A major power outage struck several areas of Dhaka, including Rampura, Gulshan, Banani, and Farmgate, following a technical fault at the PGCB substation in Rampura around 10 PM on Saturday. The Bangladesh Power Development Board confirmed that the issue affected mainly DPDC-served areas, while DESCO areas remained largely unaffected. PGCB engineers are working to resolve the issue, which is expected to be fixed within an hour. Several other neighborhoods also reported disruptions, with efforts underway to restore full power supply.

Dhaka, June 22, 2025 — In the last 24 hours, 329 people have been admitted to hospitals across Bangladesh with dengue fever, while one person has died from the mosquito-borne disease, the DGHS has confirmed.

Regional data shows that of the newly hospitalized patients:

Barisal Division: 136

Chattogram Division: 64

Dhaka Division (excluding city): 38

Dhaka North City Corporation: 21

Dhaka South City Corporation: 43

Khulna Division: 15

Rajshahi Division: 10

Mymensingh Division: 2

Meanwhile, 301 dengue patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals in the past 24 hours. With this, the total number of recoveries this year has risen to 6,817.

The Bangladeshi government has started the process of repatriating citizens stranded in Tehran due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. A list of about 100 nationals has been prepared, with the first group expected to return next week. The return will be coordinated with neighboring countries, though specific transit partners were not disclosed. The Foreign Ministry has urged all interested Bangladeshis in Iran to register with the embassy in Tehran. Emergency hotline numbers have also been provided for direct communication.

Professor Mahmudul Haque of Begum Rokeya University has been granted bail in the murder case of shopkeeper Shomes Uddin, who died during a police chase amid a protest in Rangpur. The bail was approved by the Rangpur Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court. Haque’s lawyer claimed the plaintiff neither knows him nor mentioned him directly. Students and colleagues protested, calling the case a conspiracy against a teacher who spoke out against injustice. The next hearing is set for July 2 for the investigation report submission.

Dhaka, June 22, 2025 — The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported 5 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours across Bangladesh. During the same period, 36 new infections were confirmed, with a test positivity rate of 5.80%.

According to official data, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the country has now reached 29,515. Of these, 16 deaths have occurred in 2025. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Bangladesh has recorded a total of 2,051,978 confirmed cases, with 433 infections reported so far this year.

Over two-thirds of Bangladesh’s foreign loans disbursed in the first 11 months of FY2024 were used to repay previous debts, according to the ERD. Out of $5.6 billion received, $3.78 billion went toward servicing past loans. Loan disbursements fell by over 20% compared to last year, while debt repayment rose by 23%. Sluggish project implementation has also slowed new disbursements. Loan commitments from development partners dropped nearly 31%. Despite export and remittance growth, the government faces rising debt pressure and reduced foreign loan demand in the next budget.

BNP leader Aminul Haque declared that those who collaborated with the Awami League over the past 17 years of “oppression” should not only avoid political association with the ruling party but should also be shunned altogether. “Those who remember the oppression cannot, and should not, mix with the Awami League. It’s a sin to even see their faces,” he said. Aminul vowed that party loyalists who suffered during protests would be prioritized during membership renewals, excluding those who maintained ties with Awami League figures. He also alleged that domestic and foreign conspiracies are delaying elections despite hopes raised by the interim government. He warned corrupt leaders within the party to be cautious.

Gana Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur has warned that complete national consensus will remain elusive unless certain rigid parties soften their positions. “We’ve compromised on many points for the sake of unity, but two or three parties remain stubborn. If this continues, even Judgment Day won’t see a full consensus,” he said. Nur reiterated support for limiting prime ministerial terms to two and called for structured discussions on proportional representation in upper chambers and the presidential election process. Revolutionary Workers Party leader Saiful Haque added that efforts are ongoing to make the constitution more accountable and to balance power effectively.

Dhaka University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education), Dr. Mamun Ahmed, faced strong criticism from BNP-aligned teachers’ group Sada Dal over allegations of favoring Awami League supporters and appointing controversial Chhatra League-affiliated individuals to faculty positions. On Sunday, Sada Dal leaders blocked his office for over two hours demanding accountability. They issued a seven-day ultimatum to resolve these issues, warning of stricter actions if ignored. While some questions were answered, many remain unresolved, prompting plans for further protests.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has proposed that no individual should serve as prime minister for more than 10 years in their lifetime. “We don’t need to complicate this with discussions about terms or tenure. Aside from three parties, there’s broad agreement on this point,” he said. Taher stressed that this aligns with the people’s aspirations and should be adopted through national consensus, citing international precedents for such limits.

Southeast University (SEU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST), USA, at WUST’s Virginia campus. SEU Vice Chancellor Dr. Yusuf Mahbubul Islam and WUST Chancellor Abu Bakar Hanif signed the agreement, with WUST President Dr. Hasan Karabuk present. The MoU aims to foster student and faculty exchange, joint research, academic workshops, and innovation-focused initiatives. Officials believe this partnership will enhance international collaboration and contribute to the quality development of higher education in both countries.

Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, warning that such actions could further destabilize the Middle East and threaten global peace and security. In a statement on June 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident and reiterated Bangladesh’s support for peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. The statement urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalation. It also called on the UN and international community to play an active role in maintaining regional stability and lasting peace.

Former Chief Election Commissioner AKM Nurul Huda was taken into police custody on Sunday night over allegations of conducting a fraudulent election. Earlier in the evening, local residents in Uttara detained him and handed him over to the police. Uttara West Police Station’s OC Hafizur Rahman confirmed the incident, adding that legal action will be taken after reviewing the case. Meanwhile, the BNP has filed a legal petition naming 24 individuals, including three former Chief Election Commissioners, accusing them of orchestrating a fraudulent election.

Every year, 1.19 million people die in road accidents worldwide, with 92% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. Experts at a Dhaka Ahsania Mission event emphasized the inadequacy of existing transport laws in ensuring road safety. They called for a comprehensive Road Safety Law covering infrastructure, vehicle standards, user safety, and post-crash management. The law should follow UN recommendations to significantly reduce road casualties and protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Additional IGP Abu Naser Mohammad Khaled stated that the upcoming national election will be vital for restoring the police force’s reputation, protecting the country, and demonstrating accountability. Speaking at the closing parade of the 55th TRC batch in Tangail, he acknowledged past mistakes highlighted by student movements and emphasized the force's renewed commitment. He urged new police members to counter public misconceptions through good conduct and professionalism. A total of 815 trainees completed their basic training and received recognition for their performance.