Assad: Syria to hand over chem arms in 1 month, only if US drops strike plans

Published time: September 12, 2013 12:48

Syria’s decision to place its chemical weapons arsenal under international control was the result of Russia’s proposal rather than the threat of a US military strike, President Bashar Assad has told a Russian TV channel.

“Syria is handing over its chemical weapons under international supervision because of Russia,” Assad said in an interview with state-run news channel Rossiya-24. “The US threats did not influence the decision,” he added. 

Syria will now give the UN the documents required for the procedure, the channel  cited Assad as saying.

On Monday, as the White House was pushing for congressional approval of the military strike against the Syrian regime, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged Damascus to put its stockpile of chemical weapons under international control.

Moscow also called on the Syrian government to join the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

RT – News

Assad: Syria to hand over chem arms in 1 month, only if US drops strike plans

ACT: Only 25% of high school graduates ready for all college subjects

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Admin

Seacoast Online

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just a quarter of this year’s high school graduates who took the ACT tests have the reading, math, English and science skills they need to succeed in college or a career, according to data the testing company released Wednesday.  

The numbers are even worse for black high school graduates: Only 5 percent are fully ready for life after high school.

The results, part of ACT’s annual report, indicate thousands of students graduate from high schools without the knowledge necessary for the next steps in life. The data also show a downturn in overall student scores, although company officials attribute the slide to updated standards and more students taking the exams — including those with no intention of attending two- or four-year colleges.

“The readiness of students leaves a lot to be desired,” said Jon Erickson, president of the Iowa-based company’s education division.

The ACT report is based on the 54 percent of high school graduates this year who took the exams. Roughly the same percentage took the SAT — the other major college entrance exam — and many students took both tests. Those who took only the SAT were not included in the report.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130821-NEWS-130829962

This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink.

17

ACT: Only 25% of high school graduates ready for all college subjects