A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days

So let me make up for it by noting this story, which indicates that the prospects for power-sharing between Robert Mugabe's murderous little clique and the opposition, headed by Morgan Tsvangirai are . . . well . . . not that good:

Since a power sharing pact was signed on September 15 last year Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, have sat around the negotiating table with Southern African mediators on several occasions without managing to resolve their differences.

Talks between the leaders and Mr Arthur Mutambara, who leads a tiny breakaway faction of the MDC Harare broke up last Monday without progress.

On Friday the ruling Zanu-PF party's lead negotiator, Mr Patrick Chinamasa said President Mugabe would not accept any of the "new demands" made by the opposition.

With a senior government source describing Monday's meeting as "a mere formality" and a top MDC politician saying the September agreement has "already effectively collapsed", both parties are pondering their next steps.

This ridiculous Kabuki dance has been going on for quite a while now. If Mugabe and his ilk were serious about coming to some kind of resolution, it would have been resolved long ago.

In other Zimbabwe-related news, we have Grace Mugabe Gone Wild:

Separately, the Hong Kong police face a diplomatic quandary after Mr Mugabe's wife allegedly assaulted a British photographer during a visit to the territory. Grace Mugabe allegedly ordered one of her bodyguards to restrain Richard Jones, a Hong Kong-based photographer on assignment for the Sunday Times of London and then punched him repeatedly in the face. The alleged incident occurred last Thursday near the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel, where Mrs Mugabe and her delegation were staying. Mr Jones and Sunday Times correspondents were working on a story about the Mugabe family's lavish international lifestyle.

The photographer,, whose face bore the marks of the alleged assault at the weekend, confirmed on Sunday that he had reported the matter to police. "I was chased and apprehended [by Mrs Mugabe's bodyguard]" he said. Mr Jones said his refusal to give up his camera enraged the president's wife. "She was really lining [her punches] up. She was furious mad."

Hong Kong police said they were investigating an assault on a 42-year-old man by a woman, without confirming their identities. It was unclear if Mrs Mugabe was travelling on a diplomatic passport, which would give her immunity from prosecution.

Clearly, Grace Mugabe's husband is a soul mate. They were made for each other. Maybe the first lady of Zimbabwe would care to box the ears of her country's central banker. The latter looks and talks like he could use a good whacking to the head. It might actually help him in doing his job.