Day: May 3, 2024

The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for July delivery has dropped below $83 per barrel on London's ICE for the first time since March 13, according to trading data, APA reports citing TASS. As of 9:28 p.m. Moscow time (6:28 p.m. GMT) the Brent price was down by 0.91% at $82.94 per barrel. As of 9:40 p.m. Moscow time (6:40 p.m. GMT) the Brent price was down by 1.02% at $82.85 per barrel whereas the price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil for June delivery was down by 1.01% at $78.44 per barrel. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, APA reports. During the meeting, they praised the successful development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across various areas, particularly in the energy sector. The sides emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries within OPEC+. The parties highlighted the successful collaboration in Azerbaijan between the country and ACWA Power, a leading company from Saudi Arabia, in the field of renewable energy, noting the promising potential in this area. They also touched upon the importance of Azerbaijan hosting COP29. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

Within the framework of the Dialogue Forum, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli had another meeting on May 3 with Sri Lanka's Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka, the Ministry told APA. During the conversation, cooperation in the field of preservation of cultural heritage was discussed. Saying that his country has rich traditions related to the preservation of cultural heritage, the Sri Lankan Minister pointed out that they can share their experiences in this field with Azerbaijan. Vidura Wickramanayaka invited the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan for an official visit to Sri Lanka. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

On May 3, the 31st meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State News Agencies (CIS Information Council) was held in Baku, APA reports. The meeting was organized at the building of Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC). The leaders of the AZERTAC, TASS, BELTA, Kabar and Khovar agencies and their deputies, who attended the meeting, discussed the perspective directions of cooperation in the year of the Russian Federation's CIS presidency, as well as the issues of professional mutual activity in preparation for marking the 80th anniversary of the II World War next year. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

Today, the European Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics kicks off in Baku, Apasport.az reports. 160 athletes representing 37 countries are demonstrating their skills in the competition held at Azerbaijan National Gymnastics Arena. Azerbaijan is represented in the tournament by the team consisting of Zohra Aghamirova and Kamilla Seyidzade in the individual program, and Zeynab Hummatova, Gullu Aghalarzade, Darya Sorokina, Yelizaveta Luzan, Leman Alimuradova and Kamilla Aliyeva in the group exercise program. In accordance with the program of the three-day cup, great individual gymnasts are competing with the system of "cross-meetings". Thus, they will compete against each other to advance to the final stage after the qualification competitions. The winners of the European Cup will be determined in the individual and all-around program, as well as in the team score. The winners will be awarded medals and prizes as well as cash prizes. In cross-matches, the winner will win 8000, second place 5000, third place 3000, fo urth place 2000, 5th-8th place 1000 each, 9th-16th place 500 euros each. The winner of the all-around among the senior group exercise teams will be awarded 5,000 euros, the silver medalist will be awarded 3,500 euros, and the bronze medalist will awarded 2,500 euros. In the competition of youth age groups, the winner of the team will receive 1300 euros, the second place winner will receive 1000 euros, and the third place winner will receive 700 euros. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

On May 3, Azerbaijan's military serviceman Ahmadov Fuad Jalal, who was injured as a result of a personal car accident in Kalbajar district, died, the Ministry of Defense released information, APA reports. According to information, other military personnel who were injured as a result of the accident and were evacuated to a nearby military medical facility are under the supervision of our doctors. "An investigation is underway into the traffic accident that took place outside of service," the Ministry of Defense said. ***14:56 A traffic collision occurred in Kalbajar district of Azerbaijan, APA's local bureau reports. The accident was registered in the Gozlu village of the district. A truck collided with a passenger car. 5 people were injured in the accident. The injured people were placed in the hospital. District Police Department's employees were involved in the scene. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

The Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov has met with Gert Jan Koopman, the Director-General of the Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission, the Minister posted on his X account, APA-Economics reports. 'During the meeting with Gert Jan Koopman, Director General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, we discussed a wide range of cooperation prospects, including the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan in Azerbaijan within the EU's Eastern Partnership priorities for 2021-2025, collaboration with the European Union within COP29, common directions for cooperation with the EU,' - M. Jabbarov noted. Source: Azeri-Press news agency

Turkish defense company Baykar's domestically developed armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Bayraktar TB3 broke an altitude record Thursday with a domestically produced engine, reaching 33,000 feet in a performance test, Anadolu Agency reports. According to a statement from Baykar, the testing process for the Bayraktar TB3 has continued successfully. After making its first flight for the Turkish Republic's 100th anniversary on Oct. 27, 2023, successfully conducting medium and high-altitude performance tests, the Bayraktar TB3 UAV completed the High Altitude System Performance Test on Thursday, reaching a record altitude. The UAV successfully completed the test at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Corlu district of Tekirdag with the PD-170 engine developed by TUSAS Engine Industries Inc., or TEI. The altitude record belongs to the Bayraktar AKINCI TIHA unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Baykar, at 45,118 feet. The Bayraktar TB3 UAV logged a total of 327 hours and 35 minutes in test flights, including a remarkable 32-hour continuous flight covering 5,700 kilometers (3,541 miles) on Dec. 20, 2023. On March 26 this year, it achieved another milestone by successfully flying with the domestically developed ASELFLIR-500 system, known for its superior performance globally. Equipped with foldable wings, the Bayraktar TB3 will become the first armed UAV capable of operating from short-runway ships like the TCG Anadolu. This advancement, coupled with its beyond line-of-sight communication capability, positions it as a game-changer in reconnaissance, intelligence and attack missions, enhancing Trkiye's deterrent capabilities significantly. Baykar, largely self-funded, has relied on exports for 83% of its revenue since 2003, becoming the defense and aviation sector's export leader, according to the Turkish Exporters Assembly. Recognized by the Presidency of Defense Industries in 2023, Baykar's exports totaled $1.8 billion last year, constituting over 90% of its income and one-third of the sector's total exports in 2023. As the world's largest UAV exporter, Baykar has fulfilled 97.5% of its contracts through exports, with agreements signed with a total of 34 countries, including 33 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and nine countries so far for the Bayraktar AKINCI TIHA. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

The date and agenda of the meeting of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis has been announced, APA reports. The agenda of the meeting, which will be held on May 7, includes 18 issues. Source: Azeri-Press news agency