Lara Jakes

Obama to address drones, Gitmo in security speech - WCMH: News, Weather, and Sports for Columbus, Ohio

nbc4i.com — By LARA JAKES and LOLITA C. BALDORAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is set to at least partially lift the veil of secrecy surrounding U.S.-directed drone strikes around the world, a key component of counterterrorism strategy, as he outlines the contours of the continuing threat to American security.

4 Americans killed since 2009 in US drone strikes

news.yahoo.com — WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that four American citizens have been killed in drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen since 2009. The disclosure to Congress comes on the eve of a major national security speech by President Barack Obama in which he plans to pledge more transparency to Congress in his counterterrorism policy.

Leak investigations are indeed having a chilling effect

washingtonpost.com — Over the weekend the Post broke a remarkable story about an ongoing Justice Department investigation into a 2009 leak of classified information about North Korea. Investigators did more than just gather phone records, as happened in the probe of leaks to the Associated Press that's gotten so much attention.

Car bombs in Baghdad, south Iraq kill at least 34

bigstory.ap.org — BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi officials say five car bombs have gone off in Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad, killing 16 people and wounding 75.Police officials say the blasts struck bus stations and outdoor markets on Monday morning. Hospital officials confirmed the casualty tolls.

Kerry expects Syrians to attend transition talks

bigstory.ap.org — STOCKHOLM (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a stern warning Tuesday to Syria's government, saying that new help will be given to opposition forces should President Bashar Assad's regime decide to back out of upcoming negotiations aimed at ending Syria's two-year war.Kerry said he has every expectation that both sides in the conflict, which has left more than 70,000 dead, will participate in an international conference to negotiate a peaceful transition in Syria.