Samantha Fiander
@sfiander.bsky.social
The Mirror Crack'd... Modelled on Marple, penchant for Poirot. Reposts ≠ endorsements; views are mine, etc. you know the drill from that other place.
#YesToDignity
#YesToDignity
Pinned
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
This is the Yale professor's explanation for why he described the physical attractiveness of a student in an email to Epstein. He explicitly says he regrets nothing about their association.
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
February 5, 2026 at 4:14 PM
This is the Yale professor's explanation for why he described the physical attractiveness of a student in an email to Epstein. He explicitly says he regrets nothing about their association.
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Epstein files shed more light on Steve Bannon’s efforts to influence European politics
Epstein files shed more light on Steve Bannon’s efforts to influence European politics
Donald Trump’s former adviser told Epstein in 2019 that he was ‘focused on raising money for Le Pen and Salvini’ before European elections
Dozens of messages contained in the latest tranche of Epstein files lay bare the attempts by Donald Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon to tap Jeffrey Epstein for support and funding to bolster European far-right parties.
The messages mostly date to 2018 and 2019, when Bannon, after being sacked by Trump, regularly visited Europe in his quest to forge a movement in the European parliament uniting ultra-rightwing and Eurosceptic forces from several countries including Italy, Germany, France, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and Austria. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Epstein files shed more light on Steve Bannon’s efforts to influence European politics
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
I was searching the Epstein files for art-related matters and found a curious story about a Cezanne, a collector, a bank and a Swiss museum as.ft.com/r/ed451d71-d...
Epstein files show art market financialisation in full flow
[FREE TO READ] A Black mark on ‘Château Noir’
as.ft.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:26 AM
I was searching the Epstein files for art-related matters and found a curious story about a Cezanne, a collector, a bank and a Swiss museum as.ft.com/r/ed451d71-d...
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
5 years is not "quite short". those 5 years cost us about fourteen grand, three horrendously stressful applications, and (for example) a full half decade where nobody would offer us a mortgage because my wife only had temporary residency, so we had to keep paying a fortune in rent instead
The Home Secretary several times says she thinks 5 years is "quite short" and "quite quick".
Views differ - but the BSA finds that the general public tend to see 5 years as fair: over 80% of people tend to think 5 years is fair
natcen.ac.uk/publications...
Views differ - but the BSA finds that the general public tend to see 5 years as fair: over 80% of people tend to think 5 years is fair
natcen.ac.uk/publications...
February 5, 2026 at 9:59 AM
5 years is not "quite short". those 5 years cost us about fourteen grand, three horrendously stressful applications, and (for example) a full half decade where nobody would offer us a mortgage because my wife only had temporary residency, so we had to keep paying a fortune in rent instead
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has told journalists "the first amendment is under siege here at home" and called Washington Post layoffs announced yesterday "part of a broader reprehensible pattern in which corporate decisions are hollowing out newsrooms" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Nancy Pelosi warns press freedom is ‘under siege’ after arrest of journalist
Ex-House speaker says at dinner ‘facts are challenged, truth is distorted and press is treated as enemy’ by those in power
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has told journalists "the first amendment is under siege here at home" and called Washington Post layoffs announced yesterday "part of a broader reprehensible pattern in which corporate decisions are hollowing out newsrooms" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
"By the end of the two-year period, 94% of participants reported they were housed."
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
Homeless Oregon youth got $1,000 a month for two years. Most found housing after • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon is the second of its kind in the nation to implement the direct cash transfer program after New York City.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:12 PM
"By the end of the two-year period, 94% of participants reported they were housed."
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
WaPo laid off one of the journalists who won a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
February 4, 2026 at 6:16 PM
WaPo laid off one of the journalists who won a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
That would be Will Lewis. Knighted, inevitably, by Boris Johnson.
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
February 4, 2026 at 6:54 PM
That would be Will Lewis. Knighted, inevitably, by Boris Johnson.
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
WaPo laying off entire Middle East team
February 4, 2026 at 3:01 PM
WaPo laying off entire Middle East team
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
The GOP and Larry Ellison are trying to accumulate what's left of our dying corporate media and build the sort of state television you see in autocratic countries like Hungary.
It's not subtle. He's already making great inroads after the acquisitions of CBS and (part of) TikTok:
It's not subtle. He's already making great inroads after the acquisitions of CBS and (part of) TikTok:
How Hungary's Orbán uses control of the media to escape scrutiny and keep the public in the dark | The Associated Press
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — In the months leading up to elections for the European Parliament, Hungarians were warned that casting a ballot against Prime
www.ap.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The GOP and Larry Ellison are trying to accumulate what's left of our dying corporate media and build the sort of state television you see in autocratic countries like Hungary.
It's not subtle. He's already making great inroads after the acquisitions of CBS and (part of) TikTok:
It's not subtle. He's already making great inroads after the acquisitions of CBS and (part of) TikTok:
What does this remind me of 🤔
February 4, 2026 at 8:47 AM
What does this remind me of 🤔
The reporting this week should serve as an important reminder that investigative journalism, a free press, and resourcing this, matters.
February 3, 2026 at 9:50 PM
The reporting this week should serve as an important reminder that investigative journalism, a free press, and resourcing this, matters.
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
This isn’t funny. Government lawyers only react like this in extreme distress.
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 3, 2026 at 9:30 PM
This isn’t funny. Government lawyers only react like this in extreme distress.
Timing is everything.
February 3, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Timing is everything.
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
FT exclusive
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed ways round restrictions on his making investments while an official UK trade representative and shared official documents from the role with Jeffrey Epstein, files released by the US Department of Justice show
www.ft.com/content/6b2f...
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed ways round restrictions on his making investments while an official UK trade representative and shared official documents from the role with Jeffrey Epstein, files released by the US Department of Justice show
www.ft.com/content/6b2f...
Former prince discussed with Jeffrey Epstein ways to get round investment rules
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared official documents while serving as a UK trade envoy
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM
FT exclusive
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed ways round restrictions on his making investments while an official UK trade representative and shared official documents from the role with Jeffrey Epstein, files released by the US Department of Justice show
www.ft.com/content/6b2f...
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed ways round restrictions on his making investments while an official UK trade representative and shared official documents from the role with Jeffrey Epstein, files released by the US Department of Justice show
www.ft.com/content/6b2f...
“On Christmas Day 2010, he forwarded to Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.”
FT exclusive
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed ways round restrictions on his making investments while an official UK trade representative and shared official documents from the role with Jeffrey Epstein, files released by the US Department of Justice show
www.ft.com/content/6b2f...
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed ways round restrictions on his making investments while an official UK trade representative and shared official documents from the role with Jeffrey Epstein, files released by the US Department of Justice show
www.ft.com/content/6b2f...
Former prince discussed with Jeffrey Epstein ways to get round investment rules
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared official documents while serving as a UK trade envoy
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:33 PM
“On Christmas Day 2010, he forwarded to Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.”
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Spain to ban social media access for children under 16 reut.rs/4rNX6in
Spain to ban social media access for children under 16
Spain will ban access to social media for minors under 16 and platforms will be required to implement age verification systems, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
reut.rs
February 3, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Spain to ban social media access for children under 16 reut.rs/4rNX6in
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Again, this is FALSE. Administrative warrants are NOT signed by an immigration judge (or any judge at all). They are generated and signed by ICE officers themselves with no external oversight whatsoever.
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
February 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Again, this is FALSE. Administrative warrants are NOT signed by an immigration judge (or any judge at all). They are generated and signed by ICE officers themselves with no external oversight whatsoever.
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Reupping because this is so spot on. Marina Hyde absolutely withering about Epstein's vile circle
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It’s the Epstein files deja vu: how many more powerful men knew about his crimes, and helped him out anyway? | Marina Hyde
I’m sorry, but this is not just a political scandal. Time to refocus on the horrific mistreatment of women and girls, and the role of these ghouls, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Reupping because this is so spot on. Marina Hyde absolutely withering about Epstein's vile circle
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
New email: Epstein and businessman/lawyer David Stern, talking about Mandelson as if he's on retainer.
Epstein says "Do we need help - mandelson?"
The reply: "too early to get Mandelson involved"
Quick thread:
Epstein says "Do we need help - mandelson?"
The reply: "too early to get Mandelson involved"
Quick thread:
February 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM
New email: Epstein and businessman/lawyer David Stern, talking about Mandelson as if he's on retainer.
Epstein says "Do we need help - mandelson?"
The reply: "too early to get Mandelson involved"
Quick thread:
Epstein says "Do we need help - mandelson?"
The reply: "too early to get Mandelson involved"
Quick thread:
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Information Commissioner launches investigation into Grok's use of personal data to produce sexualised images ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
February 3, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Information Commissioner launches investigation into Grok's use of personal data to produce sexualised images ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
Worth noting we tested the same or very similar prompts against ChatGPT, Gemini, and Llama. All were refused, with many yielding warning messages around nonconsensual images.
February 3, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Worth noting we tested the same or very similar prompts against ChatGPT, Gemini, and Llama. All were refused, with many yielding warning messages around nonconsensual images.
Reposted by Samantha Fiander
the problem with this newfound “bursary” argument aired in the Times is this:
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
February 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM
the problem with this newfound “bursary” argument aired in the Times is this:
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us