Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

A high-level US delegation in Dhaka to foster economic growth with interim government

News

A high-level US delegation in Dhaka to foster economic  growth with interim government
News

News

A high-level US delegation in Dhaka to foster economic growth with interim government

2024-09-15 20:48 Last Updated At:20:50

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A high-level U.S. delegation met Sunday with the head of Bangladesh's interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to affirm “dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth," according to the American embassy in Dhaka.

Yunus took over after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country last month amid a mass uprising. She was accused of corruption, violation of human rights and excessive use of force against the protesters.

More Images
Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government's Ministry of Finance, center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government's Ministry of Finance, center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Md. Jashim Uddin, Foreign Secretary in Bangladesh's interim government, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between the United States and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Md. Jashim Uddin, Foreign Secretary in Bangladesh's interim government, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between the United States and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Reed J. Aeschliman, USAID Mission Director for Bangladesh, front left, and A. K. M. Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh, pose for a photograph with other officials after signing the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Reed J. Aeschliman, USAID Mission Director for Bangladesh, front left, and A. K. M. Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh, pose for a photograph with other officials after signing the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

This photo handed out provided by Bangladesh Press Information Department (PID) shows Brent Neiman, US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Finance and Development, left, speaking with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim government's leader, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024. (PID via AP)

This photo handed out provided by Bangladesh Press Information Department (PID) shows Brent Neiman, US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Finance and Development, left, speaking with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim government's leader, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024. (PID via AP)

During her 15-year rule, Hasina enjoyed close relations with India, China and Russia who have heavily invested in the country’s infrastructure development, trade and investment. The U.S. has also become the single largest foreign investor in Bangladesh under Hasina.

Yunus on Sunday said he sought U.S. support “to rebuild the country, carry out vital reforms, and bring back stolen assets,” his press office said in a statement after he met the delegation at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

He told the U.S. representatives his interim administration has moved fast to “reset, reform, and restart” the economy, initiate reforms in financial sectors, and fix institutions such as the judiciary and police, the statement said.

The U.S. delegation, led by Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for International Finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, had representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Donald Lu, assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, joined the delegation after visiting India.

They met with several officials in Dhaka, including Touhid Hossain, the country’s adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The USAID also signed an agreement to provide $202.25 million in aid to Bangladesh.

The U.S. embassy on X underscored how American companies are entrenched in the South Asian country.

“With the right economic reforms in place, the American private sector can help unlock Bangladesh’s growth potential through trade and investment,” the embassy wrote on its official account.

The delegation also met representatives of the American companies under the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) operating in Bangladesh upon arriving Saturday.

Concerns over safety and lack of order in Bangladesh were relayed by the companies' agents.

AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed said at the meeting that while there were improvements after the interim government was installed, “there are some bottlenecks too.” Profit repatriation amid the ongoing crisis of U.S. dollars and challenges in the supply chain resulting from congestion at ports were among the issues he raised.

The meeting came as unrest took hold of the country's major garment industry with workers walking out, leaving factories shuttered, as they demanded better benefits including higher wages. The factory owners, the government and workers’ leaders are holding meetings to ease the tension.

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate-induced disasters. The U.S. embassy on its official Facebook page said the United States wanted to help it "mitigate climate risks.”

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government's Ministry of Finance, center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government's Ministry of Finance, center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Md. Jashim Uddin, Foreign Secretary in Bangladesh's interim government, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between the United States and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Md. Jashim Uddin, Foreign Secretary in Bangladesh's interim government, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between the United States and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), center, speaks to media personnel after the signing of the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' between US and Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Reed J. Aeschliman, USAID Mission Director for Bangladesh, front left, and A. K. M. Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh, pose for a photograph with other officials after signing the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

Reed J. Aeschliman, USAID Mission Director for Bangladesh, front left, and A. K. M. Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh, pose for a photograph with other officials after signing the 6th amendment of 'The Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)' in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

This photo handed out provided by Bangladesh Press Information Department (PID) shows Brent Neiman, US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Finance and Development, left, speaking with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim government's leader, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024. (PID via AP)

This photo handed out provided by Bangladesh Press Information Department (PID) shows Brent Neiman, US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Finance and Development, left, speaking with Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim government's leader, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024. (PID via AP)

LONDON (AP) — A British teen pleaded guilty Monday to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 other people in what a prosecutor said was a “meticulously planned” stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the surprise plea as jury selection had been expected to begin at the start of his trial in Liverpool Crown Court.

The July 29 stabbings sent shock waves across the U.K. and led to a week of widespread rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after the suspect was falsely identified as an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. He was born in Wales.

The attack occurred on the first day of summer vacation when the little girls at the Hart Space, a sanctuary hidden behind a row of houses, were in a class to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a day of joy turned to terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana, armed with a knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher in the seaside town of Southport in northwest England.

“This was an unspeakable attack — one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness," Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said. “A day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.”

Prosecutors haven’t said what they believe led Rudakubana — who was days shy of his 18th birthday — to commit the atrocities, but Doyle said that it was clear he had a “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.”

Rudakubana had consistently refused to speak in court and did so once again when asked to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when he was read the 16-count indictment and asked to enter a plea, replying “guilty” to each charge.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an al-Qaida manual.

Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced Thursday, Justice Julian Goose said.

Defense lawyer Stanley Reiz said that he would present information to the judge about Rudakubana's mental health that may be relevant to his sentence.

The surviving victims and family members of those killed were absent in court, because they had expected to arrive Tuesday for opening statements.

Goose asked the prosecutor to apologize on his behalf that they weren't present to hear Rudakubana plead guilty.

He pleaded guilty to murdering Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.

Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened. Fifteen other girls, as young as 5, were at the class but uninjured. Under a court order, none of the surviving girls can be named.

Hayes, who was stabbed and seriously wounded, said he still had flashbacks to the attack and was “hugely upset at the time that I wasn’t able to do more.”

“But I did what I could in the circumstances,” he told Sky News. “I’m grateful to be here, and by all accounts I’ll make a full recovery, at least physically. … I’m going to be OK and others won’t be, and that’s really where I I think the focus of attention should be.”

Police said the stabbings weren’t classified as acts of terrorism because the motive wasn’t known.

Several months after his arrest at the scene of the crime, Rudakubana was charged with additional counts for production of a biological toxin, ricin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism for having the manual in a document on his computer.

Police said they found the evidence during a search of his family's home in a neighboring village.

The day after the killings — and shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims — a violent group attacked a mosque near the crime scene and pelted police officers with bricks and bottles and set fire to police vehicles.

Rioting then spread to dozens of other towns over the next week when groups made up mostly of men mobilized by far-right activists on social media clashed with police during violent protests and attacked hotels housing migrants.

More than 1,200 people were arrested for the disorder and hundreds have been jailed for up to nine years in prison.

Media waits outside Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

Media waits outside Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana leaves Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana leaves Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

In this Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appears on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he has pleaded guilty to killing three young girls and wounded 10 other people in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

In this Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appears on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he has pleaded guilty to killing three young girls and wounded 10 other people in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

People queue at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

People queue at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

FILE - Police officers watch members of the public outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

FILE - Police officers watch members of the public outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

FILE - Tributes are seen outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

FILE - Tributes are seen outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

Recommended Articles
Hot · Posts