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Helicopter crashes in Sierra Leone, killing 20 A passenger helicopter crashed in Sierra Leone on Sunday, killing at least 20 people. The accident occurred during a short flight from Freetown to Lungi International Airport. Russia threatens to point nuclear missiles at European cities Just one day before the G-8 Summit is set to begin, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during an interview on Sunday with several reports from various G-8 countries, that Russia will point their nuclear missiles at major European cities if the United States sets up any kind of missile defense system in Europe.

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Ancestors of humans learned to walk in trees, study says Scientists from the United Kingdom and who spent one year watching orangutans have revealed in a study that humans may have learned to walk while still living in the trees, and that humans may not be that closely related to chimpanzees.

Wikipedia Current Events
Fresh clashes break out between protestors and police in Rostock in Germany prior to the G8 meeting. Cyclone Gonu forces the Government of Oman to evacuate 7,000 people from the island of Masira off the east coast of Oman. A military judge dismisses terrorism-related charges against a Canadian Guantanamo Bay detainee charged with killing a United States Army soldier in Afghanistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin announces that Russia may consider targeting new sites across Europe with nuclear weapons if the United States continues to pursue an anti-missile system on the continent. The United States and NATO condemn Putin's stance. China publishes its first National Action Plan on Climate Change, expected to cut national carbon emissions by up to 1.5 million metric tons annually by 2010. Two Red Cross aid workers are found dead after being detained for questioning by unknown men claiming to be police. There is heavy fighting in the north of Sri Lanka with both the Army and the Tamil Tigers claiming that they have inflicted heavy casualties on their opponents. The war crimes trial of former President of Liberia Charles G. Taylor at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone begins at The Hague. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games unveil the official logo for the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Paralympics to be held in London, England.

Man wakes up from coma after 19 years
Jan Grzewski, 65, a former railroad worker from Poland was attaching two rail cars in 1988 and was severely injured after a train car ran him over, causing him to fall into a coma. 19 years later, Grzewski has awoken from his coma.

"I wake up at 7 a.m. and I watch TV. I could not talk or do anything, now it's much better," said Grzewski.

After Grzewski fell into a coma, doctors also diagnosed him with brain cancer and that he would not survive. Gertruda, Grzewski's wife, has been caring for him ever since in their home in Poland.

In 2006, Gertruda had began to notice Jan attempting to talk so she took him back to the hospital and less than two months later, Jan awoke from his coma.

Grzewski was injured while Poland was still a communist nation and he remembers seeing only "tea and vinegar" on the shelves of stores.

"When I went into a coma, there was only tea and vinegar in the shops. Meat was rationed and there were huge petrol queues everywhere. Now I see people on the streets with cellphones and there are so many goods in the shops it makes my head spin," added Grzewski.

Greek actor Sotiris Moustakas dies at 67
The Cyprus-born, Greek actor Sotiris Moustakas died suddenly today in Athens, Greece. During rehearsals Moustakas felt unwell and was transferred to a private hospital of Athens. He was taken to the intensive care unit, but he passed away, early in the morning. He was 67 years old.

Sotiris Moustakas was born in Limassol, Cyprus in 1940. He began working in Greece as of the mid sixties, performing on the cinema, theatre and TV. Moustakas became famous after his small role as the young villain in the Hollywood movie Zorba the Greek in 1964. He graduated from the National Theatre School and he also played many parts in Aristophanes’ plays in theatres around Greece. Sotiris Moustakas was about to tour Greece during summer, playing Aristophanes' comedy along with actor Thimios Karakatsanis.

UEFA Euro 2008: Denmark-Sweden abandoned at 3-3
On Saturday, June 2, referee Herbert Fandel abandoned the UEFA Euro 2008 qualification match between Denmark and Sweden. The match, which was being played at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, was tied 3-3 with one minute to go in regulation time.

Denmark had fought back from a 3 goal deficit to tie the match, when Fandel awarded a penalty kick to Sweden and showed Christian Poulsen the red card for a flagrant foul. A Danish fan made his way onto the pitch and attempted to assault the referee, although he was at least partially restrained by Danish players. Sweden will likely be awarded a 3-0 victory by the UEFA. This and any other sanctions will be announced on Friday.

The fan, whose identity was protected by the judge at his arraignment, apologized to his countrymen, many of whom see him as a traitor. "People in Denmark hate me, but I have no feeling yet what the reaction in Sweden is, other than they of course believe I am an idiot," said the 29-year-old Dane who claims to have consumed 15 to 20 beers before the incident.

Charles Taylor of Liberia boycotts war crimes trial
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor, who is facing charges of war crimes for his role in the Sierra Leone Civil War, has decided to boycott the proceedings at The Hague under the auspices of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. He faces 11 charges of war crimes, all of which he denies.

Taylor claims that his trial will not be fair as he only has one defense lawyer. "He has not thumbed his nose at the court," said Karim Khan, his counsel, before producing the letter in which Taylor said he would "not receive a fair trial at the Special Court at this time."

Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp disagrees with Taylor's assesment. Taylor, he says, has been assigned a lawyer, a special investigator and funds. "Everything that can be done is being done," Rapp told the Special Court.

Russia threatens to point nuclear missiles at European cities
Just one day before the G-8 Summit is scheduled to begin, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during an interview on Sunday that Russia will point their nuclear missiles at major European cities if the United States sets up any kind of missile defense system in Europe. Putin also said that a new cold war has begun with "the west" and that a "new arms race" has begun.

This statement came after the U.S. announced plans to build several missile defense systems based in Poland and the Czech Republic. These defense systems will include radars and missile interceptors. The U.S. states that the planned defense system is to stop incoming nuclear missiles from North Korea and Iran.

Putin says the planned missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic will put "an integral part of the U.S. nuclear arsenal" on Russia's doorstep and upset the world strategic balance.

When Putin was asked by a reporter if Russia would consider pointing their nuclear missiles at Europe, Putin replied "of course we are returning to those times. It is clear that if a part of the US nuclear capability turns up in Europe, and, in the opinion of our military specialists will threaten us, then we are forced to take corresponding steps in response."

Putin continues: "What will those steps be? Naturally, we will have to have new targets in Europe. We want to be heard, we want our position to be understood. But if that does not happen, we lift from ourselves any responsibility for the steps we take in response, because we are not the ones who are initiating the arms race in Europe." Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, Russia removed European targets from its rocket guidance systems.

Putin will be meeting directly with President Bush during the G-8 summit, which begins Wednesday.

NHL: Anaheim's Chris Pronger suspended for Game 4 of playoff finals
The National Hockey League (NHL) handed down a one-game suspension to Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger on Sunday for a hit he laid on Dean McAmmond of the Ottawa Senators during Game 3 of the playoff finals Saturday night.

Although there was no penalty call on the play, replays showed Pronger's forearm hitting the head of McAmmond, who had to be helped from the ice. McAmmond didn't return for the remainder of the game. The hit occurred at 2:01 of the third period.

The league was swift in rendering judgment on Pronger. “A variety of factors were considered in reaching this decision," said Colin Campbell, NHL Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations. "Mr. Pronger used his forearm to deliver a forceful hit to the head of his opponent. Also, his actions caused injury to his opponent."

Ottawa's coach Bryan Murray was not surprised at the suspension. "I think the history of Chris Pronger comes into play a little bit," commented Murray. "There was a very obvious elbow to the head."

Pronger had been suspended for one game previously in the 2007 playoffs for a similar hit on Tomas Holmstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, which may have influenced the league's decision on the latest hit.

McAmmond agreed with the suspension verdict. "I think it should have been a suspension because it was a blow to the head," said McAmmond. "It wasn't incidental. It's not like that couldn't have been avoided."

Whether McAmmond will be fit enough to return for Monday's game is not clear. "I'm feeling pretty much the same as I was yesterday, a little bit headachy, not feeling quite right," explained McAmmond. "I'm going to do everything I can, or as little as I can, to feel good tomorrow. I want to play, but at this point in time, I'm not sure."

Despite the injury to McAmmond, Ottawa went on to win Game 3 with a score of 5 to 3. The next game is scheduled for Monday night in Ottawa.

Helicopter crashes in Sierra Leone, killing 20
A passenger helicopter crashed in Sierra Leone on Sunday, killing at least 20 people, witnesses say.

The helicopter, operated by Paramount Airlines of Sierra Leone, was transporting clients for a charter flight from Freetown to Lungi International Airport.

There is no official word on the identity of all the victims, however it has been reported that the 19 passengers had been returning from a football match that had taken place earlier in the day between Togo and Sierra Leone at an African Nations Cup qualifying game.

One of the dead has been identified as Togo's Minister of Sport, Richard Attipoe. Other passengers were associated with the Togo Sports Ministry and the Togo Football Federation. In addition, journalist Olive Menzah has been identified as one of the victims.

Paramount operates a helicopter ferry service for a short flight between Freetown and Lungi airport. The airport can only be accessed by helicopter or ferry boat.

An airline maintenance officer told AFP news agency that the helicopter caught fire and burst into flames as it was landing. The pilot is reported dead, while the co-pilot is listed in critical condition. Both had jumped from the helicopter moments before it crashed.

The helicopter had apparently been grounded by the Sierra Leone government some months ago for safety violations, but was then put back into service, according to the BBC.

Singapore radio station fined over bra stunt

MediaCorp Radio in Singapore has been fined 15,000 Singaporean dollars (US$9,800) over an on-air stunt in March in which female guests on a radio show were asked to remove their brassieres, and pose for video that was to be posted on the station's website and on YouTube.

The Media Development Authority said the radio show's hosts made improper and sexually suggestive remarks about "how fast the bras were removed, as well as the color, design and cup size of the bras, and the size of the girls' breasts."

Malaysian researchers make erectile dysfunction drug from walnuts

Researchers at University of Malaya say they have developed an erectile dysfunction cure from walnut extract.

"It takes about an hour for the effects to set in and it will last for about four hours," said Professor Dr. Kim Kah Hwi of the Faculty of Medicine Physiology.

So far, 40 volunteers have tried the Viagra alternative, called "N-Hanz", with positive results, Kim said. To make one pill, it takes about 3.3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) of walnuts.

Boy killed in attack by Komodo Dragon

An 8-year-old Indonesian boy died after being attacked on Saturday by a Komodo Dragon at Komodo National Park on Komodo.

The boy was attacked while making a toilet stop in a bush, a park official said. "The dragon bit his waist, tossed him and dragged him. His right leg was badly scratched," park spokesman Heru Rudiharto said. The boy then bled to death.

Attacks by Dragons on humans are rare, though the reptiles, which can grow to a length of 3 meters (9 feet), regularly kill such prey as pigs and small deer. Komodo Dragons are an endangered and protected species, and about 2,000 of them live in the wild, mainly on Komodo and nearby Rinca island.

Today in History
1305 - Bertrand de Goth became Pope Clement V.

1798 - In the Battle of New Ross, British forces prevented the United Irishmen from spreading the Irish Rebellion into Munster.

1849 - Denmark became a constitutional monarchy.

1947 - At a speech at Harvard University, United States Secretary of State George Marshall called for economic aid to war-torn Europe, outlining a recovery program that became known as the Marshall Plan.

1968 - Sirhan Sirhan mortally shot U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy inside the kitchen pantry of The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

1995 - A new phase of matter, the Bose–Einstein condensate was produced for the first time.

June 05 is World Environment Day.

Quote of the Day

The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones, which ramify, for those brought up as most of us have been, into every corner of our minds. ~ John Maynard Keynes

Word of the Day

superfluous; adj

In excess of what is required or sufficient.

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