It’s being billed as one of the biggest political encounters of the year but ahead of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s first meeting, the Kremlin will be happy if it just passes off without too much drama.


Conscious that Trump is mired amid investigations into his presidential campaign’s possible ties to Russia and wary that intense hostility in the U.S. means a positive meeting between the two leaders could easily boomerang negatively back onto Moscow, analysts said they believed Russian officials are tamping down expectations.


“The Kremlin would like to, as they say, ‘keep a low profile’,” said Sergey Markov, an analyst in Moscow with views considered close to the Kremlin.





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/07/06/what-russia-is-expecting-from-putins-meeting-with-trump/

President Trump delivered a staunch defense of Western values during a rousing speech Thursday to thousands of Poles in Warsaw’s Krasinski Square, rallying allies against what he described as “dire threats” to civilization and vowing, “the West will never, ever be broken.

”

On his second overseas trip as president, Trump voiced confidence in the resolve of Western nations to confront common threats but said allies must remember who they are to topple those challenges. Trump said nations must have the will to protect borders and preserve civilization from those who would destroy it.

“Just as Poland cannot be broken, I declare today for the world to hear that the West will never, ever be broken,”

Trump said. “Our values will prevail, our people will thrive and our civilization will triumph.”




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/07/06/we-will-win-in-warsaw-trump-issues-sweeping-call-to-defend-western-civilization/

North Korea successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time on Tuesday, U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News.


The ballistic missile flew longer than any North Korean missile test conducted by the rogue regime to date, U.S. Pacific Command said — meaning Kim Jong Un's dictatorship may now possess the ability to strike Alaska.


North Korea launched previously a missile on Mother's Day that flew for 30 minutes and reached an altitude 1,000 miles higher than the international space station. But Tuesday's missile flew for 37 minutes and reached a height of 1,500 miles, leading missile experts to conclude it could have reached a target 4,000 miles away, putting Alaska in its cross-hairs.





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/07/04/north-korean-first-rogue-nation-successfully-test-launched-icbm-us-officials-confirm-2/

A pregnant woman was caught on video ramming her car into a man she thought was stealing her purse at a Walmart in North Carolina Wednesday.


A witness claimed he saw the suspect — later identified as Robert Raines — rummaging through a purse in an SUV at the Asheville Walmart. The purse and SUV belonged to Christine Braswell, who is five months pregnant.


BATMAN CAME TO THE RESCUE, LITERALLY, AT A TEXAS
WALMART


“When I walked out of Walmart, he had her purse and was pulling all of her stuff out,” Blake Bennett told WLOS. Bennett and his friend told the man to put it down and asked what he was doing.









http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/29/tough-mama-video-pregnant-woman-runs-down-purse-snatcher/

The White House and first lady are standing by President Trump after he published a series of tweets this morning disparaging cable news hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough.


Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders spent much of the afternoon's press briefing defending Trump's actions.


"I think that the president is pushing back against people who attack him day after day after day," she said.


She continued, "The president has been attacked mercilessly on personal accounts by people on that program. The only person I see a war on is this president and every person that works for him."





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/29/white-house-defends-trumps-tweets-about-tv-host/

In a victory for the Trump administration, the Supreme Court on Monday lifted key components of an injunction against President Trump's proposed ban on travel from six majority-Muslim nations, reinstating much of the policy and promising to hear full arguments as early as this fall.

The court's decision means the justices will now wade into the biggest legal controversy of the Trump administration — the president's order temporarily restricting travel, which even Trump has termed a "travel ban."

The court made clear that a limited version of the policy can be enforced for now.

Protesters opposed to President Trump's travel ban wave signs during a demonstration. (AP)



An American individual or entity that has a bona fide relationship with a particular person seeking to enter the country as a refugee can legitimately claim concrete hardship if that person is excluded,” the court wrote. “As to these individuals and entities, we do not disturb the injunction. But when it comes to refugees who lack any such connection to the United States, for the reasons we have set out, the balance tips in favor of the Government’s compelling need to provide for the Nation’s security.”






http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/26/breaking-news-high-court-reinstates-key-parts-of-trump-travel-ban-to-rule-on-case-in-october/

President Donald Trump said this morning that his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, "colluded or obstructed" in regards to Russian interference in the U.S. election.


"The reason that President Obama did NOTHING about Russia after being notified by the CIA of meddling is that he expected Clinton would win…..and did not want to 'rock the boat.' He didn't "'choke,' he colluded or obstructed, and it did the Dems and Crooked Hillary no good," Trump wrote in a series of tweets.


"The real story is that President Obama did NOTHING after being informed in August about Russian meddling. With 4 months looking at Russia…..under a magnifying glass, they have zero "tapes" of T people colluding. There is no collusion & no obstruction. I should be given apology!" he continued.


Trump did not give evidence of Obama's alleged collusion or obstruction.





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/26/trump-claims-obama-colluded-on-russia-without-citing-evidence/

A juror in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial described how several people broke down in tears in the deliberation room as the jury struggled in vain to reach a consensus.


"The most intense moment I think was when there was about four people crying in the room. One was out in the hallway pacing, visibly upset," said 21-year-old Bobby Dugan, one of the 12 jurors assigned to the case.


After more than five days and some 52 hours of deliberation, the jury was not able to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a mistrial.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania District Attorney Kevin Steele has said that he plans to retry the case.


Dugan said that over one week later he still agonizes over the fact that the jury was not able to reach a verdict.



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/26/juror-in-cosby-trial-describes-tears-frustration-of-grueling-deliberations/

A kayaking guide and a group of tourists witnessed an incredible life-and-death fight between a massive fur seal and a massive octopus in New Zealand earlier this week.



The epic confrontation took place at South Bay, on New Zealand’s South Island on June 20, the New Zealand Herald reports.




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/22/fight-to-the-death-huge-seal-battles-octopus-in-incredible-video-face-off/

Guinness Book of World Records holder and world class professional dancer cum choreographer, Kafayat Shefau, popularly known as ‘Kaffy’, in an exclusive chat with Showtime has come out to beg people to stop tagging professional dancers and choreographers prostitutes and promoters of nudity and sensuality.





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/03/stop-calling-dancers-prostitutes-dancer-kaffy-begs/

To some people, the situation they find themselves may be worse than death. Some may hang on in the face of challenges but, right inside, they are only alive but not living. This aptly describes the plight of Grace Nwaiboko, a Fistula patient who was sent out of her matrimonial home when she became blind.



Right inside the hall of the National Obstetrics Fistula Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Grace sat on a white plastic chair holding a walking stick. By her side was a young girl of about 14, simply identified as Ogbom, meaning “My namesake” in English.







http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/04/i-no-longer-leak-urine-faeces-but-i-am-now-childless-blind-homeless-grace/

Our oceans are full of wonderful and extraordinary life-forms.

Scientists have re-discovered a very unusual faceless fish that has no eyes or a visible nose and it’s mouth is underneath.


It was last seen in 1873 and has now been found 4km below sea level in waters south of Sydney, Australia.


Researchers on “The Investigator”, a ship that is currently out on a scientific voyage are studying parts of the ocean never explored before. To their big surprise and joy they found several new species and the unusual faceless fish, which has only been recorded once before by the pioneering scientific crew of HMS Challenger off Papua New Guinea in 1873.





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/02/very-unusual-faceless-fish-re-discovered-after-being-missing-since-1873/

Newly-installed Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde vowed Thursday to “deepen” and “revisit” the renowned slick passing game of the Catalan giants in a bid to lead the club to success in all possible competitions next season.

“I know the style because I played here” between 1998-90, Valverde said at his first press conference after being named successor to Luis Enrique on a two-year contract with the option of a further year.




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/06/01/new-barca-coach-vows-to-revisit-tiki-taka/

Donald Trump What is covfefe? Trump baffles with late night Twitter post


Puzzling tweet by US president late at night leads, naturally, to madness on the internet


If you haven’t looked it up already – don’t bother.




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/31/what-is-covfefe-trump-baffles-with-late-night-twitter-post/

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom to join her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was in London for medical follow-up.


Mrs Buhari departed through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday morning.





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/30/mrs-buhari-departs-for-london/

A woman in northern Thailand chopped off her unfaithful husband’s penis and then drank pesticide to her death, local police told dpa on Tuesday.


Kawinnart Saezong, 33, was declared dead on Monday at a hospital in Phayao province, said Narin Cherdyoo, Phayao police officer.


Kawinnart’s suicide happened soon after she chopped off her 38-year-old husband’s penis while he was asleep early Saturday, after she learned of his multiple infidelities, Narin said.




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/30/woman-chops-off-cheating-husbands-penis-kills-herself/

LAGOS— FORMER Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday faulted the Federal Government’s borrowing of money from China to fund airport, saying that financing of such project should be done through the Nigerian capital market.


The former governor also stressed the need for government to come out with regulations that will make big companies and publicly privatised entities to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, stressing that the Nigerian stock market remains shallow because of absence of needed regulations and structures that allow public companies to list their shares on the Exchange.



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/26/fg-has-no-business-borrowing-to-build-airport-peter-obi/

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting an Eyo plaque to former Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield during the courtesy visit by the former heavyweight boxing champion at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, May 24, 2017...





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/24/ex-heavyweight-boxing-champion-evander-holyfield-meets-akinwunmi-ambode/

A U.S. defense official said Tuesday that– if left unchecked– it is "inevitable" that North Korea will develop a nuclear device that has intercontinental capabilities.
Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said at a Senate hearing that North Korea is working to produce a device that can be transported on a ballistic missile..





http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/24/growing-threat-us-official-n-korea-must-be-held-in-check-or-else/

UK security and counter-terrorism UK 'vulnerable to terror attacks by jihadis unable to reach Syria '
Both Islamic State and al-Qaida are calling for ‘frustrated travellers’ to stay at home and attack in the west instead, Whitehall source says.


Britain has become more vulnerable to terrorist attacks because “frustrated travellers” are finding it more difficult to get to Syria and are being urged by different extremist groups to commit atrocities in the UK...




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/23/uk-vulnerable-to-terror-attacks-by-jihadis-unable-to-reach-syria-nick-hopkins-and-ewen-macaskill/

Roger Moore, best known for playing James Bond in seven of the 007 films, has died. He was 89.


His children shared the news on his verified Twitter account Tuesday that Moore had died in Switzerland after a "short but brave battle with cancer."


"With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated," the statement said...



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/23/roger-moore-dead-english-actor-famous-for-james-bond-role-was-89/

‘Yesterday, Manchester was one of the greatest cities on earth, and it remains so today.’

Manchester Arena attack First thoughts Manchester is suffering now – but its spirit will overcome this atrocity Owen Jones The love and solidarity of Mancunians shone through in their immediate response to the Arena attack. Let’s celebrate the city’s warmth and diversity

The hatred that drives someone to detonate themselves in a crowd of children and teenagers at a concert is impossible to reason with, to quantify, to properly understand. There’s a unique thrill of a gig at that age: those who went would have counted down the days, texted and WhatsApped their excitement in the hours leading up to it, and sang along with their parents and friends...




http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/23/manchester-is-suffering-now-but-its-spirit-will-overcome-this-atrocity-owen-jones/

Donald Trump Donald Trump says 'evil losers' behind Manchester attack.


US president says ‘wicked ideology must be obliterated’, as he delivers remarks alongside Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.

• Manchester attack – latest updates


• What we know so far


• Full report.....



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/23/donald-trump-says-evil-losers-behind-manchester-attack/

Prof. Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), says the founding fathers of the party would reform it to correct some of its lapses.

Utomi said in New York that the party had to be reformed to refocus it to its founding ideals.



The founder and former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party said some of the founding fathers were more committed to building APC as an enduring political party...



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/21/if-you-say-good-morning-they-say-is-he-against-buhari-is-he-for-tinubujonathan/

Kim Jong-un (front right) waves to North Korean rocket developers in a photograph released on Saturday.

North Korea North Korea fires 'unidentified projectile'

South Korean military says projectile took off from location near Pukchang

North Korea fired an unidentified projectile on Sunday, South Korea’s military said.



South Korea’s Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the projectile took off on Sunday afternoon local time from a location near Pukchang.

The office did not give further details.



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/21/north-korea-fires-unidentified-projectile/

Dramatic video shot Saturday shows a large sea lion grabbing and pulling underwater a young girl sitting on a dock near Vancouver.


Canada's CBC News reports that an adult jumped into the water and rescued the girl, who was not hurt.


College student Michael Fujiwara recorded the terrifying scene at the Steveston Fisherman Wharf in Richmond, B.C., with his cell phone, according to the station:




Read more:



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/21/terrifying-video-shows-sea-lion-grabbing-young-girl-pulling-her-underwater/

Newly released Chibok schoolgirls are reunited with their families in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday.

Nigeria The Observer Joy as 82 Chibok schoolgirls hug and kiss their families again Nigeria’s president vows to continue negotiations over freeing remaining Boko Haram captives.



The 82 Nigerian schoolgirls recently released after more than three years in Boko Haram captivity were finally reunited with their families on Saturday in a public display of emotion.



Images from the scene showed brightly dressed families rushing through the crowd to hug the girls. One small group sank to their knees, with a woman raising her hands to the heavens as if in church....



http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/20/joy-as-82-chibok-schoolgirls-hug-and-kiss-their-families-again/

John McCain has said the Turkish ambassador should be thrown ‘the hell out’ of the US. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images



Turkey John McCain:

Turkish ambassador should be 'thrown out' after violence

After brawl between Turkish security personnel and protesters near the ambassador’s Washington residence, senator says US should eject envoy
.

The US senator John McCain has called for Turkey’s ambassador to the US to be removed from the country following a brawl outside his Washington DC residence this week.



A bloody fight erupted between Turkish security personnel and protesters on Tuesday during Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Washington.



'Erdoğan's bodyguards' in violent clash with protesters in Washington DC....


http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/18/john-mccain-turkish-ambassador-should-be-thrown-out-after-violence/

South Korea have two Barcelona players in their squad but all the attention when the FIFA U20 World Cup kicks off on Saturday will be on the “Korean Messi”, Lee Seung-Woo.

Midfielder Paik Seung-Ho is highly-rated but Lee, who plays for Barcelona’s Under-19 team known as Juvenil A, is the one who has the national media giving daily updates on his fashion style and choice of hairbands.....


http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/18/korean-messi-carries-u20-hopes-of-a-nation/

LAGOS—Police in Lagos, yesterday, placed a N30 million bounty on the head of wanted notorious kidnapper, identified simply as Evans.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, told newsmen yesterday, “we are encouraging Nigerians to blow the whistle on this kidnapper.


“Whoever blows the whistle that will lead to his arrest will get a N30 million reward, as stated by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.....


http://www.streetcurb.com/2017/05/17/police-place-n30m-bounty-on-notorious-kidnap-kingpin-evans/