News Dabba for 25 May 2026: 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 Assam introducing its UCC bill, Bihar commuters stranded in VIP roadblock in 42°C, to US-Iran war.

Bihar commuters stranded in VIP roadblock in 42°C honk in protest, India Today repoers

After commuters stranded in 42°C during a VIP movement in Bihar's Motihari launched a sustained horn protest, India Today reports, adding that police were eventually forced to ease a roadblock and allow traffic to move. A short clip of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, showed a long queue of vehicles stuck at a traffic signal as police and security personnel blocked the road ahead of the arrival of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan. He was scheduled to attend the convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University. The report mentions that the road closure left hundreds of commuters stranded in sweltering heat, with temperatures hovering around 42°C. Read the full report here.

NDTV on Assam Uniform Civil Code

The Assam government on Monday introduced Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which proposes making registration of live-in relationships compulsory, NDTV reports. Under the proposed law, couples in a live-in relationship will be required to register their partnership within one month. The Bill also states that any child born out of live-in relationship will be considered the legitimate child of the couple, the report says. Read the full report here.

Iran says, deal with US not imminent, BBC reports

According to a report by BBC, Iran says some progress has been reached in talks with the US, but a deal "is not imminent". Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai's remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an agreement could possibly be reached on Monday, the report adds. "It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion," Baqai said in Tehran on Monday. The memorandum of understanding reportedly involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a plan for further negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. Read the full report here.

Over 82,000 applications submitted for 2,640 Mumbai MHADA homes: Hindustan Times

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Lottery 2026 has received more than 82,000 applications, nearly two months after announcing a housing draw for 2,640 affordable homes in the Mumbai real estate market. Hindustan Times reports that according to MHADA data, the housing authority received 82,929 applications for the 2,640 apartments as of May 23, 2026. Additionally, it received 57,718 earnest money deposits (EMDs) from applicants seeking to purchase the flats. Read the full report here.

Death toll rises to four in Philippines building collapse, Al Jazeera

At least four people have been killed and 17 are missing after a building under construction collapsed in the Philippines, Al Jazeera reports as search and rescue efforts are under way. Rescuers retrieved at least three people on Monday from the rubble of the nine-storey building in the city of Angeles, north of the capital, Manila. Due to the uncertainty, authorities said about 17 people were still considered missing, mostly construction workers who were sleeping at the building site when the disaster struck on Sunday, the report says. Read the full report here.