🇪🇨 Ecuador declares 'force majeure' emergency, cuts exports over oil spill

Ecuador's state-owned oil company declared an emergency over a damaged pipeline and cut crude exports on Tuesday following a spill that polluted several rivers, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without drinking water, authorities said.

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#Ecuador

☠️ Blood Meridian

🌍 Germany’s €500 Billion Gamble: Defence, Infrastructure, and Climate

The German Parliament (Bundestag) has approved a historic constitutional reform allowing the country to borrow hundreds of billions of euros to boost its defence, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. On March 18, 2025, lawmakers passed the reform with a two-thirds majority, signaling a significant shift from Germany’s long-standing "debt brake" policy. Key components include a €500 billion special fund for infrastructure and climate investments, exemption of defence spending above 1% of GDP from debt limits, and a constitutional commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.

This move reflects Germany’s response to geopolitical tensions and the need for domestic modernization. However, concerns remain about the fiscal prudence of such a massive borrowing spree and the potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in executing these ambitious projects. Critics argue that the focus on green energy could sideline more practical solutions, while the defence spending surge may strain Germany’s fiscal stability in the long run.

Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, has set a precedent that could influence the entire EU. While the boost in defence and infrastructure may enhance Germany’s readiness and regional security, the push for climate neutrality raises questions about the feasibility and economic costs of green policies. This decision could have ripple effects across global markets, especially if other nations follow suit, potentially reshaping economic strategies worldwide.

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#Germany

@songofoil

NEW 🚨 Trump says he’ll cover pay of astronauts who received no overtime after being stranded in space for 9 months: ‘Out of my own pocket’ - NYP

@insiderpaper

BREAKING - STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM PREDICTED: NOAA forecasters are predicting a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm on March 23rd when a CME is expected to directly hit Earth.