Harare  - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe swore some of his fiercest critics into a power-sharing government on Friday, sealing the beginning of a reluctant union which Zimbabweans hope will end the country's economic crisis.

Two days after he ceded a portion of his powers to long-time opposition leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Mugabe swore in ministers from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and his own Zanu-PF into a 31-ministry coalition cabinet.

Harare, Feb. 11 : President Robert Mugabe is planning a lavish 85th birthday feast, even as millions of Zimbabweans starve.

According to The Sun, Mugabe has demanded 2,000 bottles of Moet and Chandon or 1961 Bollinger champagne, 8,000 lobsters and
4,000 portions of caviar.

He wants 8,000 boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocs, 500 bottles of Johnnie Walker whisky, 100 kilograms of prawns, 3,000 ducks and 3,000 chocolate cakes.

Mugabe has demanded international supporters send him cash gifts of around 25,000 dollars to celebrate.

Harare, Jan. 28 : Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has decided to enter the unity government with President Robert Mugabe, a senior advisor to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader said on Tuesday night.

According to a report in The Telegraph, the move comes despite fears that Mugabe will use the arrangement to marginalise the MDC.

Harare  - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe acceded last week to a secret meeting with his rival, pro-democracy leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe state media reported Monday as meanwhile Southern African leaders were about to meet on the Zimbabwean crisis.

The Herald, controlled by Mugabe's ZANU(PF) party, said the meeting took place at Tsvangirai's request, and was held on Thursday at Zimbabwe House, one of Mugabe's official residences in central Harare.

Harare - Zimbabwe's state media Tuesday said talks on a unity government between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai "had irretrievably collapsed" after regional mediators failed to break a four-month impasse.

The Herald, which is controlled by Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, blamed Tsvangirai for the breakdown Monday night of discussions mediated by South African and Mozambican leaders and accused him of being manipulated by Western powers.

Hong Kong - Police in Hong Kong were investigating Monday whether an alleged assault by the wife of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe during a shopping trip was captured on video.

Investigators were told that Grace Mugabe allegedly repeatedly punched a newspaper photographer in the street took beneath a security camera on the side of a shopping centre.