News Dabba for 23 February 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 toll refund for motorists stuck in 33-hour jam on Mumbai-Pune expressway, India's advisory to citizens in Iran, to blizzard warning to New York City.

1 lakh motorists stuck in 33-hour jam on Mumbai-Pune expressway to get toll refund, Hindustan Times

Over 1 lakh motorists were stuck in a massive traffic jam for nearly 33 hours on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway earlier this month after a gas tanker mishap. Days after the incident, Hindustan Times reports that the Maharashtra State Road Development Cooperation has reportedly decided a toll refund summing up to ₹5.16 crore for all those who were impacted. The disruption took place on February 3, after a gas tanker met with an accident on the Khopoli stretch of the Mumbai-Pune expressway, leading to a major 33-hour disruption. Several vehicles came to a standstill with passengers facing a shortage of water, food and basic amenities, the report mentions. Read the full report here.

NDTV on India's advisory to citizens in Iran

Indians in Iran have been advised to leave amid possible US strikes in the days to come, NDTV reports. In its latest advisory, the Embassy of India asked its citizens to "leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights." The advisory applies to everyone in Iran - students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists, the report adds. Indians in Iran have also been advised to have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs, readily available with them. Read the full report here.

The Straits Times: US to stop collecting tariffs deemed illegal by Supreme Court

The US Customs and Border Protection agency (CPB) said it will halt collections of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) at 12:01am Eastern time on February 24, The Straits Times reports, more than three days after the US Supreme Court declared the duties illegal. The agency said in a message to shippers on its Cargo Systems Messaging Service that it will deactivate all tariff codes associated with US President Donald Trump’s prior IEEPA-related orders as at February 24. CBP gave no reason why it was continuing to collect the tariffs at ports of entry days after the Supreme Court’s ruling, the report adds. Read the full report here.

Migrant worker stabbed in Madhya Pradesh for ‘speaking Bengali', The Wire

A migrant worker from West Bengal was allegedly stabbed in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar for speaking Bengali, the Wire reports. Thirty-seven-year-old Syed Sk, a resident of Paharpur village, had been working as a cloth vendor in MP since 2015. On February 19, he was allegedly robbed and stabbed multiple times in Samnapur village. He was later taken to Bundelkhand hospital, where he underwent a surgery. Attacks on Bengali-speaking migrant workers have been been on the rise, the report adds, with right-wing goons often accusing the workers of being undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants. Read the full report here.

More than 5,000 flights cancelled as major snow storm blasts US north-east

More than 5,000 flights within, into or out of the US have been cancelled for Monday as a major storm hits the east coast, BBC reports. New York City has banned non-essential travel until 12:00 local time on Monday. It's the first time in nine years that New York City has been under a blizzard warning, the report says. Winter storm warnings stretch from North Carolina to northern Maine, with warnings also in place in parts of eastern Canada. Read the full report here.