Latest news with #NSP
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Murphy's Logic: More protection needed for personal information
Digital technology has changed our lives in so many ways; notably the amount of personal and private information we have and the way we share it. Where once we had only addresses, a phone number, a few bank accounts and a social insurance number attached to our names, we now have several, if not dozens, of online accounts, usernames and passwords, including those used to manage our confidential financial dealings with government, banks and utilities. We're exhorted to protect this information by choosing complex passwords, each one different for every account – and changing them often. But many of us don't do it because mere mortals can't keep it all straight. Small time crooks and fraudsters know this and have used their considerable, if misguided talents, to rip us off. Now this criminal conduct has been corporatized, resulting in large-scale data breaches like the recent hacking of Nova Scotia Power's customer database. Information is stolen with a threat to post it on the dark web – where even more criminals can harvest our secrets – unless a ransom is paid. We have no way of knowing how often this happens, how often ransoms are paid. The cyber crooks are now so good at what they do, so sneaky, that in a letter to its customers, NSP acknowledges it didn't even notice this massive data breach for five weeks. There are two separate issues here: the hacking and the failure to notice it. With their huge databases and ability to pay, corporations and governments are going to be targeted by crooks demanding ransom. They have to do a better job protecting their data – our data – and monitoring for security breaches. It's unacceptable and frankly baffling that Nova Scotia Power didn't notice this breach for more than a month. That reveals a serious shortcoming in their own security. The company must accept responsibility, including financial liability for fraud committed on its customers while it was asleep at the switch. No pun intended. And this cost should not be downloaded to its customers, whose data was stolen. It's also time for government to pass laws limiting the amount of personal information that can be demanded and collected by third parties and stored in databases. Let's mandate the use of facial recognition and fingerprints and two factor authentication, so that we can keep our personal information and our money to ourselves.
AsiaOne
29-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
First tranche of GE2025 candidate expenses published, with highest spending being over $100,000 , Singapore News
A total of 35 candidates who contested the May 3 General Election have declared their election expenses so far, with their combined spending coming up to $884,978. On May 28, their election returns were made available on the Elections Department's (ELD) website. Election candidates here are required under the law to declare how much they spent and what the money was used for, to ensure accountability and transparency of campaign finances. Candidates from the 2025 General Election have until June 16 to do so. Among those who have submitted their election expenses, average spending worked out to be $25,285 per candidate. But individual candidates' expenses ranged widely – some did not spend a single cent, while one spent more than $100,000. The 35 candidates who have submitted their returns include those from the PAP, PSP, National Solidarity Party (NSP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), Red Dot United (RDU) and Singapore People's Party (SPP). Candidates – one from each party – from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Power Party (PPP) and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) have submitted their election expenses, as have the two independent candidates – SMU law graduate Darryl Lo and retired businessman Jeremy Tan. So far, no WP candidate has submitted his or her returns. This means there are 176 candidates who either have not submitted their election expenses, or whose submissions have not yet been announced on the Government Gazette. From this initial batch of returns, the PAP topped the list of average amount spent per candidate at $77,751, followed by the PSP at $32,303, and the NSP at $24,378. At the bottom of the list were RDU at $1,297, and PAR at $898. There were seven candidates who declared no election expenses – RDU's Mr Sharad Kumar, Mr David Foo and Mr Pang Heng Chuan, the SDP's Mr Alec Tok, the SDA's Mr Harminder Pal Singh, and the SPP's Mr Lim Rui Xian and Mr Muhammad Norhakim. The PPP's Mr Samuel Lee declared election spending of $100, under the category of 'other expenses'. In a TikTok post on May 27, Mr Lee said he had resigned from the PPP effective from May 23 to pursue new opportunities. Meanwhile, Mr Tan, who contested Mountbatten, spent $16,075, while Mr Lo, who contested Radin Mas, spent $12,213. More than half of Mr Tan's spending was on his sole rally at the Home of Athletics on May 1, while the bulk of Mr Lo's spending went to non-online election advertising, which covers things like pamphlets, posters, banners and flags. The top spender for now is the PAP's Mr Goh Pei Ming at $104,085. More than half of this was spent on non-online election advertising. The former Singapore Armed Forces chief of staff and his PAP Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC teammates were the only ones to win in a walkover on Nomination Day. In all, they spent a total of $388,756 this election. The only other full team which has submitted its expenses is the NSP's team for Sembawang GRC, which spent $121,888. Besides their expenses, candidates also have to declare how much they received from donors. Among the 35, only RDU's Mr Ben Puah, who contested Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, has declared donations received. He received a total of $280 from anonymous donors, who gave the money via six separate transactions on the PayNow digital payment platform that ranged from $10 to $100. He spent $109 this election. Meanwhile, the RDU's Madam Kala Manickam has declared disputed claims of $1,365, consisting of $404 in food expenses for candidates and volunteers, $66 in transport charges for volunteers, as well as $895 for the cost of printing additional fliers during the campaigning period. According to the ELD's website, such claims occur when 'an election agent disputes any claim in respect of election expenses incurred by the candidate, and refuses or fails to pay the claim within the specified time period of 28 days'. The Straits Times has sent a query to the ELD. When contacted, Madam Kala said the disputed claims were for expenses that the RDU declined to reimburse. She added that her election agent had advised her to file it under disputed claims. 'The party told me to raise petty cash to claim back my money, but when I submitted it after the election, they said the spending was not endorsed by the party. They also said I didn't manage to bring in donations, so they did not reimburse me,' she said. She added that she would bear the costs herself since she had run for elections to serve the country. As with previous elections, candidates generally spent the most on non-online election advertising, which includes things like posters, banners and flags. The total spending in this category across the 35 candidates amounted to $516,761, or more than half of all declared election expenses so far. Other big-ticket items included online election advertising expenses as well as election meeting expenses, which covers costs to hold rallies. People who wish to inspect candidates' election expenses can do so by logging into the ELD's digital service using their Singpass. This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Motorcyclist dies after crash on I-15 south of Las Vegas valley
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A motorcyclist died over a week after a crash south of the Las Vegas valley, according to Nevada State Police. On Friday, May 2, around 2:40 a.m., NSP responded to a report of a crash on southbound I-15 at mile marker 28 near Sloan. Police said a Honda VT750 Shadow Motorcycle was traveling southbound on the I-15 when, for unknown reasons, the motorcyclist left his lane and entered the shoulder and decorative rock area. The motorcycle continued to travel in the rock area before hitting the St. Rose Parkway overpass. The motorcycle overturned and the rider, identified as 68-year-old Timothy Edward Muniz of Las Vegas, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on May 11, according to police. This marks Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Southern Command's 28th fatal crash, resulting in 29 fatalities in 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NSP Q1 Earnings Call: Higher Benefits Costs, Cautious Outlook, and Strategic Focus on Workday Partnership
HR outsourcing provider Insperity (NYSE:NSP) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 3.4% year on year to $1.86 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.56 per share was 23% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy NSP? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.86 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.87 billion (3.4% year-on-year growth, in line) Adjusted EPS: $1.56 vs analyst expectations of $2.02 (23% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $102 million vs analyst estimates of $127.8 million (5.5% margin, 20.2% miss) Management lowered its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $2.76 at the midpoint, a 21.8% decrease EBITDA guidance for the full year is $217.5 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $259.4 million Operating Margin: 3.7%, down from 6% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow was -$449 million, down from $26 million in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $2.6 billion Insperity's first quarter results reflected a combination of modest year-over-year revenue growth and a sharp increase in benefits costs, which management attributed to a rise in large medical claims and accelerated payments across both current and prior periods. CEO Paul Sarvadi described a "sudden reversal of optimism" among small and mid-sized business clients, linked to recent government policy initiatives and tariffs, which led to delayed or canceled client onboarding late in the quarter. Looking ahead, management lowered full-year profit guidance and flagged that elevated healthcare claims are likely to persist, though they have begun targeted pricing actions and are evaluating benefit plan design changes for 2026. Insperity also highlighted progress on its Workday strategic partnership, viewing it as a significant long-term growth driver. CFO Jim Allison emphasized that current challenges are being factored into conservative forecasts in order to position the company for improved profitability next year. Insperity's management spent considerable time on the call detailing the operational and market factors that shaped the quarter's underperformance versus expectations, particularly the impact of higher healthcare benefit costs and shifts in client sentiment. Benefits Cost Acceleration: Management reported an 8.4% year-over-year increase in benefits cost per covered employee, driven by a spike in large medical claims and accelerated claim payments. CFO Jim Allison noted this dynamic was "unprecedented" in its breadth across current and prior claim periods. Client Sentiment Shift: CEO Paul Sarvadi cited a 'dramatic change in sentiment' among the company's small and mid-sized business customers, attributed to tariffs and economic policy changes. This shift led to both delayed and canceled client onboarding, impacting worksite employee growth. Retention Remains High: Despite market turbulence, client retention reached 91% for the quarter, which Sarvadi described as at the "high end of our historical range." This was supported by ongoing investments in sales and service realignment. Pricing and Plan Design Adjustments: To address higher benefits costs, Insperity has already begun selective pricing increases for certain accounts and is considering plan design changes for 2026. The company believes these actions will realign pricing with costs by next year. Workday Partnership Progress: The company launched its internal Workday platform in March and finalized a go-to-market plan for a joint client solution with Workday. Management expects this partnership to expand Insperity's reach into the mid-market segment and potentially double its mid-market business over time. Management expects continued headwinds from elevated healthcare costs and uncertain small business sentiment to weigh on profitability through the remainder of the year, while strategic initiatives—including pricing actions and the Workday partnership—are positioned as key levers for future growth and margin improvement. Benefits Cost Management: The company is implementing targeted pricing increases and evaluating benefit plan changes, aiming to mitigate higher healthcare claim trends and restore gross profit margins by 2026. Workday Joint Solution Launch: Insperity believes its joint offering with Workday, expected to be available in 2026, could drive meaningful mid-market client growth and enhance retention, providing a new source of revenue and margin expansion. Economic Policy Uncertainty: Management highlighted ongoing uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, especially among small and mid-sized businesses, as a risk to client hiring and onboarding momentum for the rest of the year. Andrew Nicholas (William Blair): Asked about the duration and quantification of client onboarding pauses. Management explained the "shock factor" from recent policy changes but observed some moderation as clients resumed decision-making. Andrew Nicholas (William Blair): Inquired about the cadence and future trajectory of Workday partnership costs. CFO Jim Allison said costs will remain steady in 2025 but should decline after product launch, with some expenses capitalizable over time. Tobey Sommer (Truist): Questioned what macro policy changes could restore client confidence. CEO Paul Sarvadi suggested regulatory clarity and stable tax policy could quickly improve small business sentiment. Mark Marcon (Baird): Sought clarity on the timing and client receptivity to pricing adjustments due to higher healthcare costs. Management indicated most pricing changes would be phased in during client renewals throughout the year, with full alignment expected by early 2026. Jeff Martin (ROTH Capital Partners): Probed the profitability potential of the Workday joint solution. Management expects the offering to command higher upfront and ongoing pricing, projecting it as a future margin contributor though specifics are still being assessed. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) whether Insperity's targeted pricing actions and benefit plan adjustments start to moderate healthcare cost pressures, (2) signs of stabilization or renewed growth in worksite employee onboarding as small business sentiment evolves, and (3) measurable progress in the rollout and early adoption of the Workday joint client solution. Execution on these fronts will be central to tracking the company's path toward margin recovery and long-term growth. Insperity currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 18.7×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our free research report. The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Daily Record
Dad stabs wife and two kids to death hours before son's graduation
Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his wife Bailey, 41, and sons Hudson and Asher, aged 18 and 16. A dad stabbed his entire family to death then turned the knife on himself just hours before his son was due to celebrate his High School graduation. Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his wife Bailey, 41, and sons Hudson and Asher, aged 18 and 16. He then turned the blade on himself on Saturday, after he was released from a mental hospital and just hours before son's graduation. His partner's family have blamed his "sick mind" for the crime. Police with the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, in Nebraska, were dispatched to the home in rural Johnson Lake and found four bodies inside the property. All members of the family were found with stab wounds, according to police. The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) said in a statement that it is believed Koch "killed each of his his taking his own life." A knife was found at the scene. Police said a homicide investigation is being carried out to learn the circumstances of the events leading up to the killing. Lane and Peggy Kugler, the dad and mother of Bailey and the grandparents of the two children shared a heartfelt Facebook tribute to their daughter. They added: "Jeremy had been fighting mental illness for many, many years. His depression had turned into psychosis. It was not Jeremy that committed this horrific act. It was a sick mind. "Bailey, Jeremy and the boy's faith was very strong. It really helped them through the worst of times. We find strength in our belief that heaven now has four new angels sitting at the right hand of God. They are together and Jeremy's sickness is gone. "Bailey fought so hard to help him and she and her sons lived in fear of the possibility of losing her husband and their father to mental illness for many years. 'They never knew when he would be in a manic state (super high) or horribly depressed (super low), unable to function normally. "Bailey fought so hard to bring attention to those who needed help. 'She was a huge advocate for mental health. She spent countless hours on their Facebook page, Anchoring Hope for Mental Health: Jeremy & Bailey Koch. 'If you go to that page, you can read about how so many people thanked her for her open and honest writing about mental health." The couple continued: "Bailey and Jeremy spent years and years seeking help and answers to Jeremy's condition. Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, medication after medication, therapy after therapy. Treatment after treatment. "What we have learned through all of this is that every single person in the mental health care industry try so hard to help people. Every single one of them genuinely cares for those that need help. From those at the front desk, to the doctors that prescribe treatment, to the nurses that carry out doctor's orders, to the custodians that keep things clean and useful." They then railed against the state of mental health in the US, branding it "a catastrophe" and "getting worse." According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2022 there were an estimated 15.4 million adults aged 18 or older in the US with serious mental illness. Hudson had been due to graduate from Cozad High School. A statement shared by the school district on Sunday said: "In light of yesterday's tragedy, we understand that some students may be experiencing some difficulties. The high school commons will be open for students this afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. We will have school staff and counsellors available for support. We will also have support available for students and staff when school resumes on Monday." "The investigation remains ongoing," NSP added. "The Nebraska State Patrol, the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Eustis Fire & Rescue, and the Dawson County Attorney extend condolences to all, across multiple communities, who will be affected by this incident."
