Huawei: The story of a controversial company

The African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa is a shiny spaceship-like structure that glistens in the afternoon sun.

With its accompanying skyscraper, it stands out in the Ethiopian capital.

Greetings in Mandarin welcome visitors as they enter the lifts, and the plastic palm trees bear the logos of the China Development Bank.

Everywhere, there are small indications that the building was made possible through Chinese financial aid.

In 2006, Beijing pledged $200m to build the headquarters. Completed in 2012, everything was custom-built by the Chinese - including a state-of-the-art computer system.

For several years, the building stood as a proud testament to ever-closer ties between China and Africa. Trade has rocketed over the past two decades, growing by about 20% a year, according to international consultancy McKinsey. China is Africa’s largest economic partner.

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Town Meeting on Saturday, May 4

Main Street Patriots Eastern Shore MD

We have again been presented with an opportunity to stand up for what we believe in.  On Saturday May 4th @ 10 AM two County Commissioners will hold a Town Hall at the Ocean Pines Library, and guest speakers will include the new Worcester Sheriff and the new County States Attorney (prosecutor).  This is a rare opportunity to hear the viewpoints of locally influential people who have a heck of a lot control over your rights and your quality of life, and to tell them how you feel about the issues at hand.

And FYI, one or more of our group will ask the new sheriff about his position on our constitutional rights when it comes to the 2nd Amendment, as well as asking him, the States Attorney, and the Commissioners about their feelings re Worcester County become a Second Amendment Sanctuary County, as many counties across the country have done.  (The America-haters are trying to take away our First Amendment right to free speech, but the Second Amendment stands in their way.)

 

Please attend, support our speakers, and speak up yourself if you see fit.   

From the email announcing of the townhall:

 

Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino will host a town meeting on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. at the Ocean Pines library.  He will discuss issues and developments impacting the Ocean Pines district and the county.   Commissioner Bertino’s guest speakers include Worcester County Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli, Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser and Lynne Barton, principal of Stephen Decatur Middle School.

PRESS RELEASE- Pemberton Hall - Salisbury, Md

Pemberton Hall, an outstanding example of 18th century architecture, located in Pemberton Historic Park, will be open to the public Saturdays 12pm – 2pm beginning in May through October. Pemberton Historical Park with its 262 acres of scenic trails and water views can be explored year-round at 5561 Plantation Lane, Salisbury, Maryland. Find more at www.pembertonhall.org

WHILE WE SLEPT, TRUMP PUT THE FED IN CHECK, CUT OFF THE GREEDY GLOBAL BANKING FAMILIES & BEAT CHINA!

In-Dept Look At Crisis On Southern Border

Cartel Gunmen in Armored SUV Clash with Mexican Military near Border

Cartel gunmen used an armored SUV during a clash with Mexican military forces near the Texas border. The fierce gun battle killed one gunman while authorities managed to arrest four others. The rest of the hitmen managed to escape.

The shootout took place on Friday afternoon near the town of Vallecillo, Nuevo Leon, approximately 50 miles south of the border with Laredo, Texas. The scene of the gun battle is not far from a cartel incineration site discovered last year. The fighting began when a convoy of Mexican soldiers spotted four SUV’s and an armored truck known as a “monstruo” or “monster” leaving a business.

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NOI 4/28/19 Wicomico Outbuilding Fire Marshall Street

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION Date:   April 28, 2019 Time:   8:44 p.m. Location / Address:   309 Marshall St., Salisbury, Wicomico Co. Type of Incident:  Fire Description of Structure / Property:  10’ x 20’ wood framed residential outbuilding Owner / Occupants:  Chester Parker Injuries or Deaths:  None Estimated $ Loss: Structure:  $4,000                      Contents: $1,000 Smoke Alarm Status:  n/a Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status:  n/a Arrests(s):  None Primary Responding Fire Department:  Salisbury Fire Department # of Alarms:  1     # Of Firefighters:  15 Time to Control:  15 minutes Discovered By:  Passerby Area of Origin:  Exterior Preliminary Cause:   Incendiary (intentionally set fire) Additional Information:  Anyone with information is asked to call the Salisbury Office at (410) 713-3780.

No prison time for school bus driver who admitted to raping 14-year-old girl

A former upstate New York bus driver who admitted to raping a 14-year-old girl will avoid prison time.

Shane M. Piche, 26, was sentenced to 10 years' probation last week, the Watertown Daily Times reported. The ruling comes two months after Piche pleaded guilty to third-degree rape in the 2018 incident.

Police said he met the girl on a bus he drove for the city's school district, but raped her at his Watertown home.

As part of his plea deal, Piche is not allowed to be alone with anyone under the age of 17. He must also register as a Level 1 sex offender -- which is less severe than the Level 2 designation the district attorney recommended.

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WCSO Press Releases - April 26, 2019

Incident: “Most Wanted” Fugitive Apprehension
Date of Incident: 4 April 2019
Suspect: Kelite Ferreras, 35, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 11 April 2019, officers assigned to the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force responded to Baltimore Washington International Airport for the purpose of collecting Kelite Ferreras who arrived under an armed escort following his deportation from Haiti. After a two-year fugitive investigation conducted by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal’s Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the United States State Department in addition to Special Investigators on the ground in Haiti, Kelite Ferreras was arrested by the U.S. State Department with the assistance of the Haitian National Police on 23 March 2019. Ferreras was arrested as a fugitive from the State of Maryland after he failed to appear for court on March 2017 to answer the charges of Rape Second Degree, Sex abuse of a minor, Sex Offense Second Degree and Incest.
Ferreras is currently housed in the Wicomico County Detention Center without bond pending his next appearance in the Circuit Court,
Charges: Sex Abuse of a Minor /Household, Rape 2nd Degree, Sex Offense 2nd Degree, Incest

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On Saturday April 27, 2019 just after midnight, a deputy on patrol was conducting a probable cause search of a vehicle when this loaded .357 Magnum Revolver was located in the rear passenger area. The deputy was able to discern that the handgun belonged to one of the passengers in the vehicle, Jaron Purnell, 18 years of age and from Snow Hill, Maryland. Not only was Purnell prohibited by age from possessing the firearm, he was also a prohibited person due to a previous adjudication. Purnell was arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit. Following an initial appearance, Purnell was detained without bond in the Detention Center.

Anti-Gunners Call For Gun Control Laws Following Poway Synagogue Shooting But This Is What They're Getting Wrong

Every time some sort of mass shooting occurs, anti-gunners rush to call for stricter gun control laws. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department and the FBI are still investigating the shooting that took place earlier today at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue, just outside of San Diego. We don't even know all of the facts yet, but from what we do know, gun control laws anti-gunners want to push are either already on the books or would have made no difference.

Here are some of the gun control calls (so far):

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Today marks the end of an era.

Push Them Hard Enough And The Productive Class Will Opt Out Of Servitude

People love their big paychecks, but they also value their sanity.

One of the most astonishing manifestations of disconnected-from-reality hubris is public authorities' sublime confidence that employers and entrepreneurs will continue starting and operating enterprises no matter how difficult and costly it becomes to keep the doors open, much less net a profit.

The average employee / state dependent reckons that the small business owner / entrepreneur is killing it financially, banking a small fortune in pure profit every month, and that they're doing what they love so they'll continue doing it no matter what. In other words, they're all wealthy Tax Donkeys who can easily afford higher taxes and fees and will tolerate paying more to keep doing what they love.

Wrong on both counts--dead wrong. A far more typical response is the one a house painter emailed me last year: every day, he reported, he wanted to dump his spray rig and power washer in a dumpster and leave the U.S.

The number of small businesses and entrepreneurs hanging on by a thread financially and emotionally is legion. Rather than killing it, they're getting killed by rising rents, wages, labor overhead, taxes, fees, licensing, inspection fees, insurance and so on.

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OC’s Springfest Returns Thursday

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City celebrates the start of the season with the 29th annual production of Springfest, May 2-5.

The annual event, located in the Inlet parking lot, features live music, art, crafts, food and more – all located adjacent to Ocean City’s historic boardwalk and beautiful clean beach. Springfest, one of the top arts and crafts shows in the United States, features nearly 300 vendors with over 250 selling art and crafts. Visitors should also bring their appetite as the event includes 30 food vendors serving a variety of delicious offerings, from famous Eastern Shore delicacies an assortment of ethnic food and gourmet offerings.

Springfest comes to life with a diverse variety of live musical entertainment on two stages all day for four days with anchoring ticketed evening headline acts. Almost Queen, the Ultimate Queen Experience, takes the stage Thursday, May 2, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10 and will be available on the festival grounds at the Springfest ticket booth. LeAnn Rimes will play to a sold out country music crowd on Friday night. Saturday evening hosts an 80’s night with Night Ranger and special guest The Reagan Years. Don’t let the fun stop there, purchase tickets at Springfest for the headline acts at Sunfest, which will be held Sept. 19-22.

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Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein submits resignation

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Monday submitted his resignation to President Trump, effective May 11.

Attorney General William Barr in a statement said Rosenstein served the Justice Department "with dedication and distinction."

"His devotion to the Department and its professionals is unparalleled," the statement read. "Over the course of his distinguished government career, he has navigated many challenging situations with strength, grace, and good humor."

Rosenstein previously served as deputy assistant attorney general and U.S. attorney.

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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/deputy-ag-rod-rosenstein-submits-resignation

Drug Czar: ’93 Percent of Heroin’ in U.S. ‘Comes from Mexico’

Jim Carroll, director of the U.S. Office of Drug Control Policy, told Breitbart News that “93 percent of heroin” in the country “comes from Mexico,” offering his remarks on Friday’s edition of SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily with host Alex Marlow.

Carroll’s comments came ahead of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Takeback Day, scheduled for Saturday. The DEA is encouraging Americans to “prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths” by disposing of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications at collection sites.

Marlow invited Carroll’s comments linking border security to the DEA’s broader mandate to enforce laws and regulations related to controlled substances.

“We’re really working hard, especially our folks at DHS, whether it’s the U.S. Coast Guard out at sea, border patrol, or Customs and Border Protection,” replied Carroll. “These men and women out there are really doing everything they can to protect us from drugs coming into our country.”

Carroll added, “I think it’s important for everyone to realize — when we talk about the southwest border — 93 percent of the heroin that comes into the country comes from Mexico. So it’s coming right across the border.”

“We know fentanyl is being produced in Mexico as well as China, and coming across the border, as well,” continued Carroll. “Even cocaine from Columbia is not all coming by sea, some it is also coming up through the southwest border, as well.”

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Federal Court Rules Against Catholic Foster Care Agency

A federal appeals court sided with the city of Philadelphia against a foster parent and the Catholic foster care agency with which she works in a Monday ruling.

In Sharonell Fulton, et al. v. City of Philadelphia, the court upheld a city policy that prevents Catholic Social Services from finding families for foster children, according to a press release from Becket Law.

In 2018, the city of Philadelphia made an urgent call for more foster parents to help the "nearly 6,000 children and youth" in foster care in the city. Despite being a top-ranked foster agency, Catholic Social Services was not allowed to place more children with families.

A week after making the call for more foster parents, Philadelphia stopped referring children to Catholic Social Services and then threatened to terminate its contract with the organization if it did not give up its religious beliefs about marriage. Becket notes that no family had ever filed a complaint with Catholic Social Services on account of its Catholic mission, and no child had ever been unable to find a home because of the organization's beliefs.

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‘Outrageous’ bill may release murderers, rapists back on city streets

A state bill that could unleash hundreds of locked-up murderers, rapists and other hardened felons is incensing New York City law enforcement officials who say it would undo years of crime-fighting.

The “elder parole” bill, which would grant parole eligibility to all inmates ages 55 and up who have been in prison at least 15 years, is “outrageous and idiotic,” said Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon.

The legislation would even extend to those serving life without parole, a group which includes famed criminals such as ‘90s serial killer Joel Rifkin, the Queens Wendy’s massacre mastermind John Taylor, and Bronx child rapist Clarence Moss.

The rush to let killers loose leaves the families of the victims by the wayside, said Queens Chief Assistant District Attorney John Ryan.

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Accident: Old Ocean City Road Parsonsburg

Congress Needs to Sunset Unnecessary Legislation

One of the big problems with Washington, D.C. is that politicians allow expiring legislation to continue on -- even when unnecessary. The idea of requiring a sunset of legislation makes sense, because there are times when Congress needs to revisit legislation in the years after an idea is made into law. If the law continues to have popular support and is still necessary, then it should be reauthorized. When legislation is given a sunset date, because it addresses a temporary situation and the drafters intended for this legislation to remedy a short-term situation, then that legislation should be allowed to expire.

We have witnessed example after example of permanent legislation becoming that is in need of a revision or expungement. FreedomWorks has a funny list of federal laws that might be in need of a second look including: 21 USC Sec. 461 & 9 CFR Sec. 381.171(d) makes it a crime to sell “Turkey Ham” as “Ham Turkey” or with the words “Turkey” and “Ham” in different fonts; and, 18 USC Sec. 1865 & 36 CFR Sec. 7.96(b)(3) make it a federal crime to harass a golfer or tennis player in any national park in Washington, DC. There are elements in current law in need of a second look. These laws show that Congress has a difficult time dealing with changed circumstances and updating existing laws that seem to have no current useful purpose.

A great example of a law that Congress has an easy route to fix is one that is embedded in a law providing a massive subsidy to corporate America. Congress passed temporary legislation in 1988, and reauthorized in 2014, titled the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization Act (STELAR) containing the subsidy. This bill originally provided subsidies and special permissions for small and newly deployed satellite companies, to help them compete with dominant cable companies. These supports were put in place 30 years ago, yet they are continually reauthorized in legislation scheduled to sunset at the end of this year.

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Gunfire from Mexico Crossed Border and Hit Texas Woman in Face

Police officers in Laredo, Texas, say that a woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the face by a stray bullet they believe was fired from the Mexican side of the border. Laredo police say they turned the case over to the FBI as a “transnational event.”

Laredo Police Department officers responded to a call Saturday night at a local hospital in regards to a woman who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound to the face. The officers traveled to the location where the woman said she had been shot, according to a Laredo Police Department press release.

When officers arrived on the scene of the shooting, they found two additional bullet holes in a house. The officers followed the trajectory of the bullet and found an additional impact point in a house located to the east of the original location. At that location, officers found a projectile of an undetermined caliber and recovered it from that house.

“Initial information indicates that the bullet may be a stray bullet coming from the Mexican side of the border,” police officials stated in the press release.

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