Thailand’s Board of Investment believes the Middle East conflict is unlikely to significantly impact overall investment in Thailand. While some areas might experience specific effects, the broader investment landscape remains stable. The board remains optimistic about maintaining investor confidence and continuing to attract foreign investments despite regional geopolitical tensions.

The Bank of Thailand (BOI) has expressed confidence that the ongoing Middle East conflict is unlikely to significantly affect investment in Thailand. According to the BOI, Thailand’s economy is well-buffered due to its diverse investment portfolio and strong economic fundamentals, which offer resilience against external geopolitical tensions. The nation continues to attract investors due to its strategic location and robust infrastructure.

Thailand’s economic stability is further reinforced by its thriving industries, including tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture, which have consistently drawn international interest. The BOI emphasizes that these sectors provide a solid foundation for sustained growth, even amidst global uncertainties. Furthermore, ongoing government initiatives aimed at enhancing economic resilience bolster investor confidence in Thailand’s future prospects.

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The BOI remains proactive in monitoring global situations, ready to implement strategies to mitigate any potential impacts on the economy. By maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders, the BOI aims to reassure investors of Thailand’s commitment to maintaining a conducive investment environment. This reassured outlook positions Thailand as a reliable destination for investment, insulated from the immediate ripples of Middle Eastern geopolitical unrest.

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A tornado warning was briefly in effect Wednesday afternoon for portions of Allegheny County, including parts of Pittsburgh, as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through western Pennsylvania, prompting urgent safety alerts from the National Weather Service.

The warning, issued around 1:57 p.m. EDT, targeted central Allegheny County and northeastern Washington County until 2:30 p.m. EDT. Meteorologists detected radar-indicated rotation in a severe thunderstorm over McDonald, about 8 miles northwest of Canonsburg, moving east at approximately 40 mph.

“Hazard… Tornado,” the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh stated in the alert. “Source… Radar indicated rotation. Impact… Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

Locations potentially affected included Pittsburgh, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, McKeesport, West Mifflin, Baldwin, Upper St. Clair, Scott Township, Wilkinsburg, Whitehall, Robinson Township, Munhall, Brentwood, Swissvale, Dormont and Castle Shannon.

Residents in the warned areas were urged to take immediate action: move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building, away from windows. Those outdoors, in mobile homes or vehicles were advised to seek the nearest substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris.

The tornado warning was part of a broader severe weather event impacting the region. A tornado watch remained in effect until 8 p.m. EDT for multiple counties in western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. The watch indicated conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds.

Earlier in the afternoon, a severe thunderstorm warning covered parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland counties until 2:15 p.m. Severe thunderstorms tracked along a line from Coraopolis to near Avella, or from Moon Township to near Avella, moving east at 60 mph. Hazards included 60 mph wind gusts, with expected damage to roofs, siding and trees. Impacted communities ranged from Pittsburgh and Penn Hills to Ross Township, McCandless Township, Moon Township, Weirton, Franklin Park, Shaler Township, Plum, North Side Pittsburgh, Hampton Township, Scott Township, Wilkinsburg, Robinson Township, New Kensington, Lower Burrell and Harrison Township.

Additional severe thunderstorm warnings followed, including one for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties, with storms moving east at 55 mph from areas near Leechburg to Pittsburgh.

The Storm Prediction Center had placed western Pennsylvania, along with eastern Ohio and the northern West Virginia panhandle, under a “slight” risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe weather. Forecasters noted increased confidence in severe storms, with potential for a few significant events featuring damaging winds as the primary threat, though isolated tornadoes remained possible.

Meteorologists described the setup as a “messy” severe weather situation, with multiple rounds of storms possible through the evening hours, potentially until 10 p.m. The region faced threats of damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes amid an active weather pattern contributing to outbreaks across parts of the Midwest and South.

No immediate reports of confirmed tornadoes or major damage emerged from the Pittsburgh area as the warned storms passed. The National Weather Service encouraged residents to report any storm damage, including downed trees, power outages or structural impacts, via social media comments or official channels.

As the tornado warning expired around 2:30 p.m., some updates indicated cancellations for specific segments, such as those covering Pittsburgh, West Mifflin and Baldwin. However, the overarching tornado watch continued, signaling the need for vigilance through the evening.

The National Weather Service Pittsburgh office, based in Moon Township, maintained active monitoring. Interactive radar tools and wireless emergency alerts were recommended for real-time updates.

Severe weather events like Wednesday’s are not uncommon in early spring across Pennsylvania, where clashing air masses can fuel thunderstorms. Residents are advised to have a plan in place: identify safe shelter locations, monitor NOAA Weather Radio or local news, and heed all warnings promptly.

Forecasters stressed that tornadoes can develop rapidly from severe thunderstorms, leaving little time for preparation. Safety guidelines include avoiding windows, not opening doors to check conditions and staying informed via official sources.

As storms moved eastward, attention shifted to potential lingering effects, such as downed power lines or localized flooding from heavy rain accompanying the thunderstorms. No widespread power outages or injuries were immediately reported in connection with the afternoon warnings.

The event unfolded amid a national severe weather outbreak, with nighttime tornado risks noted in other regions earlier in the week. In western Pennsylvania, the focus remained on wind damage and the isolated tornado threat.

Local broadcasters, including WTAE, KDKA and WPXI, provided continuous coverage, urging viewers to stay tuned for updates. Social media posts from meteorologists and news outlets amplified the alerts, with some automated safety responses emphasizing immediate sheltering.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the primary severe weather threats appeared to ease in the immediate Pittsburgh metro area, though isolated storms could persist. Residents were encouraged to remain weather-aware, especially with the tornado watch extending into the evening.

The National Weather Service continues to urge proactive preparation during severe weather season. Resources for safety tips, including thunderstorm and tornado preparedness, are available on weather.gov.

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New Delhi: India has begun assessing whether export cargoes stranded or in transit due to the escalating West Asia crisis can be diverted to alternative markets, as the government moves to cushion the impact of the disruption on outbound shipments.

The commerce and industry ministry has asked goods exporters to provide details on the scope for rerouting consignments currently stuck in transit or awaiting shipment, people familiar with the matter said.

In parallel, authorities have also reached out to services exporters to assess potential risks to services trade, seeking inputs on restrictions affecting the movement of professionals, regulatory or compliance barriers, and reliance on overseas technology platforms that could disrupt exports, an official said.

“We have sought industry feedback on the impact of the West Asia turmoil and the support needed to mitigate risks arising from this crisis,” said an official.

Exporters have been asked to give tariff codes and value-wise details of cargoes which are impacted, and specific issues they face related to high raw material prices and container shortages.

The government has also asked service exporters to share any supply-chain related challenges impacting services exports including connectivity and digital infrastructure issues affecting cross-border service delivery and dependence on foreign digital ecosystems adversely affecting trade.
“The issues are being taken up in the inter-ministerial group which is monitoring global developments affecting supply chains and export flows,” the official said, adding that this will help mitigate risks by identifying sector-specific vulnerabilities.

Tesla Inc.’s stock climbed more than 1% on Wednesday as investors reacted to robust sales figures from China and renewed bullish sentiment from Wall Street analysts, helping the electric vehicle maker shake off recent concerns over delivery trends and regulatory pressures.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares opened at $402.22 and traded in a range of $402.15 to $416.38 during the session, closing around $406 amid elevated volume of more than 50 million shares. The gain marked a rebound from Tuesday’s close of $399.24, pushing the company’s market capitalization above $1.52 trillion.

The uptick came as Tesla reported a dramatic 91% surge in China-made electric vehicle sales for February, according to data released this week. The sharp increase contrasted with softer overall market conditions in the world’s largest EV market and provided a positive counterpoint to earlier worries about weakening demand in key regions.

Analysts pointed to the China performance as evidence of Tesla’s resilience in its second-largest market, where the company operates a major Gigafactory in Shanghai. The sales jump helped offset broader concerns, including analyst revisions lowering 2026 delivery estimates and anticipation of a potential third straight year of decline in global vehicle shipments.

Despite the headwinds, some Wall Street firms have grown more optimistic. Bank of America recently reinstated a “Buy” rating on Tesla shares, setting a $460 price target and highlighting the company’s leadership in autonomous driving technology and energy storage. The upgrade contributed to upward momentum earlier in the month, with shares recovering from lows near $380 in recent sessions.

Tesla’s stock has shown volatility in early 2026, trading within a 52-week range of $214.25 to $498.83. The shares remain well above last year’s trough but below the December 2025 peak. Year-to-date, the stock has faced pressure from macroeconomic factors, including high interest rates impacting auto financing and increased competition from legacy automakers and Chinese rivals.

Investors continue to monitor Tesla’s pivot toward artificial intelligence and robotics. CEO Elon Musk has emphasized the potential of the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and Optimus humanoid robot projects. Musk recently described a “Digital Optimus” initiative as a collaborative effort between Tesla and his xAI venture, fueling speculation about long-term growth drivers beyond traditional vehicle sales.

Tesla joined a new coalition this week aimed at modernizing power grid management, a move that could bolster its energy business, including Megapack storage systems. The initiative aligns with Tesla’s expanding role in renewable energy infrastructure, which has become a growing revenue stream amid fluctuating EV demand.

Regulatory developments remain a key focus. Tesla faced a March deadline to submit detailed FSD data to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following an investigation into system performance and traffic incidents. While the submission period passed without immediate public fallout, analysts say ongoing scrutiny could influence investor confidence in autonomous tech timelines.

Insider activity also drew attention, with Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja selling shares to cover tax obligations related to equity compensation — a routine transaction but one that underscores liquidity needs amid stock-based pay structures.

Longer-term forecasts vary widely. Some analysts project Tesla’s robotaxi business could generate hundreds of billions in annual revenue by the mid-2030s, potentially adding trillions to the company’s valuation. Others caution that heavy investments in AI infrastructure and robotics may pressure near-term earnings, with last year’s vehicle deliveries down 8.6% and revenue slipping 3%.

Tesla’s price-to-earnings ratio hovers above 370, reflecting a premium valuation tied to future growth expectations rather than current fundamentals. The stock’s beta of 1.93 indicates higher volatility compared to the broader market.

Market observers say Tesla’s performance in coming quarters will hinge on execution in autonomous driving milestones, energy storage deployments and global EV demand recovery. With competition intensifying and economic uncertainty lingering, the company’s ability to innovate remains central to its narrative.

As of mid-March 2026, Tesla shares reflect a mix of caution and enthusiasm. The day’s gain underscores investor willingness to focus on positive catalysts like China sales amid a challenging backdrop for the EV sector.

Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the session’s trading activity.

Toyota is recalling 550,007 vehicles because of a seat-back locking issue, federal regulators said.

The recall affects 420,771 Highlander and 129,236 Highlander Hybrid vehicles, all from model years 2021 through 2024, according to a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The notice said “second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.”

TOYOTA RECALLS 141K VEHICLES OVER DOORS THAT COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING

FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 83,000 VEHICLES OVER HEADLIGHT, ENGINE VALVE ISSUES

A seat back that has not been secured in a locked position may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash at higher speeds, the notice said.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
TM	TOYOTA MOTOR CORP.	220.77	-0.24	-0.11%

The NHTSA said all owners of the affected vehicles will be notified to return their vehicles to a Toyota dealer. The dealer will replace the return springs in the recliner assemblies with improved ones, free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in April.

Toyota also recalled around 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles last month after discovering that rear doors can unexpectedly open while the car is moving.

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FOX Business reached out to Toyota for comment.