World Biz
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Key Officials Die in Helicopter Crash
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, along with the country’s foreign minister and several other officials, were found dead on Monday following a helicopter crash in a foggy, mountainous region in northwest Iran, state media reported. Raisi was 63 years old.
The crash occurred amidst ongoing regional tensions fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict, during which Raisi, under the guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had recently ordered an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel. Raisi’s tenure saw Iran enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels, escalating tensions with Western nations, while also supplying drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine and arming regional militia groups.
Domestically, Iran has been grappling with years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy, driven by economic hardships and demands for women’s rights, making this incident particularly sensitive for Tehran.
State television did not immediately provide a cause for the crash, which took place in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Among the deceased was Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, aged 60, as well as the governor of East Azerbaijan province, other officials, and bodyguards, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Early Monday morning, Turkish authorities released drone footage showing a fire in the wilderness, suspected to be the helicopter wreckage. The footage’s coordinates indicated the fire was located about 20 kilometers south of the Azerbaijan-Iranian border on a steep mountain.
Footage from IRNA showed the crash site across a steep valley in a green mountain range, with soldiers speaking in the local Azeri language confirming the wreckage’s location.
Supreme Leader Khamenei had urged the public to pray for Raisi and the other officials’ safe return on Sunday night, expressing hope for their well-being.
“We hope that God the Almighty returns the dear president and his colleagues in full health to the arms of the nation,” Khamenei said, receiving an “amen” from the worshipers he addressed. However, he assured that Iran’s government would continue its operations. Under the Iranian constitution, the vice president assumes the presidency with Khamenei’s approval, and a new presidential election would be held within 50 days if the president dies.
First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber had already begun receiving calls from officials and foreign governments in Raisi’s absence. An emergency cabinet meeting was held, and a statement was issued, pledging to follow Raisi’s path and ensure the country’s management continues smoothly.
Raisi, a hard-liner and former head of the judiciary, was considered a protégé of Khamenei. Analysts had speculated that he might succeed the 85-year-old supreme leader after Khamenei’s death or resignation.
With Raisi’s passing, Mojtaba Khamenei, the 55-year-old son of the supreme leader, is the only other suggested successor. However, there are concerns about the position becoming hereditary, particularly given the Islamic Revolution’s overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy in 1979.
Raisi won the 2021 presidential election, which had the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. He was sanctioned by the U.S. for his role in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.
Under Raisi, Iran enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels and impeded international inspections. The country also armed Russia in its war against Ukraine and launched a large-scale drone-and-missile attack on Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Iran continued to support proxy groups in the Middle East, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Mass protests have persisted in Iran, most notably following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly not wearing a hijab properly. The subsequent crackdown on protests resulted in over 500 deaths and more than 22,000 detentions.
In March, a United Nations panel found Iran responsible for the “physical violence” leading to Amini’s death.
Raisi is the second Iranian president to die in office; President Mohammad Ali Rajai was killed in a bomb blast in 1981 during the turbulent post-revolution period.
The 2025 UN Tourism/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook, held from September 18-20, concluded in Guilin, China, bringing together leading figures from over 20 countries to address the industry’s most pressing challenges. Jointly hosted by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the three-day event centered on building a more resilient, sustainable, and “smart” tourism sector.
- Tourism Governance: Led by UN Tourism, this session featured policy insights and international cooperation models from countries including Slovenia, Indonesia, and Brazil.
- Tourism Resilience in the Asia-Pacific: Organized by PATA, this discussion included practical case studies from Nepal and Spain, providing real-world examples of how destinations are adapting to challenges.
- Tourism Talent Development: Hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this pillar focused on cultivating a skilled workforce to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
A dedicated Guilin Session also explored innovations in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector, with contributions from Greece, South Korea, and China.
A major highlight of the forum was the global launch of UN Tourism’s latest World Tourism Barometer, which provided updated data on international travel flows and economic impacts. Keynote speeches from industry giants like TUI Group offered a deep dive into European tourism markets, while Alipay’s Fliggy showcased new models in digital tourism. These presentations were followed by panels on the future of smart tourism destinations and new methods for tourism economic measurement.
The forum’s opening ceremony on September 19 featured addresses from Liu Shijun of UN Tourism and the President of PATA, along with local leaders. Their insights, combined with valuable case studies from delegates and experts from countries like the Maldives and institutions such as South Korea’s Youngsan University, laid the groundwork for the “Guilin Solutions”—a set of recommendations designed to advance sustainable and intelligent tourism worldwide.
Beyond the formal sessions, delegates were given a first-hand look at Guilin’s efforts to become a world-class tourism destination. Visits to local cultural and tourism landmarks demonstrated how the city is integrating culture, technology, and sustainability into its tourism strategy. The forum not only reinforced Guilin’s position as a hub for international dialogue but also offered concrete steps for building a more resilient and innovative global tourism industry.
US President Joe Biden has expressed his nation’s full backing for Bangladesh and the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that a US president has met with the country’s head of government at a UNGA session, as confirmed by a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Office.
In this unprecedented encounter, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus briefed President Biden on the significant sacrifices made by students who fought against the previous government, leading to the opportunity to rebuild the country. Prof Yunus underscored the importance of succeeding in this national rebuilding effort, calling for US cooperation in the process.
President Biden praised the students’ dedication, stating that their sacrifice calls for further commitment from all, including the US. During the meeting, Prof Yunus presented Biden with a copy of The Art of Triumph, a book featuring wall paintings by students and young revolutionaries.
Prof Yunus, on his first visit to the US as head of Bangladesh’s government, is attending the 79th UNGA, which runs from September 19 to 30. The theme of this year’s debate is “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations.”
Rare Diplomatic Meeting Signals Strengthened US-Bangladesh Ties
Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam highlighted the rarity of such an engagement, noting that the US and Bangladesh already enjoy strong relations. “This meeting elevates our relationship to a new level,” Alam stated, as reported by local media.
Observers suggest that the bilateral meeting, which is uncommon for US presidents during the UNGA, signals Washington’s intention to support Bangladesh through its transitional period. Dhaka is hopeful that the encounter will lead to a new strategic partnership that enhances cooperation on multiple fronts.
Yunus Receives Warm Reception from Global Leaders
Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus was welcomed by several world leaders at a reception hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Held at the North Delegate Lounge in the UN headquarters, the event served to greet the leaders participating in the 79th session of the UNGA.
During the reception, Yunus exchanged greetings with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mauritian President Prithvirajsingh Roopun, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, among others.
Yunus Meets Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau
On the sidelines of the UNGA, Chief Adviser Yunus also met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance Bangladesh-Canada relations, focusing on fostering freedom, institution-building, and youth development in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Trudeau commended Prof Yunus for taking on the leadership role and reiterated Canada’s willingness to support Bangladesh in strengthening its institutions. Prof Yunus, in turn, praised Canada for its enduring friendship and requested increased visa allocations for Bangladeshi students.
The chief adviser also gifted Trudeau The Art of Triumph, further highlighting the contributions of young revolutionaries. In addition to Trudeau, Yunus is scheduled to meet with the managing director of the IMF, the Italian prime minister, and will speak at the Clinton Global Initiative and Friends of Bangladesh events.
Environmental and rights groups urged the European Union Tuesday to label Malaysia’s Sarawak region “high risk” under controversial new anti-deforestation rules to be implemented from the end of December.
The EU’s deforestation regulation (EUDR) is due to come into force at the end of the year, although Germany and Brazil have recently joined a string of countries urging that implementation be delayed.
Environmentalists and rights groups have, however, called on the EU to move forward with the regulation.
It will bar imports of a vast range of goods — from coffee to cocoa, soy, timber, palm oil, cattle, printing paper and rubber — if they are produced on land that was deforested after December 2020.
It also requires exporters to assess the risk of rights violations associated with production of the commodity.
In a joint statement, a group of Malaysian and international organisations said Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo should be considered “high risk” under the new rules.
Such a designation would mean closer scrutiny of timber and palm oil imported from the region — an unwelcome prospect for Malaysia, which is already pushing back against EUDR.
The NGOs argue Sarawak’s government plans to convert hundreds of thousands of hectares of natural forest to timber plantations, and is granting companies operating leases in areas that have not been surveyed for protection purposes.
Earlier this year RimbaWatch, one of the signatory groups, warned that around 15 percent of Malaysia’s natural forest is at risk because of concessions granted to companies.
Tuesday’s statement also alleges routine violations of Indigenous land rights, including limits on the amount of land that can be legally recognised, and the unilateral revocation of existing land titles.
“Logging companies are still bulldozing Indigenous peoples’ forests in Sarawak without consultation or consent from communities, which should translate into a ‘high risk’ classification,” said Celine Lim, managing director of SAVE Rivers, an Indigenous organisation from Sarawak.
– Vocal opponents –
Sarawak’s forestry department, and Malaysia’s plantation and commodities ministry did not respond to AFP’s request for comment on the claims.
Malaysia and Indonesia have been among the most vocal opponents of EUDR, arguing domestic anti-deforestation standards should be sufficient, and warning the rules will disproportionately harm smallholder producers who cannot meet onerous documentation requirements.
Environmental and rights groups have pushed back against these claims, including at talks in Brussels earlier this month between EU, Indonesian and Malaysian officials.
“Calls from EU governments to delay enforcement of the law are a deplorable abdication of leadership in the face of a climate emergency,” said Luciana Tellez Chavez, senior
environment and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.
