News Dabba for 25 July 2025: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from government banning 20 OTT platforms, school roof collapse in Rajasthan's Jhalawar, to Macron saying France will recognise Palestine.

Govt bans over 20 OTT platforms including Ullu, ALTT for ‘obscene’ content: Indian Express

The government has ordered a ban on more than 20 OTT platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix among others, for “having obscene, vulgar and in some cases, pornographic content”. Indian Express reports that the apps were listed as being in violation of various laws, particularly regarding “indecent” representation of women. As per the report, in an order dated July 23, The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the action was taken in consultation with the MHA, MWCD, MeitY, Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in the field of women rights and child rights. Read the full report here.

7 students dead, over 15 injured as school roof collapses in Rajasthan's Jhalawar, India Today

India Today reports that seven students were killed and more than 15 were injured after the roof of a primary school building collapsed in Rajasthan's Jhalawar on Friday morning. The incident occurred while the children were attending classes. The report says that a massive rescue operation was launched at Piplodi Primary School to rescue those trapped under the debris, as police, local residents, and officials rushed to the spot. The 20-year-old school building had a roof made of stone slabs, which intensified the impact of the collapse. Read the full report here.

Thai PM says border clashes could lead to ‘war’, Al Jazeera reports

Thailand and Cambodia continued to exchange fire, as their worst cross-border fighting in years that has killed some 15 people – mostly civilians – entered a second day. Al Jazeera reports that the spokesperson of Thailand’s Foreign Ministry says the country is seeking a bilateral solution to the “escalated armed confrontation” with Cambodia. Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned the fighting with Cambodia “could develop into war”, but added, “for now it remains limited to clashes.” Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times: Heavy rain forecast for south Bengal districts till Saturday morning

A well-marked low pressure area, which intensified into a depression over northwest Bay of Bengal, will bring heavy rainfall in south Bengal districts till Saturday morning, Hindustan Times reports as per the India Meteorological Department. Overnight downpour that continued through the morning led to waterlogging and traffic snarls in parts of Kolkata and adjoining Salt Lake. The report adds that the IMD said the depression is likely to move west-northwestwards across Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Jharkhand. Read the full report here.

BBC: France will recognise Palestinian state, Macron says

France will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said, BBC reports, which will make it the first G7 nation to do so. In a post on X, Macron said the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York. "The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," he wrote, as per the report. Palestinian officials welcomed Macron's decision, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move "rewards terror" following Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack in Israel. Read the full report here.