Datasets:
Recag
/
C4_21

Dataset card Data Studio Files
xet
Community
text
stringlengths
9
93k
There’s another compelling reason to take note of the options: “The research is large and growing and dramatic that one of the most important things we can do to help close the achievement gap is to have more youngsters in these types of classes,” Nathan told us.
Data show that students in dual-credit courses are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll at a college or university and go on to graduate.
But when Nathan writes on the topic, as he did on these pages earlier this week, he’s sure to get emails from parents who’ve never heard of such opportunities. Unfortunately, they’re “one of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets,” the writer of a follow-up letter to the editor noted.
— We should set a goal that 75 percent to 80 percent of students take at least one dual-credit course before they graduate.
— Communities like ours that take college-town pride in being the home to many institutions of higher learning should strive to make better use of them. “Here’s a great example” of how to do so, he said.
Legislation in recent years has expanded the programs, including allowing 10th-graders to take a course in a career/technical field. This year, advocates’ objectives include support for more flexibility in admitting students to classes, improvements in “getting the word out” and expanded partnerships between high schools and colleges.
Minnesota was first in the nation — in 1985 — to allow high-school students to take classes on college campuses. Now, 30 years later, attention to the programs will be good for students, their families and all Minnesotans.
Bangalore: HSBC Holdings signed an agreement Monday to form an insurance venture with two state-owned Indian banks, gaining access to more than 40 million customers in an expanding market.
The global bank will hold 26% in the venture — the maximum allowed to overseas insurance partners. Bangalore-based Canara Bank will take a 51% stake, leaving the rest to Oriental Bank of Commerce.
“The prospects for India’s insurance sector are good on the back of expected buoyant economic growth and rising levels of wealth in society," HSBC group chairman Stephen Green said in a statement after the signing of the agreement.
The new company, Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Company, will be capitalised at Rs3.25 billion (Rs325 crore, $80 million), of which HSBC will contribute Rs1.77 billion.
Canara Bank will contribute Rs1.02 billion and New Delhi-based Oriental Bank of Commerce Rs460 million.
The venture will have access to more than 40 million customers and a nationwide sales network of 3,600 branches throughout India.
“The new insurance company aims to fulfil the needs of high net worth individuals, professionals, small and medium enterprises, farmers and also rural and semi-urban masses," Canara chairman M.B.N. Rao said.
Private insurance ventures, allowed to compete with state-owned Life Insurance Corporation and non-life companies beginning 2000, are trying to tap expanding demand for insurance in an economy growing 9% a year.
The demand, which has seen annual premiums double to more than $20 billion since 2000, is being driven by the absence of a social security system and low penetration dating back to the decades when government-owned insurers enjoyed a monopoly.
“Low life insurance penetration rates, a growing need for social and old age security, strong GDP growth and expected rise in savings rates mean that the proposed new company is bound to reap the benefits," Oriental Bank chairman Alok Mishra said.
Israel was snubbed by the Academy Awards on Tuesday, with the film "Foxtrot" failing to be nominated for an Academy Award in the best foreign language film category despite being considered a favorite for the award.
The film, directed by Shmulik Maoz and starring actors Lior Ashkenazi and Sarah Adler, follows a young Israeli soldier stationed at a remote checkpoint and his parents coping with a subsequent tragic event.
The film was elected to represent Israel at the Academy Awards after it won last year's Ophir Award, the Israeli equivalent of the Oscars. In September, the film won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, an award granted by members of the jury.
Israel's Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev has harshly criticized the film on numerous occasions and has said she would not have approved the budgeting of the film had she known that it might hurt the Israeli army's image in the world.
"Foxtrot" was shortlisted for an Oscar in December along with entries from Chile, Germany, Hungary, Lebanon, Russia, Senegal, South Africa and Sweden. The 90th Oscars, the first to be held since assault and harrassment accusations rocked Hollywood, will be presented in Los Angeles on March 4.
In anticipation of the film's predicted nomination on Tuesday, here are five must reads on the most talked-about Israeli film of the past year.
1. "A Beautiful Film About the Occupation"
2. "Go See Israel's Oscar Contender 'Foxtrot.' If Only Because Israel Is Warning You Not To"
3. "The Real Drama Behind 'Foxtrot'"
4. "'Foxtrot' Defies Norms in Highlighting Occupation's Impact on Israeli Society"
Raya Morag reviews: "Every shot in Shmulik Maoz's 'Foxtrot' shouts the tragic cry of contemporary Israeli life: the howl of parents whose soldier son has died, the bellow of a soldier at a checkpoint, the site of the ruination of Israeli identity"
5. "Behind the Scenes of Israel's Hunt for Its First Academy Award"
Energy bills are set to soar from Monday as the Big Six raise their prices.
The Big Six energy suppliers are all to hike their prices from tomorrow to within £1 of the maximum level of the government's new price cap - an estimated hike of more than £1 billion to household energy bills across the country over a year, a consumer watchdog has warned.
Which? urged the £10 million consumers who have their energy supplied by the six major firms - including Glasgow-based Scottish Power and Perth-based SSE - to shop around for the best deal.
From tomorrow, the price cap on standard and default tariffs will be set at £1,254 per year for a medium dual-fuel customer paying by direct debit – £34 more than companies were charging in December when the cap was brought in and adding £117 to the average bill.. It applies only to default tariffs rather than fixed deals.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “Many people who hoped the price cap would bring an end to unwelcome price increases will be left reeling after price hike Monday adds more than one billion pounds to their energy bills.
Recent Which? research showed there are now more than 30 energy deals priced at under £1,000 a year - up from just eight in December 2018. However, a number of smaller suppliers have collapsed in recent months - including Selkirk-based Spark Energy, which folded in January, citing rising wholesale costs and tough competition.
Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “This price rise might sound like an April fool, but unfortunately it’s no laughing matter. If you’re one of the 11 million people already paying too much for your energy, by the time Monday comes around your bill could make for unpleasant reading."
Hackers broke into the computer systems of Sony Pictures entertainment in October. The attackers stole huge swaths of confidential documents from the Hollywood studio and posted them online in the following weeks -- exposing them to everyone from potential cybercriminals to journalists who have been poring through the documents and reporting everything from the details of recent film productions to the extent of the employee data laid vulnerable on the Internet.
Multiple reports suggest U.S. government officials believe the attack is tied to the North Korean government, who expressed outrage over the Sony-backed film "The Interview," an action-comedy centered on an assassination plot against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The Monday before Thanksgiving, Sony Pictures employees who tried to log into their computers were greeted with a graphic of a neon red skeleton featuring the words "#Hacked by #GOP," and a threat to release data later that night if an unspecified request was not met. Over the coming weeks multiple statements purported to be from GOP, short for "Guardians of Peace," were posted online -- many to a text-sharing site called PasteBin, which is also used by some hactivist groups.
While we are not yet sure of the full scope of information that the attackers have or might release, we unfortunately have to ask you to assume that information about you in the possession of the company might be in their possession.
The same day as the attack, the FBI released a flash memo warning about a destructive type of malware. As late as this week there are reports that that Sony employees are still unable to use their old computers due to concerns that code left by the hackers may not have been completely removed from the system.
Attribution is really hard when it comes to cyberattacks because it can be difficult to tie the digital forensics left behind to real-world actors, but the leading theory is that the attack is tied in some way to the North Korean government. On Wednesday The Washington Post, the New York Times and others reported that anonymous U.S. officials were pointing the finger at the secretive nation.
One official briefed on the investigation told The Post that intelligence officials believe with "99 percent certainty" that hackers working for the North Korean government were behind the attack. But the administration is reportedly unsure what to do with that information -- fearing no good outcome could come from pointing figures at the secretive state: North Korea is diplomatically isolated, and there are already significant sanctions in place.
North Korean officials have officially denied involvement in the attack, but did call it a "righteous" deed and suggested it may have been the work of supporters of the regime.
Because of the difficulty of positively identifying cyber actors, the United States rarely names nation-state actors it suspects of being behind cybersecurity incidents. An exception occurred earlier this year, when the Department of Justice announced indictments against several Chinese military employees it said were tied to cyberespionage activities against American companies. Officials are also said to be concerned about the diplomatic fallout for Japan -- Sony is based in Japan, and the nation is much closer to North Korea geographically than the United States.
The North Korean link was speculated early on, when tech news site re/Code reported that investigators were looking into the possibility of a link. After that report, messages purported to be from the hackers alluded to "The Interview" -- first saying that Sony needed to stop "the movie of terrorism," and later explicitly mentioning the film while invoking the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and threatening theaters that planned to show the film.
Technical details about the cyberattack are reported to bear similarities to previous attacks on South Korean media institutions that some cybersecurity experts attributed to North Korea. But some remain skeptical about the connection, noting that much of the publicized evidence linking the attacks is circumstantial.
How has Sony Pictures responded?
The studio canceled plans to release "The Interview" theatrically on Wednesday, after a string of major theater chains had indicated they planned not to show the film. It's unclear if the film will receive any distribution at all.
Earlier this week, a lawyer representing Sony Pictures sent a letter to media outlets covering documents leaked by the hackers demanding that they not download future leaks and that they destroy stolen data already in their custody. It appears unlikely that this will stop outlets from reporting on the content of the documents; a 2001 Supreme Court decision said a radio station couldn't be held responsible for broadcasting newsworthy audio recordings even if those recordings were originally made by someone in violation of wiretapping laws.
Sony Pictures is also trying to block distribution of the stolen data, hiring companies such as London-based anti-piracy firm Entura International to quickly remove links to download the information. The studio has been working with the FBI and cybersecurity firm FireEye to investigate the breach.
How big a deal is this?
While the news has been dominated by big retail hacks over the past year, the Sony Pictures cyberattack was much more disruptive: It knocked out computer systems at the company, and the fallout from the wholesale distribution of internal documents is far different from having to respond to the theft of credit card numbers.
Many within the cybersecurity community hope this will act as a wake-up call to the companies about their vulnerability to digital adversaries -- both in terms of beefing up their current defenses and their back-up capabilities.
Some area also concerned about the precedent set by capitulating to the hacker's demands to stop the release of "The Interview," noting that the attackers have effectively managed to get their way by controlling the conversation. What happens if other groups adopt similar tactics to advance their agendas?
Many celebrities have tweeted their worries about what this means for the future of free speech and artistic expression, and they probably have point: In the wake of the cyberattack, another studio has reportedly pulled the plug on a film that was to be set in North Korea and to star Steve Carrell, according to Deadline.
Have more to say about this topic? Join us today for our weekly live chat, Switchback. We'll kick things off at 11 a.m. Eastern. You can submit your questions now, right here.
Immaculate, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home! Outside features include, gorgeous stone exterior, concrete drive, and pristine landscaping. Family friendly back yard includes large paved patio and basketball court. Inside features include, open style concept between living, dinning, and TV rooms. beautiful tile foyer lead into eat-in kitchen that features newer countertops. Upstairs 3 large bedrooms and 2 full baths. Basement features a large 18x14 Great room currently used as an office and also a large laundry room with storage area. Call today for your private viewing.
The event also includes a free dinner and child care for participants who register by Sunday, April 23.
The state of Durham’s trees has been an ongoing conversation centered on the city’s dying willow oaks, which were planted in the 1920s to 1940s and have a roughly 100-year life span. Studies have also highlighted a lack of trees in poorer neighborhoods.
Last year, the city used about $45,000 to pay for a willow and water oaks street tree inventory within a certain area and a citywide tree canopy assessment.
The studies sought to help the city quantify the street trees to allow officials to make data driven decisions about managing its urban forest and setting future planting schedules.
The results showed that the city’s overall existing canopy covers about 52 percent of the city, compared to Raleigh’s 54 percent and Charlotte’s 46 percent, according to a city report.
The average total additional plantable space totaled about 20 percent of the city.
The inventory of 3,460 willow oak and water trees found that the majority, 3,186, were in good or fair condition. About 200 were in poor condition and 30 were dead.
About 100 of the trees need to be removed immediately and 200 need to be removed over the next five years, the study found.
To maintain the existing canopy, the report recommended developing a plan for the urban forest to more evenly distribute the tree canopy across the city.
The plan should involve a variety of city departments, university partners and others, the report said.
And that is exactly what Durham Tree Advocates is hoping to accomplish by presenting the “Trees over Durham Forum,” said Katie Rose Levin, a member of the group and an arborist.
The city out is going to lose its canopy quickly, “if we don’t do some pretty aggressive planning,” she said.
And trees play an important role in people’s lives, from affecting property values to their health, she said.
“Trees are actually important technology that makes us physically healthy,” Levin said.
The city recently received an about $80,000 grant through the Duke Energy Foundation, which could help pay for about 150 new trees in the city.
Forum speakers will provide some baseline data on trees and strategies that have helped developed canopies in diverse communities.
“The goals of the forum is community buy in for trees in Durham and a statement to the city of what we want to see them doing going forward,” Levin said.
Dinner and child care will be available for registered participants. Spanish translators will also be there.
To register, go to http://bit.ly/2ph15sw.
overhead absorption rate. InvestorGuide.com. WebFinance, Inc. http://www.investorguide.com/definition/overhead-absorption-rate.html (access:April 21, 2019).
Rafa Benitez was coy when asked about a possible future return to Valencia, where had a hugely-successful spell as manager early in his coaching career.
Benitez, out of contract at Newcastle United in the summer, plans to coach for another decade.
However, the 58-year-old will not sit down to thrash out his future at St James's Park with owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley until the club is safe from the threat of relegation from the Premier League.
Benitez was asked by Radio Marca if he would ever return to Valencia, which is celebrating its centenary.
“I have a lot of respect for the Valencia manager (Marcelino),” said United's manager, who won La Liga twice with Valencia. “I have 10 years left in football, and you never know where I’ll end up.
Benitez celebrated his third anniversary at Newcastle earlier this month.
And the 58-year-old said he was prepared to walk away from United at the end of his contract – even though he’s “happy” at St James’s Park.
"Always, when you are happy in a place, it’s not easy (to leave)," said Benitez. “But, at the same time, you want to compete, you want to do well and you want to improve."
Mrs. Smith has suffered from low back pain for the past five years. Her pain intensifies when bending backwards. She had many tests, including an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), x-rays and nerve studies, all of which proved normal. She tried many medications for pain, with only temporary relief. Even many weeks of physical therapy provided her with only minimal relief from her pain.
Mrs. Smith was not the only one suffering because of her pain. She was not able to perform daily chores and to enjoy her life. She had to cut her work hours and her husband had to drive her to work every day. She became severely depressed.
Mrs. Smith’s story is quite familiar. Many of us have experienced low back pain. Often, the pain is more than physical; the emotional suffering from low back pain can be substantial. Pain can limit our daily activities, from managing household chores to fulfilling obligations at work. If the pain is present for longer periods of time, it can seriously affect our ability to maintain meaningful relationships with our family members, friends and loved ones. It can cause depression and anxiety. There is no test for pain and the fact that other people cannot perceive our pain makes things even more difficult.
There are, in fact, many different causes of low back pain. Also, the same person can have several disorders causing such pain at the same time. Some of the causes can be easily found through x-rays or MRI and treated; others may require a comprehensive trial-and-error approach until adequate treatment is found. Each person is different and requires careful evaluation and the development of an individualized treatment plan, particularly if pain has been present for a long time.
If you just started experiencing low back pain, do not panic! Most types of low back pain resolve in about six weeks with or without treatment. If the pain just started, is minor and confined only to your lower back area, chances are it will go away soon. If the pain is already present for several weeks or longer and is severe, you might need to contact a physician.
What if your pain has been present for several years? What if the pain has already caused you much suffering, even after seeing many health professionals? I believe that, in most cases, hope lies in accurate diagnosis and the selection of adequate treatment options.
Fortunately, many pain management centers can help people with severe low back pain. There are new treatment options available that can potentially cure or diminish many forms of low back pain. These may involve medications, selective nerve blocks and, in some cases, complex techniques or devices that can diminish or eradicate pain. Many people benefit from a team approach, incorporating health professionals from different backgrounds.
Mrs. Smith finally decided to visit a pain management clinic. Physicians diagnosed her with “facet joint disease.” She underwent a series of facet joint blocks that resulted in 90 percent pain relief. A psychologist in the pain clinic helped her to manage her remaining pain and return to daily activities. Although she still had minor pain, she was able to enjoy life again.
Even if your pain has caused you much suffering, there is always hope. Treatment technologies are constantly improving, and new pain management strategies are promising.
The beleaguered Government securities business lost another primary dealer yesterday, as Midland Montagu, the international and investment banking arm of Britain's Midland Bank P.L.C., announced that it would close Midland Montagu Securities Inc. after an orderly winding down of business.
Midland Montagu, which has served as a primary dealer in United States Government securities since 1986, is the second firm to leave the business in less than a month.
On June 20, Westpac Pollock Government Securities Inc., an American subsidiary of the Westpac Banking Corporation, said it would close.
Unlike Westpac Pollock and a host of other primary dealers, Midland Montagu said it would cease operations even though its Government securities unit was profitable.
A sharp increase in the number of primary dealers over the last few years has squeezed profit margins considerably.