Cheney kept CIA program from Congress

The CIA withheld information about a secret counterterrorism program from Congress during the Bush administration on direct orders from then-Vice President Dick Cheney, current CIA director Leon Panetta told members of Congress.

David “Kungfu” Carradine found Dead in Thai hotel

Update June 6: New find indicates that Carradine’s cause of dead may not be a suicide. It could have been engaged in a dangerous form of sex play known as auto-erotic asphyxiation.

The practice involves temporarily cutting off the supply of oxygen to the brain to heighten the effects of a sexual climax.

Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, said the circumstances suggested that Carradine may have died performing auto-erotic asphyxiation, which is said to result in a form of giddiness and euphoria _ similar to alcohol or drug intoxication _ that enhances the sexual experience.

“In some cases it can suggest murder, too. But sometimes when the victim is naked and in bondage, it can suggest that the victim is doing it to himself,” said Pornthip, who is considered the country’s top criminal forensics expert but who did not take part in the autopsy. “If you hang yourself by the neck, you don’t need so much pressure to kill yourself. Those who get highly sexually aroused tend to forget this fact.”

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I used to enjoy David “Kungfu” Carradine. His been found hanged to death (allegedly suicide) in a Bangkok (Thailand) hotel. Surely, the way he choses his death surprise many of his fans including me.

Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s US television show “Kung Fu,” was found naked and hanging dead from a rope in the closet of his luxury Bangkok hotel room Thursday..

Photo of David Carradine Polanski

European Nations May Investigate Bush Officials for Violating International Law

European prosecutors are likely to investigate CIA and Bush administration officials on suspicion of violating an international ban on torture if they are not held legally accountable at home, according to U.N. officials and human rights lawyers.

Three dead in suspected US strike in Pakistan

“Suspected” US missiles kills 3 in Pakistan

Suspected US missiles struck a Taliban compound in a northwestern Pakistan militant stronghold bordering Afghanistan on Sunday, killing three people, officials said.

20 Americans On Board of Somali Pirates Hijack Ship

Somali pirates on Wednesday hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship with 20 American crew members onboard, the shipping company said.

The 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama was carrying emergency relief to Mombasa, Kenya, when it was hijacked, said Peter Beck-Bang, spokesman for the Copenhagen-based container shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk. more

US war dead media ban lifted

The media have been given access to the return home of a dead US soldier for the first time since an 18-year ban on coverage was lifted.

Reporters were allowed to witness the ceremony marking the return of the body of Air Force Staff Sgt Phillip Myers, with the permission of his family. BBC reports.

Image shows North Korea rocket on launch pad

While Japan Prepares for N.Korea Missile Launch

A North Korean rocket slated for launch sometime early next month can be clearly seen in a satellite photograph taken Sunday, the Institute for Science and International Security said Sunday.

The US, of course, won’t be left behind. For example, US destroyers set sail ahead of North Korean launch. A new beginning of WW II?