This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the evening from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the evening - September 5th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the evening - September 4th, 2019

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 3rd, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the evening - September 3rd, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 2nd, 2019

Around 55 per cent or 305 million of the world`s children living in poverty (on less than 1.90 dollars per day) will be in Africa by 2030, claimed an August 2019 report by British think tank Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

The researchers believe that the ratio will be thrice of what it was in the year 2000.&nbsp;

Last year, the number was 43 per cent because of which the United Nations (UN) mandated sustainable development goal (SDG) No.1 to combat poverty.

The UN has also listed a number of causes for child poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and its nearby regions: 
- Inadequate access to clean water 
- Insufficient and unequally distributed economic growth 
- Low-income levels 
- A high-level UN forum on sustainable development is slated in the last week of September. 
- Insufficient and unequally distributed economic growth despite child poverty being a persistent problem in Africa, few governments on the continent have identified it as a primary policy concern, the ODI report underscored.&nbsp;

In most cases, specific issues of poverty among children were subsumed within overall poverty reduction strategies, the report added.

The ODI report further stated that due to child poverty at least four other SDGs will not be fulfilled - gender quality, education, child survival and nutrition.&nbsp;

For example, out of 115 million children who are likely to face the prospect of stunting in 2030, 61 million would be likely to be the residents of sub-Saharan Africa.

The organisation also stated that by 2030, 7.4 million children in sub-Saharan Africa will drop out of primary schools, and 14.3 million of secondary schools.

In order to combat the menace of poverty in children, the report suggests that providing decent-quality basic services such as health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation and redistributive public finance to support these investments is the need of the hour.&nbsp;

Around 55 per cent or 305 million of the world`s children living in poverty (on less than 1.90 dollars per day) will be in Africa by 2030, claimed an August 2019 report by British think tank Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

Around 55 per cent or 305 million of the world`s children living in poverty (on less than 1.90 dollars per day) will be in Africa by 2030, claimed an August 2019 report by British think tank Overseas Development Institute (ODI). The researchers believe that the ratio will be thrice of what it was in the year 2000. Last year, the number was 43 per cent because of which the United Nations (UN) mandated sustainable development goal (SDG) No.1 to combat poverty. The UN has also listed a number of causes for child poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and its nearby regions: - Inadequate access to clean water - Insufficient and unequally distributed economic growth - Low-income levels - A high-level UN forum on sustainable development is slated in the last week of September. - Insufficient and unequally distributed economic growth despite child poverty being a persistent problem in Africa, few governments on the continent have identified it as a primary policy concern, the ODI report underscored. In most cases, specific issues of poverty among children were subsumed within overall poverty reduction strategies, the report added. The ODI report further stated that due to child poverty at least four other SDGs will not be fulfilled - gender quality, education, child survival and nutrition. For example, out of 115 million children who are likely to face the prospect of stunting in 2030, 61 million would be likely to be the residents of sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation also stated that by 2030, 7.4 million children in sub-Saharan Africa will drop out of primary schools, and 14.3 million of secondary schools. In order to combat the menace of poverty in children, the report suggests that providing decent-quality basic services such as health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation and redistributive public finance to support these investments is the need of the hour.

305 million African children will be living in acute poverty by 2030: Report

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 1st, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 31st, 2019

Tanzania was in mourning Sunday, preparing to bury 69 people who perished when a crashed fuel tanker exploded as crowds rushed to siphon off leaking petrol. President John Magufuli declared a period of mourning through Monday following the deadly blast near the town of Morogoro, west of Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania was in mourning Sunday, preparing to bury 69 people who perished when a crashed fuel tanker exploded as crowds rushed to siphon off leaking petrol. President John Magufuli declared a period of mourning through Monday following the deadly blast near the town of Morogoro, west of Dar es Salaam. He will be represented at the funerals by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, an official statement said. "We're currently mourning the loss of 69 people, the last of whom died while being transferred by helicopter to the national hospital in Dar es Salaam," Majaliwa told residents in comments broadcast on Tanzanian television. The number of injured stood at 66, he said. The burials will start Sunday afternoon, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jenista Mhagama announced during the morning after relatives identified the dead. "The preparations for the burials have been completed. Individual graves have been dug and the coffins are ready," Mhagama said, adding that experts would be available to offer psychological counselling to the victims' relatives. DNA tests would be carried out on bodies that were no longer recognisable, Mhagama said, adding that families could take the remains of their loved ones and organise their own burials if they preferred. In the latest in a series of similar disasters in Africa, 39 seriously hurt patients had been taken to hospital in Dar es Salaam while 17 others were being treated in Morogoro, 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of the economic capital of Tanzania. Footage from the scene showed the truck engulfed in flames and huge clouds of black smoke, with charred bodies. The burnt-out remains of motorcycle taxis lie scattered on the ground among scorched trees. A video posted on social media showed dozens of people carrying yellow jerricans around the truck. No-one wanted to listen "We arrived at the scene with two neighbours just after the truck was overturned. While some good Samaritans were trying to get the driver and the other two people out of the truck, others were jostling each other, equipped with jerricans, to collect petrol," teacher January Michael told AFP. "At the same time, someone was trying to pull the battery out of the vehicle. We warned that the truck could explode at any moment but no one wanted to listen, so we went on our way, but we had barely turned on our heels when we heard the explosion." President Magufuli called Saturday for people to stop the dangerous practice of stealing fuel in such a way, a common event in many poor parts of Africa. He issued a statement saying he was 'very shocked' by the looting of fuel from damaged vehicles. "There are vehicles that carry dangerous fuel oil, as in this case in Morogoro, there are others that carry toxic chemicals or explosives, let's stop this practice, please," Magufuli said. Last month, 45 people were killed and more than 100 injured in central Nigeria when a petrol tanker crashed and then exploded as people tried to take the fuel. Among the deadliest such disasters, 292 people lost their lives in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in July 2010, and in September 2015 at least 203 people died the South Sudan town of Maridi.

Tanzania mourns 69 killed in fuel tanker blast

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hungarian-doctors-separate-bangladeshi-twins-joined-at-head-240319">Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated last week </a>are in a stable condition, the team of Hungarian and Bangladeshi doctors who carried out the marathon operation said Saturday.

Three-year-old Rabeya and Rukaya who were joined at the head suffered from a rare embryological disorder affecting an estimated one in every five to six million births.

The girls were recovering after the 30-hour operation to separate their skulls and brains at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.

A surgical team of 35 Hungarians and more than 100 Bangladeshi doctors took part in the delicate procedure which they dubbed 'Operation Freedom'.

The girls were in stable condition after the final separation, the last phase in a lengthy series of surgeries since last year, said Gergely Pataki, founder of Action for Defenceless People Foundation (ADPF) which led the huge team of doctors.

'But keeping in mind that such rare complicated surgical procedures have its risks, complications might still occur,' he told reporters at a press conference in CMH.

The girls have undergone two neurosurgical operations and 44 plastic surgeries so far.

Before the surgery doctors had said there was only a 50 per cent chance of the twins surviving.

According to ADPF, only a handful of operations to separate twins joined at the head have been successful.

The Hungarian charity was set up in 2002 by neurosurgeon Andras Csokay and plastic surgeon Pataki to provide free surgery to poor people in Hungary and abroad.

In the first phase of surgery in Bangladesh last year, the shared blood vessels of the twins' brains were separated in a 14-hour operation.

ADPF neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons supported by anesthesiologists, radiologists and paediatricians also used innovative 3D animation software to map the two brains.

The twins' overwhelmed mother Taslima Khatun said she cried tears of joy when one of her daughters spoke to her on Saturday.

'One of my babies this morning told me, 'Mother take me on your lap.' This gave me huge peace of mind. I'm so very happy,' she said.

She was however concerned about whether the twins would make a complete recovery.

Anaesthesiologist Marcell Csapody said they were 'hopeful and optimistic' the twins would make a full recovery but had to be realistic as the youngsters were not yet completely out of danger.

'We have to be optimistic and (simultaneously) realistic,' he said.

ADPF has performed around 500 reconstructive surgery operations in Asia and Africa, including for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.

Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated last week are in a stable condition, the team of Hungarian and Bangladeshi doctors who carried out the marathon operation said Saturday.

Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated last week are in a stable condition, the team of Hungarian and Bangladeshi doctors who carried out the marathon operation said Saturday. Three-year-old Rabeya and Rukaya who were joined at the head suffered from a rare embryological disorder affecting an estimated one in every five to six million births. The girls were recovering after the 30-hour operation to separate their skulls and brains at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. A surgical team of 35 Hungarians and more than 100 Bangladeshi doctors took part in the delicate procedure which they dubbed 'Operation Freedom'. The girls were in stable condition after the final separation, the last phase in a lengthy series of surgeries since last year, said Gergely Pataki, founder of Action for Defenceless People Foundation (ADPF) which led the huge team of doctors. 'But keeping in mind that such rare complicated surgical procedures have its risks, complications might still occur,' he told reporters at a press conference in CMH. The girls have undergone two neurosurgical operations and 44 plastic surgeries so far. Before the surgery doctors had said there was only a 50 per cent chance of the twins surviving. According to ADPF, only a handful of operations to separate twins joined at the head have been successful. The Hungarian charity was set up in 2002 by neurosurgeon Andras Csokay and plastic surgeon Pataki to provide free surgery to poor people in Hungary and abroad. In the first phase of surgery in Bangladesh last year, the shared blood vessels of the twins' brains were separated in a 14-hour operation. ADPF neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons supported by anesthesiologists, radiologists and paediatricians also used innovative 3D animation software to map the two brains. The twins' overwhelmed mother Taslima Khatun said she cried tears of joy when one of her daughters spoke to her on Saturday. 'One of my babies this morning told me, 'Mother take me on your lap.' This gave me huge peace of mind. I'm so very happy,' she said. She was however concerned about whether the twins would make a complete recovery. Anaesthesiologist Marcell Csapody said they were 'hopeful and optimistic' the twins would make a full recovery but had to be realistic as the youngsters were not yet completely out of danger. 'We have to be optimistic and (simultaneously) realistic,' he said. ADPF has performed around 500 reconstructive surgery operations in Asia and Africa, including for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.

Separated Bangladeshi twins stable: Doctors

Plastic, plastic everywhere but not for African recyclers

Democratic Republic Of Congo in Africa has detected its third Ebola case in less than a month. Watch the full video to know more. #EbolaOutbreak #DRCongoPatient

Third Ebola case detected in DR Congo

A gang of African nationals which used to cheat people through social media platforms was busted by the Bindapur Police in Delhi on Wednesday.

The police said that the ten-member gang allegedly used to cheat people through social media platforms.&nbsp;

They used to disguise as foreigners stuck at Airport and used to request people to lend them money so that they can pay off the Custom officials on the Airport.

The Police seized 48 mobile phones, 21 sim cards, six laptops, six dongles and a diary which has the detail of all the transactions.

An FIR has been registered in the Bindapur Police station.

Further investigation is underway.

A gang of African nationals which used to cheat people through social media platforms was busted by the Bindapur Police in Delhi on Wednesday. The police said that the ten-member gang allegedly used to cheat people through social media platforms.

A gang of African nationals which used to cheat people through social media platforms was busted by the Bindapur Police in Delhi on Wednesday. The police said that the ten-member gang allegedly used to cheat people through social media platforms. They used to disguise as foreigners stuck at Airport and used to request people to lend them money so that they can pay off the Custom officials on the Airport. The Police seized 48 mobile phones, 21 sim cards, six laptops, six dongles and a diary which has the detail of all the transactions. An FIR has been registered in the Bindapur Police station. Further investigation is underway.

Delhi: African gang of online cheaters busted by police

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-cant-sustain-even-limited-war-against-india-rajnath-singh-238626">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh</a> on Sunday embarked on a three-day visit to the island nation of Mozambique in southern Africa with an aim to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.

"Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3-day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation," the minister tweeted.

"Look forward to deepen and strengthen defence cooperation between India &amp; Mozambique during my visit," he added.\

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Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3 day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation. 
 
Look forward to deepen and strengthen defence cooperation between India &amp; Mozambique during my visit.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1155229930247999488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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There, Singh is scheduled to hold talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and Minister of National Defence Atanasio Ntumuke, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister during the visit. The Union Minister is also expected to sign three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) related to defence cooperation with the African nation.

Singh will be accompanied by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs.

The Ministry stressed that bilateral relations between India and Mozambique are seeing further improvement, following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the African country in July 2016.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday embarked on a three-day visit to the island nation of Mozambique in southern Africa with an aim to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday embarked on a three-day visit to the island nation of Mozambique in southern Africa with an aim to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries. "Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3-day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation," the minister tweeted. "Look forward to deepen and strengthen defence cooperation between India & Mozambique during my visit," he added.\ Leaving New Delhi for Maputo on a 3 day visit to Mozambique. My visit to Mozambique is the first bilateral visit by any Indian Defence Minister to this amazing African nation. Look forward to deepen and strengthen defence cooperation between India & Mozambique during my visit. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 27, 2019 × There, Singh is scheduled to hold talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and Minister of National Defence Atanasio Ntumuke, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister during the visit. The Union Minister is also expected to sign three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) related to defence cooperation with the African nation. Singh will be accompanied by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs. The Ministry stressed that bilateral relations between India and Mozambique are seeing further improvement, following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the African country in July 2016.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarks on three-day visit to Mozambique

A South African has designed a smart locker system which dispenses medicines to patients with chronic illnesses. Neo Hutiri has become the first from his country to win the Royal Academy of Engineering's Africa Prize. Watch this video to know more.

South Africa: How ATMs make medicine access easier

Sudan murals commemorate protest 'martyrs'

For African men, a visit to the barber shop is an important rite of passage. For generations, men have visited to get their hair and beards styled, but also, to exchange conversations around masculinity, fatherhood and other issues affecting African men.

African barber shops come to life on London stage

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-seven-dead-in-sudans-massive-protest-over-civilian-rule-231869">Sudan's protesters</a> and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ousted-sudan-president-omar-al-bashir-to-be-sent-for-trial-soon-prosecutor-says-227709">president Omar al-Bashir</a> was deposed in a coup three months ago.

The move loosens a deadlock that has gripped the country, following nationwide mass protests that began against Bashir in December but then continued after a military council ousted him on April 11.

The deputy chief of the military council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who initialled the deal on behalf of the generals on Wednesday told AFP the agreement was a "historic moment" for Sudan.

It has "opened a new and promising era of partnership between the armed forces, RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and leaders of the glorious Sudanese revolution," Dagalo said after he had put pen to paper.

Dagalo also heads the RSF, a feared paramilitary organization that has its origins in the Janjaweed militias unleashed against African rebels during the early 2000s in Darfur.&nbsp;

Ibrahim al-Amin, a key protest leader, confirmed&nbsp;"Today, we completed the political declaration."

Intense talks took place through the night over details of the political declaration at a luxury hotel on the bank of the Nile river in the capital, an AFP correspondent reported.

As the generals stepped out of the hall after the inking of the deal, a small crowd including women waving the national flag chanted "civilian rule, civilian rule."

The landmark power-sharing deal, which was agreed in principle on July 5, has been brokered by African Union and Ethiopian mediators after weeks of stop-start negotiations between the protest umbrella group and ruling generals.

"The Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change have reached a very important agreement that constitutes a crucial step towards a comprehensive reconciliation," said African Union mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt.

Watch:&nbsp;Power-sharing deal between military &amp; opposition in Sudan

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Immunity for generals

The accord stipulates that a new transitional civilian-military ruling body be established, in a bid to end the country's months-long political crisis.

This governing body will be comprised of six civilians and five military representatives.&nbsp;

The civilian representation will include five from the Alliance for Freedom and Change, according to the declaration.

A general will head the ruling body during the first 21 months of a transition, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months, according to the framework agreement.

The governing council is to oversee the formation of a transitional civilian administration that will operate for just over three years, after which elections would be held.

Amin said Wednesday that wider power-sharing details would be fleshed out in a "constitutional document" and that talks would "resume... on Friday".

These talks are expected to address whether to grant "absolute immunity" to generals for violence against protesters.

Prior to entering the latest talks on Tuesday evening, protest leaders had rejected any such offer of immunity to the generals.

"We totally reject it," protest leader Ahmed al-Rabie, who initialed Wednesday's accord along with Dagalo, told AFP on Tuesday.

But military council spokesman General Shamseddine Kabbashi sought to talk down any friction over proposed immunity.

"There is no dispute about immunity," he told AFP on Wednesday.

Other issues still to be ironed out include the creation of a transitional parliament and a potential RSF withdrawal from Khartoum -- the latter an increasingly vocal demand of citizens on the streets.&nbsp;

Tensions climaxed on June 3 when armed men in military fatigues stormed a longstanding protest camp in Khartoum, shooting and beating crowds of demonstrators in a pre-dawn raid.

Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded, triggering international outrage and allegations that the RSF was behind the killings although the generals insisted they did not order the violent dispersal of protesters.

The RSF has faced further fury after the protest movement accused its members of being responsible for the deaths of six civilians since Saturday, including one allegedly shot dead and another who was allegedly tortured.

Dagalo has insisted that accusations against his paramilitary force represent an attempt to distort its image.

Talks to progress the details of the overall power-sharing deal had been postponed several times since July 5 at the request of protest leaders.

Sudan's protesters and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since president Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a coup three months ago.

Sudan's protesters and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since president Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a coup three months ago. The move loosens a deadlock that has gripped the country, following nationwide mass protests that began against Bashir in December but then continued after a military council ousted him on April 11. The deputy chief of the military council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who initialled the deal on behalf of the generals on Wednesday told AFP the agreement was a "historic moment" for Sudan. It has "opened a new and promising era of partnership between the armed forces, RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and leaders of the glorious Sudanese revolution," Dagalo said after he had put pen to paper. Dagalo also heads the RSF, a feared paramilitary organization that has its origins in the Janjaweed militias unleashed against African rebels during the early 2000s in Darfur. Ibrahim al-Amin, a key protest leader, confirmed "Today, we completed the political declaration." Intense talks took place through the night over details of the political declaration at a luxury hotel on the bank of the Nile river in the capital, an AFP correspondent reported. As the generals stepped out of the hall after the inking of the deal, a small crowd including women waving the national flag chanted "civilian rule, civilian rule." The landmark power-sharing deal, which was agreed in principle on July 5, has been brokered by African Union and Ethiopian mediators after weeks of stop-start negotiations between the protest umbrella group and ruling generals. "The Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change have reached a very important agreement that constitutes a crucial step towards a comprehensive reconciliation," said African Union mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt. Watch: Power-sharing deal between military & opposition in Sudan × Immunity for generals The accord stipulates that a new transitional civilian-military ruling body be established, in a bid to end the country's months-long political crisis. This governing body will be comprised of six civilians and five military representatives. The civilian representation will include five from the Alliance for Freedom and Change, according to the declaration. A general will head the ruling body during the first 21 months of a transition, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months, according to the framework agreement. The governing council is to oversee the formation of a transitional civilian administration that will operate for just over three years, after which elections would be held. Amin said Wednesday that wider power-sharing details would be fleshed out in a "constitutional document" and that talks would "resume... on Friday". These talks are expected to address whether to grant "absolute immunity" to generals for violence against protesters. Prior to entering the latest talks on Tuesday evening, protest leaders had rejected any such offer of immunity to the generals. "We totally reject it," protest leader Ahmed al-Rabie, who initialed Wednesday's accord along with Dagalo, told AFP on Tuesday. But military council spokesman General Shamseddine Kabbashi sought to talk down any friction over proposed immunity. "There is no dispute about immunity," he told AFP on Wednesday. Other issues still to be ironed out include the creation of a transitional parliament and a potential RSF withdrawal from Khartoum -- the latter an increasingly vocal demand of citizens on the streets. Tensions climaxed on June 3 when armed men in military fatigues stormed a longstanding protest camp in Khartoum, shooting and beating crowds of demonstrators in a pre-dawn raid. Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded, triggering international outrage and allegations that the RSF was behind the killings although the generals insisted they did not order the violent dispersal of protesters. The RSF has faced further fury after the protest movement accused its members of being responsible for the deaths of six civilians since Saturday, including one allegedly shot dead and another who was allegedly tortured. Dagalo has insisted that accusations against his paramilitary force represent an attempt to distort its image. Talks to progress the details of the overall power-sharing deal had been postponed several times since July 5 at the request of protest leaders.

Sudan protesters, army rulers ink power sharing deal

India is home to more than 60,000 african students. Our correspondent met with some students in Delhi who are making an attempt to assimilate in to the Indian way of life. Watch this report to know more on the story.

Watch: Africans mending bridges with Indians

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-has-changed-a-lot-since-bimstecs-inception-thailand-ambassador-227899">Thailand</a>'s rice exports fell by 12 per cent in the first half of 2019 hurt by a strong baht, and will likely fall short of this year's target of 9.5 million tonnes, an exporter group said on Wednesday.

The country has been struggling to export rice at a time when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rice-demand-dwindles-in-top-asian-exporters-thai-rates-hit-by-fresh-supplies-200354">Thai baht is Asia's best-performing currency</a> and is trading near its strongest in more than six years at 30.81 against the US dollar.

Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, shipped 4.2 million tonnes of rice between January and June, with orders in the last two months declining to as low as 600,000 tonnes per month. This was below a targeted monthly average of 800,000 tonnes.

"Thai rice is very expensive because of the currency exchange," Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters.

"If the baht keeps strengthening below 30 against the dollar, it's game over for us."

Thai benchmark 5 per cent broken rice was quoted last Thursday at an average of $404 per tonne, significantly higher than the same grade from competitors India and Vietnam at $372.5 and $332.50 respectively.

The association said earlier this year it aimed to export 9.5 million tonnes of rice, already a drop from 11 million tonnes in 2018.

But now, even reaching 9 million tonnes will be hard, Chookiat said.

"With a price gap like this, it's a no-brainer that buyers would go for Vietnamese rice," he said.

China Supply

Thailand also faced competition from China, as the world's biggest rice importer and Thailand's third-biggest buyer last year has been offloading its stockpiles.

China has slowed trade with its two biggest partners Thailand and Vietnam this year due to large state reserves, and has been selling its stockpiles of "old rice", which ended up in the African markets previously dominated by Thailand, Chookiat said.

"Because China doesn't buy from Vietnam this year, Vietnam has a lot of rice to compete with us in every market. At the same time China takes our African markets," he said.

From January to May, Thailand has exported rice worth 3.7 billion baht ($120.1 million) to China, a 45% decline from the same period last year, according to the Thai commerce ministry data.

Thailand's government-to-government deal with Chinese state-owned food trader COFCO has also stalled due to China's ample rice supply.

As of end-2018, Thailand had supplied 700,000 tonnes of rice to China as part of the pledged deal for 1 million tonnes of the grain struck in 2015.

"From then to now, there haven't been any new orders for the deal," Chookiat said.

($1 = 30.8100 baht)

Thailand's rice exports fell by 12 per cent in the first half of 2019 hurt by a strong baht, and will likely fall short of this year's target of 9.5 million tonnes, an exporter group said on Wednesday.

Thailand's rice exports fell by 12 per cent in the first half of 2019 hurt by a strong baht, and will likely fall short of this year's target of 9.5 million tonnes, an exporter group said on Wednesday. The country has been struggling to export rice at a time when the Thai baht is Asia's best-performing currency and is trading near its strongest in more than six years at 30.81 against the US dollar. Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, shipped 4.2 million tonnes of rice between January and June, with orders in the last two months declining to as low as 600,000 tonnes per month. This was below a targeted monthly average of 800,000 tonnes. "Thai rice is very expensive because of the currency exchange," Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters. "If the baht keeps strengthening below 30 against the dollar, it's game over for us." Thai benchmark 5 per cent broken rice was quoted last Thursday at an average of $404 per tonne, significantly higher than the same grade from competitors India and Vietnam at $372.5 and $332.50 respectively. The association said earlier this year it aimed to export 9.5 million tonnes of rice, already a drop from 11 million tonnes in 2018. But now, even reaching 9 million tonnes will be hard, Chookiat said. "With a price gap like this, it's a no-brainer that buyers would go for Vietnamese rice," he said. China Supply Thailand also faced competition from China, as the world's biggest rice importer and Thailand's third-biggest buyer last year has been offloading its stockpiles. China has slowed trade with its two biggest partners Thailand and Vietnam this year due to large state reserves, and has been selling its stockpiles of "old rice", which ended up in the African markets previously dominated by Thailand, Chookiat said. "Because China doesn't buy from Vietnam this year, Vietnam has a lot of rice to compete with us in every market. At the same time China takes our African markets," he said. From January to May, Thailand has exported rice worth 3.7 billion baht ($120.1 million) to China, a 45% decline from the same period last year, according to the Thai commerce ministry data. Thailand's government-to-government deal with Chinese state-owned food trader COFCO has also stalled due to China's ample rice supply. As of end-2018, Thailand had supplied 700,000 tonnes of rice to China as part of the pledged deal for 1 million tonnes of the grain struck in 2015. "From then to now, there haven't been any new orders for the deal," Chookiat said. ($1 = 30.8100 baht)

Thailand rice exports hit by strong baht, unlikely to meet 2019 goal

African Leaders Launch Free-Trade Zone, $3.4 Trillion economic bloc to be created.

WION Wallet: African Leaders Launch Free-Trade Zone

African leaders met on Sunday to launch a continental free-trade zone that if successful would unite 1.3 billion people, create a $3.4 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development.

After four years of talks, an agreement to form a 55-nation trade bloc was reached in March, paving the way for Sunday's African Union summit in Niger where attendees will unveil which nation will host the trade zone's headquarters, when trading will start and discuss how exactly it will work.

It is hoped that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - the largest since the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994 - will help unlock Africa's long-stymied economic potential by boosting intra-regional trade, strengthening supply chains and spreading expertise.

"The eyes of the world are turned to Africa," Egyptian President and African Union Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said at the summit's opening ceremony.

AfCFTA "will reinforce our negotiating position on the international stage. It will represent an important step."

Africa has much catching up to do: its intra-regional trade accounted for just 17% of exports in 2017 versus 59% in Asia and 69% in Europe, and Africa has missed out on the economic booms that other trade blocs have experienced in recent decades.

Economists say significant challenges remain, including poor road and rail links, large areas of unrest, excessive border bureaucracy and petty corruption that have held back growth and integration.

Members have committed to eliminate tariffs on most goods, which will increase trade in the region by 15-25% in the medium term, but this would double if these other issues were dealt with, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates.

The IMF in a May report described a free-trade zone as a potential "economic game changer" of the kind that has boosted growth in Europe and North America, but it added a note of caution.

"Reducing tariffs alone is not sufficient," it said.

Divergent interests

Africa already has an alphabet soup of competing and overlapping trade zones - ECOWAS in the west, EAC in the east, SADC in the south and COMESA in the east and south.

But only the EAC, driven mainly by Kenya, has made significant progress towards a common market in goods and services.

These regional economic communities (REC) will continue to trade among themselves as they do now. The role of AfCFTA is to liberalise trade among those member states that are not currently in the same REC, said Trudi Hartzenberg, director at Tralac, a South Africa-based trade law organisation.

The zone's potential clout received a boost on Tuesday when Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, agreed to sign the agreement at the summit. Benin has also since agreed to join. Fifty-four of the continent's 55 states have signed up, but only 25 have ratified.

One obstacle in negotiations will be the countries' conflicting motives.

For undiversified but relatively developed economies like Nigeria, which relies heavily on oil exports, the benefits of membership will likely be smaller than others, said John Ashbourne, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics.

Nigerian officials have expressed concern that the country could be flooded with low-priced goods, confounding efforts to encourage moribund local manufacturing and expand farming.

In contrast, South Africa's manufacturers, which are among the most developed in Africa, could quickly expand outside their usual export markets and into West and North Africa, giving them an advantage over manufacturers from other countries, Ashbourne said.

The presidents of both countries are attending the summit.

The vast difference in countries' economic heft is another complicating factor in negotiations. Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa account for over 50% of Africa's cumulative GDP, while its six sovereign island nations represent about 1%.

"It will be important to address those disparities to ensure that special and differential treatments for the least developed countries are adopted and successfully implemented," said Landry Signe, a fellow at the Brookings Institution's Africa Growth Initiative.

Regulations governing rules of origin, removal of non-tariff barriers and the development of a payments and settlements system are expected to be unveiled at the summit.

African leaders met on Sunday to launch a continental free-trade zone that if successful would unite 1.3 billion people, create a $3.4 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development.

African leaders met on Sunday to launch a continental free-trade zone that if successful would unite 1.3 billion people, create a $3.4 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development. After four years of talks, an agreement to form a 55-nation trade bloc was reached in March, paving the way for Sunday's African Union summit in Niger where attendees will unveil which nation will host the trade zone's headquarters, when trading will start and discuss how exactly it will work. It is hoped that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - the largest since the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994 - will help unlock Africa's long-stymied economic potential by boosting intra-regional trade, strengthening supply chains and spreading expertise. "The eyes of the world are turned to Africa," Egyptian President and African Union Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said at the summit's opening ceremony. AfCFTA "will reinforce our negotiating position on the international stage. It will represent an important step." Africa has much catching up to do: its intra-regional trade accounted for just 17% of exports in 2017 versus 59% in Asia and 69% in Europe, and Africa has missed out on the economic booms that other trade blocs have experienced in recent decades. Economists say significant challenges remain, including poor road and rail links, large areas of unrest, excessive border bureaucracy and petty corruption that have held back growth and integration. Members have committed to eliminate tariffs on most goods, which will increase trade in the region by 15-25% in the medium term, but this would double if these other issues were dealt with, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates. The IMF in a May report described a free-trade zone as a potential "economic game changer" of the kind that has boosted growth in Europe and North America, but it added a note of caution. "Reducing tariffs alone is not sufficient," it said. Divergent interests Africa already has an alphabet soup of competing and overlapping trade zones - ECOWAS in the west, EAC in the east, SADC in the south and COMESA in the east and south. But only the EAC, driven mainly by Kenya, has made significant progress towards a common market in goods and services. These regional economic communities (REC) will continue to trade among themselves as they do now. The role of AfCFTA is to liberalise trade among those member states that are not currently in the same REC, said Trudi Hartzenberg, director at Tralac, a South Africa-based trade law organisation. The zone's potential clout received a boost on Tuesday when Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, agreed to sign the agreement at the summit. Benin has also since agreed to join. Fifty-four of the continent's 55 states have signed up, but only 25 have ratified. One obstacle in negotiations will be the countries' conflicting motives. For undiversified but relatively developed economies like Nigeria, which relies heavily on oil exports, the benefits of membership will likely be smaller than others, said John Ashbourne, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics. Nigerian officials have expressed concern that the country could be flooded with low-priced goods, confounding efforts to encourage moribund local manufacturing and expand farming. In contrast, South Africa's manufacturers, which are among the most developed in Africa, could quickly expand outside their usual export markets and into West and North Africa, giving them an advantage over manufacturers from other countries, Ashbourne said. The presidents of both countries are attending the summit. The vast difference in countries' economic heft is another complicating factor in negotiations. Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa account for over 50% of Africa's cumulative GDP, while its six sovereign island nations represent about 1%. "It will be important to address those disparities to ensure that special and differential treatments for the least developed countries are adopted and successfully implemented," said Landry Signe, a fellow at the Brookings Institution's Africa Growth Initiative. Regulations governing rules of origin, removal of non-tariff barriers and the development of a payments and settlements system are expected to be unveiled at the summit.

Economic 'game changer'? African leaders launch free-trade zone

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&nbsp;British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gibraltar-deal-clears-way-for-sunday-brexit-summit-179184">Gibraltar</a> on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran.

The Grace 1 tanker was impounded in the British territory at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, after sailing around Africa from the Gulf. Shipping data reviewed by Reuters suggests it had been loaded with Iranian oil off the coast of Iran, although its documents say the oil is from neighbouring Iraq.

The Gibraltar authorities who seized it did so under the authority of European sanctions against Syria that have been in place for years, with no reference to the source of the oil.

But the likelihood that the cargo was Iranian draws a link between this incident and a new US effort to halt all global sales of Iranian crude, in what Tehran has described as an illegal "economic war" against it.

European countries have tried to stay neutral in that confrontation, which saw the United States call off air strikes against Iran just minutes before impact last month, and Tehran amasses stocks of enriched uranium banned under a nuclear deal.

In a statement, the Gibraltar government said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria.

"That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria," Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said. "With my consent, our port and law enforcement agencies sought the assistance of the Royal Marines in carrying out this operation."

"So, public, so aggressive"

The incident appears to be the first in which European authorities have seized a tanker for allegedly violating Syria sanctions, which have been in place since 2011.

"This is the first time that the EU has done something so public and so aggressive. I imagine it was also coordinated in some manner with the US given that NATO member forces have been involved," said Matthew Oresman, a partner with law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman who advises firms on sanctions.

"This is likely to have been meant as a signal to Syria and Iran - as well as the US - that Europe takes sanctions enforcement seriously and that the EU can also respond to Iranian brinkmanship related to ongoing nuclear negotiations."

Iran has long been supplying its allies in Syria with oil despite such sanctions. What is new now is the US. sanctions on Iran itself. They were imposed last year when President Donald Trump pulled out of an agreement that guaranteed Tehran access to world trade in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Those sanctions have been tightened sharply since May, effectively forcing Iran off of mainstream crude markets, making it desperate for alternative ways to sell oil and more reliant on its own tanker fleet to store supplies it cannot sell.

The US-Iranian confrontation has escalated in recent weeks, taking on a military dimension after Washington accused Tehran of attacking tankers in the Gulf and Iran shot down a US drone. Trump ordered air strikes but called them off at the last minute, later saying too many people would have died.

European countries opposed Trump's decision to exit the nuclear deal last year, and they have promised to help Iran find alternative ways to export. But they have so far failed to ease the impact of US sanctions, with all major companies halting plans to invest.

Iran has said it wants to keep the nuclear deal alive but cannot do so indefinitely unless it receives some of the promised economic benefits. In the past week, it announced that it had accumulated more low-enriched uranium than allowed under the deal, and it says it will refine uranium to greater purity than the deal allows from July 7.

By restricting Iran's ability to move oil around the globe, the US sanctions have choked off Tehran's Syrian allies.

Government-controlled areas of Syria suffered acute fuel shortages earlier this year resulting from what Assad described as an economic siege. In May, Syria received its first foreign oil supplies for six months with the arrival of two shipments including one from Iran, a source familiar with the shipment said at the time.

Earlier this year, Reuters revealed that the Grace 1 supertanker was one of four tankers involved in shipping Iranian fuel oil to Singapore and China, in violation of US sanctions.

Ship mapping information from data firm Definitive shows that in the latest case, the Grace 1 sailed a long route to the mouth of the Mediterranean around the southern tip of Africa instead of via Egypt's Suez Canal.

The 300,000-tonne, Panamanian-flagged tanker is managed by Singapore-based IShips Management Pte Ltd. It was documented as loading fuel oil in the Iraqi port of Basra in December, though Basra did not list it as being in port and its tracking system was switched off. The tanker then reappeared on tracking maps near Iran's port of Bandar Assalyeh, fully loaded.

A maritime intelligence source said the ship may have made the long journey around Africa to avoid having to transit the Suez canal, where such a large super-tanker would have had to unload its oil and refill after passing through, potentially exposing its cargo to seizure by Egyptian authorities.

"We welcome this firm action to enforce EU sanctions against the Syrian regime and commend those Gibraltarian authorities involved in successfully carrying out this morning's operation," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said.

"This sends a clear message that the violation of the sanctions is unacceptable."

Iranian crude exports were around 300,000 barrels per day or less in late June, industry sources said, a fraction of the more than 2.5 million bpd Iran shipped in April 2018, the month before Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal.

British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran.

British Royal Marines seized an oil tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday accused of bringing oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic step that could escalate confrontation between the West and Iran. The Grace 1 tanker was impounded in the British territory at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, after sailing around Africa from the Gulf. Shipping data reviewed by Reuters suggests it had been loaded with Iranian oil off the coast of Iran, although its documents say the oil is from neighbouring Iraq. The Gibraltar authorities who seized it did so under the authority of European sanctions against Syria that have been in place for years, with no reference to the source of the oil. But the likelihood that the cargo was Iranian draws a link between this incident and a new US effort to halt all global sales of Iranian crude, in what Tehran has described as an illegal "economic war" against it. European countries have tried to stay neutral in that confrontation, which saw the United States call off air strikes against Iran just minutes before impact last month, and Tehran amasses stocks of enriched uranium banned under a nuclear deal. In a statement, the Gibraltar government said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas refinery in Syria. "That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria," Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said. "With my consent, our port and law enforcement agencies sought the assistance of the Royal Marines in carrying out this operation." "So, public, so aggressive" The incident appears to be the first in which European authorities have seized a tanker for allegedly violating Syria sanctions, which have been in place since 2011. "This is the first time that the EU has done something so public and so aggressive. I imagine it was also coordinated in some manner with the US given that NATO member forces have been involved," said Matthew Oresman, a partner with law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman who advises firms on sanctions. "This is likely to have been meant as a signal to Syria and Iran - as well as the US - that Europe takes sanctions enforcement seriously and that the EU can also respond to Iranian brinkmanship related to ongoing nuclear negotiations." Iran has long been supplying its allies in Syria with oil despite such sanctions. What is new now is the US. sanctions on Iran itself. They were imposed last year when President Donald Trump pulled out of an agreement that guaranteed Tehran access to world trade in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Those sanctions have been tightened sharply since May, effectively forcing Iran off of mainstream crude markets, making it desperate for alternative ways to sell oil and more reliant on its own tanker fleet to store supplies it cannot sell. The US-Iranian confrontation has escalated in recent weeks, taking on a military dimension after Washington accused Tehran of attacking tankers in the Gulf and Iran shot down a US drone. Trump ordered air strikes but called them off at the last minute, later saying too many people would have died. European countries opposed Trump's decision to exit the nuclear deal last year, and they have promised to help Iran find alternative ways to export. But they have so far failed to ease the impact of US sanctions, with all major companies halting plans to invest. Iran has said it wants to keep the nuclear deal alive but cannot do so indefinitely unless it receives some of the promised economic benefits. In the past week, it announced that it had accumulated more low-enriched uranium than allowed under the deal, and it says it will refine uranium to greater purity than the deal allows from July 7. By restricting Iran's ability to move oil around the globe, the US sanctions have choked off Tehran's Syrian allies. Government-controlled areas of Syria suffered acute fuel shortages earlier this year resulting from what Assad described as an economic siege. In May, Syria received its first foreign oil supplies for six months with the arrival of two shipments including one from Iran, a source familiar with the shipment said at the time. Earlier this year, Reuters revealed that the Grace 1 supertanker was one of four tankers involved in shipping Iranian fuel oil to Singapore and China, in violation of US sanctions. Ship mapping information from data firm Definitive shows that in the latest case, the Grace 1 sailed a long route to the mouth of the Mediterranean around the southern tip of Africa instead of via Egypt's Suez Canal. The 300,000-tonne, Panamanian-flagged tanker is managed by Singapore-based IShips Management Pte Ltd. It was documented as loading fuel oil in the Iraqi port of Basra in December, though Basra did not list it as being in port and its tracking system was switched off. The tanker then reappeared on tracking maps near Iran's port of Bandar Assalyeh, fully loaded. A maritime intelligence source said the ship may have made the long journey around Africa to avoid having to transit the Suez canal, where such a large super-tanker would have had to unload its oil and refill after passing through, potentially exposing its cargo to seizure by Egyptian authorities. "We welcome this firm action to enforce EU sanctions against the Syrian regime and commend those Gibraltarian authorities involved in successfully carrying out this morning's operation," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said. "This sends a clear message that the violation of the sanctions is unacceptable." Iranian crude exports were around 300,000 barrels per day or less in late June, industry sources said, a fraction of the more than 2.5 million bpd Iran shipped in April 2018, the month before Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal.

Oil tanker bound for Syria seized in Gibraltar for sanctions-busting

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