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Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.
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national lead
Comedian Joel McHale – is it harder to joke about Kardashians, or Washington politicos?
(CNN) – Saturday is the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, mockingly referred to as "nerd prom." Basically it's an occasion where White House reporters, politicians, celebrities, and the President and first lady gather in front of cameras for an awkward meal. And then the President and a celebrity host roasts reporters and politicians alike.
But for comedians, the invitation to host dc's annual white house correspondents association dinner is not without trepidation
This year the task falls to Joel McHale, longtime host of "The Soup" on E!, where his snarky celebrity commentary has earned him a devoted fan base. McHale is also famous for his role on the critically acclaimed sitcom "Community," a show that the suits at NBC have yet to renew for next season, angering its millions of fans.
Against a foggy view of the Washington monument, McHale sat down to tell CNN's Jake Tapper how he's preparing for his toughest crowd yet.
buried lead
U.S official: Nigeria has not asked for our help in finding kidnapped girls
(CNN) – The U.S. State Department says that officials have been talking to the Nigerian government about what help the U.S. might be able to offer in rescuing at least 200 girls, kidnapped by militants in the dead of the night more than two weeks ago.
The Nigerians have yet to formally make any request for help from the U.S., even though this nation already provides more than $20 million dollars in security assistance to that country, one official told CNN.
For parents of the girls, it is a nightmare: their daughters have been kidnapped by terrorists and sold into slavery, while their government seems almost uninterested in rescuing her.
The parents have been demanding that the government help bring their girls home, to apparently little avail. This week their rescue became a social media movement throughout the world.
CNN's Jake Tapper reports.
world lead
Clashes, fire in Odessa leave dozens dead as Ukraine crisis flares
Slavyansk, Ukraine (CNN) - Violence escalated Friday in southern Ukraine, with pro-Russian separatists reportedly shooting down two Ukrainian helicopters amid deadly clashes.
The deadly fighting came the same day that U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to seek harsher sanctions against Russia if Ukraine doesn't stabilize in time for elections this month.
More than a dozen people were killed and dozens more were wounded in street fighting that pitted pro-Russian separatists against Ukrainian forces and those who support the Kiev government.
world lead
Analysis: Putin has already crossed White House's line
(CNN) – The White House released a statement that made it clear, if Russia were to invade Ukraine, it would be hit with sanctions targeting sectors of Russia's economy.
President Barack Obama significantly lowered the bar for those sanctions Friday, saying that all it would take is Russia interfering in Ukraine's May 25 presidential elections.
But some experts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is already has already cleared that bar.
FULL POST
world lead
Ambassador Pyatt: Russia has no veto over Ukraine defending itself
(CNN) – As growing violence in Ukraine turned deadly Friday, U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt emphasized America's support for the country's battered government.
"We support the Ukrainian government in what they're doing in the context of upholding their own laws, and trying to manage the security situation," says Pyatt.
In a bold move, Russia called for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from parts of eastern Ukraine.
"It's Ukraine's place to defend its own territory," said Pyatt.
FULL POST
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