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Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.
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world lead
Four Americans killed in Benghazi: Why?
On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hear testimony about the events before, during, and after the attack on Americans in Benghazi Libya on September 11 and 12, 2012. Strip away the partisan posturing - the conspiracy theories from the right and the attempts to douse the scandal by the left - and the facts and testimony about what happened at Benghazi should concern any American.
The four Americans killed last September in Libya, Ambassador Chris Stevens, information officer Sean Smith, and former navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, is not the White House's favorite topic of conversation
"Let's be clear. Benghazi happened a long time ago," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said last week.
Not that long ago – just eight months in fact, and there are still many outstanding questions from individuals with first-hand knowledge of the events, career diplomats.
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national lead
Moving on from a kidnapping
For the families of the three young women who spent a decade in captivity, it's a blessing to have them back.
"She always believed Gina was alive and well. She always believed that. I, you know, just want to say what a phenomenal Mother's Day gift she gets this Mother's Day."
For the victims, now they can begin to live again.
They can "enjoy their families, enjoy their new found freedom, and be open to support from experts as they're guided on their journey to healing," said John Ryan, CEO of the national center for missing and exploited children, says each year there are roughly 800,000 new kidnappings, and more are in long-term confinement than people realize.
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politics lead
New Jersey governor tightening his belt
New Jersey governor Chris Christie recently decided to undergo weight loss surgery after years of enduring the media's hefty jokes. But it wasn't late night television's search for laughs that convinced him to finally go under the knife.
Christie said he had a wake-up call after his 50th birthday, and realized he needed to make several lifestyle changes if he wanted to be around to see his children grow.
Family was the most important reason for the procedure, but there was an elephant in the room that Christie refused to acknowledge in Tuesday’s presser: the 2016 presidential race.
“Whatever size I happen to be when I have to make decisions about what to do next with my career I doubt that will play any role or effect in what I decide to do,” said Christie. “It's not a career issue for me. It is a long-term health issue for me.”
The governor is currently one of more than 78 million American adults who are considered obese, and one of more than 500,000 people who have undergone lap band surgery worldwide.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, explained why the procedure might have appealed to Christie.
In the case of gastric bypass surgery, “you are actually operating on the stomach itself, using a stapler of sorts to small pouches within the stomach, and it's just more of an invasive operation,” he said. “The risk is higher up front.”
national lead
Brother of Ohio victim: You're finally home
For the families of three women, yesterday marked the end of a decade of uncertainty. Amanda Berry, Michele Knight, and Georgina DeJesus were separately abducted more than nine years ago, when they were in their teens and early 20s.
"If you don’t believe in miracles I suggest you think again, cause it does happen," said Sandra Ruiz, aunt of Georgina DeJesus.
The three women, long feared dead, were found alive Monday evening, escaping the Cleveland home where they had been held captive for years.
"For Amanda's family, for Gina's family, for Michele's family, prayers have finally been answered. The nightmare is over,” said FBI agent Steve Anthony.
Ricardo DeJesus described the sister who was abducted years ago as a girl who, "liked to dance a lot, crack jokes, be around with the family." That girl, known as “Gina” to friends and family, is a 23-year-old woman today.
Ricardo saw the news of Gina's escape on television with their father.
"We were in disbelief, we cried. We were shaking, we were just happy," he said. "It's like a dream, but I'm joyful, I'm glad it's over."
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politics lead
Weighing in on Christie's surgery
Chris Christie spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday about a weight loss surgery he underwent in February, further stoking political speculation that the New Jersey governor is shaping up for a 2016 presidential run.
Christie said the decision instead was based on his commitment to his family.
“I felt great about myself before and I’ll feel great about myself after no matter how it goes,” he said at a press conference in Newark.
Still, political rumors continue to swirl that Christie has additional motives for slimming down.
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