Ed Cropley

Violence has erupted in two Syrian provinces with reports of 10 civilians dead in an army mortar attack and 12 soldiers killed in clashes with rebels.

An SA lawyer says he is preparing to sue leading gold miners on behalf of former miners who contracted respiratory ailments such as silicosis.

The government has taken direct control of several provincial administrations in a clampdown on profligate spending and terrible service delivery.

Europe’s debt crisis has led banks there to refuse to lend money to firms trading with Africa, threatening growth on the continent.

Swaziland’s King Mswati III will fund a bailout of his government in a manoeuvre to acquire control of the local firms at knock-down prices.

It takes a lot to get communists, unions and businessmen fighting from the same corner, especially in South Africa.

The Southern Africa Customs Union is considering an overhaul of revenue-sharing that will see SA keeping a bigger slice of pooled customs receipts.

Budget crunches in rich countries are bringing cuts in aid spending and may mean a switch from grants to cheaper loans.

Public-sector unions representing more than a million workers staged a one-day strike on Tuesday, threatening an extended labour stoppage this week.

Stagnating population growth and dwindling deposits of gold and other minerals are likely to crimp South Africa’s growth.