Edward Putnam revealed as a rapist: Man who claimed handouts after £4.5million win attacked girl, 17

The £4.5million lottery winner who was exposed last week as a benefits cheat is also a convicted rapist.

Edward Putman, 46, declined publicity when he won the huge sum in September 2009, but his identity was revealed when he was taken to court for claiming benefits even after winning his jackpot.

And yesterday it emerged that he was convicted in 1993 of raping a 17-year-old girl in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, and sentenced to seven years.

The disclosure of Putman’s violent criminal background comes three years after another lottery winner – Iorworth Hoare – handed over £100,000 in an out-of-court settlement to a woman he had raped years previously.

Putman’s victim will now also have the right to sue for damages. Read More

New limits for U.S. influence in Middle East

(Reuters) - Events in Egypt, Bahrain and Syria illustrate the limits of U.S. influence in the Middle East following the Arab Spring and a U.S. reluctance, at times, to exercise such clout as it has.

Court rulings in Egypt and in Bahrain this week, analysts say, show the ruling authorities' desire to maintain their grip on power and the United States' limited ability to shape events despite its general support for democracy.

After decades in which Washington has been the region's dominant outside player, deploying its military to guarantee the flow of oil and its diplomatic muscle to advance peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, the pro-democracy demonstrations of the Arab Spring appear to have changed the equation.

President Barack Obama's early hopes of brokering an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal have foundered.

And U.S. blunders in Iraq, where violence persists nine years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, have also eroded U.S. credibility, Middle East analysts said. Read More

Mexico's drug war rocks U.S. expat stronghold

(Reuters) - For decades, American and Canadian expats have flocked to the shores of Chapala, seeking refuge in the spring-like climate of Mexico's largest natural lake, where English author D.H. Lawrence once came for inspiration.

But the calm of the clustered lakeside retreats was shattered last month when suspected drug-gang hitmen kidnapped a group of Mexican locals and dumped 18 decapitated bodies in two vehicles just miles (kilometers) from the lakeside tourist enclave of Ajijic.

The explosion of violence followed months of escalating tension in a turf war between the Sinaloa and Zetas drug cartels that has spread from smuggling routes in the north to the fringes of Mexico's second biggest city, Guadalajara.

Just 40 minutes from the Jalisco state capital, the Chapala slayings horrified foreigners and locals alike, who locked themselves indoors and stopped going out.

"We thought it was going to be the end of Ajijic," said Phil Rylett, a 61-year-old retiree from Sacramento, California, who was in the picturesque village finalizing plans to buy a house with his wife. "You can't live in paradise if you're afraid." Read More

Greek pro-bailout parties look to forge coalition

ATHENS, June 18 (Reuters) - Political parties supporting Greece's international bailout will begin forging a government on Monday after an election victory over radical leftists staved off the prospect of the debt-laden country leaving the euro and brought relief to global markets.

Conservative New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras called for broad support after winning Sunday's election over the radical SYRIZA party, which had threatened to cancel the aid deal in defiance of the country's lenders.

"There is no time to waste," Samaras told reporters in Athens as jubilant, chanting supporters waved blue party flags. "A national salvation government must bring economic growth and reassure Greeks the worst is over," he said.

With 99 percent of ballots counted, New Democracy had won 29.7 percent of the vote, ahead of SYRIZA on 27 percent. Samaras will need the support of the once-mighty PASOK Socialists, now humbled by angry Greeks, to form a government.

A 50-seat bonus given to the party which comes first would give New Democracy and PASOK 162 seats in the 300-seat parliament, in an alliance broadly committed to the 130 billion euros ($164 billion) bailout. Read More

2.7 Magnitude Earthquake YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING - 18th June 2012

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake has struck YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING at a depth of 1 km (0.6 miles), the quake hit at 03:27:42 UTC Monday 18th June 2012
The epicenter was 47 km (29 miles) SSE from Gardiner, Montana
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - 18th June 2012

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has struck the ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA at a depth of 52.7 km (32.7 miles), the quake hit at 03:17:35 UTC Monday 18th June 2012
The epicenter was 62 km (38 miles) Southeast from Atka, Alaska
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Google reports 'alarming' rise in censorship by governments

Search engine company has said there has been a troubling increase in requests to remove political content from the internet.

There has been an alarming rise in the number of times governments attempted to censor the internet in last six months, according to a report from Google.

Since the search engine last published its bi-annual transparency report, it said it had seen a troubling increase in requests to remove political content. Many of these requests came from western democracies not typically associated with censorship.

It said Spanish regulators asked Google to remove 270 links to blogs and newspaper articles critical of public figures. It did not comply. In Poland, it was asked to remove an article critical of the Polish agency for enterprise development and eight other results that linked to the article. Again, the company did not comply.

Google was asked by Canadian officials to remove a YouTube video of a citizen urinating on his passport and flushing it down the toilet. It refused.

Thai authorities asked Google to remove 149 YouTube videos for allegedly insulting the monarchy, a violation of Thailand's lèse-majesté law. The company complied with 70% of the requests. Read More

Britain's banks have restarted their lending squeeze, starving small companies of credit

Britain's banks have restarted their lending squeeze, starving small companies of credit, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warns today.

Its quarterly Voice of Small Business Index, which surveys the sector's confidence, has found that four in 10 small firms applying for credit are being turned away. The effects are malign, including the 10th consecutive quarter of job cutbacks. Confidence among small businesses and entrepreneurs has fallen in every industry sector except health and motor services.

The findings came days after the Bank of England launched its initiative to lend up to £140bn to banks, much of which they will have to pass on in lending. Read More

Cameron to urge 'difficult' decisions on Europe

LOS CABOS, Mexico — British Prime Minister David Cameron is expected on Monday to urge Europe to make tough decisions including structural reform, warning of the risk of "perpetual stagnation" without action.

Cameron was en route to a summit of the Group of 20 major economies in the Mexican resort of Los Cabos, hours after concerns of a greater eurozone crisis eased as Greek voters handed a victory to supporters of a bailout.

In excerpts released of his speech, Cameron said that the eurozone -- of which Britain is not a member -- should be prepared to make "sacrifices" so that the continent's woes do not sap the rest of the global economy.

"If the eurozone is to stay together then it has to make at least some of these difficult decisions," Cameron said in the prepared remarks. Read More

Socialists take majority control in France

FRANCE'S Socialists have won control of parliament, handing President Francois Hollande the convincing majority he needs to push through his tax-and-spend agenda to battle the eurozone debt crisis.

The Socialists' bloc obtained 314 seats - an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly - and so will not need to rely on the Greens or the far left, according to official results.

The far-right National Front was set to return to parliament for the first time since 1998 after winning two seats in the south of the country, although party leader Marine Le Pen lost her own bid for a seat.

Mr Hollande, who defeated conservative Nicolas Sarkozy in the presidential election in May, had urged voters to give him the MPs he needs to steer France through the eurozone crisis, rising unemployment and a faltering economy. Read More

Egypt's military 'grants itself sweeping powers'

Egypt's ruling military has issued a declaration apparently granting itself sweeping powers, as the country awaits results of presidential elections.

The document by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (Scaf) reportedly says new general elections can not be held until a permanent constitution is drawn up.

It also allegedly gives the Scaf legislative control.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood says its candidate, Mohammed Mursi, has won Sunday's presidential election.

Mr Mursi, an Islamist, is competing against Ahmed Shafiq, who served as prime minister under former President Hosni Mubarak.

Mr Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood said he was holding a 52%-48% lead over Mr Shafiq with almost all teh vote counted after Sunday's second-round run-off election.

"Mohammed Mursi is the first Egyptian president of the republic elected by the people," said a tweet from the Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.

But an official at Mr Shafiq's campaign headquarters told Reuters news agency: "I do not accept this, I will not file wrong numbers."

Official results have yet to be announced. Read More

Oil rises as pro-bailout Greek parties set for majority

(Reuters) - Crude futures rose in early Asian trade on Monday as Greece's pro-bailout parties looked set to win a slim majority at weekend elections, easing investor fears of an imminent exit from the euro zone.

U.S. crude had risen 74 cents to $84.77 per barrel by 2337 GMT, while Brent crude climbed 99 cents to $98.60 per barrel.

Both Brent and U.S. crude touched one-month highs earlier.

Official vote projections from Greece's interior ministry showed the pro-bailout New Democracy party taking 29.5 percent of the vote, with SYRIZA in second place with 27.1 percent. The Socialist PASOK followed in third place with 12.3 percent.

The initial Greek vote results drew expressions of relief from world leaders who are due to kick off a G20 meeting in Mexico on Monday. Read More

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE CHIAPAS, MEXICO - 18th June 2012

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck OFFSHORE CHIAPAS, MEXICO at a depth of 82.4 km (51.2 miles), the quake hit at 02:53:21 UTC Monday 18th June 2012
The epicenter was 53 km (32 miles) Southwest of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake AZORES ISLANDS REGION - 18th June 2012

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck the AZORES ISLANDS REGION at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 00:02:40 UTC Monday 18th June 2012
The epicenter was 314 km (195 miles) NNE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Azores, Portugal
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

5.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck the SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION at a depth of 10.1 km (6.3 miles), the quake hit at 23:43:39 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 51 km (31.6 miles) ESE of Visokoi Island, South Sandwich Islands
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake AZORES ISLANDS REGION - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has struck the AZORES ISLANDS REGION at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 23:32:08 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 385 km (239 miles) NNE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Azores, Portugal
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

6.4 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has struck NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN at a depth of 31.8 km (19.8 miles), the quake hit at 20:32:20 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 113 km (70 miles) Southeast of Morioka, Honshu, Japan
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

D-FOX: Please contact us if you can read this

To D-fox: if you're reading this, please contact us at thecomingcrisis@gmail.com. It's important -- we believe.

Ex-rebels tapped to fill Libya's security ranks

'Israeli strike on Iran means new war for US'

American Spring: The Documentary

Pt 2

Medal of Dishonour: US veterans dump awards outraged by endless wars

Olympic Tickets scandal an insult to fans and taxpayers....Oh Don't Worry about it, Expected Nothing Else!

Revelations that tickets for the London Games found their way on to the black market are all too predictable and shame the IOC.

Of all the negative stories – from transport meltdowns to security scares – likely to afflict the London Olympics before the curtain goes up on Danny Boyle's opening ceremony, Sunday's was the most predictable. And yet it is also potentially among the most damaging.

Claims that 27 representatives of 54 countries – more than a quarter of the total number whose athletes will march around the track in Stratford in the name of Olympic values – were prepared to break International Olympic Committee rules and sell thousands of tickets on the black market will not come as a big surprise to many. Certainly not to anyone who has observed the margins of major sporting events since the 1984 Los Angeles Games set the template for the modern era.

Yet the numbers involved still shock – up to £6,000 demanded for "AA" blue riband tickets sloshing around in a global market for an event staged in venues built with billions of pounds of public money. Read More

Scott Johnson Killed when Stage Collapsed before the Radiohead concert in Toronto

A man killed when a stage collapsed before a Radiohead concert in Toronto has been named as Briton, Scott Johnson.

The Foreign Office confirmed the 33-year-old drum technician from South Yorkshire died during preparations for the gig at the city's Downsview Park. His family has been told.

Canadian officials said it was a "crushing injury" that killed Mr Johnson.

Police spokesman Tony Vella said on Saturday: "Crew were setting up when the top portion collapsed on top of them."

Dusty Lalas, an employee with Toronto Radio Station The Edge, which was sponsoring the concert, said the structure suddenly caved in.

"There was a loud crash and it sounded like sheet metal and lightning and we just saw the stage collapse." Read More

Greek People 'Have Voted For The Euro'

The Greek people have voted to remain in the euro, New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras has declared after his party was projected to win the election.

The conservative leader claimed victory in a speech in Athens and called for a government of national unity.

"The Greek people voted today to stay on a European course and remain in the eurozone," he said.

"There will be no more adventures; Greece's place in Europe will not be put in doubt, the sacrifices of the Greek people will bear fruit."

The pro-euro conservative party will win the election with 29.5% of the overall vote - just ahead of the radical left Syriza party on 27.1%, according to an official projection.

That means New Democracy will be the biggest single party with 128 seats in the single-tier parliament - but it will not have an overall majority. Read More

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake GREECE - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has struck GREECE at a depth of 14.2 km (8.8 miles), the quake hit at 19:20:43 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 56 km (34 miles) SSE of Bitola, Macedonia
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake TAIWAN - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake has struck TAIWAN at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles), the quake hit at 18:52:09 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 12 km (7.4 miles) Southeast of Fenglin, Taiwan
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake MOLUCCA SEA - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck the MOLUCCA SEA at a depth of 80 km (49.6 miles), the quake hit at 18:49:11 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 72 km (44.6 miles) Northwest of Ternate, Moluccas, Indonesia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.4 Magnitude Earthquake AZORES ISLANDS REGION - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake has struck the AZORES ISLANDS REGION at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles), the quake hit at 17:35:16 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 346 km (214.5 miles) Northwest of Angra, Portugal
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake TONGA - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has struck TONGA at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 17:26:27 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 109 km (67.6 miles) Northeast of NUKU`ALOFA, Tonga
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Greek Conservatives Vie With Radical Left

The first Greek election exit poll suggests it is neck-and-neck between the conservative New Democracy party and the radical left Syriza party.

The poll showed New Democracy taking between 27.5%-30.5% of the vote, while Syriza was just behind with 27%-30%.

They were followed by the Pasok socialists with 10%-12% of the vote.

The result of this election could determine the country's future in Europe, and that of the single currency.

Roughly, a single party would need between 36%-38% to have an overall majority - the exit poll figures show the two lead parties well below that.

If neither side achieves a majority, they will both be looking to cut a deal.

More to follow...

Rodney King Dead at 47

Rodney King -- the man who was at the center of the infamous Los Angeles riots -- was found dead this morning in Rialito, CA. He was 47.

According to our sources, King's fiancée found him dead at the bottom of a pool.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they responded to a call at 5:25 AM PT. We're told they physically removed King from the pool and attempted CPR.

Our sources say he was pronounced dead at 6:11 AM.

Law enforcement sources say Rialto PD will open a drowning investigation. more

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake has struck CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA at a depth of 100 km (62 miles), the quake hit at 16:09:50 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 155 km (96.1 miles) South of Kalamáta, Greece
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake TAIWAN - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake has struck TAIWAN at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles), the quake hit at 15:48:03 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 11 km (6.8 miles) Southeast of Fenglin, Taiwan
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.4 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake has struck the NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles), the quake hit at 14:34:24 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 538 km (333.5 miles) Northwest of Angra
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

3.3 Magnitude Earthquake TENNESSEE - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake has struck TENNESSEE at a depth of 8.4 km (5.2 miles), the quake hit at 13:40:31 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 6 km (3.7 miles) Northwest from Tiptonville, Tennessee
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Turkish Prison Fire Killing 13 Inmates

Thirteen prisoners have died and another five been injured in a fire at a Turkish prison officials say was started by inmates during a dispute.

The blaze broke out at a jail housing about 1,000 prisoners in the city of Sanliurfa in southeastern Turkey.

It took hold after 18 inmates in a ward got into a fight and set beds and blankets alight, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

It is unclear whether the victims died of burns or from asphyxiation.

The other five prisoners were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. Their condition is not thought to be serious. Read More

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has struck the FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA at a depth of 48.1 km (29.9 miles), the quake hit at 12:53:51 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 54 km (33 miles) South of Akutan, Alaska
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.5 Magnitude Earthquake JAVA, INDONESIA - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has struck JAVA, INDONESIA at a depth of 60 km (37.2 miles), the quake hit at 12:47:14 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 86 km (53.3 miles) West of Banjar, Java, Indonesia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake TONGA - 17th June 2012

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has struck TONGA at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 12:38:44 UTC Sunday 17th June 2012
The epicenter was 205 km (127.1 miles) Southwest of Apia, Samoa
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Greek Americans brace for vote on euro

Keiser Report: City of Biggest Crooks

Why You Should Care: Street lamps spying in US cities

'Secret' X-37B spacecraft lands in California

The Genius of Mutual Indebtedness - Nigel Farage

Greek, Spanish savings flee eurozone crisis

Savers across Europe are fleeing the continent's debt crisis. In Europe's most economically stricken countries, people are taking their money out of their banks as a way to protect their savings from the continent's growing financial storm.

Worried that their savings could be devalued, or that banks are on the verge of collapse and that governments cannot make good on deposit insurance, people in Greece, Spain and beyond are withdrawing euros by the billions -- behavior that is magnifying their countries' financial stresses. The money is being hoarded at home or deposited in banks in more stable economies.

In Greece and Spain, two of the hardest-hit by the debt crisis in the 17 countries that use the euro, savers and businesses are already pulling money out of banks. They are either worried that their money could be converted into a new currency at a much lower value or because their bank might be on the verge of collapse.

It's a steady bank "jog" at the moment than a full-bore run. But it threatens to undermine the finances of those countries' already-stressed lenders. And if it does turn into a full bank run after Greece's crucial election on Sunday, it could hasten financial disaster in Europe and help spread turmoil around the world. Read More