Briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. And you can be part of the conversation. Tell us what you think about the stories we are covering today or what you are spotting just use the hash tag bbcthebriefing. Although Syrian Government forces appear to have gained a decisive upper hand in the countrys 7 year long civil war, the fighting is far over. Syrian activists say dozens of civilians been killed over the past 2a hours in Eastern Ghouta. The United Nations has warned that the situation is spiralling out of control in the damascus suburb, and demanded the government end the bombing of civilians 400,000 people are still living there. A warning lina sinjabs report contains some distressing images. Sirens wail. Syrias war is intensifying in Eastern Ghouta. Government air attacks rained down again today. Scores more dead, hundreds more injured. Another desperate search for survivors here in the neighbourhood of hamouriyah. Its hell, activists have told us
The past three years have witnessed a surge in hard-rock pegmatite lithium mining activity across Southern Africa, according to consultancy firm AmaranthCX. “While Zimbabwe has emerged as the regional leader, countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia and South Africa are also experiencing exploration and development,” the company says.