their votes precisely in accordance with the results of the November 6th election.
It's 206 votes for Mitt Romney and 332 votes for Barack Obama. So next step you remember this scene four years ago. On this year's January 21st, the president's second inauguration will take place. It should look pretty much like the first one.
His new term actually begins on January 20th but that is a Sunday so a little different this year. He is going to take the oath of office in private and then he will do it again for the public on Monday the 21st.
And remember how he took the oath publicly first and then had to retake the oath privately because the chief justice actually said the words a little wrong. A little bit of trivia from the last time around.
OK, here's another great story, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords expected to visit Newtown, Connecticut today. The plan is to privately meet with the families of the children who were killed in last month's shooting.
The spokesperson for the state lieutenant governor says that telling CNN the visit is planned, but not at this point completely confirmed. She barely survived after being shot in the head during a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona almost two years ago.
Subaru of America is recalling more than 630,000 cars because of a fire risk. The car maker says there is a problem with the fuse in the lights that is located underneath the doors and if water gets in apparently that can spark a fire. The affected models are the Forester SUV and the Legacy Sedan. Those are the ones that are being recalled at least among the ones that are being recalled.
And you just know that it wouldn't be post holidays if we didn't start talking Super Bowl or at least the commercials anyway because those commercials this year are going to cost more than they ever have before.
Here is the strange part. Apparently, they are going to be a bit less sexy. I'm telling you. The advertisers are paying at least $4 million for just 30 seconds on TV. Here is the good part, too. Go Daddy and Mercedes Benz are going to use supermodels in their ads.
But they say those former swimsuit models will not be in swimsuits, they will be in formal dresses. Also the game is set to be played in New Orleans on February 3rd.
I want to take you to India now where as protests continue over the brutal rape and murder of a young woman on a public bus in New Delhi. Lawmakers are proposing tough new measures to address sexual violence against women in that country.
However, in a village in the country's northeast people may be taking matters into their own hands. A member of the Congress Party, a ruling politician has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman.
But before the police could get to him an angry crowd did. They heard the woman's screams and they took action and you have to see what happened. Apparently, this went on for hours. They held him captive at least until the police arrived anyway.
Sumnima Udas joins me live from New Delhi. What is the status of that politician right now?
SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Ashleigh, the politician we just saw in the video has been arrested and faces charges of rape and trespassing. Unfortunately, cases like that against politicians in India, is not uncommon. According to a study here of more than 200 candidates over the past five years have faced some sort of charge of sexual assault and also six ruling leaders right now face charges of rape -- Ashleigh.
BANFIELD: So, Sumnima, are sex crimes common among political ranks in India?
UDAS: They are indeed very common as I just mentioned. A study found that more than 200 political candidates have faced some sort of sexual assault charge and six faced the rape charge as well. So it is very common. The conviction rate is very low just to give you an idea. In Delhi alone, out of the 625 rape cases in 2011 only one resulted in the conviction.
BANFIELD: Sumnima Udas reporting for us live from New Delhi. Thanks very much. We will be right back after this break.
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