Thailand can benefit from diversified supply chains due to global tensions, but Chris Humphrey emphasizes that political stability is crucial for effective regulatory reform.

Key Points

• Thailand can benefit from supply chain diversification due to increasing global tensions.
• Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, emphasizes that political stability is crucial for regulatory reform.
• Humphrey shared insights during an interview with Franc Han Shih on The Nation Thailand’s business show, The Next Move.

Thailand’s Strategic Position in Global Supply Chains

Thailand is poised to capitalize on supply chain diversification as global tensions mount. With disruptions impacting traditional supply routes, Thailand’s geographical advantages and robust manufacturing base present significant opportunities for businesses seeking alternative sourcing locations. This shift in focus not only aims to secure supply chains but also seeks to attract foreign investments that can drive economic growth and resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges, reinforcing Thailand’s status as a vital player in the ASEAN region.

Political Stability as a Catalyst for Reform

Despite these advantages, political stability remains a crucial element for Thailand’s success in fostering an environment conducive to regulatory reform. Chris Humphrey, the Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, emphasized this during an interview with Franc Han Shih on The Nation Thailand’s program, The Next Move.

He noted that sustained political stability enables the government to implement effective reglations that can further streamline business operations and bring more foreign investment. Without this stability, the potential benefits of supply chain diversification may not be fully realized, hindering progress in various sectors.

Source : Thailand stands to benefit from supply chain diversification amid rising global tensions. However, Chris Humphrey says political stability remains key to driving regulatory reform.

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Lyft is rolling out a temporary relief plan for its drivers across the U.S. as rising gas prices continue to cut into earnings.

The company announced Wednesday that the 60-day program will begin March 27 and run through May 26. Drivers can earn cash back and save on fuel when they use a Lyft Direct debit card at participating gas stations nationwide.

“Gas prices have jumped significantly in the past few weeks, and we know that hits hardest for drivers who depend on driving for their income,” Lyft said in a statement. “When costs fluctuate, we know relief matters.”

LAX APPROVES RIDESHARE FEE HIKE THAT COULD PUSH UBER AND LYFT FARES SHARPLY HIGHER

Lyft’s program will begin on March 27 and run through May 26. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images )

The plan gives top-tier drivers an extra 2% cash back on fuel, with mid-tier drivers getting an additional 1%. These incentives stack on top of existing rewards, which can total up to 10% depending on driver status.

Drivers can also save an extra 14 cents per gallon through Lyft’s partnership with the Upside app with the option to redeem points for further discounts.

Altogether, Lyft estimates total savings could reach as much as 98 cents per gallon for its highest-performing drivers based on average U.S. gas prices of $3.97.

LYFT TO LAUNCH FEATURE FOR ELDERLY PASSENGERS LATER THIS YEAR

Sign for Lyft and Uber services at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

As of Wednesday, gas prices hovered at around $3.98 per gallon, according to AAA.

“Drivers are feeling the cost of rising gas prices, which ultimately impacts their earnings,” Yuko Yamazaki, vice president and head of driver at Lyft, said in a statement. “When costs spike, we want drivers to choose Lyft because they feel like the platform works for them, not against them.”

Gas prices have surged more than 30% in recent weeks, driven by global energy disruptions tied to the conflict involving Iran, according to Reuters. 

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A Lyft driver passes through the Second Street Tunnel in downtown Los Angeles. (Bing Guan/Reuters)

Lyft also noted that drivers using electric vehicles can access separate charging incentives.

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The move follows a similar announcement from DoorDash earlier this week. 

Its program, running through April 26, combines cash-back incentives with weekly payments to help offset fuel costs for active Dashers.

FOX Business’ Amanda Macias contributed to this report.

Sebi has proposed the creation of an IT Resilience Index (ITRI) to monitor the health of their IT systems.

The move comes amid growing reliance on technology for trading, clearing and settlement, making system stability critical to market integrity.

Sebi said the index would give managements and oversight committees a clearer view of vulnerabilities, while also enabling comparisons across institutions.

The ITRI will be computed using a standardised set of parameters with assigned weightages. Availability and security will carry the highest weight at 20% each, followed by integrity, governance, reliability and monitoring, business continuity, and modularity and flexibility at 10% each. Scalability and factors such as incident handling will have lower weights, the regulator said.

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The city of Baltimore has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk‘s artificial intelligence company xAI, accusing its chatbot Grok of generating harmful and nonconsensual sexualized “deepfake” images, including those involving minors.

The complaint, filed in a local circuit court, claims that Grok has been used to create explicit images of people without their permission.

City officials argue that this violates consumer protection laws and puts users at serious risk.

The lawsuit marks one of the first major actions by a US city targeting AI-generated deepfake content.

According to the filing, Grok—launched in 2023 and distributed through the social platform X—was promoted as a safe, general-purpose tool.

However, Baltimore alleges the platform has instead become a major source of harmful material.

The city claims millions of realistic sexualized images were created in a short period, including thousands involving children.

According to CNBC, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott strongly criticized the situation, saying, “We’re talking about tech companies enabling the sexual exploitation of children.”

He added that the issue is “a threat to privacy, dignity and public safety,” and stressed that those responsible must be held accountable.

Baltimore Targets Grok Over Deepfakes

The lawsuit also points to a viral trend where users prompted Grok to alter images of real people into revealing or explicit versions. Officials argue that such features make it easy to misuse the technology.

In one example cited in the complaint, Musk himself shared an AI-generated image of his likeness in revealing clothing, which the city claims signaled approval of the tool’s capabilities.

Baltimore is now asking the court to step in. The city wants an order requiring xAI to change how Grok works, especially features that may enable abuse.

It is also seeking financial penalties, though no specific amount has been disclosed.

The case comes as xAI faces growing scrutiny worldwide. Regulators in several countries are already reviewing how Grok handles sensitive content.

In response to earlier concerns, the company said it had started limiting certain image requests and blocking content in places where it may be illegal.

Musk previously stated he was “not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok,” pushing back on claims about the platform, Reuters reported.

However, Baltimore officials say the scale of the issue suggests stronger safeguards are needed.

Originally published on vcpost.com

Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, fought back tears Tuesday as she gave her first public interview since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home nearly two months ago, describing nightly nightmares of her mother’s terror and the family’s desperate hope for her safe return.

In an emotional conversation with longtime colleague Hoda Kotb that aired in excerpts on “Today” and will continue in two parts Thursday and Friday, Guthrie opened up about the “agony” that has consumed her family since Nancy Guthrie vanished early Feb. 1 from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson. Investigators believe the widow was taken against her will in the middle of the night, with drops of blood found on the front porch and chilling doorbell camera footage showing a masked, armed suspect.

“It’s been 53 days,” Guthrie said, her voice breaking as she sat with Kotb. “Every night I wake up imagining what she must be going through, the terror she felt. As a daughter, that’s something I can’t unsee.” She described the constant ache of uncertainty, saying the family still believes Nancy is alive and pleading for anyone with information to come forward.

Nancy Guthrie, described by family as vibrant and independent, was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31 when relatives dropped her off after dinner. She was reported missing the next day. Pima County Sheriff’s officials quickly shifted the case from a missing person investigation to a suspected abduction, citing evidence she was taken by force. No suspects have been named, though authorities have not ruled out multiple perpetrators and have described the case as potentially targeted.

The family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return, while the FBI has added a $100,000 reward and urged tips via 1-800-CALL-FBI. In earlier public appeals, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, addressed possible kidnappers directly, saying they received messages, were “ready to listen” and would pay to bring their mother home safely. They begged for proof of life, but none has been provided.

Guthrie told Kotb the family remains in constant contact with investigators and clings to hope despite the passage of time. Nancy requires daily medication for heart issues, including a pacemaker, raising concerns about her health. The family has repeatedly emphasized that time is critical.

The case has captivated the nation, drawing widespread media attention partly because of Guthrie’s high-profile role on “Today.” Doorbell camera video released by authorities shows a masked figure at the door in the early morning hours. Searches have involved extensive law enforcement resources, including the FBI, but no arrests have been made and few solid leads have emerged publicly.

Guthrie returned briefly to the “Today” studio earlier in March to thank colleagues but had stayed largely out of the spotlight until Tuesday’s sit-down. She has been focused on supporting her family and working behind the scenes to aid the search. Colleagues described her as resilient yet visibly strained by the ordeal.

In the interview, Guthrie spoke of the “Nancy Guthrie effect,” noting how her mother’s disappearance has spotlighted other missing persons cases and renewed attention on families enduring similar pain. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from viewers and strangers who have shared tips and prayers.

Security experts and former law enforcement officials have offered varying theories, with some suggesting a targeted abduction possibly linked to ransom demands involving Bitcoin, while others speculate it could involve multiple suspects or a botched home invasion. Megyn Kelly and others have discussed the possibility of a transnational criminal element, though authorities have not confirmed any theory.

The Guthrie family has stressed that Nancy’s loved ones, including spouses, are not suspects. The investigation remains active, with searches continuing in the Tucson area and beyond. Officials have recovered gloves and other items during sweeps, but no breakthrough has been announced.

Guthrie, 54, has balanced her high-pressure role on “Today” with personal challenges before, including raising two young children with husband Michael Feldman. Her transparency during the ordeal has drawn praise from viewers who see her as a relatable figure navigating unimaginable grief in the public eye.

Kotb, who has known Guthrie for years and has faced her own family health struggles, gently guided the conversation, allowing moments of silence as Guthrie composed herself. The full interview is expected to delve deeper into family memories of Nancy, the toll on siblings and grandchildren, and messages of hope.

Nancy Guthrie was known as a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed an active life in retirement in the Tucson area. Family members have shared photos and stories highlighting her warmth and spirit, pleading for her safe return so the family can “celebrate with her.”

As the search enters its eighth week, the FBI and local authorities continue to appeal for tips. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities immediately, as even small details could prove vital.

Guthrie’s appearance on “Today” marked a significant step in her public processing of the trauma while keeping the focus on finding her mother. She ended the excerpt with a direct message: “Mom, if you can hear this, we love you. We are fighting for you every day. Please hold on.”

The case has also sparked broader conversations about elder safety, home security and the challenges of investigating abductions involving vulnerable adults. Advocacy groups for missing persons have noted increased awareness and tips in other cases since Nancy’s disappearance gained national attention.

NBC has supported Guthrie throughout, allowing her time away from regular duties while keeping her role on the show open. Co-anchors and contributors have filled in, sending frequent messages of solidarity.

As the two-part interview airs later this week, viewers are expected to hear more about the family’s daily reality, the strain of unanswered questions and their unwavering determination. Guthrie’s composure under immense personal pressure has been noted by colleagues as a testament to her strength.

For now, the Guthrie family continues to wait and hope. The $1 million reward remains active, and law enforcement vows not to give up. Savannah Guthrie’s emotional interview served as both a raw glimpse into a daughter’s pain and a renewed public call to action in one of the most closely watched missing persons cases in recent memory.