## Citing ‘severe’ math deficits, UC faculty demand a return to SAT tests for STEM applicants

Authored by latimes.com

Without standardized testing in admissions, professors said they don’t know whether incoming students can handle college-level math.

“Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.

UC gained national attention in May 2020 when regents unanimously voted to suspend SAT and ACT testing requirements and eliminate them entirely by 2025.

UC leadership has not formally endorsed the faculty letter on testing, but system leaders said Wednesday that they were listening to the underlying concerns.

In 11th grade, the most relevant grade relating to college readiness, 30.5% of students met or exceeded math learning standards.

Of these, nearly half exceeded the learning standard — marking them as likely to be the best prepared for a college STEM major.

Any change to UC admissions requirements must move through the Academic Senate admissions board committee before going to the Board of Regents. »

### Russia signs military partnership with the Taliban

Authored by politico.eu

However, following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Russia was accused of supplying arms to the Taliban as the group moved to consolidate its control over the country.

In April 2025, Russia removed the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist groups, a designation that had been in place since 2003.

Then, in July of the same year, it became the first and only country to formally recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. »

### Stephen Miller calls Talarico ‘transgender.’ Democratic Party fires back: ‘Shut up you ugly f*%k’

Authored by sacurrent.com

Things are already getting as spicy as a habañero between State Rep. James Talarico, Texas’ Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, and national figures in the Republican party.

In response, the Democratic Party’s official social media accounts fired back a blistering — and similarly lowbrow — five-word response: “shut up you ugly fuck.”.

But a Democratic Party that seems a little less uptight is probably heading in the right direction. »

### Songs of the Past Announced

Authored by cdprojekt.com

CD PROJEKT RED today announced that a third expansion to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, one of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling role-playing games of all time, is coming next year.

Songs of the Past is a third expansion coming to The Witcher 3.

More information about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be found on its official website as well as Facebook, Bluesky, and X. »

### Kallas Says Lasting Peace Requires Russian Troop Withdrawals Beyond Ukraine, Including Georgia and Moldova

Authored by united24media.com

Kallas reiterated that for the EU to engage in a substantive peace process, it must pursue a comprehensive approach that safeguards European security interests.

According to Kallas, the core requests the EU must bring to the table regarding what Russia should do include:.

In Moldova, the Kremlin continues to deliberately destabilize the country by stationing Russian troops in the unrecognized breakaway region of Transnistria. »

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