Congressman Nadler has chosen to deny the CNET story I linked to last night. From ZDNet:
Update at 2:50 p.m. ET on June 16: We’re pulling the plug on this story — (for clarification: ZDNet’s story, not CNET’s) — following Rep. Nadler’s latest comments casting doubt on CNET’s story. In a statement to our sister site, Nadler said: “I am pleased that the administration has reiterated that, as I have always believed, the NSA cannot listen to the content of Americans’ phone calls without a specific warrant.” We’ve left the amended article (after the update below) intact for transparency, but corrected the headline.
Update at 10:20 p.m. ET on June 16: The U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released a statement, debunking the claims. “The statement that a single analyst can eavesdrop on domestic communications without proper legal authorization is incorrect and was not briefed to Congress,” the statement read.
Update at 11:55 p.m. ET on June 15: There appears to be some conflicting reports over the exact wording of Nadler’s remarks. There is also a video on C-SPAN (the exchange begins around the 46:00 mark) but it remains unclear if this is the exchange CNET first referenced. CNET specifically said, at the time of writing, that Nadler was told “during a secret briefing to members of Congress” this week. We’ve updated the story in a couple of places, and amended the headline, but much of the article remains the same…
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Also, Putin’s spokeman has officially denied that Robert Kraft’s Superbowl ring was stolen. Per NYMag:
… Word of Kraft’s displeasure has reached Russia, and on Sunday, Putin spokesman Peskov is denying the claim. “What Mr. Kraft is saying now is weird,” he said. “I was standing 20 centimeters away from him and Mr. Putin and saw and heard how Mr. Kraft gave this ring as a gift.” The jewelry has been stored in the Kremlin library, “where all official state gifts are kept,” and it seems that is where it will remain. Sorry, Robert Kraft.
Word on the late local news was that “it’s only coming up now because Bob [Kraft] thought it was a funny story”, and that “the Russians have promised Mr. Kraft a different ring.”
What’s the proper Cyrillic for “Fck you, candy-arse capitalist pig”?
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