Merkel successor criticized for transgender joke

Angela Merkel's successor as head of Germany's Christian Democratic party is facing heavy criticism for making a joke deemed offensive to transgender people.

She made fun of bathrooms for third genders during a Carnival celebration in the south of the country.

Ira Spitzer reports from Berlin.

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S. Korea, U.S. launch new, smaller spring war games

South Korea and the U.S. have launched annual spring military exercises. But the latest drills have been scaled down significantly in an attempt to prolong talks with North Korea on denuclearization.

Bruce Harrison reports from Seoul.

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The spring war games were once among the largest in the world.

Tens of thousands of U.S. troops and hundreds of thousands of South Koreans took part.

But the new versions are expected to be much smaller… and less threatening to North Korea.

Seoul and Washington have been toning down and even suspending drills as they attempt to convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.

The announcement about the spring drills comes after Trump and leader Kim Jong-un met for a second time in Hanoi, but failed to reach a deal on denuclearization.

Despite that outcome, the U.S. has spoken for months about scaling back the war games… which Trump has criticized as too expensive.

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Senior Democrat Launches Major Probe of Donald Trump

A Senior Democrat in the US House of Representatives is initiating a major investigation into Donald Trump, his administration and his associates.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, who has the power to initiate the impeachment process, says he wants to gather facts to determine if that would be justified.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

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Tornado Claims Multiple Casualties

At least 14 people have been killed after a tornado struck the U.S. state of Georgia...and that death toll is expected to rise.

The hardest-hit areas were in the communities of Beauregard and Smiths Station in the southwest of the state.

The tornado ripped through homes, knocking down trees and powerlines. 

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris says rescue crews are working through the night to help those impacted.

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Militia Attacks in DRC Undermine Ebola Response

An armed group in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has shot dead five civilians and a soldier, adding to concerns about worsening security in the Ebola-hit area.

The attack took place close to Goma City, close to the borders with Uganda and Rwanda.

The medical aid group MSF has suspended its work after militia attacked two Ebola treatment centers last week.

Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson for the UN's World Health Organization says they are trying to minimize the impacts...

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Guiado Plans Return to Venezuela

Venezuelan Juan Guaido says he's returning to his home country to attend protest marches.

But the man who's challenging the rule of President Nicholas Maduro may be arrested if he returns.

Guaido is being supported by the United States in assertinghis status as interim President of the country. 

Ambassador John Bolton, President Trump's National Security Advisor has warned on Twitter that " Any threats or acts against his safe return will be met with a strong and significant response from the United States and the international community."

Speaking on the CNN program "State of the Union" Bolton says he's seeking international support.

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US Democrats Begin Major Trump Document Trawl

The US House Judiciary Committee is requesting documents from more than 60 individuals and entities linked to Donald Trump, his administration and his business empire.

The committee is looking at obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power.

Donald Trump has taken to Twitter, calling such efforts 'Presidential harassment by "crazed Democrats". 

The Democrat Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is Jerrold Nadler explained the purpose to ABC's 'This Week'...

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Trump says Cohen book will reveal lies

US President Donald Trump is calling on lawmakers to seize the
manuscript of his former lawyer Michael Cohen saying it will show
Cohen lied to Congress.

Trump said the book would make lawmakers' heads "spin" as it
contradicts his public testimony from earlier this week.

Nick Harper reports from New York.

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US House to Investigate Granting of Security Clearance to Jared Kushner

The U.S. House of Representatives is investigating the process that led to the granting of a top secret security clearance to the President's son-in-law.

It follows media reports that Donald Trump ordered the clearance for Jared Kushner despite his being rejected through the normal process.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

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S. Koreans mark centennial of independence movement against Japan

Thousands of South Koreans gathered downtown Seoul on Friday to mark the centennial of Korea's Independence Movement against colonial Japan.

Bruce Harrison reports from the capital.

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A familiar rallying cry.

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On these same streets 100 years ago, Koreans also shouted manse, or long live, as they declared their independence from Japan.

Millions would march and thousands would die as Japan launched a brutal, nationwide-crackdown on the independence movement that began on March first, 1919.

President Moon Jae-in honored the freedom fighters at a speech downtown.

But he also focused on the next one-hundred years.

He said South Korea will take a leading role to secure peace.

Moon said he hopes to resume projects with North Korea, including tourism and a joint light-industry complex just north of the border.

His remarks come just a day after President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un failed to reach a deal at their summit in Hanoi.

Ever optimistic, Moon said when there is progress on denuclearization, Seoul will form a committee to create economic achievements that help both Koreas.

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