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Monday,12-October-2026
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Air India among airlines skipping US airports over 5G safety dispute

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Air India joined at least nine other international airlines that have modified or cancelled flights to the US amid conflicting reports on what new 5G cell phone services can do to critical airplane technologies.

Carriers are taking a variety of approaches to the spiraling crisis. Air India, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have announced changes to some of their flights.

Air India said it would suspend the service between Delhi and San Francisco, Chicago and JFK as well as a Mumbai to Newark flight. It will continue to fly into Washington Dulles.

Both ANA and Japan Airlines said they cancelled some flights scheduled to use Boeing 777 aircraft, but will operate some flights using Boeing 787s instead.

Emirates suspended flights into Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle.A

Emirates continued flying into New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, Los Angeles International and Washington Dulles.

Lufthansa cancelled a flight between Frankfurt and Miami and said it would swap Boeing 747-8 aircraft for 747-400s on flights from Frankfurt to Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.

CNN Business quoted a British Airways spokesman that the airline “had to make a handful of cancellations” because a decision by telecom operators to delay activating the new 5G service at some locations didn’t cover all the airports the airline serves.

Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM said they had not cancelled any flights but were monitoring the situation.

Delta Air Lines said it is planning for the possibility of weather-related cancellations as early as Wednesday due to the new 5G service in the vicinity of dozens of US airports.

US air transport regulator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been concerned that the version of 5G that was scheduled to be switched on could interfere with some airplane instruments. Some aviation industry groups shared those fears. This is despite reassurances from federal telecom regulators and well as wireless carriers.

Specifically, the FAA has been worried that 5G cellular antennas near some airports – not air mobile devices – could throw off readings from some aircraft equipment designed to tell pilots how far they are from the ground.

The systems, radar altimeters, are used throughout a flight and are considered critical. (Radar altimeters differ from standard altimeters, which rely on air pressure readings and do not use radio signals to gauge altitude.)

In December, the FAA had forbidden pilots from using the potentially affected altimeters around airports where low-visibility conditions would otherwise require them.

That new rule could keep planes from getting to some airports in certain circumstances, because pilots would be unable to land using instruments alone.

“We are frustrated by the FAA’s inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it to do so in a timely manner,” an AT&T spokesperson said.

Earlier this week, mobile carriers AT&T and Verizon agreed to pause the rollout of the new high-speed 5G wireless service near major airports.

The Biden administration welcomed the halt, saying this “will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 per cent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.”

“While this is a positive development toward preventing widespread disruptions to flight operations, some flight restrictions may remain,” Delta said.

In a Tuesday letter, CEOs from some airlines told the Biden administration to push back the already-delayed rollout.

Airlines estimate 1,000 flight disruptions per day because of possible interference with radar altimeters that pilots use to land in low visibility conditions.

The telecom industry has not commented on the CEOs letter, but has said fears are unfounded since there have not been problems in other countries where 5G is already deployed.

According to a service map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), areas in California, Florida, New England, Texas and the midwest will gain 5G coverage. But aviation groups warn that it could jeopardize some of the largest airports, including in Los Angeles, New York and Houston.

The 5G signals will travel over radio frequencies that are collectively known as the C-Band. This band of airwaves is attractive to wireless carriers because it offers a good balance between cellular range and capacity – two key features of any wireless network. (Other sets of airwaves besides the C-Band are also used to carry 5G, but the current debate focuses on just the C-Band frequencies.)

On the spectrum of radio frequencies used for wireless communications, the C-Band sits right next to the band of frequencies used by the aircraft altimeters. The two are intentionally separated by a so-called guard band – essentially “blank” airwaves – to safeguard against interference.

To further address any aircraft risks, Verizon and AT&T have offered in November to limit the power of their 5G antennas and to take other precautionary measures.

But that hasn’t been enough to allay the concerns of the FAA, whose 11th-hour order would have “an enormous negative impact on the aviation industry,” the CEOs of Boeing and Airbus wrote in a letter Monday to the Department of Transportation.

The CEOs added: “We agree that 5G interference could adversely affect the ability of aircraft to safely operate.”

The letter cites an estimate published by the industry group Airlines for America, which predicts the FAA restrictions will disrupt 345,000 passenger flights, 32 million passengers and 5,400 cargo flights. The FAA’s own order estimates that 6,800 US airplanes could be affected by the plan, along with 1,800 helicopters.

Technology experts say that while 5G antennas could theoretically lead to interference around airports, the potential for interference is an ever-present feature of all wireless communications – not just 5G – and that so far regulators around the world have done a good job of handling it.

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Indian equity markets open higher amid positive global cues

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Mumbai, Oct 12: Domestic equity benchmark indices opened higher on Monday amid positive factors like gains in Asian markets and a decline in crude oil prices.

Nifty began trading session at 22,593.20, up 72.75 points or 0.32 per cent.

Meanwhile, Sensex opened at 72,771.32, up 298.99 points or 0.41 per cent.

In early deals, mostly sectoral indices were trading in positive territory. Nifty Media, Nifty Auto and Nifty Chemicals jumped up to 1 per cent.

Similarly, Nifty Realty, Nifty Oil & Gas, Nifty Cement, Nifty Metal and Nifty IT surged between 0.81 per cent to 0.64 per cent. However, other sectoral indices were also trading marginally higher.

On the downside, Nifty PSU Bank just slipped 0.01 per cent.

Market experts said external headwinds are dominating domestic tailwinds, adding that the market is going through a stage wherein external headwinds are dominating domestic tailwinds.

Elevated crude prices and high US bond yields will continue to impact market. FIIs will continue to sell in the near term, and DIIs will continue to absorb FII selling, according to them.

Moreover, an impressive GDP growth estimate of 7.1 per cent for FY27 and improving corporate profitability provide strong fundamental support to the market, the experts said.

“Therefore, investors can accumulate fairly valued growth stocks ignoring uncertainty and volatility in market. For investors with medium-to-long-term horizon, this market provides value buying opportunities. Patience is key,” they added.

They further noted that if crude declines sharply following favourable developments in the Middle East, the market can rally significantly from current levels.

Technically, Friday’s bounce and inside bar formation set up an environment for a rise to 22,800-23,200. However, inability to close above 22,575 will keep trend within bear grip. Downside marker for day may be kept at 22,295, Friday’s reaction low, another analyst said.

In addition, asian markets opened cautiously today in early hours as investors braced for earnings season which could test elevated technology valuations.

Oil prices eased on prospects of higher Russian supplies following agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities.

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Indian Railways throws open 3,584 jobs for young graduates

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New Delhi, Oct 11: Indian Railways has announced 3,548 graduate-level vacancies for jobs under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC–Graduate), which provide opportunities for graduates to work across different functional areas of railway operations and administration, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

The recruitment through Centralised Employment Notification issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) covers four categories of posts, including Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor, Goods Train Manager, Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist, and Senior Clerk Cum Typist. These positions offer career opportunities across commercial services, train operations, accounts and administration, supporting the efficient functioning of railway services across the country, the statement said.

Of the total 3,548 vacancies, as many as 2,750 are for Goods Train Manager, followed by 371 for Senior Clerk Cum Typist, 300 for Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist, and 127 for Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor.

The posts offer initial basic pay under the Seventh Central Pay Commission. Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor carries an initial basic pay of Rs 35,400 per month at Pay Level 6, while the other three categories carry an initial basic pay of Rs 29,200 per month at Pay Level 5. Applicable allowances and service conditions will be governed by the relevant rules.

The online application process commenced on October 8, and eligible candidates can submit their applications until 11:59 p.m. on November 6. The last date for payment of the examination fee is November 8, while the application modification window is scheduled from November 9 to 18 November.

Candidates must possess a degree from a recognised university or its equivalent and fulfil the prescribed post-specific eligibility conditions. The notified age limit is 18-33 years as on January 1, 2027, with applicable age relaxations for eligible categories under the prescribed rules.

The selection process comprises a first-stage Computer-Based Test (CBT), a second-stage CBT, followed by document verification and medical examination, as applicable. The recruitment framework also provides applicable reservation and age-relaxation benefits, along with scribe assistance and compensatory time for eligible candidates with disabilities, in accordance with the prescribed provisions.

Another provision under CEN No. 06/2026 is the dispensation of the Computer-Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for the posts of Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist and Senior Clerk Cum Typist. Candidates are nevertheless expected to possess basic computer and typing proficiency, which will be assessed after joining, as specified in the notification, the statement said.

Candidates can access the detailed notification, vacancy distribution, eligibility criteria and recruitment updates through the official Railway Recruitment Boards website:https://rrb.indianrailways.gov.in

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BMC to crack down on illegal debris disposal, impose Rs 25,000 fine for tracking violations

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Mumbai, Oct 11: As air quality concerns begin to resurface following the withdrawal of the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reportedly set to tighten enforcement of construction and demolition (C&D) waste management rules across the city.

Starting Monday, the civic body will levy a penalty of Rs 25,000 on every vehicle found transporting construction debris or excavation material without an active and authorised Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System (VTMS).

Construction sites that fail to register on the BMC’s Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System (MDCTS) portal will also face a fine of Rs 25,000 for each violation.

The move comes amid growing concerns over illegal dumping of construction waste and its impact on Mumbai’s environment and air quality. In a circular issued to all 26 municipal wards, the BMC has directed officials to begin inspections and enforcement drives immediately.

Mumbai generates more than 8,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste every day, significantly exceeding the city’s treatment capacity.

The two processing facilities at Dahisar and Shilphata can collectively handle only around 1,200 tonnes of debris daily, creating a large gap that has led to rampant illegal dumping.

Civic officials said debris is frequently discarded along roadsides, vacant plots, drains, creeks, water bodies and mangrove areas, as per the report.

To improve monitoring and accountability, the BMC launched the MDCTS portal on August 24. The digital platform is designed to track C&D waste from its point of generation to authorised disposal or processing facilities.

It also allows civic authorities to monitor debris-carrying vehicles in real time, detect route deviations and identify suspected cases of illegal dumping.

The civic body has made registration on the portal mandatory for contractors, government agencies and private developers undertaking construction activities.

Registered entities are required to submit detailed waste management plans, while vehicles transporting debris must be fitted with GPS-enabled VTMS devices and follow approved transportation routes.

According to BMC data, the MDCTS portal recorded 220 registrations between August 24 and October 9. These included 109 builders and developers, 44 transporters, 19 BMC contractors, 17 external buyers of debris and soil, 15 corporate entities and four government agencies. No registrations were received from individual citizens during the period.

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