BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the Supreme Court’s verdict reinstating the caretaker government system will mark a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape and vindicate the BNP’s long-standing movement. Speaking to reporters after attending a free medical and health service program at Dhaka University, he stated that the absence of a caretaker government had forced people to make sacrifices, and its return would pave the way for fair elections. He emphasized that credible elections had previously been held under caretaker administrations and that the system is essential for democracy. Earlier in the day, a seven-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed declared the 13th Amendment valid, thereby restoring the caretaker government system. The verdict is expected to have significant implications for the country’s upcoming elections and political stability.

OpenAI and Target have announced an expanded partnership aimed at integrating advanced AI capabilities across Target’s retail operations and customer experiences. The collaboration introduces a new Target app within ChatGPT, allowing users to receive personalized shopping recommendations, build multi-item baskets, and complete purchases through Drive Up, Order Pickup, or shipping. Target will continue using OpenAI’s APIs and ChatGPT Enterprise to enhance employee productivity and streamline operations, with 18,000 employees already utilizing the technology. The retailer’s AI tools—such as Agent Assist, Store Companion, and Gift Finder—are designed to improve customer support, optimize supply chain forecasting, and deliver more personalized digital interactions. This initiative aligns with Target’s broader strategy to embed AI throughout its business, improving both guest satisfaction and team efficiency. OpenAI CEO Fidji Simo highlighted Target as a model for enterprise-scale AI transformation, emphasizing the partnership’s role in shaping the future of intelligent retail experiences.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing a surprising candidate list for the upcoming elections, aiming to include a diverse range of individuals such as women, non-Muslims, tribal representatives, freedom fighters, and student leaders. Reliable sources indicate that the party’s election team is finalizing the list with a focus on inclusivity and winnability. Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, previously stated that the party is willing to compromise on seat distribution to unite Islamist factions under one umbrella. However, the eight-party alliance has now agreed to nominate candidates based on their chances of victory rather than seat quotas. The party may also nominate several former vice-chancellors and student leaders who were active in the July movement. Jamaat’s recent community outreach, including protection of temples and ensuring safety during religious events, has reportedly increased its popularity among non-Muslim communities, prompting consideration of non-Muslim and tribal candidates for the first time.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Ganadhikar Parishad, stated that his party had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, other commissioners, and the Election Commission secretary, requesting that the Jatiya Party (Japa) and the 14-Party Alliance not be invited to the EC’s dialogue with political parties. In a Facebook post on Thursday, November 20, he said that although the EC’s dialogue with political parties had concluded, no other party except Ganadhikar Parishad had taken an active stance against inviting Japa and the 14-Party Alliance. Khan reiterated that inviting those groups would have been a betrayal of the people’s movement against fascism and urged the EC to act as a force supporting the uprising. He claimed that the decision to exclude Japa and the 14-Party Alliance reflected Ganadhikar Parishad’s firm position and pressure on the Election Commission.

The European Commission has proposed significant changes to the EU’s flagship data protection and artificial intelligence frameworks, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens and stimulate economic growth. The revisions would simplify the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by easing data-sharing restrictions and reducing cookie pop-ups, while also delaying enforcement of key provisions in the AI Act governing high-risk systems. The proposal allows AI firms to use personal data for model training under certain GDPR safeguards and introduces lighter documentation requirements for smaller companies. Brussels argues the reforms will foster innovation without compromising fundamental rights, but critics accuse the EU of bowing to Big Tech and undermining privacy protections. The plan, part of a broader “Digital Omnibus” package, will now go before the European Parliament and member states for approval, a process expected to face intense political and civil society scrutiny.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara on November 19 to discuss ways to restart the stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s desire to reinvigorate the diplomatic process through a comprehensive approach aimed at achieving lasting peace. He also expressed Ankara’s readiness to engage with Moscow to advance the dialogue. A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv had received 'signals' about U.S. proposals to end the war, which Washington had reportedly discussed with Russia, though Ukraine was not directly involved in drafting them. The peace process has remained stagnant since the Istanbul meeting in July, but Erdogan’s latest initiative signals renewed Turkish efforts to mediate between the warring sides. Erdogan also underscored the importance of U.S. participation in any future peace framework.

Bangladesh’s Attorney General, A.M. Asaduzzaman, stated that the reinstated caretaker government system will support the country’s democratic process following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, declared the previous abolition of the caretaker system unconstitutional and restored it through the validation of the 13th Amendment. Asaduzzaman emphasized that future elections will be more transparent, ensuring no irregularities such as vote-rigging or fraudulent ballots. He noted that the full verdict will clarify who will lead the next caretaker administration and whether it will follow the previous model or the July Charter. The Attorney General also suggested that a new version of the constitution should be printed once the complete judgment is released. According to the ruling, the upcoming 13th national election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will take effect from the 14th national election onward.

A new government-backed report titled 'Future Climate of Bangladesh' warns that climate change could drastically alter the country's weather patterns by the end of this century. The study, jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, projects that average daytime temperatures could rise by up to 4.5°C, potentially leading to the disappearance of winter by 2100. Frequent heatwaves are expected to hit before and after the monsoon, with Dhaka likely to experience at least two severe heatwaves annually. Rainfall during the monsoon season may increase by 118 millimeters, particularly in the northeast and coastal regions. The report also predicts that sea levels along Bangladesh’s coast could rise by up to 5.8 millimeters per year—significantly higher than the global average—putting 18% of coastal land and 23% of the Sundarbans at risk of submersion. Experts warn that these changes could have severe environmental and socio-economic consequences for millions of people.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has declared the previous verdict abolishing the caretaker government system illegal and reinstated the system by upholding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The full seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, unanimously ruled that the earlier judgment was 'stained and flawed with multiple errors.' As a result, the constitutional provisions under Part IV, Chapter IIA, related to the non-partisan caretaker government, have been revived and reactivated. However, the restored provisions will take effect only for future applicability, meaning the upcoming 13th National Election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will be implemented from the 14th National Election onward. Legal experts described the ruling as historic, marking the automatic return of the caretaker system to the Constitution. The verdict was announced on Thursday morning following hearings concluded earlier in November.

Several left-leaning political parties in Bangladesh are preparing to form a new alliance to contest all 300 constituencies in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The coalition, modeled after the historic United Front, is expected to be officially launched on November 29 at a convention in Dhaka’s Engineers Institution auditorium. The alliance aims to combine political activism and electoral participation under a common charter called the 'People’s Charter', focusing on addressing national crises and promoting democratic, secular values. Key initiators include the Left Democratic Alliance—comprising the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD), and other left groups—along with Bangladesh JASAD led by Sharif Nurul Ambia. Discussions are ongoing with other progressive and regional organizations, including the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti and Dalit and indigenous groups. The coalition’s final name and structure will be decided at the convention, with proposals such as 'New United Front' or 'Democratic United Front' under consideration.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will meet with New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, at the White House on Friday, November 21. The announcement was made by Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Wednesday, November 19. Trump stated that both parties agreed to hold the meeting in the Oval Office. Mamdani had earlier hinted at the meeting, saying his team had been in contact with the White House to discuss fulfilling campaign promises made to New York voters. Following Trump’s post, reporters reached out to Mamdani and his team, but they declined to comment. Mamdani recently won the New York City mayoral election with 50 percent of the vote and is scheduled to take office on January 1. The meeting is expected to focus on city–federal cooperation and policy priorities for the upcoming administration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to Israeli troops stationed inside Syria’s occupied southern region, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post on November 19. A video released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office showed Netanyahu arriving by military aircraft in the occupied area, accompanied by the foreign minister, defense minister, and senior military officials. During the visit, he met with deployed soldiers and praised their service. The visit has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, with Syria and the United Nations expressing condemnation and concern over Israel’s continued military presence in the area. Israel has maintained forces in the buffer zone of the Golan Heights since the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last year, a move that has heightened regional tensions and drawn scrutiny from global observers.

The recent death sentence handed to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal has sparked intense debate about its potential impact on Bangladesh-India relations. Following the verdict, Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus announced plans to formally request Hasina’s extradition from India, where she currently resides. India has acknowledged awareness of the ruling but has not indicated any intention to comply. Analysts suggest that the bilateral relationship, already strained since Hasina’s ouster in August last year, may deteriorate further, especially given India’s concerns over security and regional stability. Experts note that India is unlikely to extradite Hasina due to the death penalty and associated human rights implications. With Bangladesh’s elections approaching, observers believe the future of bilateral ties will depend on the new government’s stance, India’s strategic interests, and how both sides manage the politically sensitive ‘Hasina issue’.

The Israeli military is grappling with a serious manpower crisis as hundreds of officers and career soldiers have applied for early retirement, according to Israeli media reports. The wave of resignations comes amid ongoing military operations in Gaza, political unrest, and growing reluctance among citizens to join mandatory service. Around 600 officers, many in key positions, have sought early retirement, leaving the army struggling to fill critical roles since the Gaza conflict escalated in October 2023. Approximately 85 percent of those retiring hold ranks of lieutenant colonel or below, weakening the mid-level command structure. Senior personnel officer Bar Kalifa noted that the Supreme Court’s decision to cancel additional pension benefits for officers has further worsened morale and intensified the crisis. Observers warn that the shortage could undermine the army’s operational capacity during a prolonged conflict.

Formerly strained ties between U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk appear to be improving. During a White House dinner attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump praised Musk several times and jokingly asked if Musk had ever properly thanked him. Musk later posted on X, expressing gratitude to Trump for his contributions to America and global progress, sharing photos with Trump, bin Salman, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The renewed warmth follows a period of tension after Musk’s criticism of Trump’s budget and policy plans upon leaving his post as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Reports from The New York Times suggest that Musk’s former colleagues are planning a reunion in Austin, which Musk may attend. Analysts view these developments as signs of a potential political and business rapprochement between the two influential figures.