At 94, Robert Mugabe divides his time between a mansion in Harare and high-tech hospitals in Singapore, but his legacy of economic decay hangs in the air of the country he had a stranglehold over for 37 years before being ousted in November last year.
Today, in what has been dubbed the post-Mugabe election, Zimbabwe holds its most significant vote since independence in 1980.
Whoever wins, following a strongly contested 23-candidate campaign, will face a catalogue of economic challenges and hardships left by a regime stymied by corruption and chronic mismanagement. Whether that is President Emmerson Mnangagwa or another contender, they will need a credible mandate following a free and fair democratic process. With $2 billion of outstanding debt, the former breadbasket of Africa is struggling to emerge from a dark period.
The manner in which today's voting proceeds will set the tone for its recovery.
Zimbabwe is desperately in need of political and economic reform. Unemployment is sky-high while health, transport and educational infrastructure is in urgent need of repair. Mr Mnangagwa has promised economic regeneration but it is unclear whether the man known as the crocodile, who spent four decades as Mr Mugabe's main acolyte, can really be a force for change.
There are also concerns that Zimbabwe's military, which deposed Mr Mugabe in a bloodless coup, will try to ensure Mr Mnangagwa's victory. Coverage for the president has dominated state media for weeks while his posters fill the streets of the capital, Harare.
Meanwhile his main opponent, young lawyer and pastor Nelson Chamisa, has run a frugal campaign. A deep split within Mr Chamisa's MDC party could hand Mr Mnangagwa an easy victory.
Nevertheless, huge excitement could feed into voter turnout.
If he wins, Mr Mnangagwa has promised to declare an end to the injurious economic policies and repression that characterised the Mugabe years. But he might struggle to fully detach himself after decades as Mr Mugabe's enforcer. The first step is to oversee a genuinely democratic process.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
