711 job requirements Vancouver city council approves 3.9% property tax increaseTUNDE OYESINA writes that stakeholders in the justice sector have put forward divergent views on the strategy to be adopted in decongesting the apex court of the land Some stakeholders in the justice sector, including senior lawyers have expressed mixed feelings on how the decentralization of the Supreme Court could help in decongesting the apex court of too many cases. The arguments were sequel to a Bill seeking to decentralize the Supreme Court currently being considered at the House of Representatives. The Bill sponsored by Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the establishment of five divisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for timely dispensation of matters brought before the apex court. In his arguments, the lawmaker questioned the provisions of Section 230 of the 1999 Constitution that creates only one Supreme Court for the whole country without establishing divisions. He maintained that it is now time to establish divisions for the Supreme Court in the geo-political zones of the country to enhance access to the highest justice, minimize the logistical cost of accessing justice and ensure timely dispensation of matters brought before the apex court. The Bill has already scaled the first reading at the green chamber. Proponents of Supreme Court’s decentralization New Telegraph Law recalls that a retired Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Peter Ige, had during his valedictory session in 2023 called for the decentralization of the Supreme Court for more effective administration of justice. He said there was nothing wrong if the apex court has divisions in the nation’s six geopolitical zones like the appeal court. He added that decentralizing the Supreme Court would help to bring justice to the grass-roots. The retired jurist explained that the decentralization of the Supreme Court would reduce its burden and enable it to deliver justice without delays. In a similar vein, another retired Judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi had also in 2022 called for the decentralization of the Supreme Court to allow for speedy dispensation of justice in the country. Oniyangi who made this call during a valedictory session to mark his retirement from the Bench, submitted that the nation should consider establishing an appellate court in every state in the country to reduce the volume of pending cases. He said: “The Supreme Court has a number of cases but my question is why is the Supreme Court not decentralized in every geopolitical zone? The headquarter can be here in Abuja, as well as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. But, when that division is created, the Justices of the Supreme Court sent there will attend to matters in that geopolitical zone, but it will be the same one Supreme Court, no division.” “Abuja is full to the brim, cases are pending. The justices are trying, but the number of justices cannot cope with the pressure of jobs going on.” A Civil Rights Group, Justice and Transparency had also earlier this year called for the decentralization of the apex court. Speaking at a workshop, Executive Director of the Group, Henry Ikebuaku said: “We require an extreme decentralization of the entire criminal justice framework. This will empower states and surprisingly local communities to operate correctional centers to decrease the degree of dehumanization that inmates experience in our stuffed detention facilities. “The Supreme Court should be decentralized with the making of Supreme Courts at the six geopolitical zonal headquarters. The Court of Appeal has previously been decentralized, and the states have already been enabled to operate High Courts. “Establishment of Zonal Supreme Courts to treat specific classes of cases exception of those on fundamental human rights or constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens, is earnestly called for. Lawyers’ position In his comments, a rights activist, Onesimus Ruya, maintained that there cannot be more than one Supreme Court in the country because it’s the highest court in the land. Ruya said: “I think they should rather have more justices. There is no reason why we shouldn’t have up to 100 Supreme Court justices to reduce the workload. The only challenge they have is the workload. There are three courtrooms at the Supreme Court, most times only one is used. “The mover of the Bill is not looking at the real challenges, they are looking at politics. As we are now, we have courts of appeal in most of the geopolitical zones which will do the same work. Unless they are saying that those at the appeal court should end there, which gives litigants only one right of appeal which is not fair enough. “There would still be delays and also confusion or conflicting court decisions. I think what we need to decide and part of the restructuring process is the number of cases that get to the Supreme Court. There are too many of them that go to the Supreme Court on appeal”. Speaking in the same vein, a senior lawyer, Bright Enado, said decentralizing the Supreme Court will not reduce the delay of cases at the apex court. “A decentralized Supreme Court could only reduce the number of people going to Abuja for their cases for it would still be the same Supreme Court and the same number of people but now divided among the geopolitical zone. “We may have more Justices of the Supreme Court but I’m not too sure that it will reduce congestion. What can reduce congestion is to look internally at the kind of cases that find their way to the Supreme Court. That is the starting point, not every case should get there. It should be difficult to go to the Supreme Court. “People must learn to accept decisions of the appeal court and let it stop there. But, virtually every case that gets to the Court of Appeal gets to the Supreme Court and that is the problem. It’s not so much about the number of Supreme Courts that should be established. It should be on the number of cases that are allowed into the Supreme Court”. However, in his submissions, a senior lawyer, Edward Nwaogu, argued that decentralizing the apex court will improve the dispensation of justice. According to him, “Yes, if that would help us, we should amend the law and make the Supreme Court at Abuja the headquarters and make two to three zones. The Supreme Court too can have Divisions like the Court of appeal. We can then they find out how they can be managed together to streamline cases. “If they give conflicting judgements, there should be a process by which they streamline it. “The Court of Appeal that has Divisions has been able to manage the system in such a way that if they find conflicting judgement, they find a way of resolving it. If a Division in Enugu has given a decision that contradicts an earlier judgement of Lagos Division or whatever, you go to the whole process of which one to follow. “If the later judgement is seen to be given in ignorance of an earlier one, the law is quite clear that the law is given ‘per incuriam’. It denotes the idea that it is decided through inadvertence or ignorance of the relevant law. “The later judgement would bring in some other things that would have shown that this later one has overruled the earlier. So, the fear of conflicting judgement from different Divisions should not be a hindrance to it. “If decentralizing the Supreme Court will solve the problem of delay, it should be what we call reform”.

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide reported having issues with services like Outlook and Teams on Monday. In social media posts and comments on platforms like outage tracker Downdetector, some impacted said that they were having trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint. Microsoft acknowledged “an issue impacting users attempting to access Exchange Online or functionality within Microsoft Teams calendar” earlier in the day. In updates posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the company’s status page said it identified a “recent change” that it believed to be behind the problem — and was working to revert it. Microsoft shared that it was deploying a fix — which, as of shortly before noon E.T., it said had reached about 98% of “affected environments.” Still, the company’s status page later added , targeted restarts were “progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users.” As of midday Monday, Downdetector showed thousands of outage reports from users of Microsoft 365 , particularly Outlook .The choice of actors for the theatrical version of "Uncharted 4" has been met with resounding approval from fans and critics alike, with many praising the casting directors for their keen eye for talent and ability to assemble a cast that truly embodies the spirit of the game.

In anticipation of the upcoming testing phase, the development team has released a new gameplay trailer showcasing the fast-paced action and stunning visuals of "From The Forgotten". The trailer has already generated buzz and excitement among the gaming community, with many players eager to dive into the world of "From The Forgotten" and experience everything it has to offer.

Guangyu Mingdao, located in the heart of China's economic powerhouse, has emerged as a beacon of hope for the country's industrial transformation. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technology, and strategic partnerships, Guangyu Mingdao has positioned itself as a leading player in the new industrial landscape.Romania braces for parliamentary vote after far right's poll upsetInter Milan, led by manager Simone Inzaghi, has been struggling to replicate the dominant form that led them to the Serie A title last season. Inconsistent performances, injuries to key players, and a lack of cohesion on the field have all contributed to their recent struggles. The pressure to defend their title and maintain their position at the top of the table has only added to the weight on their shoulders.

Jayden Daniels and the offense stalling have the Commanders on a three-game losing streak LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Allowing two kickoff return touchdowns and missing an extra point all in the final few minutes added up to the Washington Commanders losing a third consecutive game in excruciating fashion. Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 2:16 PM Nov 25, 2024 2:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Cowboys won 34-26. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Allowing two kickoff return touchdowns and missing an extra point all in the final few minutes added up to the Washington Commanders losing a third consecutive game in excruciating fashion. The underlying reason for this slide continuing was a problem long before that. An offense led by dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that was among the NFL's best for a long stretch of the season put up just nine points and 169 yards for the first three-plus quarters against Dallas before falling behind 20-9 and teeing off on the Cowboys' conservative defense. “We just couldn’t really get it going,” said receiver Terry McLaurin , whose lengthy touchdown with 21 seconds left masked that he had just three catches for 16 yards through three quarters. “We’ve got to find a way to start faster and sustain drives, and that’s everybody: the whole coaching staff and the offensive players just going out there and figuring out ways that we can stay on the field.” This is not a new problem for Washington, which had a season-low 242 yards in a Nov. 10 home loss to Pittsburgh and 264 yards four days later in a defeat at Philadelphia. Since returning from a rib injury that knocked him out of a game last month, Daniels has completed just under 61% of his passes, after 75.6% over his first seven professional starts. Daniels and coach Dan Quinn have insisted this isn't about injury. The coaching staff blamed a lack of adequate practice time, but a full week of it before facing the Cowboys did not solve the problem. It is now fair to wonder if opponents have seen enough film of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system to figure it out. “I think teams and coordinators are going to see what other teams have success against us and try to figure out how they could incorporate that into their scheme," Daniels said after going 12 of 22 for 80 yards passing through three quarters in the Dallas game. "We’ve been in third and longer a lot these past couple games, so that’s kind of where you get into the exotic pressures and stuff like that. We’ve just got to be better on first and second downs and stay ahead of the chains.” Daniels has a point there, and it predates this losing streak. The Commanders have converted just 36% of third-down opportunities (27 for 75) over their past seven games after 52% (31 for 60) in their first five. That challenge doesn't get any easier with Tennessee coming to town Sunday. The Titans, despite being 3-8, have the second-best third-down defense in the league at 31.6%. What’s working The defense kept the Commanders in the game against Dallas, allowing just 10 points until the fourth quarter and 20 total before kickoff return touchdowns piled on to the other side of the scoreboard. Even Cooper Rush's 22-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker with five minutes left came after a turnover that gave the Cowboys the ball at the Washington 44. The defense spending more than 35 minutes on the field certainly contributed to fatigue as play wore on. What needs help The running game that contributed to a 7-2 start has taken a hit, in part because of injuries to top back Brian Robinson Jr. The Commanders got 145 yards on the ground because Daniels had 74 on seven carries, but running backs combined for just 57. Daniels could not say how much the rushing attack stalling has contributed to the offense going stagnant. “You’ve got to be able to run the ball, keep the defense honest,” he said. "We got to execute the plays that are called in, and we didn’t do a good job of doing that.” Stock up Linebacker Frankie Luvu keeps making the case to be first-year general manager Adam Peters' best free agent signing. He and fellow offseason addition Bobby Wagner tied for a team-high eight tackles, and Luvu also knocked down three passes against Dallas. Stock down Kicker Austin Seibert going wide left on the point-after attempt that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left was his third miss of the game. He also was short on a 51-yard field goal attempt and wide left on an earlier extra point. Seibert, signed a week into the season after Cade York struggled in the opener, made 25 of 27 field goal tries and was 22 of 22 on extra points before injuring his right hip and missing the previous two games. He brushed off his health and the low snap from Tyler Ott while taking responsibility for not connecting. “I made the decision to play, and here we are,” Seibert said. “I just wasn’t striking it well. But it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot moving forward.” Injuries Robinson's sprained ankle and fellow running back Austin Ekeler's concussion from a late kickoff return that led to him being hospitalized for further evaluation are two major immediate concerns. Quinn said Monday that Ekeler and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie are in concussion protocol. It's unclear if Robinson will be available against Tennessee, which could mean Chris Rodriguez Jr. getting elevated from the practice squad to split carries with Jeremy McNichols. The Commanders still have not gotten cornerback Marshon Lattimore into a game since acquiring him at the trade deadline from New Orleans. Lattimore is trying to return from a hamstring injury, and the secondary could use him against Calvin Ridley, who's coming off a 93-yard performance at Houston. Key number 17 — Handoffs to a running back against Dallas, a significant decrease from much of the season before this losing streak. Next steps Don't overlook the Titans with the late bye week coming immediately afterward. The Commanders opened as more than a touchdown favorite, but after the results over the weekend, BetMGM Sportsbook had it as 5 1/2 points Monday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Lions receiver Jameson Williams won't be charged for having a gun in a car Nov 25, 2024 2:29 PM The Giants were a no-show against the Bucs after releasing quarterback Daniel Jones Nov 25, 2024 2:26 PM Believe it or not, Cowboys might have hope yet after chaotic win at Washington Nov 25, 2024 2:19 PM

Mariah Carey’s holiday NFL show stirs up controversy 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' vocalist Mariah Carey heaped title of 'Queen of Christmas' Mariah Carey’s appearance in the NFL’s first-ever Christmas Gameday broadcast has sparked a wave of mixed reactions on social media. The 55-year-old, known for her holiday classic All I Want for Christmas Is You , performed a shortened version of the song before the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs game, as part of the NFL’s special Christmas programming. Carey appeared in a festive red one-piece with gold tassels on the set against a winter wonderland backdrop. The performance, which included footage of NFL game highlights and staged fans watching at home and in bars, aimed to add a holiday touch to the football broadcast. While some fans embraced the performance, with one writing, “So cute and festive! @NFL @MariahCarey We NEED a Super Bowl halftime show moment in 2026.” A number of viewers took to social media, with one commenting, “This Mariah Carey performance feels like a Netflix commercial,” critiquing the segment's commercialized feel. The performance comes during a milestone year for Mariah Carey, marking the 30th anniversary of her holiday album Merry Christmas , which includes the record-breaking hit All I Want for Christmas Is You . The success of the album helped to cement Carey’s status as the “Queen of Christmas,” a title she continues to embrace. 'Bridgerton' sends fans frenzy with Season 4 update Greta Gerwig's ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ gets major update Taylor Swift's fans go wild over possible Dolly Patron collaboration Amanda Bynes hints at returning to hollywood following star-studded art show

MVB Financial Corp. Declares Fourth Quarter 2024 DividendEnanta Pharmaceuticals' chief product strategy officer sells $18,400 in stockAfter a far-right pro-Russia candidate secured a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election Monday, the eastern European NATO member is bracing for a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Sunday, amid fears it could bring about a strategic shift in the country. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia. His victory ahead of centre-right mayor Elena Lasconi -- who scored 19.18 percent -- ended the hopes of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to compete for the presidency in the December runoff. After coming third at 19.15, Ciolacu said his Social Democratic Party (PSD) won't challenge the narrow result, and announced his resignation as party leader. Experts say the far right's surprise success could affect the parliamentary elections later this week, and even influence the chances of forming a future government. In the runoff ballot on December 8, Lasconi will face Georgescu, a NATO critic who in the past expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgescu's popularity surged ahead of the vote with a viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, which shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Romania. In a first reaction on his YouTube channel, the 62-year-old independent candidate insisted "there is no East or West", stressing that neutrality was "absolutely necessary". "I am not an extremist, I am not a fascist -- I am a Romanian who loves his country," he said in reference to media reports that "tried to portray" him in a wrongful way. For his rival Lasconi, the upcoming runoff represents "an existential battle", "a historic confrontation" between those who wish to "preserve Romania's young democracy" and those who want to "return to the Russian sphere of influence". "We must not allow anger to throw us back into the past," she said to thunderous applause from her supporters, vowing to stand up for Europe and NATO. The political earthquake comes amid soaring inflation and mounting fears of Romania being potentially dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, as the country has emerged as a key player on the alliance's eastern flank. In Sunday's vote, another far-right contender, AUR party leader George Simion, secured nearly 14 percent. Already pounding the campaign trail for this week's parliamentary elections, Simion said Romania now has "the chance to have a sovereign government and a sovereign president". Overall, the far right won more than a third of all votes in Sunday's presidential ballot. "The far right is by far the big winner of this election," political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP, predicting a possible "contagion effect" in the parliamentary vote. Extremist forces and Lasconi's centre-right party now have "wind in their sails", sociologist Gelu Duminica said, though "it remains to be seen if they know how to capitalise" on it. The PSD, which has shaped the country's politics for more than three decades, has never before been eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. The National Liberal Party (PNL) party, with whom the PSD currently governs, also suffered a defeat. While many expressed their disbelief over the poll in the streets of the capital Bucharest, others were enthused. Maria Chis, 70, said she was surprised by Georgescu's lead in the first round but had been impressed after watching his TikTok videos. "He seems a man of integrity, serious and patriotic. He inspires seriousness. I think only someone like him can bring change," said the pensioner, who was planning to vote for him in the second round. Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy. "There is sorrow, disappointment, that after so many years in Euro-Atlantic structures we voted for a pro-Russian by over 20 percent," the 42-year-old said. "There is clearly a strong fragmentation both in society and in the political class, and I think we saw that yesterday," he said. ani-anb-kym/sbk

In a recent interview with the technical director of the popular Yakuza series, it was revealed that the process of remaking the classic games is far more challenging and complex than fans may realize. The Yakuza series, known for its intricate storytelling, detailed open-world environments, and engaging combat mechanics, has garnered a loyal fan base over the years. However, the decision to remake these beloved titles is not a task that can be taken lightly, as the technical director shared insights into the immense effort and dedication required to breathe new life into these iconic games.The 2024 Xiaomi "Smart Life Ecosystem" Partner Conference was held on December 27th, featuring a keynote speech by Lei Jun, the company's CEO. The conference brought together industry leaders, partners, and enthusiasts to discuss the future of smart technology integration in homes, cars, and personal devices.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Allowing two kickoff return touchdowns and missing an extra point all in the final few minutes added up to the Washington Commanders losing a third consecutive game in excruciating fashion. The underlying reason for this slide continuing was a problem long before that. An offense led by dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that was among the NFL's best for a long stretch of the season put up just nine points and 169 yards for the first three-plus quarters against Dallas before falling behind 20-9 and teeing off on the Cowboys' conservative defense. “We just couldn’t really get it going,” said receiver Terry McLaurin , whose lengthy touchdown with 21 seconds left masked that he had just three catches for 16 yards through three quarters. “We’ve got to find a way to start faster and sustain drives, and that’s everybody: the whole coaching staff and the offensive players just going out there and figuring out ways that we can stay on the field.” This is not a new problem for Washington, which had a season-low 242 yards in a Nov. 10 home loss to Pittsburgh and 264 yards four days later in a defeat at Philadelphia. Since returning from a rib injury that knocked him out of a game last month, Daniels has completed just under 61% of his passes, after 75.6% over his first seven professional starts. Daniels and coach Dan Quinn have insisted this isn't about injury. The coaching staff blamed a lack of adequate practice time, but a full week of it before facing the Cowboys did not solve the problem. It is now fair to wonder if opponents have seen enough film of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system to figure it out. “I think teams and coordinators are going to see what other teams have success against us and try to figure out how they could incorporate that into their scheme," Daniels said after going 12 of 22 for 80 yards passing through three quarters in the Dallas game. "We’ve been in third and longer a lot these past couple games, so that’s kind of where you get into the exotic pressures and stuff like that. We’ve just got to be better on first and second downs and stay ahead of the chains.” Daniels has a point there, and it predates this losing streak. The Commanders have converted just 36% of third-down opportunities (27 for 75) over their past seven games after 52% (31 for 60) in their first five. That challenge doesn't get any easier with Tennessee coming to town Sunday. The Titans, despite being 3-8, have the second-best third-down defense in the league at 31.6%. What’s working The defense kept the Commanders in the game against Dallas, allowing just 10 points until the fourth quarter and 20 total before kickoff return touchdowns piled on to the other side of the scoreboard. Even Cooper Rush's 22-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker with five minutes left came after a turnover that gave the Cowboys the ball at the Washington 44. The defense spending more than 35 minutes on the field certainly contributed to fatigue as play wore on. What needs help The running game that contributed to a 7-2 start has taken a hit, in part because of injuries to top back Brian Robinson Jr. The Commanders got 145 yards on the ground because Daniels had 74 on seven carries, but running backs combined for just 57. Daniels could not say how much the rushing attack stalling has contributed to the offense going stagnant. “You’ve got to be able to run the ball, keep the defense honest,” he said. "We got to execute the plays that are called in, and we didn’t do a good job of doing that.” Stock up Linebacker Frankie Luvu keeps making the case to be first-year general manager Adam Peters' best free agent signing. He and fellow offseason addition Bobby Wagner tied for a team-high eight tackles, and Luvu also knocked down three passes against Dallas. Stock down Kicker Austin Seibert going wide left on the point-after attempt that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left was his third miss of the game. He also was short on a 51-yard field goal attempt and wide left on an earlier extra point. Seibert, signed a week into the season after Cade York struggled in the opener, made 25 of 27 field goal tries and was 22 of 22 on extra points before injuring his right hip and missing the previous two games. He brushed off his health and the low snap from Tyler Ott while taking responsibility for not connecting. “I made the decision to play, and here we are,” Seibert said. “I just wasn’t striking it well. But it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot moving forward.” Injuries Robinson's sprained ankle and fellow running back Austin Ekeler's concussion from a late kickoff return that led to him being hospitalized for further evaluation are two major immediate concerns. Quinn said Monday that Ekeler and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie are in concussion protocol. It's unclear if Robinson will be available against Tennessee, which could mean Chris Rodriguez Jr. getting elevated from the practice squad to split carries with Jeremy McNichols. The Commanders still have not gotten cornerback Marshon Lattimore into a game since acquiring him at the trade deadline from New Orleans. Lattimore is trying to return from a hamstring injury, and the secondary could use him against Calvin Ridley, who's coming off a 93-yard performance at Houston. Key number 17 — Handoffs to a running back against Dallas, a significant decrease from much of the season before this losing streak. Next steps Don't overlook the Titans with the late bye week coming immediately afterward. The Commanders opened as more than a touchdown favorite, but after the results over the weekend, BetMGM Sportsbook had it as 5 1/2 points Monday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press

Market Alert: Actelis Networks Lands Expansion Orders for Washington DC Transportation Department Multi-Billion Dollar PartnerWASHINGTON — The Justice Department has strengthened internal reviews for when it seeks the electronic records of members of Congress and congressional staffers as part of a leak investigation, including notification to the attorney general and other leadership, a watchdog reported Tuesday. A DOJ Office of the Inspector General review found that two members of Congress and 43 people who were congressional staffers at the time had their records sought, with the goal of identifying the sources of leaked classified information that was included in news articles in 2017. Both members of Congress were Democrats, 21 of the staffers worked in Democratic positions, 20 worked in Republican positions and two worked in nonpartisan positions, the report found. And non-disclosure orders prevented the members of Congress from learning about the efforts to seek their records. While the report did not name the lawmakers, the DOJ used subpoenas to obtain information from Apple, including cellphone metadata for at least two House members: then-Rep. Adam B. Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell, both California Democrats. Swalwell and Schiff both confirmed their records had been obtained. The IG report said the DOJ did not at that time have a policy that clearly addressed the use of legal authorities to get records of lawmakers and staffers from third parties or the use of such non-disclosure orders when it came to lawmakers and staffers. “The Department’s decision to compel the production of non-content communications records of Members of Congress and congressional staffers implicated the constitutional rights and authorities of a co-equal branch of government,” the report states. “Non-content communications records” include phone and email information, such as the email addresses they were communicating with and the phone numbers they were calling, along with the duration of each call. In response to the concerns the watchdog highlighted, the DOJ changed several policies. One revised policy makes explicit that the U.S. attorney’s office or other prosecuting component must file an “Urgent Report” to department leadership, including the attorney general and deputy attorney general, before seeking the records. The Justice Department also added “investigations involving elected or appointed officials” to the list of circumstances that require urgent reporting when there are major developments, the report said. And a prosecutor must disclose in an application filed with the court whether use of a non-disclosure order “would delay notice to a Member of Congress, congressional office, or a congressional staffer,” the report states. The IG concluded that using the process to obtain those records when based solely on the close proximity in time between access to the classified information and subsequent publication of the information “risks chilling Congress’s ability to conduct oversight of the executive branch.” That’s because it “exposes congressional officials to having their records reviewed by the DOJ solely for conducting Congress’s constitutionally authorized oversight duties and creating, at a minimum, the appearance of inappropriate interference by the executive branch in legitimate oversight activity by the legislative branch.” “Moreover, even non-content communications records — such as those predominantly sought here — can reveal the fact of sensitive communications of Members of Congress and staffers, including with executive branch whistleblowers and with interest groups engaging in First Amendment activity,” the IG report states. The inspector general review did not find any evidence of “retaliatory or political motivation by the career prosecutors” who sought records. But the report said when news broke about the efforts to get records, there were concerns from congressional lawmakers and staffers of both parties “that they may have been politically targeted during the investigation.” DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz announced the review in June 2021, after President Joe Biden had entered the White House. In the weeks before the announcement, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported that the Justice Department had secretly obtained the phone records of their journalists during the Trump administration. The Washington Post reported that the department obtained the records over reporting that the journalists did regarding Russia’s part in the 2016 general election. In 2021, the House Judiciary Committee under Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., also launched an investigation into the Justice Department’s “surveillance” of members of Congress and journalists, and it pressed Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to provide documents. “We must determine if the Department sought these sensitive records for improper political purposes,” a group of lawmakers wrote in a letter to Garland. The report Tuesday said a congressional committee employee had identified two members of Congress as potential leakers but did not provide evidence to support the claim. The department determined the employee to have uncertain credibility and little support for their contention, the report said. The inspector general report comes as the window is closing to pass a federal press source shield measure in this Congress. The bipartisan bill, known as the PRESS Act and backed by Reps. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., would prevent the federal government from compelling journalists to reveal their sources except when doing so might prevent imminent violence or identify a terrorist. Last month, President-elect Donald Trump said on social media: “REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!” in response to a news segment that mentioned the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer’s office said he has plans on Tuesday to ask for unanimous consent to pass the PRESS Act. ©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Tears welled up in Ms. Zhang's eyes as she looked at Zhang Guimei with pride and admiration. She had always believed in her student, even when others doubted her abilities. And now, seeing her successful and dedicated to serving the community, Ms. Zhang felt a sense of fulfillment that words could not describe.