The New Hampshire Department of Justice has asked a judge to reconsider the dismissal of trespassing complaints against white nationalists accused of displaying “Keep New England White” banners from a highway overpass. Rockingham County Judge David Ruoff dismissed the complaints against the members of the Nationalist Social Club last month, saying the government relied on an overly broad interpretation of the law and infringed on the group’s free speech rights. The attorney general’s office says the men were motivated by race and trespassed on public property when they displayed the banners in Portsmouth last July. In an appeal filed Friday, prosecutors say the judge misapplied the law.
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Interpol issues notice for Lebanese man suspected of trafficking in looted antiquities
Lebanese officials say Interpol has issued an international notice for a Lebanese man suspected of trafficking stolen antiquities, weeks after he was questioned in his native country. The Red Notice from Interpol was unsealed 10 months after a criminal court in New York issued an arrest warrant for Georges Lotfi, 82, charging him with criminal possession of stolen property as well as possessing looted artifacts. Lotfi was questioned by Lebanese authorities earlier this year but denied the charges, claiming that he bought the disputed items from archeologists. The officials say Lotfi claims he sold the antiquities to a museum in the U.S.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Rhode Island shoreline access bill heads to governor’s desk
A bill, passed Thursday by Rhode Island House lawmakers, aims to end decades of disputes between members of the public and private property owners in coastal communities.
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Michael Jordan selling majority ownership stake in Charlotte Hornets
Michael Jordan is finalizing a deal to sell the majority share of the Charlotte Hornets, a move that will end his 13-year run overseeing the organization, the team announced Friday. Jordan is selling to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, the Hornets said. Plotkin has been a minority stakeholder in the Hornets since 2019. Schnall has been a minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks since 2015 and is in the process of selling his investment in that team.
Posted inArticle, Housing, Politics
In final session, General Assembly passes housing bills, iGaming, shoreline access and more
A sharp debate about allowing Rhode Islanders 21 and over to play table games remotely on a computer or a phone-based app punctuated the General Assembly’s final session for 2023, as lawmakers passed scores of bills before recessing at 1:37 a.m. Friday. The iGaming bill, a key priority for Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, sparked a […]
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Metro Desk, Politics
Three RI bills aimed at reforming criminal justice are set to die today
The list includes a bill to enact bail reform for probation violators, a bill to minimize the length of time a person can spend in solitary confinement, and a bill to change the way police officers are investigated and penalized.
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Woman who fled to Thailand after hit-and-run crash killed Michigan student enters no-contest plea
A Detroit-area woman accused of fleeing to Thailand after killing a Michigan State University student in a hit-and-run crash has pleaded no contest to failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death. The Macomb Daily reports 57-year-old Tubtim “Sue” Howson of Oakland County entered the plea Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court in connection with the New Year’s Day hit-and-run that killed 22-year-old Ben Kable of Shelby Township. Kable was walking on an Oakland County road before dawn on Jan 1. Howson is a dual U.S. and Thai citizen and left Michigan for Bangkok on Jan. 3. She was returned to the U.S. in February and extradited to Michigan.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Former RI official Thorsen denies engaging in bad behavior during Philadelphia trip
Thorsen and another official are accused of engaging in “racist, sexist and unprofessional” behavior.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Bill to rein in payday lending advances, but outlook uncertain in RI Senate
Supporters say the issue is a matter of justice for the many low-income Rhode Islanders that get trapped in a never-ending cycle of debt.
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France accuses Russia of faking websites to sow confusion and disinformation about Ukraine war
France’s government has accused Russia of a long-running online manipulation campaign that included impersonating the websites of leading French media and the French Foreign Ministry. The government says the alleged campaign was designed to spread confusion about the war in Ukraine. France’s agency for fighting foreign digital interference said Tuesday that it has monitored the alleged operation since soon after Russia invaded its neighbor. and traced it to Russian individuals, companies and entities affiliated to the Russian state. It says France was one of several European countries targeted and alleges the campaign has links to a sprawling disinformation network that Facebook parent Meta exposed last year. The Russian Embassy in France didn’t immediately comment.
