When Horace Roberts Jr. was freed after 20 years in prison following his conviction for the murder of a Jurupa Valley woman he did not commit, he emerged into a changed world. Among the innovations occurring while Roberts was behind bars from 1998 to 2018 was the improvement of DNA technology that allows investigators to identify criminal suspects more precisely and from smaller sample sizes. That technology sprung Roberts from his “lion’s den” and pointed authorities to three men who were convicted of killing Terry Cheek, Roberts’ former mistress, and who are scheduled to be imprisoned in January. Roberts testified against the men who not only let Roberts take the fall for the crime but also framed him. “I was relieved,” Roberts, 66, said in a recent interview about his post-prison life from his home in South Carolina. “I was just glad that they were found guilty of what they did.” While Roberts now says “I feel good about where I am” and an $11 million payout in 2021 from Riverside County to settle his wrongful-incarceration lawsuit has eased the transition, the return to a society that had moved on without him was initially difficult. Roberts would wake up at night and wonder whether he was still sleeping in a cell. “When I was in prison you had to think one way, and that was always survival. I had to put on this brave face and just stand my ground. When I got out, it’s different. It’s kind of hard to let my guard down and show that fear,” he said. “Getting around by myself, I was scared,” Roberts said. “Scared to move around; I didn’t know how to react to that. I had not been just locked up but locked in. I had to learn how to go about and do things, shop, and not only that but interact with people on the outside.” Michael Semanchik, who as an attorney for the California Innocence Project took up Roberts’ case and who now leads The Innocence Center, has seen others struggle to adapt after long prison stays. “It’s pretty common when people come home that they don’t like to be in big crowds, they keep their backs to the walls,” Semanchik said. “It’s an ingrained prison mentality that takes years to get past. Choices are so severely limited in prison. Horace could go to the commissary but there are like two types of toothpaste, and clients go into CVS and see 50 types of toothpaste, and that is overwhelming.” But Roberts was quickly able to surround himself with family members who he said “100%” believed he was innocent. Because his wife, Debra, moved east across the country with the 7-year-old twins and a 17-year-old stepdaughter to be closer to family, Roberts never saw his children during his incarceration in several California prisons. So it was an emotional moment when Roberts reunited with his children — now all grown up — at an airport. And yes, Debra waited for him. “It was pure joy. Tears of joy,” Roberts said. “It was like we had never left each other because we were able to communicate with them. I just wanted to be able to see them. I wouldn’t have traded that moment for the world.” Roberts acknowledged that he had some catching up to do in other areas. There was the creation in 2007 of a device that flummoxed Roberts, a computer that fits in your pocket with all sorts of gizmos embedded in it that can even make and receive phone calls. The iWhat? “A lot about these cell phones have changed,” Roberts said. I don’t know how to do anything other than (call and) answer, and I do a little texting. That technology, I’m 20 years behind it.” History also changed as Roberts watched from his cell block. Barack Obama, the first Black president, served two terms. “It was a proud moment for me, but also the Black race,” Roberts said. “Who would have thought we would have lived to see a Black president?” Donald Trump, who starred in the reality show “The Apprentice” while Roberts was imprisoned, had a new job — president of the United States — at the time Roberts was freed. Roberts lamented that he returned to a less-respectful and more angry society. Twice when he worked as a garbageman following his release, Roberts said, teens pulled guns on him over minor disputes. “Old fool, get out of the way,” one said, according to Roberts. “Things are too fast out there for these young people,” Roberts said. “They are too quick to react and not think. ... I never knew teenagers were like they are now. They would rather pick up a gun than put up two fists. It’s hard for me to relate to that.” As for that new DNA technology, Roberts is grateful that his attorney seized upon it to help him win his freedom. “Without Mike Semanchik and his (California) Innocence Project, I’d probably most likely still be in jail,” Roberts said. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Before doctor was killed, Texas man lay in wait for him at California clinic, prosecutors say Crime and Public Safety | Carjacker who ran over California man trying to rescue his van gets 25 years to life Crime and Public Safety | California couple shot and killed while on holiday in Mexico Crime and Public Safety | Monterey County man found guilty for attacking two brothers with an ax, killing one Crime and Public Safety | Homicide victim allegedly looking to rape prostitutes instead encountered an East Bay robbery crew trying to set up johns In April 1998, Cheek, 32, vanished on what was supposed to be a drive from her home in what is now Jurupa Valley to Roberts’ Temecula apartment to pick him up and drive to Quest Diagnostics in San Juan Capistrano, where Roberts supervised her on the night shift. That day, Cheek, according to testimony, was driving Roberts’ pickup, which she sometimes borrowed. But she never arrived at Roberts’ apartment. The pickup was found abandoned on the shoulder of the 15 Freeway about two miles from Lee Lake near Corona, where Cheek’s body was discovered on rocks several days later. Investigators zeroed in on Roberts, even though court records showed Cheek was going through a messy divorce with Googie Rene Harris Sr. Roberts didn’t help himself, trying to cover up his affair with Cheek when questioned by investigators and lying about his whereabouts the night she disappeared. Relatives of Cheek claimed to have found a distinctive black purse belonging to Cheek in Roberts’ apartment when they gathered her belongings. And Roberts mistakenly claimed ownership of a watch found near Cheek’s body. Roberts was convicted after a third trial and sentenced to life in prison. Harris Sr. testified in at least two of the trials and again at Roberts’ parole hearings. In 2013, Semanchik submitted DNA evidence that revealed a match with Googie Rene Harris Jr., who was Cheek’s stepson. DNA found under Cheek’s fingernails belonged to Joaquin Latee Leal III — Harris Sr.’s nephew — according to testimony. Prosecutors said Harris Sr. and Leal strangled Cheek in her garage as she left for work because Harris Sr. was concerned that his wife would take the home from him in the divorce. They loaded the body into the pickup and Harris Jr. and Leal took Cheek to the lake. The Harrises and Leal were charged with murder — and Harris Sr. with a sentencing enhancement of murder for financial gain — and Roberts was declared factually innocent . Harris Sr. and Leal were convicted of murder in August; a jury recommended that Harris Sr. — who still maintains his innocence — receive the death penalty and Leal be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A judge is scheduled to rule on their sentences on Jan. 10. Harris Jr., who testified against Leal and his father, pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony and is scheduled to report to jail in January to serve a one-year sentence. Roberts stayed the night in a cottage in San Diego the day he was freed. “The first thing that following day, I got up, walked outside and I looked up and I was so thankful and grateful for that moment, just to be able to get out and do what I wanted to do and not have someone directing me on what they want me to do. It was so peaceful, and I enjoyed that peace,” Roberts said. Roberts said he likes keeping things simple these days. He lives in Ladson, about 20 miles from Charleston, with Debra and their grandchildren, ages 3, 4 and 9. Roberts used the lawsuit settlement from Riverside County to purchase a home and a couple of cars. He said he has no interest in traveling the world, even though he can afford it. One of his big goals was to learn taekwondo; He said he will receive a black belt in the martial art in March. “It was easy to come home and it seemed like I fit right in,” Roberts said. “Home is where my heart is, anyway. Being home keeps me rooted and grounded. I don’t have to go outside of that and do too much or want anything. It’s all right here. “I am in the right place, I believe,” Roberts said.776 pub login 777pub 。

Top Stories 2024 Advancements in Sustainable Fashion: From Circular Design to Eco-Friendly Materials By mayukh - December 9, 2024 Sustainability in fashion has taken center stage in 2024, with designers, brands, and consumers all working toward more eco-conscious choices in the clothing industry. As the fashion sector remains one of the largest contributors to global waste and pollution, the need for sustainable practices has never been greater. This year, several advancements in sustainable fashion are pushing the industry toward a future where environmental impact is minimized, and garment lifespan is maximized. Circular Fashion: Designing for the Future One of the most promising trends in 2024 is the rise of circular fashion, a design model that encourages the reuse and recycling of materials to create a closed-loop system. This approach contrasts with the traditional “take-make-dispose” model by promoting the repair, reuse, and remanufacturing of garments, drastically reducing waste. Notable brands like Patagonia and Stella McCartney have long championed circular fashion, but this year, new players are entering the scene. Companies are introducing “buy-back” programs, where customers can return old clothes in exchange for store credits, which are then recycled or upcycled into new products. In addition, designers are focusing on creating garments using materials that can be easily disassembled and reused in the future. 2024 also sees technological breakthroughs in textile recycling, with new systems capable of breaking down fabrics at the molecular level to reuse fibers, reducing the need for virgin materials. For example, the startup Renewcell has developed a process that transforms old cotton clothes into a biodegradable textile that can be spun into new fibers, ready for production again. Eco-Friendly Materials: Innovating the Fabric of Tomorrow Sustainable fabrics have also gained prominence in 2024. Innovative materials such as bio-based polyester, made from plant-derived sources like sugarcane, and mushroom leather, grown from fungi, are gaining traction. These materials offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic fibers, which are petroleum-based and non-biodegradable. Additionally, textile companies are focusing on using natural dyes and reducing water consumption in their manufacturing processes. Innovations such as waterless dyeing techniques, which drastically cut water usage, are becoming more widespread across fashion brands aiming to reduce their environmental footprint . These changes reflect a growing trend of environmental responsibility within the fashion industry. In 2024, as consumers demand more sustainable options, companies are realizing that eco-friendly materials and circular fashion aren’t just trends—they are the future of the industry Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Linkedin ReddIt Email Telegram Previous article 2024 Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: New Algorithms Unlock Unprecedented Processing Power mayukh http://digitalmarketnews.comFORMER Minister Josepha Madigan is being chased in the High Court for more than €200,000, it has emerged. The ex- Fine Gael TD was told she must file a defence to a bank ’s debt claim within eight weeks or she will have a judgement entered against her. Ulster Bank alleges Ms Madigan, a former cabinet minister and a qualified solicitor, and her brother Patrick Madigan, also a solicitor, failed to meet repayments on foot of three loans despite demands. The bank recently issued a High Court motion seeking judgment in default of defence against the pair in the sum of €225,869, plus interest. However, on Monday barrister Keith Farry, for the Madigans, told the court the two sides agree his clients should be granted an eight-week extension to file their defence to the claims. The bank should be awarded its legal costs for its motion, but such an order should be paused, said Mr Farry. Mr Justice Anthony Barr noted that judgment will be granted to the bank against the Madigans if the defence is not filed within the extension period. He made the costs order as agreed between the sides. Ulster Bank Ireland DAC, represented by barrister Nevan Powell and OSM Partners, says it advanced a €201,000 loan to the Madigans in late 2005, also extended overdraft facilities that year and, in December 2007, loaned them ST£100,000. The pair “failed to repay the monies in accordance with the terms of the facilities”, causing it to demand payment of €213,000 allegedly due in January 2019, the lender alleges. As of late August, the Madigans owed €225,869 but interest was accruing at a rate of €27.82 per day, the bank alleges. The case seeks judgment against them jointly and severally in the sum of €225,959 plus interest and damages for “unjust enrichment”. Ms Madigan, a former TD for Dublin Rathdown, served as Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion until March of this year, when she announced she had resigned from the role and would be stepping down from politics . She opted not to run in the recent general election . She was minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht from 2017 until 2020.

Malam Ahmed Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, has said that the decision to demolish 188-year-old Malam Abdulkarim Central Mosque Zaria was a painful decision that weighed heavily upon the Emirate Council. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the royal father disclosed this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the mosque in Zaria on Sunday. Bamalli said the decision was not made lightly but the emirate had no option than to take the decision as the safety of lives remained the top priority of the council. “Your well-being and security have always been at the forefront of our thoughts and actions”, the emir said. Bamalli commended the Kaduna State Government for supporting the victims of the 2023 Mosque collapse, paying compensation of houses affected by expansion of the Mosque project among other initiatives. He also lauded the highest donation of N2 billion by Alhaji Abdussamad Isyaka-Rabi’u through the ASR Africa and BUA Group. He noted that the historic Mosque, built in the 1830s had served as a beacon of faith, community engagement and resilience. Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen said the collapsed Mosque was one of the biggest and largest historical heritage of building technology in Nigeria. The speaker, who is also the member representing Zaria Federal Constituency and a traditional title holder of “Iyan Zazzau”, said the rebuilding of the central Mosque has about 18 months completion period. He, however, said the resources available would only be able to reach 50 per cent completion, urging philanthropists to donate generously for timely completion of the gigantic project. The speaker restated the commitment of the National Assembly towards supporting the timely completion of the project. In his remarks, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna, reiterated the state government’s continued commitment to supporting the project to ensure prompt completion. He added that the state government was in touch with key stakeholders towards generating more funds for the project. NAN recalls that on Aug. 11, 2023, the 188-year old Mosque collapsed while hundreds of worshippers were observing afternoon prayers, killing seven worshippers and injuring many others.President-elect Donald Trump's repeated support for TikTok has sparked speculation about potential solutions to prevent the app's impending ban in the United States, though the path forward remains unclear. "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while," Trump told supporters on Sunday, just days after meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Florida. Trump, who credits the wildly popular platform with delivering him a large young user base, opposes banning TikTok partly because he believes it would primarily benefit Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company behind Instagram and Facebook. The situation is complex, according to University of Richmond School of Law professor Carl Tobias, given the various potential solutions and Trump's unpredictable nature. Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake by January 19. US officials and lawmakers grew wary of the potential for the Chinese government to influence ByteDance or access the data of TikTok's American users. Even with Trump's decisive election victory and incoming Republican-led Congress, acquiescing to the president-elect's desire and preventing the ban faces significant hurdles. The law enjoyed rare bipartisan support in a divided Washington, making its outright repeal through a vote in Congress politically unlikely even with Trump's influence over Republicans. The Supreme Court may offer the clearest path forward. TikTok has appealed to the nation's highest court, arguing the law violates First Amendment rights to free speech. The court, which is dominated by Trump-aligned conservatives, will hear the case on January 10, just nine days before the ban takes effect. This follows a lower appeals court's unanimous decision to uphold the law in December. Another possibility, according to Tobias, is that a Trump-led Department of Justice could determine ByteDance has addressed the law's national security concerns. However, such a move would likely be seen as caving to China by Congress and others. The final option is ByteDance selling to a non-Chinese buyer, though the company has consistently refused this possibility. With 170 million monthly active users, acquiring TikTok's US operations would require substantial resources. As president, Trump could extend the ban deadline by 90 days to facilitate a transaction. Few potential buyers have emerged, with major tech companies likely deterred by antitrust concerns. Former Trump Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, who runs a private equity fund backed by Japan's SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, has expressed interest. During a recent event with Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son pledged to invest $100 billion in the US economy, though specific investments weren't detailed. Other contenders include US real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, who aims to make social media safer through his Project Liberty organization. Elon Musk, given his proximity to Trump and ownership of X, could also have a role to play, as he has expressed plans to transform the text-focused platform into something more like TikTok. A senior Republican lawmaker recently suggested Trump might orchestrate a "deal of the century" satisfying both US concerns and ByteDance's interests. The chairman of the US House committee on China, John Moolenaar, told Fox News Digital that once ByteDance accepts it must comply with US law, the situation could progress rapidly. Any agreement would need Beijing's approval, with US-China relations expected to remain tense during Trump's upcoming term. This isn't the first attempt to resolve TikTok's US status. In 2020, Trump also threatened a ban unless ByteDance sold its US operations. While Oracle and Walmart reached a preliminary agreement with ByteDance for ownership stakes, legal challenges and the transition to the Biden administration prevented the deal's completion. arp/mlm

Biden just spared 37 lives. Here are four very good reasons why.HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath on Sunday denied reports in some newspapers and on social media about his residence allegedly being in the buffer zone of Krishna Kant Park’s Peddacheruvu. He said said his house was almost a kilometre away from the park. In a press release, Ranganath stated his house is “about one kilometre from the lake’s bund, and nearly 380 metres from aerial distance.” He stated that his house is towards the lake’s bund area, and the irrigation department considers only 5-10 metres of land from the lake’s bund area as buffer zone. Through the press release, he stated “25 years ago, there was a lake in Krishna Kanth Park’s land called Peddacheruvu. In 1980, my father A.P.V. Subbayya constructed the house, and for 44 years we've been living in the same house. Even if the old lake’s buffer zone is considered, we’re well away from the area.” Explaining how FTL is determined towards the bund side, he said “For any lake, FTL and buffer zones are not fixed around the lake’s bund. But to accommodate for any repairs, a 5-10 metre buffer zone is allocated towards the bund side. And my home, even at an aerial distance, is nearly 380 metres away.” He requested media personnel not to spread misinformation about his house being in the buffer zone of the lake.

DNV: IMO Maritime Safety Committee

Solid Biosciences Added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index