Newscast for Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Opposition in Kyrgyzstan claims power after violent clashes
Opposition leaders in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan say they have formed a new government. The announcement came on state television after the opposition took control of the studios. According to the New York Times, officials at the airport have confirmed that the president has left the capital, Bishkek, on a presidential plane.

Earlier in the day thousands of protesters clashed with police in front of the presidential office in the capital. Riot police fired on crowds with bullets, tear gas and stun grenades. Photos show bloodied protesters and police, burning vehicles and smoke rising from the capital’s main square.

The government's health ministry says 40 people have been killed and 400 wounded. It's not clear how many of those killed were protestors or police. The opposition put the number killed at 100.

According to Reuters and the AP, in another town a deputy prime minister and an interior minister were badly beaten as protesters seized government buildings.

Kyrgyzstan is a key American ally in the region and declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but in the past year the political climate has grown increasingly tense as the ruling government has used harsh methods to stifle dissent.

To discuss the current crisis, we’re joined by Alexander Cooley, an associate professor of international relations and foreign policy at Barnard college and an expert in the Central Asia region.

Obama administration authorizes assassination of American citizen
U.S. officials say the Obama administration has authorized the targeted killing of a U.S. citizen, a rare and possibly unprecedented move. Anwar al-Awlaki, the Yemeni-American radical cleric with ties to 9-11 and both the Fort Hood shooter and the Christmas Day bombing, is now on CIA and U.S. military target lists that approve his killing.  Questions surround the practice of including American citizens on the list.  FSRN’s Matt Pearson reports.

Hamas announces go-ahead with controversial executions in Gaza
The ruling Hamas party in Gaza has recently announced it will begin executions of a number of prisoners who were convicted of collaborating with Israel. But legal experts have questioned the legality of the executions and human rights groups have called on Hamas to refrain from implementing the sentences. FSRN's Rami Almeghari has more.

At inquiry into financial crisis, Greenspan and bank officials defend conduct
Today former chair of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan defended his term of service during the lead up to the financial crisis. Greenspan testified in front of the Congressional Financial Inquiry Commission as it begins the first of three days of hearings. The commission is focusing on the connection between the sub prime loan crisis and the financial meltdown. In addition to Greenspan, banking officials also faced questions. FSRN's Karen Miller has more.