Oliver Rivers
@maxrothbarth.bsky.social
COO at OCCRP. Usual disclaimers about whose these opinions are (mine) apply in the usual (obvious) way. Aspiring cat owner. Corruption, investigative journalism, art, classical music, not necessarily in that order.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Ukraine’s former deputy PM accused of aiding laundering of Energoatom kickbacks uncovered in the sweeping “Operation Midas” case.
www.occrp.org/en/news/ukra...
www.occrp.org/en/news/ukra...
Ukraine Jails Former Deputy PM Chernyshov in Energoatom Kickback Case
Ukraine’s former deputy PM accused of aiding laundering of Energoatom kickbacks uncovered in the sweeping “Operation Midas” case.
www.occrp.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Ukraine’s former deputy PM accused of aiding laundering of Energoatom kickbacks uncovered in the sweeping “Operation Midas” case.
www.occrp.org/en/news/ukra...
www.occrp.org/en/news/ukra...
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
3 days left to join upcoming OCCRP Briefing that brings together leading experts in digital forensics, financial crime, and governance to expose how AI is reshaping the criminal landscape — and what it means for those working to combat it: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
November 18, 2025 at 8:28 AM
3 days left to join upcoming OCCRP Briefing that brings together leading experts in digital forensics, financial crime, and governance to expose how AI is reshaping the criminal landscape — and what it means for those working to combat it: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Shameful FT headline today says Shabana Mahmood is "shaking up" human rights law
Um, no. Even for a newspaper that habitually describes cuts as "reforms", the only objective verb for removing minimal legal protection for asylum-seekers is "weakening"
The Home Sec is <weakening> human rights law.
Um, no. Even for a newspaper that habitually describes cuts as "reforms", the only objective verb for removing minimal legal protection for asylum-seekers is "weakening"
The Home Sec is <weakening> human rights law.
For Shabana Mahmood to attack some of the most cruelly treated people in the world as having won a "golden ticket" because they manage to get to and claim asylum in Britain is unforgiveable.
A new, far right, low for which I can think of no precedent, by any UK Government.
A new, far right, low for which I can think of no precedent, by any UK Government.
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Shameful FT headline today says Shabana Mahmood is "shaking up" human rights law
Um, no. Even for a newspaper that habitually describes cuts as "reforms", the only objective verb for removing minimal legal protection for asylum-seekers is "weakening"
The Home Sec is <weakening> human rights law.
Um, no. Even for a newspaper that habitually describes cuts as "reforms", the only objective verb for removing minimal legal protection for asylum-seekers is "weakening"
The Home Sec is <weakening> human rights law.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Fascinating that the cause of collapse of both major parties has not just been basically identical (cost of living and service failings creating unpopularity, chasing radical right tail on immigration fuelling in-bloc schism), but that doubling down has persisted long after failure became clear.
November 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Fascinating that the cause of collapse of both major parties has not just been basically identical (cost of living and service failings creating unpopularity, chasing radical right tail on immigration fuelling in-bloc schism), but that doubling down has persisted long after failure became clear.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
![Steve Hogarty @misterbrilliant
[gets olympic tickets to 100m butterfly] Oh my god this will be great. [sees the huge stadium] Oh wow that must be where they keep it.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:k5zurjvwdwxqwpvd4ggk3w76/bafkreihzgag5tcnviy6ohpnaokdl6jbyus6lufcrxk27xbskrzjusvybxu@jpeg)
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
5 days left to join our upcoming OCCRP Briefing: Criminal Intelligence: How Organized Crime is Weaponizing AI.
This one-hour event is open to all OCCRP members. Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
This one-hour event is open to all OCCRP members. Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
November 16, 2025 at 5:32 PM
5 days left to join our upcoming OCCRP Briefing: Criminal Intelligence: How Organized Crime is Weaponizing AI.
This one-hour event is open to all OCCRP members. Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
This one-hour event is open to all OCCRP members. Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:03 PM
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Upcoming OCCRP Briefing will bring together leading experts in digital forensics, financial crime, and governance to expose how AI is reshaping the criminal landscape — and what it means for those working to combat it.
Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
November 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Upcoming OCCRP Briefing will bring together leading experts in digital forensics, financial crime, and governance to expose how AI is reshaping the criminal landscape — and what it means for those working to combat it.
Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
Join today by making a donation: mailchi.mp/occrp/your-d...
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
It doesn't follow that rejoining will give a 6-8% boost to GDP, as much of the hit came from uncertainty reducing business investment, & we mightn't get this back. If a man's been hit by a bus you don't restore him to health by reversing the bus.
November 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
It doesn't follow that rejoining will give a 6-8% boost to GDP, as much of the hit came from uncertainty reducing business investment, & we mightn't get this back. If a man's been hit by a bus you don't restore him to health by reversing the bus.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
"while his beard is highly impactful in the public domain it does not always present a positive image of the hirsute"
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
"while his beard is highly impactful in the public domain it does not always present a positive image of the hirsute"
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
November 13, 2025 at 1:37 AM
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
The postwar always begins during the war.
This case is crucial to ensuring that Ukraine's postwar reconstruction processes are focused on long term sustainable prosperity and democracy.
This case is crucial to ensuring that Ukraine's postwar reconstruction processes are focused on long term sustainable prosperity and democracy.
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The postwar always begins during the war.
This case is crucial to ensuring that Ukraine's postwar reconstruction processes are focused on long term sustainable prosperity and democracy.
This case is crucial to ensuring that Ukraine's postwar reconstruction processes are focused on long term sustainable prosperity and democracy.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
If someone constantly argues that women don't statistically have the same mental aptitudes as men, and tries to tell you that it's just Science and not because they're a sexist pig, you can point to the much strong empirical correlation between saying such things and actually being a sexist pig.
Why hello there former US Treasury Secretary, president of Harvard, and director of the National Economic Council Larry Summers.
Sharing with alt so we can all bask in his hidden insights that we are NOT allowed to share.
And here's the source link:
oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
Sharing with alt so we can all bask in his hidden insights that we are NOT allowed to share.
And here's the source link:
oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
November 12, 2025 at 9:28 PM
If someone constantly argues that women don't statistically have the same mental aptitudes as men, and tries to tell you that it's just Science and not because they're a sexist pig, you can point to the much strong empirical correlation between saying such things and actually being a sexist pig.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Giving a lecture on the drafts of The Waste Land tomorrow and all the strange and haunting lines that Eliot and Pound decided to cut
November 12, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Giving a lecture on the drafts of The Waste Land tomorrow and all the strange and haunting lines that Eliot and Pound decided to cut
"AI-powered surveillance", lol. Stupid, not happening. The only way they could implement this is by banning VPN use where the intention is to evade the OSA, but how would you establish that? They're an essential digital safety tool. If it happened, would be a clusterfuck.
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Exclusive: Ofcom is monitoring VPNs following Online Safety Act. Here's how
Ignoring VPNs risks creating ineffective laws, but tracking them threatens people's privacy
www.techradar.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 AM
"AI-powered surveillance", lol. Stupid, not happening. The only way they could implement this is by banning VPN use where the intention is to evade the OSA, but how would you establish that? They're an essential digital safety tool. If it happened, would be a clusterfuck.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Gentle reminder that the BBC Board register of interests is obviously wholly unfit for purpose.
November 10, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Gentle reminder that the BBC Board register of interests is obviously wholly unfit for purpose.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Nick Robinson closed the Today programme emphasising that the BBC Board is *still* fighting over the wording of a statement over the Panorama programme.
it is very strange that BBC chair Samir Shah is hiding this morning. He should by rights be on the Today programme presenting himself as in charge and hands on the tiller. I wonder if he is frightened for his position
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Nick Robinson closed the Today programme emphasising that the BBC Board is *still* fighting over the wording of a statement over the Panorama programme.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
Michael Prescott was ‘“shocked” that after an hour-long Panorama documentary dealing with Trump and the January 6 insurgency, there was no “similar, balancing” programme about Kamala Harris.’
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Michael Prescott was ‘“shocked” that after an hour-long Panorama documentary dealing with Trump and the January 6 insurgency, there was no “similar, balancing” programme about Kamala Harris.’
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
If developments in the United States take a more radical and violent turn then you can now pretty much guarantee that the BBC will only report the full extent of these escalation spirals long after their consequences have become too obvious to play down.
November 9, 2025 at 9:35 PM
If developments in the United States take a more radical and violent turn then you can now pretty much guarantee that the BBC will only report the full extent of these escalation spirals long after their consequences have become too obvious to play down.
Reposted by Oliver Rivers
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.