News Dabba for 18 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 Amit Shah declaring India Naxal free, fatal accident in Maharashtra's Palghar, Iran war updates.

Amit Shah declares India Naxal free, Indian Express reports

On his first visit to Chhattisgarh’s Bastar after the March 31, 2026 deadline set by him, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a public speech declared India free from Left Wing Extremism (LWE), Indian Express reports. “I proudly Declare: India Is Now Naxal-Free,” said Shah while reiterating that the development work in Bastar region, once an epicentre of LWE, will be expedited in next few years to bring it at par with rest of the country. The report says that Shah was addressing a crowd composed of all different forces that took part in Anti-Naxal operations and family members of security personnel and civilians killed by Naxal violence. Read the full report here.

12 killed as truck collides with another carrying wedding family group in Maharashtra's Palghar: Hindustan Times

At least 12 people died after a container-truck violently rammed into another truck transporting a wedding party in Palghar, Maharashtra, on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway on Monday. Hindustan Times reports according to the area police in Kasa, more than 40 wedding guests were traveling in the smaller truck. Around 4 am, the container-truck collided violently with the wedding party's truck, leaving the latter mangled. Many passengers were trapped inside the wreckage as both vehicles overturned, the report mentions. Read the full report here.

Israeli forces board Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus, BBC reports

Pro-Palestinian activists say Israeli forces are intercepting a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus, BBC reports. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said its fleet was being boarded in what it called "another illegal, high-seas aggression" about 250 nautical miles (460km) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade, the report adds. Its video stream showed commandos climbing onto several boats. As per the report, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the raid was "effectively neutralizing a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza". Last month, Israeli forces intercepted 21 boats from the same flotilla near Crete. Read the full report here.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay orders revamp of Amma Canteens, NDTV

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Monday ordered the revamp and modernisation of Amma canteens (or Unavagams), launched during the 2011-16 AIADMK government tenure, across the state. NDTV reports that launched on February 24, 2013, on the birthday of then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who was fondly addressed as "Amma" by her supporters and party workers, the canteens initially opened in Chennai. Later, they were expanded to different towns and cities. Vijay has directed officials to refurbish and improve the infrastructure of Amma Canteens and ensure delicious and quality food to the people, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera: Tehran says talks ongoing through Pakistan

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that talks are ongoing with the US through Pakistan as the mediator. Al Jazeera reports that Iran has submitted its latest proposal comprising 14 points through Pakistan. US President Donald Trump warned Iran that the “clock is ticking” for a peace deal to be reached. Read the full report here.