CPS a leader in AP growth

Minority students are getting more access to challenging courses, as neighborhood high schools add Advanced Placement classes. But black students still trail other racial groups.

As a freshman at Kennedy High in Garfield Ridge, Rocio Barba knew she was good at math and thought she might become a computer technician. Now she's valedictorian for the Class of 2004, heading to the University of Chicago next fall and planning to major in math. Her eventual goal is to become an engineer.

Rocio credits the six Advanced Placement courses she's taken at Kennedy with helping her set her sights on a top-notch university and a more demanding career. Kennedy began making a concerted …

Europe's HIV infection rate has doubled since 2000

The rate of HIV infection in Europe almost doubled between 2000 and 2007, reaching the highest level ever recorded in Europe, the European Union's disease center and the United Nations' health agency said Monday.

The annual rate of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection rose to 75 per million people in 2007 from 39 per million people in 2000.

In 2007, 48,892 newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection were reported from 49 European countries. Austria, Italy, Monaco and Russia were excluded from the survey due to lack of data.

"One challenge faced by all countries is that many of the people living with HIV are unaware that they are infected," …

MP Webb launches fight to reprieve Frenchay

A CAMPAIGN has been launched by one of the region's MPs to fightproposals which could see the closure of Frenchay Hospital.

Northavon Liberal Democrat MP Steve Webb says he fears hisconstituents will lose out in terms of healthcare provision to peoplein Bristol under a major shake-up of hospital services.

He is leafleting 43,000 homes across his South Gloucestershireconstituency, conducting his own survey to find out what people want.

Mr Webb says he fears people in Yate, Thornbury, Chipping Sodburyand Bradley Stoke will be sidelined in the debate over which of threehospitals - Bristol Royal Infirmary, Southmead or Frenchay - will beclosed.

He said he was …

Garcia guaranteed Ryder spot

MUNICH, Germany--Sergio Garcia will play in next month's Ryder Cup"even if he shoots 95-95 this week," European captain San Torrancesaid today. Torrance said his other captain's pick will bedetermined by what happens at the BMW International Open startingThursday. Torrance will announce his choices for the 12-man teamSunday after the tournament officially establishes the 10 players whoget automatic spots for the Sept. 28-30 contest at The Belfry. Jesper Parnevik is seen as having the inside track on Torrance'ssecond selection. Torrance said he was pleased that Garcia, 19th onthe list, had come to try to qualify. "I promised Sergio he was inquite a while ago, yet he has still …

Bresnan gears up for challenge of Indian pitches

HYDERABAD, India (AP) — England pace bowler Tim Bresnan said Thursday he was excited at the prospect of playing an upcoming limited overs series in India despite flat pitches which offer no help to bowlers like him.

"It's a fresh challenge for me and I'm looking forward because it is a chance for us to beat India in India," Bresnan told reporters. "We are going into this series with exactly the same mentality with which we won in England."

England beat world champion India 3-0 in a recent five-game series at home while also blanking it 4-0 in tests and winning a one-off Twenty20 game.

But Bresnan said Indian conditions would pose different challenges in the upcoming five …

Iowa could host 2-for-1 IndyCar weekend in 2012

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard says the series is looking into the possibility of holding a doubleheader at Iowa Speedway next season that would award full championship points for each race.

Bernard told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he spoke with Iowa Speedway president Jerry Jauron over the weekend about hosting races on Saturday night and the following Sunday in 2012.

IndyCar brought back doubleheaders this …

Capitalism: 1935

The efficiency of the capitalist system

Is rightly admired by important people.

Our huge steel mills

Operating at 25% capacity

Are the last word in organization.

The new grain elevators

Stored with superfluous wheat

Can load a grain-boat in two hours.

Marvellous card-sorting machines

Make it easy to keep …