After a two-year delay caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Myanmar organized a traditional Htamane (sticky-rice) making competition in Yangon on Friday to celebrate the nation’s Htamane festival.
At the nation’s renowned Shwedagon Pagoda, 24 teams, consisting of 6 people, competed in company with live traditional music bands. The competitors claimed that they would distribute the food as charity meals to pilgrims and monks.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that Russia officially recognizes Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. The statement followed backlash over Russian Vice President Vladimir Medinsky’s remarks referring to the region as “disputed.”
Zakharova clarified that Medinsky was discussing the humanitarian aspect of the conflict and urged against misinterpreting his words. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry criticized Medinsky’s comments and reminded that Russia’s official stance recognizes Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory.
TR