sports attire for female pageant

Sowei 2025-01-10
sports attire for female pageant
sports attire for female pageant As I sit here sipping my perfectly creamy caramel latte while watching the frost settle outside my London window, I can't help but feel smug about my latest purchase. The Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine is one of the Amazon's Black Friday deals on sale for £59, down from it's usual price of £99.99 (a 41% off). So, I finally took the plunge into the world of home coffee machines – and I wonder what took me so long. As a complete coffee machine novice, I was initially worried about complexity, but I needn't have been. The initial setup was pretty simple - with a picture instruction manual. And then once you're set up, you simply fill with water, pop in a pod, place your mug underneath, and you're good to go. the Tassimo MyWay reads the drink’s unique barcode with its Intellibrew technology to produce the chosen drink every time. There's even a handy lighting system that tells you when to refill the water – though I've found one tank lasts plenty of drinks .It's perfect for these chilly mornings when the thought of trudging to Costa feels like an arctic expedition. READ MORE: I'm an ex-Starbucks barista and my Amazon coffee machine is just as good Speaking of Costa, that's what really sold me on this machine. Being able to recreate my favourite coffee shop drinks without leaving my cosy sofa is a game-changer during this cold snap. They deliver that same creamy, aromatic coffee I'd pay twice as much for in store. The Costa pods can be found HERE. Or, there is the Five Pack of 8 X Tassimo L'OR Latte Macchiato Coffee Pods , with 40 servings of coffee, on sale for £20.29 and rated 4.7 out of 5 by over 16,000 Amazon customers, with over 4,000 purchases in the past month. These are also a great stocking filler for anyone with the machine. The Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine , available in white, black and cream, has settings for over 50 drinks, including Costa Latte, Cappuccino or tasty Cadbury’s hot chocolate, and it has a large 1.3 litre water tank which auto-cleans between each drink to ensure no flavour mixing between cups and shuts off when not in use. Besides Amazon, the coffee machine is available for £60 at Argos and Bosch's own website for £59.99. The Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine is rated 4.6 out of 5 by over 700 Amazon users and in an Amazon's Choice product, with over 300 purchases in the past month. Among reviewers, a whopping 81 per cent have rated it 5 stars out of 5. One happy customer wrote: "I have had a few Tassimos over the years, and this one is by far the best yet. It is so easy to use. The touch controls have been designed with simplicity in mind. It is easy to see at a glance what to press to get your desired cup. I love these touch controls. I particularly love that I can pick the strength depending on what type of coffee I am using. It is super to have the choice of a quick, small cup, or a longer large cup, or just the standard cup." But not everyone found the initial set up as easy as moi. One user criticised the instructions, adding: "I know everything these days uses pictures to avoid having to provide multi-lingual written instructions but these have to be the worst I have encountered. They are incomprehensible! Thankfully there are some clearer ones online. I also think that the design of the water tank is incredibly silly..." For anyone struggling with Christmas gift ideas, this could be your answer. At the Black Friday price of £59 on Amazon, it's an absolute steal. The ability to store your favourite drink settings in its memory makes it even more gift-worthy – imagine waking up to the perfect cup of coffee, exactly how you like it, every single morning. Shoppers looking for an alternative coffee machine with rave reviews may be interested in the L'OR by Philips Barista Sublime LM9012/60 Coffee Machine , on sale for £49.99 at Curry's and rated 4.7 out of 5. Whether you're buying for yourself or a loved one, this machine offers coffee shop quality without the coffee shop prices. And during this winter chill, there's nothing better than having barista-style drinks available at the touch of a button, all from the comfort of your own home. The only question now is: which pods to try next? To buy the Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine , visit Amazon, Argos and Bosch . For the L'OR by Philips Barista coffee machine, visit Curry's . To see all the best Deals, Sales and Bargains in London, check out our Facebook group .



Daryl Bohac, former adjutant general for Nebraska, takes the podium with Gov. Jim Pillen, right, after being appointed director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Nov. 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has called upon Daryl Bohac to direct the embattled Nebraska State Historical Society, drawing Bohac back into public service after he retired 18 months ago from leading the Nebraska National Guard. Pillen said the decision to recruit and redeploy Bohac to fill a post that oversees collection, preservation and sharing of Nebraska history was based on his view of leadership. “When you spend 45 years of your life in public service, when you’re the adjutant general of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard, you develop extraordinary leadership characteristics and qualities,” he said of the Nebraska native. Pillen said he needed someone to steer the 146-year-old historical agency he said had veered “off the tracks.” Renamed History Nebraska by the previous director, the agency has been scrutinized and restructured . It recently became part of the governor’s cabinet following the arrest two years ago of the former executive director, who faces theft charges for allegedly improperly handling a private donation to the state agency. Bohac will oversee more than 60 full-time employees, and start with a $175,000 salary. Questioned about Bohac’s qualifications for the history-centric job, Pillen cited his track record in creating a “culture of team.” During the past two years, turnover at the society was 22% and 31%, respectively, among the highest of state agencies, according to state personnel figures. More than once, Pillen mentioned Bohac’s work with the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, which preserves state militia history and educates about the guard’s role during peace and war. Introduced in his new role at a Thursday news conference, Bohac said he had received a phone call from someone outside of the Governor’s Office inquiring about his interest in taking over the agency, which also publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a state history museum in Lincoln and six other historic sites across the state. He said he talked to his wife and others and felt it was a “good fit — perhaps a good opportunity in that I could bring some leadership values to a complex organization.” He said the past 18 months of retirement had been good for him and his family. “But it’s time to go back to work for the people of Nebraska.” Among top priorities, Bohac said, is improving financial accountability. He referred to the past executive director. Former director Trevor Jones is facing felony charges for allegedly misappropriating a private donation. He resigned in 2022, after serving six years as the top administrator, saying he planned to do some traveling . Shortly after Jones resigned, he was charged with theft by deception in connection with diverting two donations from a foundation that had been intended to over anticipated agency revenue losses due to COVID-19. He instead deposited the funds in a foundation he had set up. Jones recently asked the court to dismiss the felony charge, saying he has been denied his right to a speedy trial. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday. Pillen also pointed to the past. “It takes a lifetime of having a culture and it got tore down in a few simple years and it’s gonna take a lot of work to rebuild it to what Nebraskans expect.” The governor said he expects Bohac to lessen the society’s reliance on taxpayer dollars and to build active public and private partnerships. “It’s a $9 million a year budget but it doesn’t necessarily have to stand on the backs of taxpayers,” Pillen said. Bohac said he is excited to dive into his new mission — noting what he described as one of the first decisions presented to him in 2013 when he became the state’s adjutant general. It had to do with relocation of the military museum from the old Nebraska State Fairgrounds. He said the operations model relied on a combination of private, state and federal funding, a mix he plans to build upon at the state historical society. Other priorities in his new post, Bohac told reporters, include rebuilding core history museum exhibits to create a more alluring place for tourists and Nebraskans. He also wants to improve public access to archives. Bohac’s hire follows the passage earlier this year of Legislative Bill 1169, which made the historical society a code agency and part of the governor’s cabinet. That shift from independence status, and governance by a citizen Board of Trustees, worried many society employees who feared politics might enter into decisions about subject matter in museum displays, research projects and magazine articles. State lawmakers who supported LB 1169 said it should increase financial oversight and restore trust in the agency. Others feared potential impact. He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics. – State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln put forth an amendment intended to protect the academic freedom of choosing museum displays and public outreach. Thursday, upon hearing of Bohac’s appointment, Conrad she welcomed the “sound” choice. She sees Bohac as an “adept leader” and a “nonpolitical person.” “He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics,” she said. Conrad, a Democrat, said she believes Bohac will be supported across the political spectrum to “stabilize the important work of this agency which has been mired in controversy for far too long.” Founded in 1878 by people who saw a need to record stories of both the state’s indigenous and immigrant populations, the historical society was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the Legislature in 1883. In July, Pillen appointed Cindy Drake to be interim executive director. She had been at odds with the policies of the former director, Jones, and was dismissed after 45 years of serving as chief librarian at the society. Drake and Pillen moved swiftly to make changes at the agency, restoring the name to the Nebraska State Historical Society, rescinding a Jones’ decision to rebrand as “History Nebraska” in 2018. Employees also were reassigned. Public visiting hours were to be added at the society’s research room. A diversity council established by Jones was disbanded. During the media event Thursday, Bohac said he was eager to jump into his new job. As adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Bohac was responsible for programs affecting more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He oversaw the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and served as the state’s official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau to the Departments of the Army and Air Force. Said Pillen: “The hardcore reality is Daryl and I see a lot of things alike. One is how important leadership is, how important culture is.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Doctors’ stress on AI enabled med solutions

The startup of world famous billionaire Elon Musk named xAI has rapidly gained a huge traction in the artificial intelligence sector since its launch in the month of July of the year 2023 while achieving a valuation of $50 billion and raising over $12 billion in funding, reported Business Insider. ET Year-end Special Reads It's all Gucci for Indians' luxury craving even as economy shows wrinkles Investing in 2025: Will domestic funds continue to counter FPI sell-offs amid rising valuations? 2024 exposed the underbelly of India's Silicon Valley According to Business Insider, the company eventually aims to ‘understand the universe’ and has thus introduced a chatbot named Grok, which features numerous capabilities such as web search results, PDF uploads and image understanding. Grok has been also trained on user data from X (formerly known as Twitter) while providing xAI with a competitive edge but also attracting scrutiny from numerous privacy regulators. The founding team actually comprises eminent, world famous and selective experts from various prestigious organizations like Google DeepMind , OpenAI and Tesla. Business Insider asserted that the key figures include Igor Babuschkin, Manuel Kroiss, Yuhuai (Tony) Wu, Christian Szegedy, Jimmy Ba, Toby Pohlen, Ross Nordeen, Greg Yang, Guodong Zhang and Zihang Dai, who are the individuals bringing extensive experience in machine learning and AI research. During recent times, xAI actually plans to enhance its supercomputer named Colossus to eventually support its AI models and compete with the established players like OpenAI and Google, noted Business Insider. It is also being said that a recent $6 billion funding round will obviously accelerate the development of its technology and products. FAQs: Which famous startup has gained a huge amount of traction pretty recently? Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Design Canva Magic Write: Ideas to Stunning Slides in No Time By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The startup of world famous billionaire Elon Musk named xAI has rapidly gained a huge traction in the artificial intelligence sector since its launch in the month of July of the year 2023 while achieving a valuation of $50 billion and raising over $12 billion in funding. What are the features of the chatbot named Grok introduced by xAI? Grok features features numerous capabilities such as web search results, PDF uploads and image understanding. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global slot machine market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.05 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.17% during the forecast period. Growing vendor involvement in market is driving market growth, with a trend towards favorable regulatory policies. However, rising number of fraud cases poses a challenge. Key market players include Accel Entertainment Inc., AMATIC Industries GmbH, APEX pro gaming s.r.o, APOLLO SOFT s.r.o., Aries Technology LLC, Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., Aruze Gaming America Inc., Eclipse Gaming Systems, Everi Holdings Inc., Incredible Technologies Inc., Inspired Entertainment Inc., Interblock dd, International Game Technology plc, JPM Interactive Ltd., Konami Group Corp., NOVOMATIC AG, PlayAGS Inc., Recreativos Franco SAU, Scientific Games LLC, and Universal Entertainment Corp.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Over the past decade, governments have eased gambling regulations, contributing to economic growth and generating significant revenue through taxes and employment. For instance, the Swedish Gambling Act, enacted in 2018, regulates gambling equipment like slot machines and online gaming. The Indian state of Sikkim's Online Gaming Regulation Act, implemented in 2021, sets rules for online gaming businesses, ensuring fair play, responsible gaming, and data security. These favorable regulatory policies are expected to drive growth in the global slot machine market. The slot machine market is experiencing significant growth with various companies developing new and innovative games. Consumer preference for online slots is on the rise, driven by their convenience and accessibility. Gamification techniques, such as bonus rounds and free spins, are popular trends in this market. Technological advancements, like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, are also being integrated into slot machines to enhance user experience. Demand for mobile-friendly slots is increasing, as more players opt for on-the-go gaming. Consumers are also looking for more personalized and customized gaming experiences. The market is competitive, with companies focusing on creating engaging and attractive themes to attract and retain players. Overall, the slot machine market is dynamic and evolving, with a strong focus on providing enjoyable and rewarding gaming experiences. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! The illegal alteration of slot machines by casino owners and the prevalence of unregulated gray machines pose a threat to the global slot machine market. Tampered machines limit betting options to maximum and minimum amounts, potentially draining revenue from the regulated gambling industry. Gray machines, found in non- gambling establishments, are not subjected to gambling taxes or fees, potentially reducing government revenue and consumer spending on lotteries and casinos . These factors may negatively impact the market's growth during the forecast period. The slot machine market faces several challenges in the current regulatory environment. Compliance with regulations such as those related to currency, casinos , and gaming commissions can be complex and costly. The use of technology, such as cryptocurrency and machine learning, presents new opportunities but also brings regulatory uncertainty. Additionally, competition from other forms of entertainment and gambling , as well as changing consumer preferences, can impact market growth. Casinos and machine manufacturers must navigate these challenges to remain competitive and successful in the slot machine industry. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report This slot machine market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Casino 1.2 Others 2.1 Digital 2.2 Mechanical 3.1 Europe 3.2 North America 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Casino - The casino industry is the primary market for slot machines, with their popularity driving market expansion. Factors fueling growth include casino development in regions like North America , Europe , and APAC, as well as the introduction of advanced slot machines with virtual reality, touchscreens, and mobile connectivity. The increasing popularity of online gambling and legalization of online casinos in various countries are also anticipated to boost demand for slot machines between 2024 and 2028. Vendors are focusing on creating online slot machines to cater to the growing online casino market, further increasing demand for these machines. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) The Slot Machine Market encompasses the design, manufacturing, and distribution of gambling machines, including slot machines and casino gaming devices. These machines utilize various forms of currency, such as coins, tokens, and barcodes, and feature machine handles, buttons, and reels adorned with visible symbols. Probable outcomes are determined by complex software, with legal frameworks regulating their use and development. Software developers continue to innovate, introducing online slots, mobile applications, and technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality. Rivalry among manufacturers fuels consumer habits, while demographic changes shape market trends. The Slot Machine Market encompasses the production, distribution, and sale of slot machines and related components. These machines, also known as fruit machines or poker machines, offer a gambling experience through spinning reels and aligning symbols. The market includes various types of slot machines, such as classic slots, video slots, and progressive slots. Key features driving the market include technological advancements, increasing popularity of online casinos , and growing demand for skill-based games. Regulations and government policies significantly impact the market, with strict regulations in some regions and lenient policies in others. The market also faces challenges such as competition from other forms of gambling and increasing concerns over problem gambling . Despite these challenges, the Slot Machine Market continues to grow, offering opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, and operators. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Casino Others Product Digital Mechanical Geography Europe North America APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technaviooxing Day, December 26, has become a , allowing shoppers to enjoy fantastic post-holiday deals. While often associated with and the , have gained popularity, making it a great opportunity for shoppers to find discounts in various categories. , held annually on December 26, is . Originally, , but it has since become an important occasion to get discounts and amazing deals. . This year's sales, traditionally a post-Christmas shopping frenzy, have started early, with big names such as , and offering discounts on a wide range of products. Why buy early for this year's Boxing Day? From electronics to fashion, home appliances and beauty products, shoppers can expect incredible deals as retailers look to cash in on the holiday season frenzy. Some stores offer up to 70% off, so global shoppers can use these deals to find unique items that are not available in their home country. In recent years, retailers have stopped limiting sales to Boxing Day itself and have opted to start their discounts early. This year is no exception. With prices slashed to match or even surpass deals, the early offers give shoppers the chance to bag big savings without having to wait until December 26. Popular categories like laptops, TVs, headphones and appliances are already experiencing significant price cuts, making this the perfect time to buy last-minute Christmas gifts or treat yourself to that long-awaited upgrade. Major retailers offer pre-Boxing Day deals Here's a summary of the best early deals from some of the most popular retailers, as mentioned in a Tech Radar report: massive discounts across all categories, from electronics to household essentials and last-minute Christmas gifts. up to 30% off laptops, TVs and headphones, with deals on trusted brands. premium discounts on fashion, home decor and technology, with its renowned price matching guarantee. beauty products, fragrances and baby essentials are available at attractive prices. special offers on laptops, desktops and accessories for tech enthusiasts. price cuts on smartphones, TVs and kitchen appliances. discounts on decoration, furniture and top quality furniture. Other notable participants include JD Sports, New Look and Urban Outfitters, which are offering up to 80% off clothing and accessories. Electronics remain a firm favourite category during the Boxing Day sales, and the early 2024 deals do not disappoint. Currys and Laptops Direct have slashed prices on popular laptop models, while Jessops is offering attractive discounts on cameras and drones. Gaming enthusiasts can explore CDKeys for Christmas sale deals on games, while Ebuyer and Scan cater to PC builders with reduced prices on computer components, according to Tech Radar's report. Fashion retailers such as H&M, Boohoo and Next are offering up to 80% off clothing, with a wide range of options for men, women and children. Beauty enthusiasts can head to Lush and Boots for skincare, bath products and luxury fragrances at reduced prices.

DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco attended the opening ceremony of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies' (NAITAS) Travel & Trade Show Cebu Edition 2024 on Friday at SM City Consolacion. In her speech, Frasco recognized Cebu's leadership in tourism, accessibility and innovation during her opening remarks. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.

Gilas Pilipinas looks forward to clashing vs higher-ranked teams

NEW YORK—He’s one of the most famous corporate leaders in the world, delivering products embraced by billions. But it’s the haters that companies like Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta worry about. In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million on guards, alarms, and other measures to keep Zuckerberg and the company’s former chief operating officer safe. Some high-profile CEOs surround themselves with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while he walked alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take in protecting their leaders against threats. Thompson had no personal security and appeared unaware of the shooter lurking before he was gunned down. And today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. “We are better today at collecting signals. I’m not sure we’re any better at making sense of the signals we collect,” says Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software for companies. After Thompson’s shooting, Burton said, “I’ve been on the phone all day with some organizations asking for consultation, saying, ‘Am I doing enough?’” Since the killing, some health insurers have taken steps to safeguard their executives and rank-and-file workers. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said Friday it is temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and will have its employees work from home. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution,” the company said in a statement. A Medica spokesman said the company had also removed biographical information about its executives from its website as a precaution. UnitedHealth Group, parent of the insurer Thompson led, removed photos of its top executives from its website hours after the shooting, later removing their names and biographies. But well before the attack, some of the biggest U.S. companies, particularly those in the tech sector, were spending heavily on personal and residential security for their top executives. Meta, whose businesses include Facebook and Instagram, reported the highest spending on personal security for top executives last year, filings culled by research firm Equilar show. Zuckerberg “is synonymous with Meta and, as a result, negative sentiment regarding our company is directly associated with, and often transferred to, Mr. Zuckerberg,” the Menlo Park, California, company explained earlier this year in an annual shareholder disclosure. At Apple, the world’s largest tech company by stock valuation, CEO Tim Cook was tormented by a stalker who sent him sexually provocative emails and even showed up outside his Silicon Valley home at one point before the company’s security team successfully took legal action against her in 2022. Cook is regularly accompanied by security personnel when he appears in public. Still, the company’s $820,000 allotted last year to protect top executives is a fraction of what other tech giants spent for CEO security. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and other top executives. Of those that did, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to about $98,000. In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare’s Thompson was walking to when he was shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. joined that group Thursday, citing the UnitedHealthcare executive’s death in announcing that its upcoming Investor Day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. “But there are also company cultures that really frown on that and want their leaders to be accessible to people, accessible to shareholders, employees,” Komendat said. Depending on the company, such an approach may make sense. Many top executives are little known to the public, operating in industries and locations that make them far less prone to public exposure and to threats. “Determining the need for and appropriate level of an executive-level protection program is specific to each organization,” says David Johnston, vice president of asset protection and retail operations at the National Retail Federation. “These safeguards should also include the constant monitoring of potential threats and the ability to adapt to maintain the appropriate level of security and safety.” Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. “There are always threats directed towards senior leaders at companies. Many of them are not credible,” Komendat said. “The question always is trying to determine what is a real threat versus what is someone just venting with no intent to take any additional action.” Burton, a former special agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, points out that despite the current climate, there is little in the way of organized groups that target companies. Today, one of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to zero in on such dialogue and decide whether or not it represents a real threat. And CEOs aren’t the only targets of disgruntled customers. In the United States, there were 525 workplace fatalities due to assault in 2022, according to the National Safety Council. Industries including health care, education and service providers are more prone to violence than others, and taxi drivers are more than 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers, the group said. But the ambush of UnitedHealthcare’s Thompson this week is bound to get some CEOs second-guessing. “What invariably happen at moments like this in time is you will get additional ears listening” to security professionals seeking money to beef up executive protection, Burton says. “Because I can guarantee you there’s not a CEO in America who’s not aware of this incident.”

0 Comments: 0 Reading: 349