Amid an extended break for teams that didn't advance in the NBA Cup, LeBron James "is taking some time" from Lakers practice, head coach JJ Redick said. Wednesday that James missed Wednesday's practice for "personal reasons" and that his absence was excused. Further details of why James missed practice are unclear. The Lakers, like the rest of the NBA that didn't advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, have a few days off this week. They last played Sunday, . They'll next play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James missed Sunday's game against Portland with left foot soreness. The absence was his first in 24 Lakers games this season. His status for Friday's game against Minnesota is unclear. Redick said before Sunday's Trail Blazers game that time off for James this week "could be really good for him." After the game, he encouraged all Lakers players to make the most of the extended early season break. "Heck, if somebody wants to go spend a couple of nights in Santa Barbara and relax, that's fine too," Redick said, . "It's a quarter way through the season." Failing to make the NBA Cup elimination round certainly has its upside. James will turn 40 on Dec. 30. He's averaged 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds per game this season and remains one of the league's most dominant forces. He's also showed signs of wear, including in a loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 2 that threatened to snap a streak of 1,242 consecutive games scoring in double figures. The Lakers (13-11) also stumbled into the NBA Cup break with seven losses in 10 games, including a 134-93 defeat to the Heat on Dec. 4. If there are opportunities for James to take a step back , it makes sense for him and the Lakers to take advantage. "In game, he's asked for a sub a couple times because he's gassed," Redick said, per McMenamin. "For us, we have to be cognizant as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect of playing a lot of minutes and Sunday, being banged up with the foot thing, it felt like a good opportunity for him to get some rest." Whether James is back for Friday's game and beyond remains to be seen. His status — and the Lakers' reasoning if he does miss more time — will be worth watching.heavy duty fishing rod 。

Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he'll “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole. Trump said that he will direct the Department of Justice to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated.” Trump was vague on what specific actions he may take. 21 dead as Mozambique erupts in violence after election court ruling MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Violence that engulfed Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed ruling party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections has killed at least 21 people, including two police officers. Mozambique Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%. Prosecutors find workers in 'slavery like' conditions at Chinese car company site in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — A task force led by Brazilian prosecutors says it has rescued 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like” conditions at a construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is building a factory. The Labor Prosecutor’s Office released videos of the dorms where the construction workers were staying, which showed beds with no mattresses and rooms without any place for the workers to store their personal belongings. In a statement issued Monday, the prosecutor’s office said the workers had been hired in China by Jinjian Group, one of the contractors on the site, which is located in Camaçari, a city in the Salvador metropolitan region. NFL players who use platform to share their faith say it's their duty to spread their love of Jesus ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of Jesus. A month later, Bates told The Associated Press it is a duty to share his faith. The NFL is filled with players and coaches who feel the same way, such as Houston's C.J. Stroud, Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano HONOLULU (AP) — Lava is erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano for the second straight day. The eruption has stayed within Kilauea’s summit caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and no homes are threatened. Molten rock began spewing out of the volcano before dawn on Monday when fissures opened in the caldera floor and shot lava high into the air. It then oozed across the caldera floor. Scientists expect activity to fluctuate in coming days. The lava paused Monday afternoon but fountains reemerged Tuesday morning. The eruption has occurred in an area that’s been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards including crater wall instability and rockfalls. Haiti gang attack on journalists covering a hospital reopening leaves 2 dead, several wounded PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association confirms that two reporters were killed and others wounded in a gang attack on the re-opening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas eve attack. The killed journalists were identified as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. An unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which was blamed on the Viv Ansanm gang. Hurricane-force winds bear down on California, latest in stretch of extreme weather LOS ANGELES (AP) — California has been hit hard by extreme weather over the past several weeks. Atmospheric rivers, which are long stretches of wet air that can produce heavy rains, brought a record-setting rainfall before Thanksgiving. A series of atmospheric rivers are producing strong waves and storms near Santa Cruz this week. Thousands were left under evacuation warnings and orders because of a fire around Malibu. Climate change means that strong storms will be responsible for a greater share of the state's yearly precipitation and the periods between those events will be drier. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled.

The Broncos are going young at wide receiver. Denver waived wide receiver Josh Reynolds on Tuesday, according to the league’s transaction wire. Reynolds broke his finger catching a touchdown Week 5 against Las Vegas and needed minor surgery, landing him on injured reserve. While he was out, Reynolds was shot twice in an incident during which he and two others had their vehicle shot at more than 30 times i . Reynolds also watched as several young Denver wide receivers — notably rookies Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin — saw the field more and more and got more comfortable. Now Reynolds will be on waivers for a day and any team can claim him for the stretch run of the season. Tuesday marked the final day of Reynolds’ 21-day practice window, meaning Denver either had to reinstate him to the 53-man roster, have him revert to injured reserve (which would end his season) or waive him. They chose to waive him and move forward with the group of receivers that’s been playing the past several weeks. Reynolds caught 12 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in his brief Broncos tenure. Reynolds signed a two-year, $9 million deal this spring that came with a $2 million signing bonus and $4.25 million in total guarantees. Waiving him will clear $4.5 million in space on the Broncos’ 2025 salary cap and leave a $1 million dead cap charge for 2025.

Thousands flee as Syrian insurgents advance to the doorstep of the country's third-largest cityCARSON, Calif. (AP) — The LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls have been Major League Soccer mainstays since the league's inaugural season in 1996, signing glamorous players and regularly competing for championships through years of success and setbacks in a league that's perpetually improving and expanding. Yet just a year ago, both of these clubs appeared to be a very long way from the stage they'll share Saturday in the MLS Cup Final . The Galaxy were one of MLS’ worst teams after a season of internal turmoil and public fan dissent, while the Red Bulls were merely a steady mediocrity seeking yet another coach to chart a new direction. A year later, these MLS founders are meeting in the league's first Cup final between teams from North America's two biggest markets. “Two original clubs being able to put themselves in this situation, I think it’s great,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “To see two clubs that have been at it as long as this league has been around be here, I think it’s a special moment. Couldn’t be two more different and contrasting styles as well, which could make for an interesting game, and I would imagine a high-intensity game.” Everything changed in 2024 after a dismal decade for the Galaxy , who are favored to cap their transformation by winning their team's record sixth MLS championship with a roster that's dramatically different from its past few groups — albeit with one massive injury absence in the final. The transformation of the Red Bulls happened only in the postseason, when a team that hadn't won a playoff game since 2017 suddenly turned into world-beaters under rookie coach Sandro Schwarz. New York struggled through the final three months of league play with only two wins before posting road playoff victories over defending champ Columbus , archrival New York City FC and conference finalist Orlando to storm into the Cup final. “We know about the history (of our club), and we know tomorrow will define what that could mean,” Schwarz said Friday. “To feel the pressure for tomorrow, it’s necessary, because it’s a final, and without pressure it’s not possible to bring the best quality on the field.” The Red Bulls have never won an MLS Cup, only reaching the championship match once before. What's more, they've somehow never won a Cup in any tournament, although they’ve collected three Supporters’ Shields for MLS' best regular-season record. The Galaxy’s trophy case is large and loaded, and those five MLS Cups are on the top shelf. But not much of that team success happened in the past decade for the club that famously brought David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and many other international stars to Hollywood. In fact, this season has ended a grim era for the Galaxy, who haven't lost all year at their frequently renamed home stadium — which was the site of protests and boycotts just a year ago. The club's fans were tired of LA's steady underachievement and ineptitude in the front office run by team president Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. One year ago Thursday, the Galaxy hired Will Kuntz, a longtime Los Angeles FC executive who engineered his new club's roster transformation, most dramatically by landing new designated players Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil — two international talents that LAFC also had in its sights. “I give Will and the group up there a ton of credit,” Vanney said. “It’s one thing to have players you like, and it’s a whole other thing to get them here and get them to connect with your group.” Pec and Paintsil combined for 32 goals and 27 assists while boosting the incumbent talents of striker Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig, the gifted Barcelona product who runs the offense from the midfield. The Galaxy clicked in the postseason, scoring a jaw-dropping 16 goals in four matches. Puig has been the Galaxy's most important player all season, but he won't be in the MLS Cup Final after tearing a knee ligament late in last week's conference final victory over Seattle . The loss of Puig — who somehow kept playing on his injured knee, and even delivered the game-winning pass to Joveljic — makes the Galaxy even more difficult to anticipate. “He played a lot in the regular season, so it was not so easy to analyze all these games now without him,” Schwarz said. “But the main focus is to analyze what we need to do, because it’s not clear now how they’re playing without him.” The Galaxy could give some of Puig's responsibilities to Marco Reus, the longtime Dortmund standout who joined LA in August. Reus is nursing a hamstring injury, but Vanney expects him to play. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer Greg Beacham, The Associated Press

AGNC Investment Corp. Declares Fourth Quarter Dividends on Preferred StockBuccaneers keep playoff hopes alive with rout of Panthers

On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways— Court Rules in Favor of Heron in Patent Lawsuit Against Fresenius Kabi USA , LLC — SAN DIEGO , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRTX) ("Heron" or the "Company"), a commercial-stage biotechnology company, today announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled in Heron's favor in the Company's patent litigation against Fresenius Kabi USA , LLC with respect to CINVANTI® (aprepitant) injectable emulsion. The district court found that Heron's U.S. Patent Nos. 9,561,229 and 9,974,794, which expire in 2035, are valid and would be infringed by Fresenius' proposed generic product. The district court decision concludes the litigation initiated in July 2022 in response to Fresenius' submission of an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval of a generic version of CINVANTI®. As a result of the decision, Heron will seek an order from the Court prohibiting Fresenius from launching its generic CINVANTI® until after the expiration of the patents in 2035. This decision is subject to appeal. "We are pleased with this anticipated result of the proceeding and will continue to vigorously defend the CINVANTI® patent estate in the future," said Craig Collard, Chief Executive Officer of Heron. "The team at Heron takes great pride in the result of our successful history of developing injectable products, which is demonstrated by the strength of our intellectual property and the performance of our innovative drugs like CINVANTI® in serving patients with serious unmet needs." About Heron Therapeutics, Inc. Heron Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing and commercializing therapeutic innovations that improve medical care. Our advanced science, patented technologies, and innovative approach to drug discovery and development have allowed us to create and commercialize a portfolio of products that aim to advance the standard-of-care for acute care and oncology patients. For more information, visit www.herontx.com . Forward-looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Heron cautions readers that forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors." Forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date, and Heron takes no obligation to update or revise these statements except as may be required by law. Investor Relations and Media Contact: Ira Duarte Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Heron Therapeutics, Inc. iduarte@herontx.com 858-251-4400 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-district-court-upholds-validity-of-cinvanti-patents-302321651.html SOURCE Heron Therapeutics, Inc.Canada's Jonathan David scores milestone goal in Lille win over Brest in FranceThis Dell XPS Desktop with an RTX 4070 is $600 off during Cyber Week

Bronny James on showing resilience and overcoming mental health issues through his journey in the NBAAP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:46 p.m. ESTJimmy Carter Was More Successful Than He Got Credit ForBETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) ("AGNC" or the "Company") announced today that its Board of Directors has declared cash dividends on the outstanding depositary shares 1 of the following series of preferred stock for the fourth quarter 2024: Series of Preferred Stock Ticker Per Annum Dividend Rate Dividend Per Depositary Share 1 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCN 10.01991% 2 $0.64016 6.875% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCM 9.24091% 3 $0.59039 6.50% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCO 9.90191% 4 $0.63262 6.125% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCP 6.125 % $0.3828125 7.750% Series G Fixed-Rate Reset AGNCL 7.750 % $0.48438 1. Each depositary share represents a 1/1,000th interest in a share of preferred stock. 2. The Series C Depositary Shares accrue dividends at a floating rate equal to Three-Month CME Term SOFR plus 0.26161% plus 5.111%. The dividend rate for the dividend period ending January 14, 2025 is 10.01991% per annum. 3. The Series D Depositary Shares accrue dividends at a floating rate equal to Three-Month CME Term SOFR plus 0.26161% plus 4.332%. The dividend rate for the dividend period ending January 14, 2025 is 9.24091% per annum. 4. The Series E Depositary Shares accrue dividends at a floating rate equal to Three-Month CME Term SOFR plus 0.26161% plus 4.993%. The dividend rate for the dividend period ending January 14, 2025 is 9.90191% per annum. The dividend for each series of outstanding preferred stock is payable on January 15, 2025 to holders of record as of January 1, 2025 . For further information or questions, please contact Investor Relations at (301) 968-9300 or IR@AGNC.com . ABOUT AGNC INVESTMENT CORP. Founded in 2008, AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) is a leading investor in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (Agency MBS), which benefit from a guarantee against credit losses by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae . We invest on a leveraged basis, financing our Agency MBS assets primarily through repurchase agreements, and utilize dynamic risk management strategies intended to protect the value of our portfolio from interest rate and other market risks. AGNC has a track record of providing favorable long-term returns for our stockholders through substantial monthly dividend income, with over $13 billion of common stock dividends paid since inception. Our business is a significant source of private capital for the U.S. residential housing market, and our team has extensive experience managing mortgage assets across market cycles. To learn more about The Premier Agency Residential Mortgage REIT , please visit www.AGNC.com , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and sign up for Investor Alerts . CONTACT: Investor Relations - (301) 968-9300 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnc-investment-corp-declares-fourth-quarter-dividends-on-preferred-stock-302329441.html SOURCE AGNC Investment Corp.

NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the end of the settlement date of December 13, 2024, short interest in 3,063 Nasdaq Global Market SM securities totaled 11,912,589,852 shares compared with 11,857,580,215 shares in 3,065 Global Market issues reported for the prior settlement date of November 29, 2024. The mid-December short interest represents 2.65 days compared with 2.36 days for the prior reporting period. Short interest in 1,672 securities on The Nasdaq Capital Market SM totaled 2,179,343,976 shares at the end of the settlement date of December 13, 2024, compared with 2,052,759,872 shares in 1,665 securities for the previous reporting period. This represents a 1.00 day average daily volume; the previous reporting period’s figure was 1.00. In summary, short interest in all 4,735 Nasdaq® securities totaled 14,091,933,828 shares at the December 13, 2024 settlement date, compared with 4,730 issues and 13,910,340,087 shares at the end of the previous reporting period. This is 2.09 days average daily volume, compared with an average of 1.78 days for the prior reporting period. The open short interest positions reported for each Nasdaq security reflect the total number of shares sold short by all broker/dealers regardless of their exchange affiliations. A short sale is generally understood to mean the sale of a security that the seller does not own or any sale that is consummated by the delivery of a security borrowed by or for the account of the seller. For more information on Nasdaq Short interest positions, including publication dates, visit http://www.nasdaq.com/quotes/short-interest.aspx or http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/asp/short_interest.asp . About Nasdaq: Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn , on X @Nasdaq , or at www.nasdaq.com . Media Contact: Camille Stafford camille.stafford@nasdaq.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d618ea22-c88f-4168-a5f3-1b6b4f8e8eac NDAQOANGOLA, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of a game-changing technological breakthrough in the world of telecommunications: TX RX Systems' Tower Top Amplifier (TTA) patent. Developed by TX RX's engineers under founder Daniel P. Kaegebein and first patented in 1986, the Tower Top Amplifier has since become a crucial component in communication systems worldwide, enhancing signal strength, reducing noise, and improving the overall reliability of communication networks. The Tower Top Amplifier was invented to address a fundamental issue in wireless communication: signal loss between the antenna and the receiver due to long coaxial cable runs. The TTA optimizes system performance by placing low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) close to the receiving antenna, significantly reducing interference and maintaining signal integrity. This pioneering solution paved the way for more reliable communications in critical industries such as public safety, telecommunications, and emergency response, and it remains a cornerstone technology in modern communication systems. The Birthplace of Innovation This technological breakthrough originated right here in Angola, NY, where TX RX Systems' engineers sought to solve a persistent challenge faced by radio networks, overcoming interference and minimizing noise in signal transmission. This task required not only a deep understanding of RF technology but also forward-thinking ingenuity that led to the creation of the Tower Top Amplifier. Thirty years later, this once-groundbreaking innovation has become a standard solution for communication towers and networks globally, underpinning critical communication systems from urban centers to remote areas. A Legacy of Technological Advancements Over the years, TX RX Systems has continued to push the boundaries of RF technology, securing several other patents that have had a transformative impact on the industry. Among these innovations is the Bi-directional Filter System, which enables the amplification of signals in separate frequency bands, and the Notch Filter Network, designed to isolate and eliminate unwanted frequencies with precision. These advancements are now widely used in sectors ranging from government to commercial telecommunications. Additionally, TX RX Systems developed the Parallel Fed Collinear Antenna Array, enhancing multi-frequency transmission, and the Temperature Compensation Apparatus, which stabilizes frequency performance in varying environmental conditions. Each of these innovations has further cemented the company's reputation as a leader in RF infrastructure, contributing to the reliability of critical communication systems worldwide. The Global Reach of Local Innovation TX RX Systems' patented technologies are not only used in local and national communication infrastructures but also serve as the backbone of global communication systems. These innovations ensure that vital industries—such as public safety, transportation, and healthcare—are equipped with the tools they need to maintain secure, efficient communication channels in any scenario. The 30-year anniversary of the Tower Top Amplifier is a testament to TX RX Systems' long-standing commitment to technological excellence and innovation. This milestone celebrates not just a single invention but a legacy of ingenuity that continues to shape the future of communication technologies worldwide. About TX RX Systems For nearly 50 years, TX RX has been at the forefront of the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) market, developing mission-critical RF conditioning products and services that support industries such as public safety, telecommunications, and government. With an emphasis on innovation and quality, TX RX continues to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance communication reliability and performance. For more information about TX RX Systems and its patented technologies, visit www.txrx.com/patents Media Contact: Jay Slomba Director of Business Development & Strategic Marketing jslomba@txrx.com Direct: 716-217-3117 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

45 years ago, an 11-year-old and his brother started a band. Redd Kross won’t quit

Apostolic sect leader Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa has dismissed DNA results presented in court, arguing that the tests are flawed and should not be admitted as evidence. Chokurongerwa, who is facing charges of raping and impregnating three minor girls at his Nyabira shrine, appeared before Harare magistrate Estere Chivasa on Wednesday. The DNA tests, conducted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), allegedly link him to the pregnancies, but Chokurongerwa insists the process lacked integrity. He contends that the DNA samples were collected in violation of a High Court order, which had set specific conditions for the time, place, and supervision of the sampling process. "A tainted process cannot produce an untainted result. The DNA results are tainted and ought not to be admitted into evidence," he argued. The sect leader further claimed that procedural safeguards to ensure the authenticity of the samples were not followed, thereby compromising the entire forensic process. Additionally, Chokurongerwa denied the rape allegations, asserting that he never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with the complainants. He also claimed that the alleged victims did not voluntarily file complaints with the police, suggesting indoctrination may have influenced their silence during initial interviews. The State alleges that Chokurongerwa abused his position of power within the church to exploit the minors. Investigators say the victims, owing to religious indoctrination, were reluctant to disclose the identity of their abuser when initially questioned by police. Magistrate Chivasa has postponed the trial to January 16, 2025, to allow for further proceedings. The case has sparked widespread public interest, with many calling for justice for the victims while others question the transparency of evidence collection processes in sensitive cases like this.

‘Haligi’ Earns Golden Globe Consideration, Spotlighting Filipino Resilience and Fatherhood