Newscast for Tuesday, March 3, 2009

• Attack on Sri Lankan cricketers
• Bush era “terror memos” revealed
• Cuba Government Shake Up
• Hearing on healthcare facilities at the ICE facilities
• Palestinian human rights advocates push event forward
• Renewable energy on reservations

Attack on Sri Lankan cricketers
Sri Lanka’s cricket team was attacked in Lahore Pakistan: the ambush claimed the lives of five policemen and injured seven players, a coach and an umpire. It is unclear who orchestrated or carried out the assault; if the Sri Lankan team was the target or if they were caught up in violence between rival groups. Puck Lo reads for our correspondent in Pakistan, Gabe Matthews.

Bush era “terror memos” revealed
The Justice Department released nine Bush Administration memos that justified broad Presidential powers after September 11. The memos state the President has the power to use the military within the United States against suspected terrorists, that the President has the right to conduct warrant-less surveillance and searches within the Untied States, and that First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of the press could be suppressed. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Cuba Government Shake Up
Cuban President Raúl Castro has shaken up that country’s cabinet, ousting several of Fidel Castro’s closest advisors. Included in that list is Felipe Perez Roque, who some thought might be next in line to become president of the socialist island-nation. It’s unclear if the shake-up connotes a significant power change or simply a generational change. Aura Bogado speaks with Larry Birns, Director of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs.

Hearing on healthcare facilities at the ICE facilities
A congressional committee heard testimony today about health services for inmates in Immigration and Customs enforcement detention. Critics cite the number of people who have died in custody, as well as the general health care provided to detainees, including those with existing mental and physical conditions. Peter Granitz reports.

Palestinian human rights advocates push event forward
The 5th annual Israeli Apartheid Week has launched in more than 40 cities around the world this week, and the event brings along with it its fair share of controversy. FSRN’s Aaron Lakoff reports on some of the advances and setbacks for Palestinian human rights advocates at campuses across the US and Canada.

Renewable energy on reservations
President Obama met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today to discuss the new energy economy. The Interior Department announced plans to "promote energy security with a focus on clean renewable sources." A large portion of Obama’s economic stimulus package is geared toward creating a new energy economy, but how much of that money will apply to Native American tribes? Some Native Americans who are trying to develop a green energy economy on reservations across the Western plains are questioning whether Obama will bring real change to tribe economies dependent on unsustainable industries. In our latest story from our “Running on Empty” energy series, Blake Wesley files this report.