Business
Air traffic controllers, technicians with perfect attendance in shutdown to get $10,000 bonuses, FAA says
An airplane takes off from New York’s Laguardia Airport after the FAA ordered flight cuts at 40 major airports amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., November 7, 2025.
Ryan Murphy | Reuters
Air traffic controllers and technicians with perfect attendance during the government shutdown will receive $10,000 bonuses, the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration said this week.
The bonuses will go to 776 controllers and technicians, who will receive notification next week with payments going out by Dec. 9, the FAA and DOT said. There are about 11,000 fully certified air traffic controllers in the U.S., according to their union.
“These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a release late Thursday.
The DOT and FAA didn’t immediately say whether preplanned vacation time or fatigue calls would disqualify controllers and technicians from the bonus.
An increase in absences of air traffic controllers, who were required to work without their regular paychecks during the more than 40-day shutdown, the longest ever, forced airlines to slow or cancel flights. The shutdown ended Nov. 12 with a bill to fund the government through January.
The shutdown’s disruptions and additional strain on air traffic controllers, many of whom are already required to work six-day weeks, sparked an outcry from the aviation industry, which urged lawmakers to ensure critical workers aren’t left without pay if there’s another shutdown.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents the country’s air traffic controllers, said it was informed of the decision on cash bonuses hours before the announcement. It said that 311 employees represented by NATCA qualify for the payments.
“We look forward to working with the Administration to provide the appropriate recognition to those not covered by the Secretary’s announcement,” the union said in a statement.
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, the union that represents 11,000 FAA and Defense Department workers including technicians, said it is “reviewing the information that has been provided by the FAA and is evaluating how best to ensure that all employees who worked during the shutdown are recognized.”
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Transportation Security Administration officers who screen passengers at airports would also receive $10,000 bonuses for perfect attendance.
“Despite tremendous personal, operational, and financial challenges, these dedicated officers showed up to work every day for more than a month, without pay, ensuring the American people could travel safely,” DHS said in a press release.
Pakistan’s inflation rose to 7% in February 2026, marking the highest level since October 2024, as electricity price hikes and rising global uncertainty pushed consumer costs upward.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 6.98% year-on-year, compared to 5.8% in January and 1.5% in February last year.
Electricity Tariffs Drive Surge
The biggest impact came from higher electricity prices after subsidy cuts and revised tariff structures.
Housing, water, electricity, gas & fuels index rose 9.65% annually
Electricity prices alone increased 10.03% month-on-month
These adjustments significantly burdened households already coping with high living costs.
Core Inflation & Interest Rates
Core inflation showed slight easing:
Urban core inflation: 7.1% (down from 7.2%)
Rural core inflation: Stable at 8.3%
The rise in CPI reduced real interest rates by around 120 basis points. The State Bank of Pakistan kept its policy rate unchanged at 10.5% last month.
Food Prices Mixed
Food inflation rose to 5.8%, up from 3.9% in January.
Major increases:
Tomatoes: +82%
Wheat: +42.6%
Wheat flour: +25.9%
Meat: +11.3%
Milk powder: +9.4%
Price declines:
Potatoes: -40%
Chicken: -21.8%
Gram pulse: -21.7%
Onions: -17%
Wholesale Pressure Rising
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased to 1.0%, signaling growing producer-level cost pressures that could pass on to consumers in coming months.
External Risks Loom
Analysts warn that escalating Middle East tensions could:
Raise global oil prices
Increase Pakistan’s import bill
Pressure the rupee
Worsen inflation further
With millions of Pakistanis working in Gulf countries, any prolonged instability could also affect remittances — a key pillar of the economy.
Last Updated:
Gold and silver prices in India eased after a rally driven by Middle East conflict. 24-carat gold is Rs 1,70,020 per 10gm, silver below Rs 3,00,000.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, gold and silver prices have witnessed a sharp surge, with market experts warning of further increases if the conflict intensifies.
Gold and silver prices: Gold and silver prices across India eased slightly after rallying as investors rushed towards safe havens due to the conflict in the Middle East. The price of 24-carat gold stood at Rs 1,70,020 per 10 grams, while 22k gold was available at Rs 1,55,850 per 10 grams. These rates do not include GST and making charges.
Silver also fell by Rs 20,000 to come down below Rs 3,00,000.
On MCX, gold futures, whose expiry is on April 02, 2026, was traded at Rs 1,66,199 per 10 gram, with a rise of 2.53 per cent. While silver futures expiring on March 05, 2026, were trading at Rs 2,80,090 per kg, with a fall of 0.90 per cent.
What Is The Price Of 22kt, 24kt Gold Rates Today In India Across Key Cities On March 03?
| City | 22K Gold (per 10gm) | 24K Gold (per 10gm) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Rs 1,56,000 | Rs 1,70,170 |
| Jaipur | Rs 1,56,000 | Rs 1,70,170 |
| Ahmedabad | Rs 1,55,900 | Rs 1,70,070 |
| Pune | Rs 1,55,900 | Rs 1,70,070 |
| Mumbai | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Hyderabad | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Chennai | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Bengaluru | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Kolkata | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
What Factors Affect Gold Prices In India?
International market rates, import duties, taxes, and fluctuations in exchange rates primarily influence gold prices in India. Together, these factors determine the daily gold rates across the country.
In India, gold is deeply cultural and financial. It is a preferred investment option and is key to celebrations, particularly weddings and festivals.
With constantly changing market conditions, investors and traders monitor fluctuations closely. Staying updated is crucial for effectively navigating dynamic trends.
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March 03, 2026, 09:52 IST
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Shop price inflation eased in February but consumers are still paying 3.5% more for food than a year ago, figures show.
Overall shop inflation fell slightly to 1.1% from January’s 1.5%, in line with the three-month average of 1.1%, as fierce competition between retailers kept price rises in check and customers benefited from promotions across health, beauty and fashion, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NIQ.
Prices of products other than food were down 0.1% year on year, a significant drop from January’s growth of 0.3%.
Overall food inflation fell slightly to 3.5% from 3.9% in January, while fresh food prices remained 4.3% higher than last February, a slight drop from January’s 4.4% and above the three-month average of 4.2%.
However falling global costs pushed ambient food inflation down to 2.3% – its lowest level in four years and a significant fall from January’s 3.1%.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Households got some welcome relief in February as shop price inflation eased.
“While the direction of travel is promising, prices are still rising, and many consumers remain under pressure.”
Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at NIQ, said: “Since the start of the year, we have seen some competitive pricing across both the food and non-food channels which is helping to bring down inflation.
“Whilst the inclement weather and weak sentiment is making consumer demand rather unpredictable for retailers, at least shoppers are now seeing some of their cost-of-living pressures start to ease.”
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