In the Nation

OKLAHOMA

2 executions stayed over state's secrecy

Two Oklahoma inmates, including one scheduled to die Tuesday, won stays of executions Monday when the state's highest court ruled that the inmates had a right to challenge the secrecy over the drugs the state intended to use to put them to death.

In a 5-4 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court stayed the executions of Clayton Lockett, set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, and Charles Warner, set for next Tuesday, "until final determination of all the issues presently pending" are addressed, the court said.

The case raised "grave first impression constitutional issues," the court ruling says.

Lockett was convicted of shooting to death a 19-year-old woman whom he and two other men kidnapped in June 1999. Warner was convicted of raping and murdering an 11-month-old child.

Oklahoma officials had no immediate comment. - AP

WASHINGTON

Muffled spy agencies

Employees of U.S. intelligence agencies have been barred from discussing any intelligence- related matter with journalists without authorization - even if it isn't classified - according to a new directive by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Agency employees who violate the policy could suffer career-ending losses of security clearances, termination, even criminal prosecution, says the directive, which Clapper signed March 20, but was made public Monday by Steven Aftergood, who runs the Federation of American Scientists' Project on Government Secrecy. - McClatchy

ALASKA

Symbolic gesture

Lawmakers gave final approval Monday to a bill that would officially recognize the state's 20 indigenous languages at risk of dying out. Only Hawaii has taken similar action. - AP