News Dabba for 18 June 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 Shiv Sena UBT rebel MPs skipping party meeting, new Tamil Nadu Assembly's first session, to US Iran signing a deal to stop the war.

The Hindu on Governor’s address in the first session of 17th T.N. Assembly

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday delivered his customary address during the first session of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, after the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay assumed office and won the trust vote, The Hindu reports, marking a smooth start to the House proceedings without any disruptions. The session began at 10 a.m. with the rendition of the State song Tamil Thaai Vazhthu (Invocation of Mother Tamil), followed by the National Anthem. This was a break from House convention where the National Anthem is played only at the end of the Governor’s Address. This time, it was played towards the end, too, the report adds. Read the full report here.

6 rebel Shiv Sena UBT MPs may form new faction, India Today

Shiv Sena (UBT) held a crucial parliamentary party meeting in the Parliament House on Thursday amid intense speculation that a majority of its Lok Sabha MPs could cross over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. India Today reports that despite being informed about the 11 am meeting, only three Lok Sabha MPs — Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant and Rajabhau Waje — had attended by the time proceedings began. Rajya Sabha MP and senior party leader Sanjay Raut was also present. The report adds that the MPs absent from the meet could form a separate faction, with Parbhani MP Sanjay Bandu Jadhav likely to lead it. Read the full report here.

Ukraine hits Moscow refinery as Zelenskyy seeks Trump support to end war, Al Jazeera

Ukrainian drones have hit a Moscow oil refinery for the second time ⁠this week while Russia fired missiles at Kyiv, Al Jazeera reports, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks support from the United States and Europe to reach a deal to end the war. Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that its air defences shot down 555 Ukrainian drones over several regions overnight, with almost 200 intercepted as they were approaching the Russian capital. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said several drones hit an oil refinery, the report says. Read the full report here.

Samajwadi MP says, BJP rattled by Akhilesh Yadav's rising popularity: Hindustan Times

As BJP leaders predicted a major split in the Samajwadi Party, party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Thursday hit back at the saffron camp, Hindustan Times reports, as they claimed the ruling party was "rattled" by the rising popularity of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and was therefore making "baseless statements" about defections. His remarks came in response to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's claim that several Samajwadi Party MPs were in touch with the BJP ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Read the full report here.

Trump and Iran's Pezeshkian sign deal to end war with further talks due in next 60 days, BBC reports

US President Donald Trump and Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian signed an initial deal to end the war, BBC reports. As part of the 14-point memo, both sides committed to further talks to reach a final agreement over the next 60 days - "extendable with mutual consent", the deal said as per the report. It also includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a $300bn (£224bn) plan for Iran's "reconstruction", and the US terminating "all types of sanctions" on Iran. Read the full report here.