tass--2020-09-28--Armenian PM notes Turkey’s biased role in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in talk with UN chief

YEREVAN , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has discussed the situation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a phone call with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres , initiated by the UN chief , the Armenian government ’ s press service reports Monday .
`` Nikol Pashinyan has underlined that unlike escalations of the past years the current one is characterized by the very active and biased position of Turkey and its direct destabilizing presence in Azerbaijan ’ s actions , '' the statement reads .
Guterres , in turn , expressed deep concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pointing out the need to resume peace process in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group .
The UN chief also held talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev , calling for an immediate ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Earlier , the Armenian foreign ministry claimed that `` Turkish instructors are fighting '' in Nagorno-Karabakh on the Azeri side .
Moreover , the diplomatic agency said that it has proof that Ankara is recruiting mercenaries `` in some Middle Eastern countries . ''
Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric reported that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this claim that Turkey is interfering in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and is urging to grant access of the OSCE monitoring mission to the conflict zone .

YEREVAN, September 28. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has discussed the situation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a phone call with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, initiated by the UN chief, the Armenian government’s press service reports Monday.
"Nikol Pashinyan has underlined that unlike escalations of the past years the current one is characterized by the very active and biased position of Turkey and its direct destabilizing presence in Azerbaijan’s actions," the statement reads.
Guterres, in turn, expressed deep concerns about the current crisis and the unfolding developments, pointing out the need to resume peace process in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
The UN chief also held talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Earlier, the Armenian foreign ministry claimed that "Turkish instructors are fighting" in Nagorno-Karabakh on the Azeri side. Moreover, the diplomatic agency said that it has proof that Ankara is recruiting mercenaries "in some Middle Eastern countries." Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric reported that the organization cannot independently verify the veracity of this claim that Turkey is interfering in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and is urging to grant access of the OSCE monitoring mission to the conflict zone.


tass--2020-09-28--Armenian PM discusses situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with Merkel

YEREVAN , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the phone and called on her to influence Turkey ’ s position on that matter , the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday .
`` Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
The Armenian prime minister informed the German chancellor about the situation in the region .
He noted that Artsakh ( unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic - TASS ) is the target of Azerbaijan ’ s aggression and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pashinyan called on Merkel to spare no effort to make Turkey change its destructive position , '' it said .
The German chancellor , in turn , expressed concern over the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh .
She noted that there is only peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stressed the necessity to resume talks within the OSCE Minsk Group .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey support Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia .
Later , he slammed the OSCE Minsk Group for inability to settle the situation in @ @

YEREVAN, September 28. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the phone and called on her to influence Turkey’s position on that matter, the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday.
"Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Armenian prime minister informed the German chancellor about the situation in the region. He noted that Artsakh (unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic - TASS) is the target of Azerbaijan’s aggression and expressed concern over ongoing combat operations. Pashinyan called on Merkel to spare no effort to make Turkey change its destructive position," it said.
The German chancellor, in turn, expressed concern over the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. She noted that there is only peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stressed the necessity to resume talks within the OSCE Minsk Group.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey support Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia. Later, he slammed the OSCE Minsk Group for inability to settle the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.


tass--2020-09-28--Johnson discusses Nagorno-Karabakh with Erdogan

LONDON , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has discussed the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh on @ @ @ @ @ Tayyip Erdogan .
Following the conversation between the two leaders , Johnson ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ calling for a quick de-escalation of the conflict in the region .
Moreover , the @ @ @ @ @ situation in Libya .
Johnson underlined the need for a political solution to end the @ @ @ @ @ with Erdogan , the British prime minister shared his concerns about the tensions between Turkey @ @ @ @ @ territorial dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean .
The British leader underlined that the tensions should @ @ @ @ @ readiness of Ankara and Athens to launch talks .
The leaders also spoke about bilateral @ @ @ @ @ and cooperation to fight COVID-19 .

LONDON, September 28. /TASS/. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has discussed the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh on Monday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following the conversation between the two leaders, Johnson’s office noted that the UK is calling for a quick de-escalation of the conflict in the region.
Moreover, the two leaders discussed the current situation in Libya. Johnson underlined the need for a political solution to end the conflict.
In the talk with Erdogan, the British prime minister shared his concerns about the tensions between Turkey and Greece arising from the territorial dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean. The British leader underlined that the tensions should be diffused and welcomed the readiness of Ankara and Athens to launch talks.
The leaders also spoke about bilateral economic ties, defense relations and cooperation to fight COVID-19.


tass--2020-09-28--Armenia’s recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh depends on military presence - envoy

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The possibility that Armenia officially recognizes independence of Nagorno-Karabakh depends on the way situation on its border unfolds , Armenian Ambassador to Moscow Vardan Toganyan said Monday in an interview with RBC channel .
`` The closer Azeri and Turkish military units get to the Nagorno-Karabakh border , the closer this moment of recognition [ by Yerevan ] is , '' he said .
The diplomat noted that Armenia is a `` guarantor of Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s security . ''
`` We believe that we can not abandon our compatriots , '' Toganyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Armenia had shelled the Azerbaijani army ’ s positions and Yerevan , in turn , claimed that Azerbaijan ’ s Armed Forces had launched an offensive towards Nagorno-Karabakh , shelling regional settlements , including the capital , Stepanakert .
Both parties reported casualties , including civilian casualties .
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared martial law and a troop mobilization .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. The possibility that Armenia officially recognizes independence of Nagorno-Karabakh depends on the way situation on its border unfolds, Armenian Ambassador to Moscow Vardan Toganyan said Monday in an interview with RBC channel.
"The closer Azeri and Turkish military units get to the Nagorno-Karabakh border, the closer this moment of recognition [by Yerevan] is," he said.
The diplomat noted that Armenia is a "guarantor of Nagorno-Karabakh’s security." "We believe that we cannot abandon our compatriots," Toganyan added.
On September 27, Baku said that Armenia had shelled the Azerbaijani army’s positions and Yerevan, in turn, claimed that Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces had launched an offensive towards Nagorno-Karabakh, shelling regional settlements, including the capital, Stepanakert. Both parties reported casualties, including civilian casualties. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared martial law and a troop mobilization.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-09-28--Twenty-three more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Twenty-three more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 5,200 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 5,203 .
By today , Moscow has reported nearly 288,000 confirmed coronavirus cases .
@ @ @ @ @ recovered from the disease .
To date , 1,159,573 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 20,385 fatalities nationwide @ @ @ @ @ government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation @

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. Twenty-three more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 5,200, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
"Twenty-three coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 5,203.
By today, Moscow has reported nearly 288,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 246,100 patients have recovered from the disease.
To date, 1,159,573 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 945,920 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 20,385 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-28--UN chief holds talks with Armenian, Azeri leaders

UNITED NATIONS , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has held videoconference talks with Azeri President @ @ @ @ @ Minister Nikol Pashinyan .
Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric reported Monday that @ @ @ @ @ an immediate ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` The Secretary-General has now spoken by video conference @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia , '' he informed .
`` In the @ @ @ @ @ the same message : the need for an immediate stop to the fighting , a @ @ @ @ @ return to meaningful negotiations without preconditions or delay , within the context of the efforts @ @ @ @ @ OECD Minsk Group .
He reiterated his full support for the important role of the @ @ @ @ @ an immediate redeployment of OSCE monitors to the region . ''

UNITED NATIONS, September 28. /TASS/. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has held videoconference talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric reported Monday that the UN chief called for an immediate ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"The Secretary-General has now spoken by video conference to both President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia," he informed. "In the separate calls, he delivered the same message: the need for an immediate stop to the fighting, a de-escalation of tensions and a return to meaningful negotiations without preconditions or delay, within the context of the efforts of the co-chairs of the OECD Minsk Group. He reiterated his full support for the important role of the OSCE and the need for an immediate redeployment of OSCE monitors to the region."


tass--2020-09-28--Azeri leader informs UN chief about Nagorno-Karabakh situation

BAKU , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has informed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday @ @ @ @ @ the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , noting that the issue should be resolved in @ @ @ @ @ and UN Security Council resolutions , Aliyev ’ s official website shows .
`` President @ @ @ @ @ the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved exclusively within the framework of international law and Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ on the relevant UNSC resolutions which demand that Armenian armed forces be immediately and unreservedly @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement reads .
It is noted that the videoconference meeting was initiated @ @ @ @ @

BAKU, September 28. /TASS/. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has informed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday about the current situation in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, noting that the issue should be resolved in the framework of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, Aliyev’s official website shows.
"President Ilham Aliyev has said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved exclusively within the framework of international law and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity based on the relevant UNSC resolutions which demand that Armenian armed forces be immediately and unreservedly withdrawn from the occupied territories," the statement reads. It is noted that the videoconference meeting was initiated by the UN chief.


tass--2020-09-28--UN can’t confirm Turkey interfered in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations can not independently confirm or deny reports that Turkey @ @ @ @ @ escalation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and is urging to grant access of an @ @ @ @ @ conflict zone , spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric told a briefing on @ @ @ @ @ no information to the veracity of this claim and many other claims that are being @ @ @ @ @ about Ankara ’ s possible interference .
`` We have no way to check them @ @ @ @ @ the important things is to get OSCE monitors back on the ground , '' Dujarric @ @ @ @ @ Armenian foreign ministry claimed that `` Turkish instructors are fighting '' in Nagorno-Karabakh on the @ @ @ @ @ the diplomatic agency said that it has proof that Ankara is recruiting mercenaries `` in @ @ @ @ @ ''

UNITED NATIONS, September 28. /TASS/. The United Nations cannot independently confirm or deny reports that Turkey has interfered in the current escalation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and is urging to grant access of an OSCE monitoring mission to the conflict zone, spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric told a briefing on Monday.
"We have no information to the veracity of this claim and many other claims that are being made," he said about Ankara’s possible interference. "We have no way to check them."
"One of the important things is to get OSCE monitors back on the ground," Dujarric added.
Earlier, the Armenian foreign ministry claimed that "Turkish instructors are fighting" in Nagorno-Karabakh on the Azeri side. Moreover, the diplomatic agency said that it has proof that Ankara is recruiting mercenaries "in some Middle Eastern countries."


tass--2020-09-28--Militants in Syria plotting to stage fake chemical attacks against civilians

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Militants are plotting to stage a fake chemical attack against civilian population in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone as a provocation against government forces , Alexander Grinkevich , deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Monday .
`` The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties has received information that militants of illegal armed groups are preparing for yet another attempt to organize provocations with the use of toxic substances in the southern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconciliation center , the settlements of Beitarun in the Aleppo governorate and Bdama in the Idlib governorate have been chosen as sites for these provocations meant to accuse Syria ’ s government forces of the use of chemical weapons against civilians .
Grinkevich also said that the Russian military police had conducted patrol missions from Adjami in the Aleppo governorate along two routes , towards Membij and Awshariyah .
A patrol mission was conducted in the Deir ez-Zor governorate , from Hatla to Salhiyah and back .
No aerial patrols were conducted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Turkey-controlled illegal armed groups were reported during the day .
`` However , two shelling attacks from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization ’ s ( outlawed in Russia ) positions were reported in the settlements of Aye al-Qantara in the Latakia governorate and Jubas in the Idlib governorate , '' he added .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. Militants are plotting to stage a fake chemical attack against civilian population in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone as a provocation against government forces, Alexander Grinkevich, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday.
"The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties has received information that militants of illegal armed groups are preparing for yet another attempt to organize provocations with the use of toxic substances in the southern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone," he said.
According to the Russian reconciliation center, the settlements of Beitarun in the Aleppo governorate and Bdama in the Idlib governorate have been chosen as sites for these provocations meant to accuse Syria’s government forces of the use of chemical weapons against civilians.
Grinkevich also said that the Russian military police had conducted patrol missions from Adjami in the Aleppo governorate along two routes, towards Membij and Awshariyah. A patrol mission was conducted in the Deir ez-Zor governorate, from Hatla to Salhiyah and back. No aerial patrols were conducted.
According to Grinkevich, no shelling attacks by Turkey-controlled illegal armed groups were reported during the day. "However, two shelling attacks from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization’s (outlawed in Russia) positions were reported in the settlements of Aye al-Qantara in the Latakia governorate and Jubas in the Idlib governorate," he added.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-09-28--Turkey’s interference may protract Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, says expert

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenian and Azeri forces can draw further on due to Turkey ’ s active involvement on Baku ’ s side , Vladimir Yevseyev , head of the Caucasus department of the CIS ( Commonwealth of Independent States ) Institute , told TASS Monday .
`` Turkey ’ s influence on Azerbaijan has grown , which will instigate the conflict .
I suppose that Moscow will have to talk to Ankara rather than Baku to settle the conflict if needed because it will be very hard to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference , '' he noted .
The expert emphasized that the scale of this escalation already surpassed that during the April 2016 confrontation between the parties .
He recalled that four years ago Azeri forces shelled only Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s town of Martakert , whereas now under attack came a number of towns , including Stepanakert ( the capital of the unrecognized republic ) , which forced its residents to hide in shelters .
`` This has happened for the first time since the active fighting stopped back in 1994 , '' Yevseyev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been observed since . ''
In conclusion , the expert predicted that the armed confrontation will last longer than in 2016 , when it went on for four days .
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27 , when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia .
Armenia , in turn , said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh .
It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh , including its administrative center Stepanakert , had come under shelling by Azerbaijan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians .
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law .
Mobilization of reservists has been announced in Armenia .
Azerbaijan has announced partial mobilization .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. The armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenian and Azeri forces can draw further on due to Turkey’s active involvement on Baku’s side, Vladimir Yevseyev, head of the Caucasus department of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Institute, told TASS Monday.
"Turkey’s influence on Azerbaijan has grown, which will instigate the conflict. I suppose that Moscow will have to talk to Ankara rather than Baku to settle the conflict if needed because it will be very hard to stop armed hostilities given this level of Turkish interference," he noted.
The expert emphasized that the scale of this escalation already surpassed that during the April 2016 confrontation between the parties. He recalled that four years ago Azeri forces shelled only Nagorno-Karabakh’s town of Martakert, whereas now under attack came a number of towns, including Stepanakert (the capital of the unrecognized republic), which forced its residents to hide in shelters. "This has happened for the first time since the active fighting stopped back in 1994," Yevseyev said. "It hasn’t been observed since."
In conclusion, the expert predicted that the armed confrontation will last longer than in 2016, when it went on for four days.
Nagorno-Karabakh escalation
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia. Armenia, in turn, said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh. It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, including its administrative center Stepanakert, had come under shelling by Azerbaijan. Both sides report casualties, including among civilians. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law. Mobilization of reservists has been announced in Armenia. Azerbaijan has announced partial mobilization.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-09-28--Armenia reports fierce fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh’s north and south

YEREVAN , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani troops have launched a large-scale offensive in the north and south on Nagorno-Karabakh , with fierce fighting being reported from the area , Armenian defense ministry spokesman , Artsrun Ovannisyan , said on Monday .
`` The Azerbaijani army has staged a large-scale offensive in the Araksa Valley ( south ) and at the Matagis-Talish section ( south ) .
The Artsakh ( non-recognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic ) defense army is repelling the attacks , '' he wrote on Facebook .
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27 , when Azerbaijan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Armenia .
Armenia , in turn , said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh .
It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh , including its administrative center Stepanakert , had come under shelling by Azerbaijan .
Both sides report casualties , including among civilians .
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law .
Mobilization of reservists has been announced in Armenia .
Azerbaijan has announced partial mobilization .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

YEREVAN, September 28. /TASS/. Azerbaijani troops have launched a large-scale offensive in the north and south on Nagorno-Karabakh, with fierce fighting being reported from the area, Armenian defense ministry spokesman, Artsrun Ovannisyan, said on Monday.
"The Azerbaijani army has staged a large-scale offensive in the Araksa Valley (south) and at the Matagis-Talish section (south). The Artsakh (non-recognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic) defense army is repelling the attacks," he wrote on Facebook.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia. Armenia, in turn, said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh. It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, including its administrative center Stepanakert, had come under shelling by Azerbaijan. Both sides report casualties, including among civilians. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law. Mobilization of reservists has been announced in Armenia. Azerbaijan has announced partial mobilization.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-09-28--Coronavirus cases in Spain add around 32,000 over weekend

MADRID , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
At least 748,266 coronavirus cases have been identified in Spain since the beginning of the pandemic , the Ministry of Health said on Monday .
On Friday , the department reported 716,481 cases .
The total number of deaths due to coronavirus in the country has reached 31,411 .
In its statistics , the Ministry of Health did not provide data on fatalities over the past day and reported that 359 people died over the week .
In mid-March , Spain was put on high alert , which allowed for restricting the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 21 .
The rate of the infection spread in Spain skyrocketed again after the restrictions were relaxed in the country .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ @

MADRID, September 28. /TASS/. At least 748,266 coronavirus cases have been identified in Spain since the beginning of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health said on Monday.
On Friday, the department reported 716,481 cases. The total number of deaths due to coronavirus in the country has reached 31,411. In its statistics, the Ministry of Health did not provide data on fatalities over the past day and reported that 359 people died over the week.
In mid-March, Spain was put on high alert, which allowed for restricting the movement of the population. The regime ended on June 21. The rate of the infection spread in Spain skyrocketed again after the restrictions were relaxed in the country.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-09-28--UNSC to hold closed consultations over Nagorno-Karabakh on September 29 — source

UNITED NATIONS , September 29 .
/TASS/ .
The UN Security Council is planning to convene on Tuesday for urgent closed-door consultations over the recent escalation between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a source in the organization told TASS Monday .
`` The discussion is likely to be held on Tuesday as closed-door consultations , '' the source noted .
According to TASS , a number of European states initiated the meeting .
The consultation format implies that only diplomats of the 15 Security Council member states are in attendance without the parties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on September 27 , when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia .
Armenia , in turn , said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh .
It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh , including its administrative center Stepanakert , had come under shelling by Azerbaijan .
Both sides report casualties , including among civilians .
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

UNITED NATIONS, September 29. /TASS/. The UN Security Council is planning to convene on Tuesday for urgent closed-door consultations over the recent escalation between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a source in the organization told TASS Monday.
"The discussion is likely to be held on Tuesday as closed-door consultations," the source noted.
According to TASS, a number of European states initiated the meeting. The consultation format implies that only diplomats of the 15 Security Council member states are in attendance without the parties to the conflict.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia. Armenia, in turn, said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh. It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, including its administrative center Stepanakert, had come under shelling by Azerbaijan. Both sides report casualties, including among civilians. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-09-28--Battle against coronavirus in Russia continues, Putin cautions

SOCHI , September 28./TASS/ .
The battle against coronavirus in Russia is still ongoing , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday , urging the people to observe safety measures and stay on alert .
`` The fight against the epidemic is far from being over , it continues , '' the president said in the opening remarks at a session of the Presidium of the State Council , warning the people against relaxing or losing vigilance .
He also asked the citizens to exercise caution .
`` Risks persist , dear friends .
I want to ask you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for yourselves and those who are near you , '' the president stressed .
Putin also asked the Russian nationals to abide by all recommendations from medics and specialists .
`` This is necessary to ensure safety and protection of your health , '' he stressed .
The Russian leader noted however that now specialists know much more about the virus than several months ago .
`` We know how to act , how to arrange preventive work , '' Putin said .
`` However , the result of our common efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now depends on each of us , so that we could avoid the quite sensitive for the economy and painful for the people large-scale practice of restrictions that we saw in spring , '' the president stressed .
To date , 1,159,573 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 945,920 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 20,385 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

SOCHI, September 28./TASS/. The battle against coronavirus in Russia is still ongoing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, urging the people to observe safety measures and stay on alert.
"The fight against the epidemic is far from being over, it continues," the president said in the opening remarks at a session of the Presidium of the State Council, warning the people against relaxing or losing vigilance.
He also asked the citizens to exercise caution. "Risks persist, dear friends. I want to ask you to keep this in mind and show maximum responsibility for yourselves and those who are near you," the president stressed.
Putin also asked the Russian nationals to abide by all recommendations from medics and specialists. "This is necessary to ensure safety and protection of your health," he stressed. The Russian leader noted however that now specialists know much more about the virus than several months ago. "We know how to act, how to arrange preventive work," Putin said.
"However, the result of our common efforts in fighting the spread of the infection now depends on each of us, so that we could avoid the quite sensitive for the economy and painful for the people large-scale practice of restrictions that we saw in spring," the president stressed.
To date, 1,159,573 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 945,920 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 20,385 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-28--Legendary TASS photographer Vladimir Musaelyan is no more

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Soviet and Russian photographer of world renown , Vladimir Musaelyan , passed away on Monday , his daughter Marina told TASS .
Musaelyan was 81 .
For sixty years he remained a member of the TASS team .
Vladimir Musaelyan joined the TASS photo news desk in 1960 .
He chronicled many epoch-making events , one of his favorite subjects being the advent and early days of the space era .
Musaelyan was fortunate to catch on camera the first space crews in training , space rocket launches and the construction of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first man in space Yuri Gagarin , the first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova and the first spacewalker Alexei Leonov went down in history .
Later , for 14 years he was the personal photographer of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev .
Besides Brezhnev he photographed several other top Soviet officials - Yuri Andropov , Konstantin Chernenko and Mikhail Gorbachev .
Since 1994 , he remained a TASS special photographer in the Russian parliament .
Musaelyan had many national and international decorations to his credit , such as four World Press Photo awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet Union 's Order of the Red Banner of Labor ( two ) and many medals .
In July 2019 , President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to decorate Musaelyan with the Order of Honor for his tangible contribution to the national mass media and decades of fruitful creative endeavor .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. Soviet and Russian photographer of world renown, Vladimir Musaelyan, passed away on Monday, his daughter Marina told TASS.
Musaelyan was 81. For sixty years he remained a member of the TASS team.
Vladimir Musaelyan joined the TASS photo news desk in 1960. He chronicled many epoch-making events, one of his favorite subjects being the advent and early days of the space era. Musaelyan was fortunate to catch on camera the first space crews in training, space rocket launches and the construction of the Baikonur space center.
His snapshots of the first man in space Yuri Gagarin, the first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova and the first spacewalker Alexei Leonov went down in history.
Later, for 14 years he was the personal photographer of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.
Besides Brezhnev he photographed several other top Soviet officials - Yuri Andropov, Konstantin Chernenko and Mikhail Gorbachev. Since 1994, he remained a TASS special photographer in the Russian parliament.
Musaelyan had many national and international decorations to his credit, such as four World Press Photo awards, including the Golden Eye, the Soviet Union's Order of the Red Banner of Labor (two) and many medals.
In July 2019, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to decorate Musaelyan with the Order of Honor for his tangible contribution to the national mass media and decades of fruitful creative endeavor.


tass--2020-09-28--One in four in Moscow is immune against coronavirus

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
About a quarter of Moscow 's residents have antibodies against the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ center of Russia 's westernmost region , the rate is 50 % , the chief @ @ @ @ @ watchdog Rospotrebnadzor , Anna Popova , said on Monday .
`` In Moscow 24 % @ @ @ @ @ have antibodies - TASS ) , '' Popova said on the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station @ @ @ @ @ % of the surveyed population have antibodies . ''

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. About a quarter of Moscow's residents have antibodies against the novel coronavirus. In Kaliningrad, the center of Russia's westernmost region, the rate is 50%, the chief of Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said on Monday.
"In Moscow 24%-25% for now (have antibodies - TASS)," Popova said on the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station. "In Kaliningrad 50% of the surveyed population have antibodies."


tass--2020-09-28--Russian fighter scrambled to intercept US, German patrol aircraft over Baltic Sea

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept US and German patrol aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Baltic Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Friday .
According to the Center , Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets over the Baltic Sea approaching Russia ’ s state border .
`` A Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the targets .
The crew of the Russian fighter approached the aerial targets at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Air Force P-8A Poseidon and a German Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and escorted them over the Baltic Sea , '' the Center said .
The Russian border was not violated .
After the US aircraft turned away from Russia ’ s state border , the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield .
`` The entire flight of the Russian fighters proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , '' the Center stressed .
Russian fighter jets were scrambled six times during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s borders .
According to the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper , forty-three foreign reconnaissance planes and six reconnaissance drones were observed near Russian borders last week .
All of them were traced by Russian radars .
Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov told a briefing on Friday after the completion of the Kavkaz-2020 military drills that the United States and other NATO nations had been conducting military activities some 20-30 kilometers off the Russian border and cited as an example flights of NATO planes and the presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Baltic , and Black seas .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept US and German patrol aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Baltic Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Friday.
According to the Center, Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets over the Baltic Sea approaching Russia’s state border.
"A Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the targets. The crew of the Russian fighter approached the aerial targets at a safe distance, identified them as a US Air Force P-8A Poseidon and a German Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and escorted them over the Baltic Sea," the Center said.
The Russian border was not violated. After the US aircraft turned away from Russia’s state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield.
"The entire flight of the Russian fighters proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace," the Center stressed.
Russian fighter jets were scrambled six times during the past week to prevent violations of Russia’s borders. According to the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, forty-three foreign reconnaissance planes and six reconnaissance drones were observed near Russian borders last week. All of them were traced by Russian radars.
Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov told a briefing on Friday after the completion of the Kavkaz-2020 military drills that the United States and other NATO nations had been conducting military activities some 20-30 kilometers off the Russian border and cited as an example flights of NATO planes and the presence of NATO naval forces in the Barents, Baltic, and Black seas.


tass--2020-09-28--Defense technology behemoth Rostec releases video of combat exoskeletons in action

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's corporation Rostec has demonstrated some tests of unique exoskeletons , developed for the army and industry by the company Rostec - Trusted Platforms Robotic Complexes .
Certification testing of first combat exoskeleton to be over by 2020 A video the company released on Monday shows a soldier in full combat gear moving across rugged terrain , running , squatting , jumping onto a high platform , getting into a motor vehicle and ascending a stairway .
`` The exoskeleton is hidden beneath the clothes and gear .
It does not hinder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contrary eases the strain on the locomotor system .
It allows for easily carrying up to 60 kilograms of combat equipment and weapons , while its own weight is six kilograms , '' the video explains .
For staying in one posture for a long time the exoskeleton 's joints can be blocked .
In December 2019 , experts at the central research institute of precision instrument engineering TsNIITochMash ( an affiliate of Rostec ) , which is working on the combat gear of the future Sotnik , said that in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of passive unpowered exoskeletons for carrying heavy weights would begin .
The manufacturing of active exoskeletons may commence in four to six years ' time .
Rostec then recalled that the already developed sample of a passive exoskeleton that helps personnel carry heavy loads had been tested in combat , including the operation in Syria .
The corporation 's press service did not rule out that the exoskeleton would be an integral part of the third generation combat gear Sotnik .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. Russia's corporation Rostec has demonstrated some tests of unique exoskeletons, developed for the army and industry by the company Rostec - Trusted Platforms Robotic Complexes.
Certification testing of first combat exoskeleton to be over by 2020
A video the company released on Monday shows a soldier in full combat gear moving across rugged terrain, running, squatting, jumping onto a high platform, getting into a motor vehicle and ascending a stairway.
"The exoskeleton is hidden beneath the clothes and gear. It does not hinder the soldier's movements, but on the contrary eases the strain on the locomotor system. It allows for easily carrying up to 60 kilograms of combat equipment and weapons, while its own weight is six kilograms," the video explains.
For staying in one posture for a long time the exoskeleton's joints can be blocked.
In December 2019, experts at the central research institute of precision instrument engineering TsNIITochMash (an affiliate of Rostec), which is working on the combat gear of the future Sotnik, said that in two or three years' time serial production of passive unpowered exoskeletons for carrying heavy weights would begin. The manufacturing of active exoskeletons may commence in four to six years' time.
Rostec then recalled that the already developed sample of a passive exoskeleton that helps personnel carry heavy loads had been tested in combat, including the operation in Syria. The corporation's press service did not rule out that the exoskeleton would be an integral part of the third generation combat gear Sotnik.


tass--2020-09-28--Berlin sees no reason to refuse consular access to Navalny, leaves it up to him

BERLIN , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The German government doesn ’ t see any valid reason to refuse Russia consular access to opposition figure Alexey Navalny , but leaves it up to him to decide whether to meet with Russian diplomats , spokesperson for the German government Maria Adebahr told a briefing Monday .
`` I would like to reiterate that it is not like it can be read that the German Foreign Ministry allegedly somehow restricted the Russian embassy ’ s access to Navalny .
In a note on September 23 , the German Foreign Ministry said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats ] are wishing to pay a consular visit , '' she said .
According to Adebahr , the German government `` strictly adheres to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations . ''
`` However , it is naturally like that : Navalny is free to make a decision regarding this consular visit , whether he wants it or not , '' she claimed .
Earlier , Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung that the German side is not willing to cooperate on the alleged poisoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian authorities need the test results `` to generally launch the procedure of opening criminal proceedings . ''
He also underlined that the diplomats had requested consular access to Navalny , `` but this request is still unanswered . ''
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the German Foreign Office had not provided the Russian ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident .

BERLIN, September 28. /TASS/. The German government doesn’t see any valid reason to refuse Russia consular access to opposition figure Alexey Navalny, but leaves it up to him to decide whether to meet with Russian diplomats, spokesperson for the German government Maria Adebahr told a briefing Monday.
"I would like to reiterate that it is not like it can be read that the German Foreign Ministry allegedly somehow restricted the Russian embassy’s access to Navalny. In a note on September 23, the German Foreign Ministry said that Navalny would be informed that [Russian diplomats] are wishing to pay a consular visit," she said. According to Adebahr, the German government "strictly adheres to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations."
"However, it is naturally like that: Navalny is free to make a decision regarding this consular visit, whether he wants it or not," she claimed.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung that the German side is not willing to cooperate on the alleged poisoning of Navalny. Nechayev pointed out that the Russian authorities need the test results "to generally launch the procedure of opening criminal proceedings." He also underlined that the diplomats had requested consular access to Navalny, "but this request is still unanswered."
Navalny case
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the German Foreign Office had not provided the Russian ambassador with any proof of its version of the incident.


tass--2020-09-28--Armenian Foreign Ministry says Turkey sending mercenaries from Middle East to Karabakh

YEREVAN , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
Armenia ’ s Foreign Ministry has information that the Turkish authorities are recruiting mercenaries in the Middle East to be deployed in the conflict zone in Nagorno-Karabakh , the ministry ’ s spokeswoman , Anna Nagdalyan , said on Monday .
`` Turkish instructors are fighting along with the Azerbaijanis [ in Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS ] .
They use Turkish weapons , including drones and aircraft .
We also have information that Turkey is recruiting terrorists and mercenaries in some of the Middle Eastern countries and is sending them to Azerbaijan , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fact , two countries - Turkey and Azerbaijan - are currently fighting against Artsakh ( the non-recognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic ) , '' she said .
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27 , when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia .
Armenia , in turn , said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh .
It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh , including its administrative center Stepanakert , had come under shelling by Azerbaijan .
Both sides report casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

YEREVAN, September 28. /TASS/. Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has information that the Turkish authorities are recruiting mercenaries in the Middle East to be deployed in the conflict zone in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ministry’s spokeswoman, Anna Nagdalyan, said on Monday.
"Turkish instructors are fighting along with the Azerbaijanis [in Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS]. They use Turkish weapons, including drones and aircraft. We also have information that Turkey is recruiting terrorists and mercenaries in some of the Middle Eastern countries and is sending them to Azerbaijan," she said.
"As a matter of fact, two countries - Turkey and Azerbaijan - are currently fighting against Artsakh (the non-recognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic)," she said.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, when Azerbaijan said its positions had come under extensive fire from Armenia. Armenia, in turn, said the Azerbaijani army had staged an offensive in the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh. It said a number of settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, including its administrative center Stepanakert, had come under shelling by Azerbaijan. Both sides report casualties, including among civilians. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have imposed martial law.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-09-28--Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region

On September 27 , Baku said that Armenia had shelled the Azerbaijani army ’ s positions and Yerevan , in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Armed Forces had launched an offensive towards Nagorno-Karabakh , shelling regional settlements , @ @ @ @ @ .
Both parties reported casualties , including civilian casualties .
The Armenian authorities declared martial @ @ @ @ @ .
Azerbaijan also declared martial law and announced a partial military mobilization .
The conflict @ @ @ @ @ the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the @ @ @ @ @ withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and @ @ @ @ @ for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them @ @ @ @ @ settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its @ @ @ @ @ France and the United States .

On September 27, Baku said that Armenia had shelled the Azerbaijani army’s positions and Yerevan, in turn, claimed that Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces had launched an offensive towards Nagorno-Karabakh, shelling regional settlements, including the capital, Stepanakert. Both parties reported casualties, including civilian casualties. The Armenian authorities declared martial law and announced a mobilization. Azerbaijan also declared martial law and announced a partial military mobilization.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-09-28--Another spring peak of COVID-19 epidemic in Russia is not likely, expert says

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The repeat of May peak incidence of the coronavirus infection in Russia is not likely , Vladimir Chulanov , chief non-resident expert on infectious diseases of the Russian Healthcare Ministry told TASS on Monday .
`` I think that it is not likely , '' he said in response to a corresponding question .
`` In all likelihood , there will be a peak [ of incidence ] but we won ’ t have the spike which was observed , for example , in early May .
Now we have the expected increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
On Monday the number of daily detected cases of the coronavirus infection in the country for the first time since June surpassed 8,000 , while the infection spread coefficient , according to TASS calculations , was at the level recorded in early May .
`` Currently an increase in incidence is being observed , < ... > this is an expected phenomenon .
In autumn , after the vacation period is over , the formation of new working groups , educational groups , groups of students there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social contacts increases .
Additionally , < ... > in late September - early October a new epidemic season of respiratory infections will begin which < ... > will also aid in a more intensive spread of the virus .
So for some time the incidence will continue to grow , '' the expert explained .
The expert on infectious diseases noted that currently it is difficult to forecast for how long the incidence will continue to increase .
According to him , in many ways this depends on citizens acting responsibly when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevention including the mask regime , social distancing and other restrictions .
`` This is a very important moment .
< ... > Lately , it is obvious that both on transport and in public places people began to observe these rules more carelessly .
< ... > It is very difficult to say at this point when the incidence stabilizes , this is rather hard to forecast , '' he said .
`` In my opinion , this growth is ordinary , it won ’ t reach the scale observed in April-May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to observe the safety precautions , the development of the epidemiologic situation in many ways depends on this , '' the expert concluded .
To date , 1,159,573 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 945,920 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 20,385 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. The repeat of May peak incidence of the coronavirus infection in Russia is not likely, Vladimir Chulanov, chief non-resident expert on infectious diseases of the Russian Healthcare Ministry told TASS on Monday.
"I think that it is not likely," he said in response to a corresponding question. "In all likelihood, there will be a peak [of incidence] but we won’t have the spike which was observed, for example, in early May. Now we have the expected increase in incidence due to understandable reasons," he added.
On Monday the number of daily detected cases of the coronavirus infection in the country for the first time since June surpassed 8,000, while the infection spread coefficient, according to TASS calculations, was at the level recorded in early May.
"Currently an increase in incidence is being observed, <...> this is an expected phenomenon. In autumn, after the vacation period is over, the formation of new working groups, educational groups, groups of students there will be increased incidence, because the frequency of social contacts increases. Additionally, <...> in late September - early October a new epidemic season of respiratory infections will begin which <...> will also aid in a more intensive spread of the virus. So for some time the incidence will continue to grow," the expert explained.
The expert on infectious diseases noted that currently it is difficult to forecast for how long the incidence will continue to increase. According to him, in many ways this depends on citizens acting responsibly when observing the safety measures and the virus prevention including the mask regime, social distancing and other restrictions. "This is a very important moment. <...> Lately, it is obvious that both on transport and in public places people began to observe these rules more carelessly. <...> It is very difficult to say at this point when the incidence stabilizes, this is rather hard to forecast," he said.
"In my opinion, this growth is ordinary, it won’t reach the scale observed in April-May of this year. People definitely need to observe the safety precautions, the development of the epidemiologic situation in many ways depends on this," the expert concluded.
To date, 1,159,573 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 945,920 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 20,385 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-28--WHO records lower coronavirus mortality across the globe

MOSCOW , September 28/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) reports a decline in coronavirus fatalities across the globe , Hans Henri Kluge , WHO regional director for Europe , said in an interview with TASS .
`` There is [ an ] increasing [ number ] of cases , but lower mortality and less people in hospitals , and less people in intensive care units , '' he said .
According to Hans Henri Kluge , it would be premature to link this to a mutation .
`` One of the reasons may be that the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before ] < ... > how to protect themselves and also the governments [ know better than before what measures are needed — TASS ] , '' he said .
`` In several UN countries it was a catastrophe , with elderly people , '' he said , adding that now the governments and the elderly know what to do .
`` But again , in the winter this might change , '' he cautioned .
`` Another lesson that [ we can learn from ] Russia < ... > is < ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , '' the WHO official went on to say .
`` Professor Popova from Rospotrebnadzor [ sanitary watchdog ] was telling me and also [ Deputy Prime Minister ] Tatyana Alexeevna Golikova that by instruction of the president up to 60 % of the population is to be vaccinated .
I think about 13 % of the population or something is already vaccinated , '' he stressed .
`` We think about COVID-19 .
First let us think about all the vaccines that we have already , '' Hans Kluge said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The expert stressed that he planned to get a flu shot in Copenhagen .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, September 28/TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a decline in coronavirus fatalities across the globe, Hans Henri Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said in an interview with TASS.
"There is [an] increasing [number] of cases, but lower mortality and less people in hospitals, and less people in intensive care units," he said. According to Hans Henri Kluge, it would be premature to link this to a mutation. "One of the reasons may be that the elderly people know much better [now than before] <...> how to protect themselves and also the governments [know better than before what measures are needed — TASS]," he said.
"In several UN countries it was a catastrophe, with elderly people," he said, adding that now the governments and the elderly know what to do. "But again, in the winter this might change," he cautioned.
"Another lesson that [we can learn from] Russia <...> is <...> the coverage of influenza [vaccination]," the WHO official went on to say.
"Professor Popova from Rospotrebnadzor [sanitary watchdog] was telling me and also [Deputy Prime Minister] Tatyana Alexeevna Golikova that by instruction of the president up to 60% of the population is to be vaccinated. I think about 13% of the population or something is already vaccinated," he stressed.
"We think about COVID-19. First let us think about all the vaccines that we have already," Hans Kluge said, referring to flu and pneumococcal vaccines. The expert stressed that he planned to get a flu shot in Copenhagen.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-09-28--Coronavirus can become seasonal infection — WHO director for Europe

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
World Health Organization ( WHO ) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge is @ @ @ @ @ that the coronavirus can become a seasonal infection .
He underlined that coronaviruses belong to @ @ @ @ @ viruses .
`` So , in that sense it could become seasonal , '' he @ @ @ @ @ is , because I am an optimist , I hope for the best , but @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
@ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every @ @ @ @ @ On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ , over 32,800,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 994,000 deaths have been @ @

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge is not ruling out the possibility that the coronavirus can become a seasonal infection.
He underlined that coronaviruses belong to the same group as influenza viruses. "So, in that sense it could become seasonal," he noted. "My principle is, because I am an optimist, I hope for the best, but I prepare for the worst."
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the world.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 32,800,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 994,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-09-28--WHO still has no data about coronavirus origin

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) so far has no complete data @ @ @ @ @ whether it is natural or not , studies continues , Hans Henri Kluge , WHO @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview with TASS .
According to Kluge , this matter is being @ @ @ @ @ , and the WHO has been invited .
`` So this is ongoing and this @ @ @ @ @ to find out .
But I can say nothing more because this is ongoing and @ @ @ @ @ to jeorpardize that very-very important process .
The most important for this is we are @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Touching on a possibility of a new pandemic , he noted @ @ @ @ @ when .
Because this one we also predicted and still we were caught off guard @ @ @ @ @ the lesson there is not so much whether we will have another pandemic , but @ @ @ @ @ , '' he stressed .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) so far has no complete data on the coronavirus origins, whether it is natural or not, studies continues, Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in an interview with TASS.
According to Kluge, this matter is being studied by the Chinese experts, and the WHO has been invited. "So this is ongoing and this is very important of course to find out. But I can say nothing more because this is ongoing and I don’t want to jeorpardize that very-very important process. The most important for this is we are a part of this," he said.
Touching on a possibility of a new pandemic, he noted, "The question is when. Because this one we also predicted and still we were caught off guard."
"So, the lesson there is not so much whether we will have another pandemic, but how to be better prepared," he stressed.


tass--2020-09-28--Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway line construction to start in 2021

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/TASS/ .
The construction of the high-speed railway line between Moscow and St. Petersburg is @ @ @ @ @ , First Deputy Transport Minister Innokenty Alafinov said on Monday , adding that exit from @ @ @ @ @ 2024 .
`` Implementation of the first stage of the high-speed line [ project ] @ @ @ @ @ That is exit from Moscow , which will be completed by 2024 , '' he @ @ @ @ @ projects for comprehensive modernization and expansion of trunk infrastructure .
The project may be complete @ @ @ @ @ minister added .
In April 2019 , Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the idea of @ @ @ @ @ line .
The cost of the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway line construction was preliminarily estimated @ @ @ @ @ $ 23.9 bln ) as announced in June 2019 by Maxim Akimov who was then @ @ @ @ @ minister .

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. The construction of the high-speed railway line between Moscow and St. Petersburg is planned to start in 2021, First Deputy Transport Minister Innokenty Alafinov said on Monday, adding that exit from Moscow will be built by 2024.
"Implementation of the first stage of the high-speed line [project] will start next year. That is exit from Moscow, which will be completed by 2024," he said when speaking about the projects for comprehensive modernization and expansion of trunk infrastructure.
The project may be complete in 2027, the deputy minister added.
In April 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the idea of the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway line. The cost of the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway line construction was preliminarily estimated at 1.5 trillion rubles ($23.9 bln) as announced in June 2019 by Maxim Akimov who was then Russia’s deputy prime minister.


tass--2020-09-28--Losses of global economy from cyberattacks could reach $8 trillion in 2022 — Lavrov

According to Lavrov , the global community is facing a `` cyber pandemic . ''
`` Acts of cyber terrorism are of deep concern , as well as the growing number of ‘ attacks ’ on healthcare , financial and educational facilities and international organizations , detected during the epidemic , '' he said .
Lavrov noted that criminal activity in cyberspace , according to the rating of the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) , poses one of the five global risks and threatens the existence and successful functioning of entire industries .
`` According to the WEF , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global economy from cyberattacks are estimated at $ 2.5 trillion , and by 2022 this figure may reach $ 8 trillion , '' he said .
According to Lavrov , global information space could turn into the theater of new war operations because of actions carried out by some countries .
He noted that some capitals are trying to impose their rules in the cybersecurity sphere .
`` They are seeking to preserve technological advantages and continue taking unilateral coercive steps in the sphere of information and communications technology ( ICT ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to independently apportion blame for cyber incidents , '' the top diplomat explained .
`` All this could finally turn the global information space into a new theater of war operations . ''
Meanwhile , the Russian foreign minister noted that Russia ’ s principal stance in this field enjoys the broadest support in the world .
`` In 2018 , the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly adopted our resolution by the overwhelming majority of votes , which did not only outline the initial list of rules of behavior for states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective negotiating mechanism in the format of a special open-ended working group for solving the problem of ensuring international information security under the UN auspices , '' Lavrov noted .

According to Lavrov, the global community is facing a "cyber pandemic." "Acts of cyber terrorism are of deep concern, as well as the growing number of ‘attacks’ on healthcare, financial and educational facilities and international organizations, detected during the epidemic," he said.
Lavrov noted that criminal activity in cyberspace, according to the rating of the World Economic Forum (WEF), poses one of the five global risks and threatens the existence and successful functioning of entire industries. "According to the WEF, in 2019 alone, the losses of the global economy from cyberattacks are estimated at $2.5 trillion, and by 2022 this figure may reach $8 trillion," he said.
According to Lavrov, global information space could turn into the theater of new war operations because of actions carried out by some countries. He noted that some capitals are trying to impose their rules in the cybersecurity sphere. "They are seeking to preserve technological advantages and continue taking unilateral coercive steps in the sphere of information and communications technology (ICT) in order to finally arrogate the right to independently apportion blame for cyber incidents," the top diplomat explained. "All this could finally turn the global information space into a new theater of war operations."
Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minister noted that Russia’s principal stance in this field enjoys the broadest support in the world. "In 2018, the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly adopted our resolution by the overwhelming majority of votes, which did not only outline the initial list of rules of behavior for states in the information space but also created an effective negotiating mechanism in the format of a special open-ended working group for solving the problem of ensuring international information security under the UN auspices," Lavrov noted.


tass--2020-09-28--Euro rate at Moscow Exchange tops 92 rubles first time since January 2016

MOSCOW , September 28 .
/ TASS / .
The euro rate during the course of trading on the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ to the level of the previous session 's closing and reached 92.03 rubles , according @ @ @ @ @ trading floor as of 16:28 Moscow time on Monday .
The last time the euro @ @ @ @ @ in January 2016 .
By 16:36 Moscow time , the euro slowed down to 1.15 @ @ @ @ @ level of 91.98 rubles .
The dollar rate grew by 0.75 % up to 78.8 @ @ @ @ @ the December Brent oil futures contract on the ICE exchange in London decreased by 0.09 @ @ @ @ @ per barrel .
The WTI crude oil went down by 0.1 % and is traded @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, September 28. / TASS /. The euro rate during the course of trading on the Moscow Exchange rose by 1.2% to the level of the previous session's closing and reached 92.03 rubles, according to the data of the trading floor as of 16:28 Moscow time on Monday.
The last time the euro rose above 92 rubles was in January 2016.
By 16:36 Moscow time, the euro slowed down to 1.15% and was at the level of 91.98 rubles. The dollar rate grew by 0.75% up to 78.8 rubles.
The cost of the December Brent oil futures contract on the ICE exchange in London decreased by 0.09% - to $42.36 per barrel. The WTI crude oil went down by 0.1% and is traded at $40.21 per barrel.


tass--2020-09-28--International professionals experienced the wonders of the island of Hainan in China

BEIJING , Sept. 28 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Recently , `` Be together , in a better Hainan '' global delegation toured the entire island of Hainan island , China .
The total 25 participants not only experienced the beauty of the island , they also dedicated themselves in terms of promoting the culture and tourism of Hainan on a global stage .
`` To see it once is more important than to hear about it over 100 times .
By experiencing the beauty of nature and amazing local culture , I really can feel the uniqueness of Hainan culture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniqueness , '' said Syrian participant Sam .
As the first ever global tourism promotion after the new release of `` Overall plan for the construction of Hainan free trade port '' policy , the event was organized by the Department of Tourism , Culture , Radio , Television and Sports of Hainan province , aiming to promote global engagement , and promote the Hainan Free Trade Port global image in order to develop the island as the top tourist destination after COVID-19 .
As part of the `` Be together , be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 16 different countries were selected to join the `` Be together , in a better Hainan '' tour .
The delegation consisted of influencers , diplomats , tourism agency representatives , scholars , media experts , and entrepreneurs .
They started on 19th September , 2020 in the city of Haikou for the around-the-island tour .
During the tour , local sceneries such as Haikou historical Qilou old street , Baoting tropical rainforest and the beautiful beaches along the Sanya coastline impressed the international visitors .
Ms Olga , the event hostess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is an environmental activist and used to come to Hainan every year .
But this time , Ms Olga observed a different view of what this island could offer , `` The organizers have extremely taken care of us , which impressed me a lot on how much Hainan is focusing on eco-tourism development in a long run . ''
Another participant , from the Czech Republic , Ms Zina is a famous TikTok influencer .
She documented the whole tour by hosting livestream sessions .
Either enjoying coconut chicken soup , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) with Li minority women , Zina showed her online community the best moments from this trip .
`` What a wonderful trip , to enjoy the beauty of Hainan island at the most .
And more importantly , the hospitality of Hainan people also impressed the delegation really a lot .
This is what happens , when different cultures , different mindsets , and different concepts are jointly mixing together , to rediscover the beauty of Hainan .
Event like this could generate more hope to our world , in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With that being said , a more opening , more sustainable and more welcoming Hainan , is now ready to welcome everybody from different parts of the world . ''
This article is written by FAB World Culture & Comms Ltd .

BEIJING, Sept. 28. /PRNewswire/. Recently, "Be together, in a better Hainan" global delegation toured the entire island of Hainan island, China. The total 25 participants not only experienced the beauty of the island, they also dedicated themselves in terms of promoting the culture and tourism of Hainan on a global stage.
"To see it once is more important than to hear about it over 100 times. By experiencing the beauty of nature and amazing local culture, I really can feel the uniqueness of Hainan culture, meanwhile learning to understand and respect the uniqueness," said Syrian participant Sam.
As the first ever global tourism promotion after the new release of "Overall plan for the construction of Hainan free trade port" policy, the event was organized by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan province, aiming to promote global engagement, and promote the Hainan Free Trade Port global image in order to develop the island as the top tourist destination after COVID-19.
As part of the "Be together, be better" themed event series, participants from 16 different countries were selected to join the "Be together, in a better Hainan" tour. The delegation consisted of influencers, diplomats, tourism agency representatives, scholars, media experts, and entrepreneurs. They started on 19th September, 2020 in the city of Haikou for the around-the-island tour.
During the tour, local sceneries such as Haikou historical Qilou old street, Baoting tropical rainforest and the beautiful beaches along the Sanya coastline impressed the international visitors.
Ms Olga, the event hostess, is from the Russian Federation. She is an environmental activist and used to come to Hainan every year. But this time, Ms Olga observed a different view of what this island could offer, "The organizers have extremely taken care of us, which impressed me a lot on how much Hainan is focusing on eco-tourism development in a long run."
Another participant, from the Czech Republic, Ms Zina is a famous TikTok influencer. She documented the whole tour by hosting livestream sessions. Either enjoying coconut chicken soup, or making Cipa (traditional local food) with Li minority women, Zina showed her online community the best moments from this trip.
"What a wonderful trip, to enjoy the beauty of Hainan island at the most. And more importantly, the hospitality of Hainan people also impressed the delegation really a lot. This is what happens, when different cultures, different mindsets, and different concepts are jointly mixing together, to rediscover the beauty of Hainan. Event like this could generate more hope to our world, in terms of focusing on communication, engagement and cooperation. With that being said, a more opening, more sustainable and more welcoming Hainan, is now ready to welcome everybody from different parts of the world." This article is written by FAB World Culture & Comms Ltd.


tass--2020-09-28--Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone Creates New Heights of Inland Openness

CHANGSHA , Sept. 28 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Recently , China ( Hunan ) Pilot Free Trade Zone has been officially approved .
So far , 21 Free Trade Zones have been established in China .
The movement that Hunan joins into the framework of Free Trade Zone will contribute for the coordinated development in Central China .
Relying on their advantageous locations , cities as Yueyang , Changsha and Chenzhou , have grown up to be the corridor for international cooperation , investment and trade , according to the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province .
It is aimed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pilot zone for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation .
Owing to the ancient Silk Road and the proposal of Belt and Road Initiative , Hunan has come with a good foundation for economic trade cooperation with Africa , as they share a high degree of industrial fit and strong market complementarity .
Hunan has been leading the way in economic and trade cooperation with Africa at the level of provinces , cities and autonomous regions .
In 2019 , Hunan not only successfully hosted the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
By hosting the Expo , Hunan will be able to attract more investments and cooperations .
Based on the competitive industries , including equipment manufacturing , energy and electricity , infrastructure and agricultural processing , Hunan is designed to build logistics channels to Africa and explore Hunan mode for China 's local economic and trade cooperation with Africa .
In 2019 , the total import and export value of Hunan exceeded 430 billion yuan for the first time , reaching a record high .
The growth rate of foreign trade was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Among which , the trade volume to the countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 54 % , and the import and export volume reached 124.8 billion yuan .
Supported by the existing competitive industries , such as construction machinery ( SANY and ZOOMLION ) , railway transportation equipment ( CRRC ) and intelligent equipment ( SUNWARD ) , Hunan sped up the construction of innovation platform and industrial Internet , and joined the international competition of high-end equipment manufacturing and maintenance , so as to form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division competition and cooperation .
This is not only in line with the needs of China 's sustainable development , but also in line with the world 's fourth industrial revolution featuring returning to the manufacturing industry through intellectualization .

CHANGSHA, Sept. 28. /PRNewswire/. Recently, China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone has been officially approved. So far, 21 Free Trade Zones have been established in China.
The movement that Hunan joins into the framework of Free Trade Zone will contribute for the coordinated development in Central China. Relying on their advantageous locations, cities as Yueyang, Changsha and Chenzhou, have grown up to be the corridor for international cooperation, investment and trade, according to the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province. It is aimed to build Hunan a world-class manufacturing cluster and a pilot zone for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.
Owing to the ancient Silk Road and the proposal of Belt and Road Initiative, Hunan has come with a good foundation for economic trade cooperation with Africa, as they share a high degree of industrial fit and strong market complementarity. Hunan has been leading the way in economic and trade cooperation with Africa at the level of provinces, cities and autonomous regions. In 2019, Hunan not only successfully hosted the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, but also won the permanent residence of it. By hosting the Expo, Hunan will be able to attract more investments and cooperations. Based on the competitive industries, including equipment manufacturing, energy and electricity, infrastructure and agricultural processing, Hunan is designed to build logistics channels to Africa and explore Hunan mode for China's local economic and trade cooperation with Africa.
In 2019, the total import and export value of Hunan exceeded 430 billion yuan for the first time, reaching a record high. The growth rate of foreign trade was 41.2%, ranking first in the country. Among which, the trade volume to the countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 54%, and the import and export volume reached 124.8 billion yuan.
Supported by the existing competitive industries, such as construction machinery (SANY and ZOOMLION), railway transportation equipment (CRRC) and intelligent equipment (SUNWARD), Hunan sped up the construction of innovation platform and industrial Internet, and joined the international competition of high-end equipment manufacturing and maintenance, so as to form new advantages of participating in global industrial division competition and cooperation. This is not only in line with the needs of China's sustainable development, but also in line with the world's fourth industrial revolution featuring returning to the manufacturing industry through intellectualization.


tass--2020-09-28--Maybelline New York Launches Program to Support Anxiety and Depression Worldwide

NEW YORK , Sept. 28 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Around the world , people are living with anxiety and depression .
Anxiety affects more than 284 million people .
Depression affects more than 264 million .
Half of all mental health conditions start by age 14 , and with Covid-19 , these numbers are rising .
As the No .
1 international makeup brand , Maybelline New York has an opportunity to provide the right support to help tackle obstacles that stand in the way of women and young adults making their mark .
We are launching the Maybelline Brave Together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and depression , provide critical one-on-one support and help everyone , everywhere bravely take on their world .
Over the past two years , Maybelline facilitated expert-led research and conducted focus groups to better understand the topic of mental health .
Maybelline has also been working with non-profit partners CRISIS TEXT LINE , JED , AND NAMI to have a tangible impact on people struggling with anxiety and depression .
In a world where 1 in 5 are estimated to be affected by anxiety and depression , women are disproportionately impacted .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untreated .
`` Maybelline has always believed in the power of making things happen in your life .
And we know that mental health is critical in feeling ready to do that , '' says Trisha Ayyagari , Global Brand President , Maybelline New York .
`` We want to use our global voice to de-stigmatize the conversation around mental health and make support easily accessible .
Now , more than ever , we need to be there for those living with anxiety and depression . ''
By partnering with leading non-profit organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to , break down the stigma around anxiety and depression , provide cross-generational support and resources , and foster a culture that lets those who are struggling and their loved ones know that they are not alone .
The specially curated online site will give people around the world access to an online community featuring real-world inspiration and stories from people on their own mental health journey , as well as mental health experts , tips , and resources .
`` One of the program 's key experts is Dr. Kathleen Pike , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University Irving Medical Center and the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health .
Dr. Pike is a scientific advisor to the Brave Together program and is leading a global study , funded by Maybelline , on the rates and reasons for anxiety and depression specific to Gen Z women .
`` There is a pressing need for a program like this right now , and I am proud to work with Maybelline on designing a community for those seeking to learn , listen , and inspire open and brave conversations around emotional well-being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are , Maybelline has partnered with leading non-profit Crisis Text Line to provide increased access to free , 24/7 confidential crisis counseling via text message – those in need can text TOGETHER to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor .
In the spirit of togetherness and cultivating a true global culture of support for anxiety and depression , Maybelline is committed to investing $ 10M over the next five years to mental health organizations worldwide who share our goal of making a real difference .
Join the conversation online at www.maybelline.com/bravetogether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and # BraveTogether .

NEW YORK, Sept. 28. /PRNewswire/. Around the world, people are living with anxiety and depression. Anxiety affects more than 284 million people. Depression affects more than 264 million. Half of all mental health conditions start by age 14, and with Covid-19, these numbers are rising. As the No. 1 international makeup brand, Maybelline New York has an opportunity to provide the right support to help tackle obstacles that stand in the way of women and young adults making their mark. We are launching the Maybelline Brave Together global cause program to help destigmatize anxiety and depression, provide critical one-on-one support and help everyone, everywhere bravely take on their world.
Over the past two years, Maybelline facilitated expert-led research and conducted focus groups to better understand the topic of mental health. Maybelline has also been working with non-profit partners CRISIS TEXT LINE, JED, AND NAMI to have a tangible impact on people struggling with anxiety and depression. In a world where 1 in 5 are estimated to be affected by anxiety and depression, women are disproportionately impacted. And most mental health conditions are undeterred or untreated.
"Maybelline has always believed in the power of making things happen in your life. And we know that mental health is critical in feeling ready to do that," says Trisha Ayyagari, Global Brand President, Maybelline New York. "We want to use our global voice to de-stigmatize the conversation around mental health and make support easily accessible. Now, more than ever, we need to be there for those living with anxiety and depression."
By partnering with leading non-profit organizations, Maybelline's Brave Together program aims to, break down the stigma around anxiety and depression, provide cross-generational support and resources, and foster a culture that lets those who are struggling and their loved ones know that they are not alone. The specially curated online site will give people around the world access to an online community featuring real-world inspiration and stories from people on their own mental health journey, as well as mental health experts, tips, and resources.
"One of the program's key experts is Dr. Kathleen Pike, clinical psychologist and professor at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Pike is a scientific advisor to the Brave Together program and is leading a global study, funded by Maybelline, on the rates and reasons for anxiety and depression specific to Gen Z women. "There is a pressing need for a program like this right now, and I am proud to work with Maybelline on designing a community for those seeking to learn, listen, and inspire open and brave conversations around emotional well-being."
To meet our community where they are, Maybelline has partnered with leading non-profit Crisis Text Line to provide increased access to free, 24/7 confidential crisis counseling via text message – those in need can text TOGETHER to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
In the spirit of togetherness and cultivating a true global culture of support for anxiety and depression, Maybelline is committed to investing $10M over the next five years to mental health organizations worldwide who share our goal of making a real difference. Join the conversation online at www.maybelline.com/bravetogether or on Instagram by tagging @Maybelline and #BraveTogether.