Business
Gaza’s Rafah crossing reopens, allowing limited travel as Palestinians claim delays and mistreatment
The vital border point opened last week for the first time since 2024, one of the main requirements for the US-backed ceasefire. The crossing was closed Friday and Saturday because of confusion about reopening operations.
Egypt’s Al Qahera television station said that Palestinians began crossing in both directions around noon on Sunday. Israel didn’t immediately confirm the information.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington this week, though the major subject of discussion will be Iran, his office said.
Delays and mistreatment accusations
Over the first four days of the crossing’s opening, just 36 Palestinians requiring medical care were allowed to leave for Egypt, plus 62 companions, according to UN data, after Israel retrieved the body of the last hostage held in Gaza and several American officials visited Israel to press for the opening.
Palestinian officials say nearly 20,000 people in Gaza are seeking to leave for medical care that isn’t available in the territory. Those who have succeeded in crossing described delays and allegations of mistreatment by Israeli forces and other groups involved in the crossing, including an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, Abu Shabab.
A group of Palestinian patients and wounded gathered Sunday morning in the courtyard of a Red Crescent hospital in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis, before making their way to the Rafah crossing with Egypt for treatment abroad, family members told The Associated Press.Amjad Abu Jedian, who was injured in the war, was scheduled to leave Gaza for medical treatment on the first day of the crossing’s reopening, but only five patients were allowed to travel that day, his mother, Raja Abu Jedian, said. Abu Jedian was shot by an Israeli sniper while he doing building work in the central Bureij refugee camp in July 2024, she said.
On Saturday, his family received a call from the World Health Organization notifying them that he is included in the group that will travel on Sunday, she said.
“We want them to take care of the patients (during their evacuation),” she said. “We want the Israeli military not to burden them.”
The Israeli defence branch that oversees the operation of the crossing didn’t immediately confirm the opening.
Heading back to Gaza
A group of Palestinians also arrived Sunday morning at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to return to the Gaza Strip, Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News satellite television reported.
Palestinians who returned to Gaza in the first few days of the crossing’s operation described hours of delays and invasive searches by Israeli authorities and Abu Shabab. A European Union mission and Palestinian officials run the border crossing, and Israel has its screening facility some distance away.
The crossing was reopened on Feb. 2 as part of a fragile ceasefire deal to halt the Israel-Hamas war.
The Rafah crossing, an essential lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza, was the only one in the Palestinian territory not controlled by Israel before the war. Israel seized the Palestinian side of Rafah in May 2024, though traffic through the crossing was heavily restricted even before that.
Restrictions negotiated by Israeli, Egyptian, Palestinian and international officials meant that only 50 people would be allowed to return to Gaza each day and 50 medical patients – along with two companions for each – would be allowed to leave, but far fewer people have so far crossed in both directions.
Hamas negotiations
A senior Hamas official, Khaled Mashaal, said the militant group is open to discuss the future of its arms as part of a “balanced approach” that includes the reconstruction of Gaza and protecting the Palestinian enclave from Israel.
Mashaal said the group has offered multiple options, including a long-term truce, as part of its ongoing negotiations with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators.
Hamas plans to agree to a number of “guarantees,” including a 10-year period of disarmament and an international peacekeeping force on the borders, “to maintain peace and prevent any clashes,” between the militants and Israel, Mashaal said at a forum in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Israel has repeatedly demanded a complete disarmament and destruction of Hamas and its infrastructure, both military and civil.
Mashaal accused Israel of financing and arming militias, like the Abu Shabab group which operates in Israeli military-controlled areas in Gaza, “to create chaos” in the enclave.
In the forum, Mashaal was asked about Hamas’ position from US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. He didn’t offer a specific answer, but said that the group won’t accept “foreign intervention” in Palestinian affairs.
“Gaza is for the people of Gaza. Palestinians are for the people of Palestine,” he said. “We will not accept foreign rule.” (AP) GSP
Business
IPO Calendar: No fresh issues next week; Coal India subsidiary, 6 more companies set to debut
Emiac Technologies IPO
The SME IPO of Emiac Technologies, which opened on Friday, will resume its public bidding in the coming week. The issue closes on Wednesday, April 8. The issue was subscribed 33% on the opening day.
The company plans to raise Rs 31.75 crore through the issue which is entirely a fresh issuance of equity shares. Ahead of the opening, the grey market premium (GMP) indicated a muted listing.
The company has set the price band at Rs 93–98 per share and investors can apply for a minimum of 1 lot which comprises 1,200 equity shares amounting to Rs 1,17,600.
In the book-building issue, the company will issue 32.40 lakh equity shares aggregating up to Rs 31.75 crore.
Mainboard listings
CMPDI IPO
Central Mine Planning will get listed on the exchanges on Monday, March 30. Ahead of its listing, the company’s shares were commanding a grey market premium (GMP) of Rs 6-7 over the upper price band of Rs 172. The stock is expected to list around Rs 179, implying a gain of over 4%.
The Rs 1,842 crore IPO CMPDI managed to sail through on the final day of bidding. By the end of Day 3, the issue was fully subscribed at 1.05 times the 7.97 crore shares on offer. The issue received over 8.36 crore share bids. Demand was mainly driven by Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), who subscribed the IPO 3.48 times their quota, while Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) showed muted interest at just 33%. The non-institutional investors’ (NII) quota also failed to get fully booked, managing only 35% subscription.
Sai Parenteral’s IPO
The mainboard issue that closed on Friday, is expected to make its market debut on Thursday, April 2. Its GMP suggests a flat listing at Rs 392.
The issue was subscribed 1.05 times over a three-day bidding period. It received over 78.80 lakh share bids against 75,22,486 equity shares available for booking.
The demand was mainly driven by non-institutional investors’ (NII) who subscribed the issue 2.36 times. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) subscribed the IPO 1.71 times their quota, while Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) hardly showed any interest, subscribing just 12% shares of the available quota.
Powerica IPO
This mainboard issue also ended on Friday. It is expected to make its market debut on Thursday, April 2. Its GMP suggests a muted listing at Rs 395, implying a listing premium of around 1%.
The issue was overall subscribed 1.45 times over a three-day bidding period. The demand was mainly driven by Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) who subscribed the IPO 4.5 times of their quota, while Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) hardly showed any interest, subscribing just 14% shares of the available quota.
The company planned to raise Rs 1,100 crore through the issue which is a combination of an offer for sale (OFS) and issuance of fresh equity. The company has set the price band at Rs 375–395 per share and retail investors can make applications for a minimum of 1 lot which comprises 37 equity shares amounting to Rs 14,615.
Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar IPO
The Rs 440 crore IPO of Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar Exports ended on Friday. The offering was subscribed 3.41 times against the total 1.89 crore shares on offer.
In the grey market, the IPO is commanding a premium of around 1.2%, or roughly Rs 3 above the issue price of Rs 212, suggesting a likely listing price near Rs 215.
This IPO is entirely a fresh issue of 2.08 crore shares, aiming to raise Rs 440 crore. The company is set to list on both the NSE and BSE, with a tentative listing date of April 2, 2026.
SME listings
The SME issue Speciality Medicines which closed on March 24 will list on Monday. The stock is expected to list flat on the BSE SME.
Tipco Engineering India IPO, ended on March 25. The stock will list on Wednesday April 1 on the BSE SME platform. The GMP revealed no listing gains.
Highness Microelectronics IPO ended on Friday. Its GMP suggests a listing at a 20% premium over the issue price of Rs 120. The estimated listing price is Rs 145.
(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
Business
Just 2 Minutes for General Boarding
Travelers heading through Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday, March 28, 2026, are encountering relatively light TSA security wait times compared to recent nationwide disruptions, with official and third-party trackers showing standard screening lines averaging under 20 minutes at most checkpoints during midday hours.

The official LAX security wait times page reported minimal delays early Saturday, with Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) showing just 2 minutes for general boarding and 0 minutes for TSA PreCheck as of 12:20 a.m. PT data refresh. Third-party monitors like TakeoffTimer and OnAirParking indicated average standard waits fluctuating between 16 and 19 minutes throughout the morning and early afternoon, well below peak-hour norms.
LAX, one of the world’s busiest airports handling more than 60 million passengers annually, typically sees longer lines during peak travel periods. On this late-March Saturday, however, conditions appeared smoother than the multi-hour delays reported at some other major U.S. hubs amid ongoing government staffing challenges.
Current TSA Wait Times at LAX
As of mid-morning on March 28, real-time data painted a traveler-friendly picture across LAX’s nine terminals:
– **Standard Security**: Average waits hovered around 16-19 minutes, with some reports as low as 10-13 minutes in mid-morning slots.
– **TSA PreCheck**: Consistently under 5-10 minutes, with many lanes clearing in 0-5 minutes at TBIT.
– **Peak Early Morning (4-6 a.m.)**: Higher waits reached 24-37 minutes in some hourly breakdowns, typical for the airport’s busiest departure window.
– **Afternoon/Evening Projections**: Expected to remain moderate, with potential spikes to 29-30 minutes around midday and early afternoon before easing later.
The flyLAX.com official dashboard, which updates periodically, confirmed short lines at TBIT, the primary international hub. Other terminals, including 1 through 8 and the regional terminals, showed similar patterns based on aggregated traveler reports and live trackers.
Despite a partial government shutdown affecting federal operations, including TSA staffing in some regions, LAX has avoided the extreme four-hour lines seen elsewhere. Local factors such as efficient lane management and variable passenger volumes on a non-holiday Saturday contributed to smoother processing.
Tips for Navigating LAX Security Today
Airport officials and travel experts recommend several strategies to minimize delays:
Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international departures. Download the official MyTSA app for real-time crowd-sourced updates and item screening guidelines. Enroll in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if eligible — these programs dramatically cut wait times, often to under five minutes.
Use the LAX app or flyLAX.com for terminal-specific information, parking status and ground transportation. Public transport options, including the LAX shuttle and Metro connections, help avoid traffic snarls that can compound arrival stress.
Pack smart: Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule and remove laptops, liquids and large electronics early. Wear slip-on shoes and avoid bulky outerwear to speed screening.
Travelers with disabilities or needing assistance can request expedited service or contact airport accessibility services in advance.
Broader Context: National TSA Challenges
While LAX fares better today, the U.S. aviation system continues grappling with staffing shortages tied to the prolonged partial government shutdown. TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill recently warned of record wait times exceeding four hours at select airports, with call-out rates as high as 40-50% among officers in heavily impacted facilities.
LAX has benefited from its scale and local operational adjustments, but travelers are urged to monitor conditions closely. Third-party sites like TakeoffTimer provide hourly forecasts, showing typical Saturday patterns with lighter evening traffic after 8 p.m.
Spring break travel has eased somewhat by late March, reducing family-driven crowds that plagued earlier weeks. International arrivals via TBIT remain steady but manageable, with CBP processing times separate from TSA security.
What Influences Wait Times at LAX
Several variables affect security lines daily:
– **Time of Day**: Early mornings (4-9 a.m.) and late afternoons (3-7 p.m.) traditionally see the longest queues due to flight banks.
– **Flight Volume**: International departures from TBIT often require additional screening, though PreCheck lanes help.
– **Staffing Levels**: TSA officers work across checkpoints; any call-outs can create temporary bottlenecks.
– **Passenger Preparation**: Compliant travelers who organize belongings move faster through screening.
– **Technology**: Automated lanes, credential scanners and biometric options continue rolling out to improve flow.
LAX has invested in infrastructure upgrades, including more PreCheck enrollment centers and expanded checkpoint capacity in recent years. These improvements help buffer against external pressures like the current federal staffing issues.
Real Traveler Experiences on March 28
Social media and forum reports from recent days, including Saturday morning, echoed the data. One traveler at Terminal 6 reported clearing security in about 10 minutes early in the week, while others noted quick PreCheck experiences under five minutes. Midday Saturday posts described “no line” scenarios in certain terminals, though individual results vary by exact checkpoint and arrival time.
Airport workers and frequent flyers noted that evenings and non-peak weekends often provide the smoothest experiences at LAX compared to weekdays.
Planning Your LAX Journey
For the most accurate information:
1. Check flyLAX.com/wait-times before leaving home.
2. Use the MyTSA app for live and historical data.
3. Monitor airline apps for gate and boarding updates.
4. Allow buffer time for traffic on the 405 and 105 freeways, which feed the airport.
Parking and rideshare options remain available but can add time during busier periods. Economy lots and off-site providers offer alternatives for longer stays.
Passengers should also review TSA’s prohibited items list to avoid secondary screening delays. With evolving security protocols, double-checking liquid rules and electronics requirements prevents frustration.
Looking Ahead for LAX Travelers
As March 28 progresses into evening hours, wait times are projected to remain light based on historical Saturday patterns. Sunday could see a slight uptick with weekend return traffic, but no major disruptions are anticipated unless staffing or weather issues arise.
LAX continues operating as a vital gateway for Southern California and international travel. Officials encourage proactive planning while assuring that safety remains the top priority.
Travelers facing longer-than-expected lines can use the airport’s free Wi-Fi to stay informed or contact their airline for assistance. Designated waiting areas and concessions provide comfort during any brief delays.
For the absolute latest updates, visit the official flyLAX security wait times page or download the MyTSA app. Real-time conditions can shift quickly, so checking within an hour of departure offers the best snapshot.
On this Saturday in Los Angeles, most passengers at LAX are experiencing efficient security screening, allowing more time to relax before boarding or connect with loved ones upon arrival. Smooth travels depend on preparation, flexibility and utilizing available tools — a combination proving effective for many on March 28, 2026.
Business
Asian Stock Markets Decline With Unclear End to Middle East Conflict
Asian Stock Markets Decline With Unclear End to Middle East Conflict
Business
Rentomojo files draft papers with Sebi for IPO; plans Rs 150-cr fresh issue
The proposed IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 150 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 2,83,99,567 equity shares by existing shareholders, according to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed on Friday.
The company proposes to utilise the proceeds from the fresh issue towards payment of debt, lease rentals or licence fees for its warehouses and experience stores, and for general corporate purposes.
Founded by Geetansh Bamania, the company operates a technology-driven, full-stack direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform offering rental and subscription services for furniture and home appliances across India.
Rentomojo is the largest player in the organised online rental segment for furniture and appliances, with an estimated market share of 42-47 per cent based on subscription revenue in FY2025, as per a Redseer report cited in the draft papers.
As of September 30, 2025, the company had over 2.27 lakh live subscribers across 22 cities, supported by a network of 21 warehouses.
On the financial front, revenue from operations stood at Rs 265.96 crore for the full fiscal year 2025 and profit after tax at Rs 43.11 crore for FY2025.
Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors, Axis Capital and IIFL Capital Services are the book-running lead managers to the issue.
Business
Growth Signals Remain Intact Despite Geopolitical Shocks
Growth Signals Remain Intact Despite Geopolitical Shocks
Business
Fed’s Perli: Monthly Pace of Treasury Purchases Likely to Be ‘Significantly Reduced’ After Mid-April
opinion
Kevin Warsh Isn’t Crazy, the Fed’s Big Balance Sheet Is
Business
Connections Hints and Answers for NYT Puzzle #1021 (March 28, 2026)
The New York Times’ popular word-grouping game Connections delivered another brain-teasing challenge to players on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with puzzle No. 1,021 blending everyday actions, physics concepts, educational visuals and clever wordplay.

Connections, which launched in 2023 and quickly became a daily staple alongside the Mini Crossword and Wordle, tasks players with sorting 16 words into four groups of four. Each group shares a hidden theme, ranked by difficulty from yellow (easiest) to purple (most challenging). Many solvers turned to online hints and companion articles as they tackled the Saturday edition.
Today’s Puzzle Themes and Answers
The 16 words in Connections #1021 were: BOARD, EMBARK, ENTER, MOUNT, ACCELERATION, FORCE, MASS, MOMENTUM, FIGURE, ILLUSTRATION, PICTURE, PLATE, FACE, PITCHER, POWER, ROBERT.
Here are the complete solutions, revealed in order from easiest to hardest:
Yellow Group (Easiest): Step Onto, as a Vehicle BOARD, EMBARK, ENTER, MOUNT
These verbs all describe boarding or mounting modes of transport — think stepping onto a bus, train, plane or even a horse. Solvers who spotted the travel-related action early often nailed this category first.
Green Group: Quantities in Mechanics ACCELERATION, FORCE, MASS, MOMENTUM
A physics-heavy group drawing from classical mechanics. These are fundamental quantities used in Newton’s laws and equations of motion. Players with a science background likely connected these quickly, though the theme required recalling high-school physics terminology.
Blue Group: Textbook Images FIGURE, ILLUSTRATION, PICTURE, PLATE
This category refers to visual elements commonly found in educational books. “Plate” here means a full-page image or diagram, a term still used in academic publishing. The grouping rewarded familiarity with how textbooks label their visuals.
Purple Group (Hardest): ____ Plant FACE, PITCHER, POWER, ROBERT
The trickiest set played on compound phrases: face plant, pitcher plant, power plant and Robert Plant (the iconic Led Zeppelin frontman). This punny category often stumps players until they consider proper names and botanical or industrial terms.
How Solvers Approached the Puzzle
Many online guides, including those from CNET, Mashable, Try Hard Guides and Lifehacker, offered tiered hints to avoid full spoilers. Early hints encouraged thinking about vehicle entry for the yellow group and basic physics for green. Blue hints pointed toward book visuals, while purple required lateral thinking around “plant.”
The New York Times’ own Connections Companion for No. 1,021 provided community discussion and further reading, noting the puzzle’s mix of concrete actions and abstract concepts. Some players reported struggling with the purple group due to the proper name “Robert Plant,” while others breezed through the mechanics terms.
Why Connections Remains Popular in 2026
Since its debut, Connections has grown into one of the NYT Games suite’s standout titles, attracting millions of daily players who share streaks, near-misses and victories on social media. Its appeal lies in the balance of logic, vocabulary, cultural knowledge and occasional wordplay — a formula that keeps the game fresh even years later.
Saturday’s puzzle exemplified this mix: accessible entry points via travel verbs contrasted with more specialized references to physics and publishing. The purple category added the signature “aha” moment many fans crave, linking mundane words to a rock legend and carnivorous flora.
For those who missed a perfect solve, the game resets daily with a new grid. Streaks carry over, encouraging consistent play. Tips from seasoned solvers include scanning for obvious synonyms first, then considering multiple meanings of words like “mount” or “plate,” which can fit different contexts.
Tips for Future Connections Puzzles
- Start with the yellow group by looking for strong synonyms or clear actions.
- Consider technical or academic fields for mid-level categories.
- Save purple for last — it often involves puns, proper names or less common phrases.
- Use the in-game shuffle button to rearrange words and spark new connections.
- If stuck, step away briefly; fresh eyes often reveal hidden links.
The NYT Games team continues to refine the puzzle, occasionally adding visual or thematic ties to current events while maintaining the core challenge. Followers of the official NYT Games Instagram account frequently find behind-the-scenes insights and solving strategies.
Whether you’re a daily player chasing a long streak or a casual solver checking in on weekends, Connections #1021 offered a satisfying mix of straightforward groupings and one head-scratching reveal. For the official companion and community reactions, visit the New York Times Games section.
Players can access the latest puzzle directly through the NYT Games app or website. With fresh challenges dropping every morning, there’s always another chance to test your word association skills.
(Word count: approximately 1,020. This article incorporates the latest available solutions and hints as of March 28, 2026, drawing from official NYT resources and leading puzzle coverage sites.)
Business
Verizon Stock: Caution Is Warranted, Despite The Strong Fundamentals (NYSE:VZ)
Petroleum engineer with an enthusiasm for investing, accounting and personal finances.
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