Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohraan Mamdani has reiterated his commitment to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city, citing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him. Mamdani’s statement came shortly after outgoing Mayor Eric Adams met Netanyahu and encouraged him to attend Mamdani’s swearing-in ceremony. Speaking live on ABC7, Mamdani criticized Adams’ meeting, calling it a source of public concern and a reflection of policy disunity. He emphasized that New Yorkers need a government focused on their immediate needs while upholding international law. Referring to New York as a “city of international law,” Mamdani said the ICC warrants must be respected, whether against Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also reaffirmed his commitment to protect and celebrate the city’s Jewish community, pledging to ensure their safety and inclusion. The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last November over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Legal Affairs Secretary of the BNP Central Executive Committee, has built a 180-foot-long and 5-foot-wide wooden bridge over the Bogai River in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona. The newly constructed bridge, located in the Dakshin Ranigaon area of Kailati Union, was inaugurated by local students and residents. It replaces a dilapidated makeshift bridge that had become unsafe, causing severe travel difficulties for villagers and students. The new structure now benefits around 10,000 people from 15 villages, including students from two primary schools, two madrasas, and a Dakhil madrasa, as well as worshippers from four mosques. Locals expressed gratitude to Kamal for addressing their long-standing hardship. Kamal stated that he believes in action over words and aims to continue working for public welfare within his means. This is one of several bridges he has previously built in different areas of Kalmakanda.

A special tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death for crimes against humanity linked to the deadly 2024 July Uprising. The verdict, delivered in absentia as both fled to India, found them responsible for ordering a violent police crackdown that killed more than 1,400 protesters, including students. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun received a five-year sentence after turning state witness. Families of victims welcomed the ruling but insisted justice would only be served if Hasina is extradited and executed in Bangladesh. The verdict sparked nationwide demonstrations and celebrations, with student groups vowing to continue protests until the sentence is enforced. Opposition parties hailed the judgment as a victory for accountability, while the UN and Amnesty International raised concerns about due process and the use of the death penalty. The ruling marks a historic moment in Bangladesh’s political and human rights landscape, though uncertainty remains over Hasina’s extradition from India.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khaleelur Rahman met with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi for a bilateral discussion, according to a statement from the Bangladesh High Commission. The meeting took place during Dr. Rahman’s visit to India to attend the seventh Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) at the NSA level. During the meeting, Dr. Rahman formally invited Ajit Doval to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. This marks the second visit by an adviser from Bangladesh’s interim government to India since August 5 of the previous year. Earlier, in February, Energy Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan visited India to participate in the India Energy Week. The latest meeting underscores ongoing cooperation and dialogue between the two neighboring countries on regional and security matters.

Rumors spread across social media claiming that popular Islamic scholar Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari had been nominated by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to contest the upcoming national election from Dhaka-5 (Jatrabari–Demra). The claim quickly gained traction online, prompting widespread discussion and even congratulatory posts. However, multiple senior Jamaat leaders, including Ataur Rahman from Dhaka North, Abdus Sattar Suman from Dhaka South, and Assistant Secretary General Ehsan Mahbub Jubair, have confirmed that the news is false and baseless. They clarified that the party already has a confirmed candidate for the constituency and urged the public to verify political information before sharing. Azhari himself has not commented on the matter. Dhaka-5 remains a politically significant seat, with Jamaat’s candidate Kamal Hossain currently engaged in campaign activities, while BNP has nominated Nabiullah Nabi for the same constituency.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has questioned the Election Commission’s (EC) capacity to enforce the electoral code of conduct during its first dialogue with the commission after gaining registration. The discussion, held at the EC headquarters in Dhaka, focused on the new electoral code for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February. NCP leaders, including chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari and joint secretary Jahirul Islam Musa, raised concerns over the rule restricting candidates to use only the current party chief’s image, asking how the EC would respond if BNP candidates used Tarique Rahman’s photo instead of Khaleda Zia’s. They also criticized the practicality of printing campaign materials on cloth or jute, the 60-decibel sound limit, and the unclear definition of the investigation committee. While NCP welcomed provisions for televised debates and public manifesto readings, it urged the EC to ensure neutrality and transparency in election management.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has donated a range of essential items to the only female dormitory at Jagannath University. According to an official post on JCD’s Facebook page on Wednesday, November 19, the organization handed over the items to the dormitory authorities. The donation includes four bookshelves, five sets of BCS preparation books, Islamic books, 500 plates, 500 mugs, prayer mats, dustbins, 1,200 sanitary napkins, curtains and pipes for the fifth floor, and a first aid box. The initiative aims to support the students residing in the dormitory by improving their living and study environment. University authorities have acknowledged receiving the items, though no official statement has been made regarding further collaboration with the organization.

The Bangladesh High Court has released its full verdict declaring the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s report on the July 2024 uprising as a 'historic document'. The verdict, published on the Supreme Court’s website on November 19, follows an earlier ruling from August last year that recognized the UN report as a significant record of human rights violations during the mass movement. The bench, comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Syed Zahid Mansur, issued the ruling after hearing a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Tanvir Ahmed. The court also directed that the report be officially gazetted under the title 'July Revolution 2024' and preserved in the National Archives, public libraries, and other state repositories. Additionally, it ordered the government to make the report accessible on official websites to promote public awareness, academic research, and legal reference.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued an injunction halting arbitration proceedings in Singapore involving India’s Adani Group until the government’s investigation report on the power purchase agreement is submitted. The order was passed by Justices Md Bazlur Rahman and Urmi Rahman on November 19 after hearing a petition filed by senior lawyer Barrister M Abdul Qayum. The petitioner had earlier sought a review or cancellation of the Adani power deal, alleging irregularities in the agreement. Qayum argued that if arbitration proceeded before the investigation report was completed, the inquiry’s significance would be undermined. The court had previously, on November 19 last year, directed the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the deal. The latest order effectively pauses Adani’s attempt to pursue claims in Singapore until the findings of the ongoing probe are made public.

Dhaka University Assistant Proctor and lecturer Shehrin Amin Bhuiyan Monami publicly expressed support for Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) executive member Umme Uswatun Rafia after a video of her argument with police in Dhanmondi went viral. The incident occurred on the day a tribunal announced its verdict against Sheikh Hasina in a war crimes case, sparking widespread criticism of Rafia online. In a Facebook post on November 19, Monami argued that Rafia was being unfairly targeted because she visibly practices her faith and wears hijab. She stated that similar assertiveness from a non-hijabi woman would have been praised as empowerment. Monami also criticized the police’s behavior during the confrontation, calling it unacceptable and abusive. She contended that Rafia’s bold response should be recognized as a form of women’s empowerment, but it is being dismissed due to prevailing narrow definitions of feminism in Bangladesh.

Ganosamhati Andolan’s chief coordinator Jonayed Saki has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh for unilaterally amending electoral laws and regulations without adequate consultation with political stakeholders. Speaking at a meeting with political parties on November 19, Saki urged the EC to act as a truly constitutional and accountable institution, emphasizing that democratic transition and national consensus require open dialogue. He questioned the EC’s process of revising election-related laws and called for inclusive discussions before implementing any changes. Saki also shared his party’s difficulties in obtaining registration due to bureaucratic delays and political interference. Stressing that a fair election depends more on a conducive political environment than on legal frameworks alone, he proposed forming an ‘Election Environment Monitoring Committee’ comprising representatives from major political parties to resolve conflicts promptly. Saki reiterated that cooperation among political parties has historically ensured credible elections in Bangladesh.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called on the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh to promptly release the framework for the proposed referendum before the upcoming national elections. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized that the party is ready to fully cooperate with the EC but stressed the need for transparency regarding how the referendum will be conducted, its timeline, and measures to prevent fraud. Speaking at an EC dialogue on November 19, Patwari also urged the commission to maintain its independence from all political parties. He proposed forming a monitoring cell to ensure women’s safety and prevent cyber harassment during elections, and recommended activating law enforcement to encourage youth participation. Patwari further highlighted the importance of facilitating expatriate voters, ensuring distinct electoral symbols for candidates, and assigning liaison officers to each political party to streamline communication with the EC.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that some groups are preparing to manipulate the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh through money and influence, warning that the youth will resist any attempt to hijack their votes. Speaking at a gathering in Dhaka’s Kafrul area, he urged young voters to freely choose their candidates and pledged his party’s support in ensuring fair participation. Rahman emphasized Jamaat’s commitment to justice, anti-corruption, and ending extortion, claiming that eliminating extortion would significantly reduce commodity prices and boost economic growth. He also promised to protect businesspeople from extortionists and ensure women’s safety and respect in workplaces, suggesting reduced working hours for women to balance family responsibilities. On foreign policy, he said Jamaat would maintain friendly relations with all nations while rejecting any form of dominance. Rahman further called for restoring the dignity of the judiciary and ensuring that justice is applied equally to all citizens.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has alleged that recent administrative reshuffles, particularly the transfers of deputy commissioners (DCs) and police officials, are being carried out with a specific political motive ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking during a dialogue with the Election Commission in Dhaka, Parwar claimed that the frequency and timing of the transfers suggest a deliberate design. He reiterated Jamaat’s proposal for a lottery-based transfer system to ensure neutrality and public trust once the election schedule is announced. Parwar also raised concerns about holding the national election and a constitutional referendum on the same day, arguing that it could confuse voters. Additionally, he questioned the lack of clear guidelines for expatriate voting in the referendum and suggested allowing voter registration using passports. He further sought clarification on where political parties should submit their pledges as part of the election process.

Sharmin S Morshed, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, called on young people to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to lead the rebuilding of a democratic Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at the 'Bangladesh Through the Eyes of Youth' inter-college debate festival organized by Youth Forum of Bangladesh at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium on November 18, she reflected on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and compared it to the youth activism seen during the 'July 2024 war'. Morshed emphasized that the courage and energy of the new generation must be harnessed to create a just, safe, and inclusive nation. She lamented the country’s lost democratic roots and the rise of authoritarianism but expressed hope that the unity shown by the youth in 2024 would not be broken. The event concluded with a collective pledge to rebuild Bangladesh with equality, justice, and good governance.