This has turned out to be the worst month so far, as foreign investors continue pulling out from their Indian investments amid the Iran-Israel war.

Commenting on the current trends, Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments said the weakness in global equity markets following the war in West Asia, the steady depreciation of the rupee, fears of decline in remittances from the Gulf region and concerns surrounding the impact of high crude price on India’s growth and corporate earnings contributed to the sustained selling by FPIs.

“It is important to understand that FPIs were sellers in other emerging markets, too, like Taiwan and South Korea. There is a risk-off trend in equity markets, globally after the war broke out in West Asia. The poor returns from India vis-a-vis other markets – both developed and emerging- during the last eighteen months is the principal reason for FPI’s indifference towards India. If their sustained selling strategy is to change, there should be an end to the hostilities in West Asia and decline in crude prices,” Vijayakumar said.

On Friday, FIIs sold domestic shares at Rs 4,367.30 crore while DIIs were net buyers at Rs 3,566.15 crore.

Live Events

Indian frontline indices ended their two-session rally amid sharp cuts as a failure in the Iran-US negotiations dented the market mood. Elevated energy prices and a plunging rupee aggravated troubles for domestic investors. Amid high volatility, markets were mainly dragged by financials, auto and consumer stocks. Nifty settled at 22,819.60, falling by 486.85 points or 2.09% while the BSE Sensex closed at 73,583.22, declining 1,690.23 points or 2.25%.

FIIs in 2026

Foreign investors turned net buyers in February, buying shares worth Rs 22,615 crore in the domestic markets so far. In January, they sold Rs 35,962 crore worth of shares.
In 2025, the FIIs buying trends remained patchy, but the overall trend was bearish. They took Rs 1,66,286 crore from Indian markets as trade deal delay and premium valuations weighed on the sentiments.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

The CME Comex is the exchange where futures are traded for gold, silver, and other commodities. The CME also allows futures buyers to turn their contracts into physical metal through delivery. You can find more detail on the CME

AUSTIN, Texas — Travelers asking about TSA wait times at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, can expect relatively smooth security screening for most of the day, with average waits under 15 minutes at many times, though early morning peaks and occasional spikes up to 30-35 minutes remain possible amid ongoing spring break and high passenger volumes.

As of late morning into the afternoon, multiple real-time trackers reported standard security lines averaging around 0-12 minutes, with TSA PreCheck lanes often clearing in 5 minutes or less. However, airport officials continue to urge passengers to arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before domestic flights — and even earlier for international departures — due to the busy travel season that has strained operations in recent weeks.

Austin-Bergstrom, the primary gateway to the Texas capital known for its live music vibe and “Keep Austin Weird” spirit, has seen significant passenger surges this March. The airport warned of “high passenger volume days” stretching from mid-March through early April, coinciding with spring break for many school districts and lingering effects from major events like South by Southwest.

On peak days earlier in the month, such as March 13-16, security lines spilled outside the terminal doors, with some travelers reporting waits of 45 to 90 minutes during the busiest pre-dawn hours between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Videos and social media posts showed long queues snaking through the check-in areas and onto sidewalks, prompting airport alerts and media coverage of the chaos.

Officials emphasized that the extended lines were driven primarily by record-breaking passenger numbers rather than TSA staffing shortages alone, though a partial government shutdown affecting federal agencies added pressure with higher callouts reported nationwide. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and airport representatives noted that TSA screening itself was not the core bottleneck; instead, the sheer volume of travelers checking bags, returning rental cars and navigating parking contributed to the backups.

Checkpoint operations at AUS typically begin around 3 a.m., with multiple lanes opening progressively. Checkpoint 2 often serves as the main hub, while others provide overflow capacity. On Saturday, data from trackers like OnAirParking and iFly showed fluctuating hourly averages: as low as 0 minutes in some slots, climbing to 27-33 minutes during traditional rush periods like 5-7 a.m. and 10-11 a.m. Afternoon hours have generally trended lighter.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members continue to enjoy significantly shorter experiences, often bypassing standard lines entirely. Enrollment in these programs has proven especially valuable during busy periods, with PreCheck waits frequently under 10 minutes even when general lines lengthen.

The MyTSA app remains a recommended tool for real-time crowd-sourced updates, though some users note that official estimates can lag during disruptions. Third-party sites such as Takeoff Timer and FlightQueue provide supplementary live data, showing standard security around 11-35 minutes depending on the exact moment of check. Travelers are advised to cross-reference multiple sources and monitor the official @AustinAirport social channels for alerts.

Airport management has increased staffing where possible and adjusted lane configurations to handle demand. Despite the challenges, flight operations have largely remained on schedule, with only minor delays reported on most days. FAA data indicated low airborne and gate delays as of late March.

For those departing today, the busiest window remains early morning departures. Travelers with flights before 9 a.m. should plan conservatively, factoring in parking, bag drop and potential rental car returns. Midday and evening flights have seen more predictable flows in recent reports.

AUS offers several amenities to ease the journey, including diverse dining options featuring local Austin flavors — from barbecue to breakfast tacos — and shopping that highlights Texas artists and musicians. Free Wi-Fi, charging stations and family-friendly areas help passengers pass the time if they arrive with extra buffer.

The surge reflects broader trends in Texas aviation. Austin’s rapid growth as a technology and music hub has driven consistent increases in enplanements, making AUS one of the faster-growing medium-sized airports in the country. Officials expect the high-volume period to ease after early April as spring break concludes for most districts.

Passengers can further speed their experience by preparing in advance: removing liquids and electronics from carry-ons, wearing slip-on shoes, and ensuring ID and boarding passes are readily accessible. The TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule remains strictly enforced, and prohibited items can cause secondary screening delays.

International travelers face additional considerations, with longer recommended arrival windows to account for customs and immigration on return, though outbound international security follows similar domestic protocols at AUS.

Looking ahead, the airport continues infrastructure improvements to handle future growth. While Checkpoint 3 remains closed through parts of 2026 for upgrades, the remaining facilities have proven resilient during the current busy stretch.

Travelers with disabilities or needing assistance can request expedited or accessible screening through TSA Cares. Families with young children benefit from dedicated lanes when available.

As Saturday evening approaches, lines are expected to remain manageable unless a late surge occurs. Real-time conditions can shift quickly with flight banks or unexpected events, so checking 30-60 minutes before heading to the airport is wise.

Austin-Bergstrom’s convenient location just minutes from downtown continues to make it a favorite for both business and leisure travelers. Its compact layout generally allows efficient movement once past security, with gates easily accessible.

In summary, while TSA wait times at AUS are currently short for much of Saturday, March 28, the lesson from recent weeks is clear: build in extra time during this high-volume spring travel season. Arriving early ensures a smoother experience and reduces stress, allowing passengers to enjoy the airport’s unique Austin character rather than worrying about missing their flight.

For the absolute latest updates, consult the MyTSA app, third-party wait time trackers, or the airport’s official website and social media. Safe travels to all departing from Austin-Bergstrom today and throughout the busy period.

This article was written by

Follow

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

In 2023-24, Wales received just £168m or 2% of the UK total, from UKRI – the body responsible for funding R&D and innovation

While attention has rightly focused on the financial crisis facing our universities, the growing instability across the sector poses another, less-discussed but potentially more damaging long-term threat: the risk to Welsh research capacity, innovation and the country’s wider economic future.

This matters because in a modern economy, research and innovation are among the key drivers of productivity, business creation and long-term prosperity. The countries and regions that generate ideas, develop intellectual property and turn discoveries into commercial activity are the ones that create the high-value jobs of the future. Those that do not are left behind, and that is precisely the danger Wales now faces.

READ MORE: We need a plan to revive and renew struggling universities in WalesREAD MORE: Welsh rugby makes a huge economic contribution shows new report

Across the UK, public investment in research and development remains substantial, but the way funding is allocated is increasingly favouring institutions with scale, critical mass, strong commercialisation records and the capacity to compete successfully at the highest level. In other words, the system increasingly rewards those universities and regions that are already ahead, and unfortunately, Wales is not included.

For over 20 years, I have maintained that research and innovation funding should be devolved, yet during that time, politicians have largely failed to make a compelling case, while too many vice-chancellors seem more comfortable defending the status quo than challenging it. The outcome is that Wales remains reliant on a UK-wide system that has consistently failed to reflect either our population share or our economic needs.

The numbers are stark. In 2023-24, Wales received just £168m or 2% of the UK total, from UKRI – the body responsible for funding R&D and innovation – despite accounting for around 5% of the UK population.

That shortfall is not a marginal issue but is a structural disadvantage with real economic consequences, and on a per-person basis, Wales received £53 compared with a UK average of £134, making Wales one of the weakest-funded parts of the UK both per head and as a share of GVA.

However, if research and development funding had been devolved and allocated through the Welsh fiscal framework, including a needs-based uplift, Wales could have received as much as £322m, almost double what it receives now.

Pause for a moment and consider that, over the past decade alone, Wales has missed out on more than £1bn of funding that could have boosted research capacity, innovation, business collaboration and the wider Welsh economy. This estimate is conservative because it does not account for the broader economic effects of greater control over R&D priorities, co-investment, commercialisation and regional innovation policy; the actual long-term loss to Wales could be higher.

Indeed, if this money had been available, it would have been transformational, providing more support for collaboration between universities and businesses and a greater scope to back commercially relevant innovation in sectors where Wales has genuine strengths. More importantly, it would have meant a far greater chance of turning Welsh ideas into Welsh wealth.

Too often, we talk about economic development in Wales as though it is mainly about grants, property schemes, infrastructure announcements or another reorganisation of the business support landscape. But if we are serious about creating a stronger economy, we need to pay much more attention to the sources of future value creation – research, innovation and commercialisation.

When research is strong, businesses benefit, new technologies emerge and intellectual property is developed and retained, while investors begin to look at a place differently, skills deepen and supply chains strengthen.

We already know what success can look like and Cardiff University’s Draig Therapeutics, which recently secured $140m in venture capital investment, is exactly the kind of example Wales should be producing more often. It shows what can happen when high-quality research, commercial focus and investor confidence come together.

However welcome one example may be, it is not enough. Wales should be building a pipeline of such businesses rather than celebrating them as rare exceptions. This is why the debate over research funding cannot be separated from the financial crisis currently affecting Welsh higher education. When universities fall into survival mode, research becomes vulnerable, particularly in institutions lacking large reserves, substantial endowments or a high level of research activity.

This damage is not easily reversed, and once research capacity begins to decline, rebuilding it is much more difficult than cutting it, as skilled teams disperse, international networks weaken and younger academics seek opportunities elsewhere. Consequently, commercial relationships drift apart, opportunities fade and, over time, the country’s ability to compete for talent, funding and investment diminishes.

This is why the stakes are so high. The issue is not simply whether Welsh universities can balance their books over the next two or three years, but whether Wales wants to remain a serious participant in the creation of new knowledge, new technologies and new industries.

At least there are signs that this argument is finally beginning to gain some political support. The First Minister recently stated that Wales should receive a fairer share of UK research funding, although there are no details on how she intends to achieve this. However, that recognition is welcome, even if it has taken more than a quarter of a century for the point to be taken seriously.

But fairer funding within the current system should not be the end of the debate, and Wales should be making the case for the full devolution of research and innovation funding. Properly designed and strategically deployed, it could do more to strengthen the long-term Welsh economy than almost anything the Welsh Government has undertaken in the field of economic development since devolution began.

That is why this matters so much, and the future of Welsh higher education is not only about keeping institutions afloat but about deciding whether Wales will be a country that creates knowledge, owns ideas and builds businesses from them, or one that watches others do so and wonders, once again, why the rewards end up elsewhere.