Briefly

ZIMBABWE

Govt fully supports 2022 Winter Olympics

The Zimbabwean government gives its full support to China to host the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and opposes attempts by some Western countries to politicize the event, a senior official has said. Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said on Saturday that sports should remain as sports and never be politicized. Zimbabwe wishes China all the best, and all the success in this Beijing Winter Olympics, which are being held under the shadow of the COVID-19, she said, adding that China is very good at handling the pandemic.

ECUADOR

At least 18 dead, 25 injured in bus accident

A bus crash in Ecuador's Amazon region killed at least 18 people and left 25 injured, the nation's emergency service said on Sunday. Quoting national police officials, it said the bus crashed and overturned after "losing its traffic lane", without further elaboration. The accident occurred late on Saturday on a highway near the city of Sucua in Morona Santiago Province near the border with Peru.

RUSSIA

Putin says he drove cab after Soviet fall

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the collapse of the Soviet Union spelled the end of "historical Russia", revealing he drove a taxi to make ends meet following the USSR's fall. Putin once called the collapse "the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century".The comments, reported by news agency RIA Novosti on Sunday, were excerpts from an upcoming film by broadcaster Channel One, called Russia. Recent History.

Xinhua - Agencies