Harold O.M. Rocha
@haroldrocha.bsky.social
US/Spain legal academic, international business consultant
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Here's what you need to know to start your day
House Gives Trump Rare Rebuke as Midterm Angst Grows
Good morning. The House gives part of Donald Trump’s tariff agenda a thumbs down. Old Economy stocks are on the march. And hotel bakeries are the new trendy bars. Listen to the day’s top stories.
bloom.bg
February 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Here's what you need to know to start your day
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
The row over Greenland last month had sparked fears the 70-year-old military alliance could implode, but allies now appear to be getting back to business as usual. #EuropeNews
NATO defence ministers insist Ukraine, not Arctic, is top priority
The row over Greenland last month had sparked fears the 70-year-old military alliance could implode, but allies now appear to be getting back to business as usual.
l.euronews.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:37 PM
The row over Greenland last month had sparked fears the 70-year-old military alliance could implode, but allies now appear to be getting back to business as usual. #EuropeNews
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Their leveraged bets on the software industry may soon cause big trouble
Private-equity barons have a giant AI problem
Their leveraged bets on the software industry may soon cause big trouble
econ.st
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Their leveraged bets on the software industry may soon cause big trouble
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Countries with more leverage over America conceded less. This group controls everything from industrial supply chains to advanced semiconductor chips, and so could negotiate more
Who wrangled the best trade deal from Donald Trump?
The agreements look one-sided. Their consequences may not be
econ.st
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Countries with more leverage over America conceded less. This group controls everything from industrial supply chains to advanced semiconductor chips, and so could negotiate more
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
AI can draft your work emails (awkwardly), answer your customer queries (badly), and make something that sounds like music. But its abilities are finite—and as Sohini Desai explains, we should be skeptical of the promises CEOs are making.
Bullshit Bots | Sohini Desai
Is AI really coming for entry-level jobs first, and the rest of the workforce next? Tech CEOs certainly want you to think so.
thebaffler.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
AI can draft your work emails (awkwardly), answer your customer queries (badly), and make something that sounds like music. But its abilities are finite—and as Sohini Desai explains, we should be skeptical of the promises CEOs are making.
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
A “significant draw down” of federal immigration enforcement agents “has already been underway this week and will continue to next week,” Homan said.
Trump Ending Minneapolis Immigration Enforcement Surge, Homan Says
A “significant draw down” of federal immigration enforcement agents “has already been underway this week and will continue to next week,” Homan said.
www.forbes.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:50 PM
A “significant draw down” of federal immigration enforcement agents “has already been underway this week and will continue to next week,” Homan said.
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
OPINION: When NATO chief Mark Rutte said that Europe can’t defend itself without the U.S., he positioned himself as the spokesperson of the continent's strategic resignation.
Rutte is wrong about European defense
The NATO chief needs to be promoting a more balanced alliance with a strong European pillar — not undermining it.
www.politico.eu
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 AM
OPINION: When NATO chief Mark Rutte said that Europe can’t defend itself without the U.S., he positioned himself as the spokesperson of the continent's strategic resignation.
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
A survey reflects deepening distrust of politicians and suggests that 58 per cent of French voters now think a business leader would make a good president ⬇️
Should a business leader run France? Most voters think so
Should a business leader run France? Most voters think so
www.thetimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:24 AM
A survey reflects deepening distrust of politicians and suggests that 58 per cent of French voters now think a business leader would make a good president ⬇️
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Saudi economy expands 4.9% in fourth quarter as oil sector boosts growth reut.rs/46j34iH
Saudi economy expands 4.9% in fourth quarter as oil sector boosts growth
Saudi Arabia's economy grew 4.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, according to government estimates, bolstered by strong growth in non-oil activities and increased oil production.
reut.rs
February 2, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Saudi economy expands 4.9% in fourth quarter as oil sector boosts growth reut.rs/46j34iH
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Euro zone firms see deteriorating profits, ECB survey shows reut.rs/49WdPde
Euro zone firms see deteriorating profits, ECB survey shows
Euro zone firms expect revenues to keep rising this quarter but profitability is taking a hit, the European Central Bank's quarterly Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises showed on Monday.
reut.rs
February 2, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Euro zone firms see deteriorating profits, ECB survey shows reut.rs/49WdPde
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
End of an era: half-century of nuclear arms control comes to a close ft.trib.al/KH2Mhyq #FTEdit
End of an era: half-century of nuclear arms control comes to a close
New Start treaty, which expires this week, capped the number of missiles and warheads in US and Russian arsenals
ft.trib.al
February 2, 2026 at 9:36 AM
End of an era: half-century of nuclear arms control comes to a close ft.trib.al/KH2Mhyq #FTEdit
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
U.S. container imports ended 2025 in a four-month skid that’s likely to lengthen this year as trade shifts to other economies to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
U.S. container growth vanishes with world trade flows ‘moving on’
Trump tariffs have led major economies to reduce their reliance on the American market.
ebx.sh
February 2, 2026 at 9:37 AM
U.S. container imports ended 2025 in a four-month skid that’s likely to lengthen this year as trade shifts to other economies to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
In the coming decades London’s wealth of talent means it is well-placed to participate in the AI revolution. But for the city to rise again, politicians have work to do
How London can rise again
The economy of Britain’s capital has suffered since 2008, but the city has what it takes to prosper
econ.st
February 2, 2026 at 9:40 AM
In the coming decades London’s wealth of talent means it is well-placed to participate in the AI revolution. But for the city to rise again, politicians have work to do
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Europe’s housing emergency is a political choice — and it can be solved
Europe’s housing emergency is a political choice — and it can be solved
With the European Commission unveiling its first ever European housing package on Tuesday, the stakes could not be higher. This housing crisis is not a force of nature, it is a political failure, which means it is within our power to fix, writes MEP Brigitte van den Berg.
euobserver.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Europe’s housing emergency is a political choice — and it can be solved
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Any Ukraine peace deal without Belarus risks Russian annexation
Any Ukraine peace deal without Belarus risks Russian annexation
Any Ukraine peace deal without Belarus risks Russian annexation
www.independent.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Any Ukraine peace deal without Belarus risks Russian annexation
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
The San Diego Museum of Art presents a revelatory retrospective on the Spanish artist, whose work pulses with the power of the natural world and his own heritage. on.wsj.com/456fhGK
‘Eduardo Chillida: Convergence’ Review: Sculpting Nature’s Forces
The San Diego Museum of Art presents a revelatory retrospective on the Spanish artist, whose work pulses with the power of the natural world and his own heritage.
on.wsj.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The San Diego Museum of Art presents a revelatory retrospective on the Spanish artist, whose work pulses with the power of the natural world and his own heritage. on.wsj.com/456fhGK
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
With Fed independence in crosshairs, will Supreme Court back Trump again? reut.rs/3MAZqK7
With Fed independence in crosshairs, will Supreme Court back Trump again?
The U.S. Supreme Court's conservative justices appear ready to endorse President Donald Trump's power to fire a regulatory agency official despite job protections given by Congress. But they have signaled reluctance to give him similar authority over the Federal Reserve in a major case set to be argued next month.
reut.rs
December 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
With Fed independence in crosshairs, will Supreme Court back Trump again? reut.rs/3MAZqK7
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
The U.S. Mint unveiled the designs for coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence next year. They depict the founding documents and the Revolutionary War, but so far, not President Donald Trump.
New coins will commemorate 250th anniversary of American independence. Here’s how they’ll look.
The Mint abandoned designs from Joe Biden’s presidency that highlighted women’s suffrage and civil rights, favoring classical imagery.
trib.al
December 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The U.S. Mint unveiled the designs for coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence next year. They depict the founding documents and the Revolutionary War, but so far, not President Donald Trump.
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
“In the future, people won’t keep stocks and bonds in one portfolio and crypto in another,” write the BlackRock executives. Assets of all kinds will be bought, sold and held in a single digital wallet, they explain
Larry Fink and Rob Goldstein on how tokenisation could transform finance
Ledgers haven’t been this exciting since the invention of double-entry book-keeping
econ.st
December 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
“In the future, people won’t keep stocks and bonds in one portfolio and crypto in another,” write the BlackRock executives. Assets of all kinds will be bought, sold and held in a single digital wallet, they explain
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Costco filed a lawsuit at the U.S. Court of International Trade saying the Trump administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are unlawful. https://wapo.st/4oz2Bz3
December 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Costco filed a lawsuit at the U.S. Court of International Trade saying the Trump administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are unlawful. https://wapo.st/4oz2Bz3
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Energy prices in Europe are "significantly higher" than in the US and China, Alexander Röder of Plastics Europe points out at our #POLITICOSustainableSummit.
"That, of course, impacts our competitiveness ... which means Europe is losing jobs," he says.
Follow live: www.politico.eu/article/sust...
"That, of course, impacts our competitiveness ... which means Europe is losing jobs," he says.
Follow live: www.politico.eu/article/sust...
December 3, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Energy prices in Europe are "significantly higher" than in the US and China, Alexander Röder of Plastics Europe points out at our #POLITICOSustainableSummit.
"That, of course, impacts our competitiveness ... which means Europe is losing jobs," he says.
Follow live: www.politico.eu/article/sust...
"That, of course, impacts our competitiveness ... which means Europe is losing jobs," he says.
Follow live: www.politico.eu/article/sust...
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Euro zone business activity expands at fastest pace in 30 months in November, PMI shows reut.rs/3KwRf0B
Euro zone business activity expands at fastest pace in 30 months in November, PMI shows
Business activity in the euro zone expanded at its fastest pace in two-and-a-half years in November as a robust service sector more than offset manufacturing weakness, a survey showed on Wednesday.
reut.rs
December 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Euro zone business activity expands at fastest pace in 30 months in November, PMI shows reut.rs/3KwRf0B
Reposted by Harold O.M. Rocha
Holiday lights illuminate Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune)
November 29, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Holiday lights illuminate Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune)