The World Journal

07/09/2025

Daniel Sigua Appointed as New Director of Acción Democrática Nacional in Europe, Asia, and Oceania ADN Europa, Asia y Oceania

Renowned Ecuadorian journalist Daniel Sigua, who has lived in Milan for the past 27 years, has been appointed as the new Director of Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN) in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. His designation marks a strategic step for the organization as it seeks to strengthen its international presence and build deeper connections with the Ecuadorian migrant community across key regions of the world.

The official announcement will take place in Ecuador during the National Convention of ADN, scheduled for Saturday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the Voltaire Paladines Polo Coliseum in Guayaquil. At this event, Sigua will formally assume his new responsibilities, launching a new stage in the party’s global outreach and international engagement.

Leadership with an international vision

With over two decades of experience in journalism and a strong background in international relations, Daniel Sigua has become a prominent voice within the Ecuadorian diaspora. His extensive work in media, coupled with his close relationship with the Ecuadorian community abroad, positions him as a trusted leader ready to represent the interests of compatriots living outside the country.

“This appointment represents a renewed commitment to Ecuador and to the thousands of compatriots who live beyond our borders. I will work to ensure that their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their contributions are fully valued within the country’s development,” stated Sigua when confirming his official role within ADN.
Source: TCG News

Strengthening Ecuadorian communities abroad

ADN’s expansion into Europe, Asia, and Oceania represents a unique opportunity to promote greater participation of Ecuadorians abroad in the nation’s political, cultural, and economic life. Under Sigua’s leadership, ADN plans to foster dialogue with migrant communities, support initiatives that encourage integration, and strengthen ties with international institutions that can help amplify Ecuador’s presence on the global stage.

The Ecuadorian diaspora has historically played a decisive role in the country’s progress—not only through the economic contributions of remittances but also through their ability to represent Ecuador in international forums. With Sigua at the helm, ADN reaffirms its commitment to giving this community greater visibility and influence, recognizing its strategic importance for the present and future of Ecuador.

A milestone in ADN’s global projection

The appointment of Daniel Sigua as Director for Europe, Asia, and Oceania underscores ADN’s vision of internationalization and its determination to consolidate a global structure capable of addressing the challenges of migration. This milestone opens the door to new opportunities for strengthening Ecuadorian identity abroad, encouraging unity, and building stronger bridges between the homeland and its citizens worldwide.

With this new leadership, Acción Democrática Nacional confirms its mission to embrace Ecuadorians everywhere, marking the beginning of a new chapter of international scope and collective progress.

07/09/2025

Every year, nature lovers from around the world come to see a ghostly creature that prowls the cloud-shrouded forests of the islands off Canada’s Pacific Coast. ⁠ ⁠ The so-called spirit bears are black bears with a rare genetic mutation that gives them a creamy white coat. The creatures, unique to British Columbia, appear on posters and souvenirs throughout the province. ⁠ ⁠ One small problem: The real thing rarely shows up. ⁠ ⁠ A dwindling supply of salmon, their main meal, has driven the bears from the streams where tourists had the best shot to see them. ⁠ ⁠ There might be 100 spirit bears in the region now, a fraction of previous estimates of 400, said Christina Service, a biologist at the University of Victoria. She studied the animals for two years before she saw one.⁠ ⁠ “There’s posters of spirit bears everywhere. It sort of gives you this impression that you just come up here and you’re going to see one in every corner,” Service said. “But in fact, it’s really hard to find them, and they’re very, very, very rare.”⁠ ⁠ That hasn’t dented the enthusiasm of tourists, who spend thousands of dollars to join tours timed to the salmon-spawning season between August and October.⁠ ⁠ Both parents must carry the recessive gene that gives about a 10th of cubs in the region their white coat. It stands out in the dark forest but helps bears blend in against a bright sky when fishing for salmon.⁠ ⁠ Not spotting a spirit bear isn’t a total loss. Whales and seals are plentiful in the surrounding waters. Grizzly bears are nearly guaranteed. Bald eagles are another consolation prize. ⁠ ⁠ The hope of spotting one still fuels much of the local tourism industry.

07/09/2025

Trump, who publicly disparaged Lesotho as a place “nobody has ever heard of,” threatened the tiny southern African country with 50% tariffs, among the highest rates proposed for any single nation or territory. The Trump administration ultimately set a 15% tariff, but much damage has already occurred to the country’s textile industry. It is uncertain how many buyers will return, leaving thousands of workers in limbo.⁠ ⁠ Lesotho’s garment exporters were already closing up shop in the face of dwindling orders, while other countries with more diplomatic resources rushed to secure new trade deals with the White House.⁠ ⁠ The country’s government declared a state of disaster in July as Trump’s looming tariffs devastated the country’s textile industry. The landlocked nation of 2.3 million people has prospered under a 25-year-old American trade program that granted duty-free access to the U.S. market to dozens of African countries.⁠ ⁠ “We took advantage of the trade concessions, being a small country,” Mokhethi Shelile, Lesotho’s trade minister, told The Wall Street Journal. “I did not expect for that to be a reason to be punished.”⁠ ⁠ The disaster declaration has allowed the government to quickly reroute funds to programs aimed at youth unemployment and economic stimulus, including the waiving of fees to register companies and the creation of a fund to support new businesses, said Shelile.⁠ ⁠ By imposing tariffs, Trump appears to be sidestepping the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows 32 African countries to sell some 1,800 products in the U.S. duty-free. The law expires this year, and, with Trump wielding tariffs as the foundation of his international economic policies, most experts don’t expect the Republican-controlled Congress to renew it.

07/09/2025

Five years ago, Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was banished to the political wilderness. ⁠ ⁠ Donald Trump blamed the mild-mannered election chief for his narrow 2020 Georgia defeat, branding him a RINO (Republican in Name Only), “incompetent and strange.” Death threats poured in. GOP senators demanded he resign for reaffirming, after recounts and audits, that Trump lost the battleground state.⁠ ⁠ The attacks stunned Raffensperger, a businessman and devout Christian who came late to public life. One consultant dubbed him “Dead Brad Walking.” ⁠ ⁠ Yet something unexpected happened on the way to his demise: He not only survived, winning re-election in 2022, but has become a serious contender in Georgia politics.⁠ ⁠ Now Raffensperger, 70 years old, a multimillionaire construction magnate, is considering a run for higher office next year, likely for governor to replace term-limited GOP Gov. Brian Kemp, or U.S. Senate to challenge Democrat Jon Ossoff. A May Cygnal poll found Raffensperger slightly ahead of Ossoff in a theoretical matchup, with other declared or potential GOP candidates trailing Ossoff.⁠

25/08/2025

25/06/2025

🧠✨ A voice reclaimed through the power of science.
A groundbreaking brain-computer interface (BCI) has given a man with ALS the ability to speak and sing using his real voice — complete with tone, pitch, and emotion.

This AI-powered implant decodes brain activity in real time, turning thoughts into expressive speech and even melody.
For the first time, technology isn’t just giving back communication… it's restoring identity. 🎶🗣️

05/06/2025

🌿💊 The “good” side of to***co: Could it heal us instead of harming us?
To***co kills over 8 million people worldwide each year, but what if it could be used to create life-saving medicine? 🧬🌍

Once used as an herbal remedy by Indigenous peoples and embraced in 16th-century Europe as a cure-all, to***co is now making a comeback—not as a vice, but as a pharmaceutical tool in the age of genetic engineering. From Earth to outer space, its healing potential is being rediscovered. 🚀🧪

***coInnovation ***coReimagined

23/05/2025

🌍 Hunger Reaches New Record Amid Wars in Gaza and Sudan
For the sixth consecutive year, the number of people facing severe food insecurity has risen. Over 2 million people are now in a “catastrophic” phase, with a staggering 295.3 million lacking sufficient access to food and water, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises.
War, displacement, and inaction continue to push millions to the brink. This is a global emergency. 🚨

14/05/2025

🤝 Mexico and China Strengthen Strategic Ties
During the IV Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to reaffirm the respectful and collaborative relationship between both nations.

Both leaders expressed a shared commitment to continue working together on key areas such as education, science, technology, and tourism, under the framework of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Minister Wang Yi also acknowledged Mexico’s growing international role, now led by its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum.

🌐 A promising step forward in global cooperation and multilateral engagement.

07/05/2025

🚢✨ Big News from the High Seas!
Royal Caribbean's newest gem, the Celebrity Xcel, is setting sail earlier than expected! 🌊

📍 On November 9, the stunning Edge-class ship will depart from Fort Lauderdale for Cozumel, ahead of its original debut date of November 18 — thanks to rapid progress in its construction.

🎉 Guests now have the exciting choice:
✔️ Be among the very first onboard for this early sailing
OR
🎊 Join the official inaugural celebrations on the 18th.

With immersive entertainment, exquisite dining (yes, there's even a brunch restaurant!), and a design shaped by the travelers themselves — Celebrity Xcel is set to redefine luxury at sea.

30/04/2025

🌊 Over 200 potentially invasive aquatic species have been identified in Mexico’s freshwater and coastal ecosystems, posing a serious threat to biodiversity. 🚨 Marine biologist Yuri Okolodkov from the University of Veracruz warns of the urgent need for environmental action.

10/04/2025

🔬💡 New AI Research Funding Plan Unveiled in Spain
Following criticism from hundreds of researchers, the Spanish government has introduced an alternative plan to support AI research, after unexpectedly canceling a 2023 proposal without clear justification.

The new initiative, announced by the Ministry of Science, includes an investment of €31 million, potentially increasing to €36 million. While key details are still pending, the call for proposals is expected to open in May 2025.

Will this new plan restore researchers' confidence? 🤖🇪🇸
Stay tuned for updates.