Striking platinum miners in South Africa have accepted an agreement with Lonmin and plan to return to work on Thursday.

Police firing rubber bullets and tear gas sent men, women and children scattering as they herded them into their shacks in a crackdown on striking miners at a platinum mine.

Striking South African platinum miners stayed off the job yesterday and marched to press wage demands at major producer Lonmin as 15,000 workers at the world’s fourth biggest bullion producer, Gold Fields, also downed tools.

Industrial action has spread in South Africa with a wildcat strike by 15,000 gold miners, while few workers reported for duty at in the fourth week of a stoppage at a platinum mine.

South Africa’s police directorate of complaints has opened 34 murder dockets in the police killings of 34 striking mine workers and also is investigating complaints that more than 150 arrested miners have been beaten in police custody, the directorate spokesman said today.

No striking miners will be sacked while South Africa is officially mourning the deaths of 44 men at a platinum mine, including 34 strikers shot by police, a spokesman for the presidency said today.

The London market lost ground today as investors eyed events in the eurozone at the start of another vital week in its battle for survival.

Shares in platinum miner Lonmin fell a further 5% today as wildcat strikers at its Marikana mine in South Africa faced an ultimatum to return to work or face dismissal.

More than 30 people have been killed after South Africa’s police officers opened fire on striking workers at a Lonmin PLC mine.

IRELAND’S biggest company — CRH Plc — is making contingency plans for a possible break-up of the euro as the debt crisis crimps sales growth in the region.

London’s leading shares index pushed higher today amid hope that Greek prime minister George Papandreou would drop his plans to hold a referendum on the eurozone rescue deal.

BRITISH stocks climbed for the fifth day in six amid speculation the US Federal Reserve may announce more stimulus measures to help drive the world’s largest economy.

A good start to the week faded today as markets turned down again after another batch of US economic figures came in below expectations.

A strong start to the week for global markets showed signs of petering out today as attention switched to economic recovery prospects.

Fashion house Burberry was the top faller in the FTSE 100 Index today as its stellar annual results were overshadowed by a bout of profit-taking.

Banking shares kept the London market aloft today following bullish comment on the sector from investment brokers.

Traders shrugged off sovereign debt woes and sustained violence in Libya as reassuring results from Next and B&Q owner Kingfisher boosted the retail sector.

World markets staged a bounce back today as oil prices steadied and offset disappointing economic data in the UK and US.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a mini-fightback today on the back of gains made by banking and mining stocks but it was still more than 100 points down on the week.

The London market bounced back from earlier losses today triggered by concerns surrounding the sovereign debt crisis in Ireland.

The London market struggled to find direction today as sentiment was weighed down by ongoing fears of a bail out for Ireland’s troubled economy.

The FTSE 100 Index held firm today despite pressure on mining stocks caused by a rebound for the beleaguered US dollar.

Mining stocks bore the brunt of a shift in sentiment today amid fears that the recent rise in commodity prices may have been overdone.

The FTSE 100 Index recouped earlier heavy losses today after another grim set of jobless figures in the United States fuelled hopes that policymakers will take further action to prop up the global economic recovery.

BP led a fresh rally for the FTSE 100 Index today as higher oil prices and the potential resumption of dividend payments cheered investors.

The FTSE 100 Index finished in the red today but that did not prevent it enjoying its best September for 13 years.

Takeover activity helped lift the London market higher today after blue-chip Old Mutual said it had entered into exclusive talks with HSBC to sell South African bank Nedbank.

The FTSE 100 Index surged 1.4% today as investors were cheered by decent economic news and corporate results from across the Atlantic.

Disappointing US jobs figures overshadowed a return to profit for British taxpayer-backed Royal Bank of Scotland today.

World markets were dragged lower today after cautious comments from the US Federal Reserve curbed enthusiasm for riskier stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a much-needed rally today as European markets reversed some of their recent punishing declines.

Markets rallied on both sides of the Atlantic today as equities fought back from recent punishing declines.

The FTSE 100 Index struggled to hold its ground today in a subdued end to the trading week after Thursday’s sell-off.

The FTSE 100 Index pulled back from 14-month highs today as investors took the chance to take some money off the table.

London's stock market recovery continued apace today as a 1.6% gain took the FTSE 100 Index to a new 14-month high.

World markets were under pressure today as uncertainty about Chinese economic prospects led investors to take profits following a recent rally.

The London market fell back below the 5200 mark today amid falls for retailers and concerns over US earnings reports.

Shares in airline stocks flew higher today as the FTSE 100 Index chalked up its fifth winning session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index broke new ground for the year after encouraging comments from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke lifted markets worldwide.

Embattled transport group National Express saw shares race ahead today after news of a higher £765m (€875m) takeover approach from its biggest shareholder.

The London market was making little headway today as top-flight stocks sought a record-equalling eleventh winning session in a row.

The London market capped its tenth consecutive day of gains today after investors pushed ahead with the strongest rally for the market in more than five years.

The rally on the London market hit a new five-and-a-half-year high today as the FTSE 100 Index closed up for the eighth session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index finished ahead today as miners made strong gains and Goldman Sachs kicked off the US bank reporting season in impressive style.