The high school class of 2006 posted the biggest score increase on the ACT college entrance exam in 20 years, and recorded the highest scores of any class since 1991. Average composite scores on the exam, which measures students’ readiness for college-level work, rose to 21.1 from 20.9 last year. …

WASHINGTON – Scientists have discovered the possible presence of bird flu in the United States — in wild swans near the banks of Lake Erie — but it does not appear to be the worrisome strain that the government has long feared. Routine tests on two seemingly healthy wild mute …

NEW YORK – Based on the results of a new Gallup poll, ABC ought to consider whether “Good Morning America” should be renamed “Everybody Loves Diane.” Diane Sawyer topped a popularity list of 17 TV news and talk personalities compiled by Gallup. Among people who expressed an opinion about her, …

QUITO, Ecuador – Maria Esther de Capovilla, a 116-year-old woman believed to have been the world’s oldest person, has died in her native Ecuador, her granddaughter said Monday. Her successor is likely a woman from Tennessee. Capovilla died early Sunday in a hospital in the coastal city of Guayaquil, said …

LEXINGTON, Ky. – James Polehinke had a clean record as a pilot, with no accidents or mistakes, but he made a fatal error as he taxied Comair Flight 5191 into position: He made a wrong turn and tried to take off from a runway that was too short. The crash …

BANGKOK, Thailand – At least 22 bombs exploded almost simultaneously Thursday inside commercial banks in southern Thailand, killing two people and injuring 28 in a region bloodied by a Muslim insurgency, police said. The homemade bombs, which were triggered by mobile phone signals, were placed in garbage bins, at newspaper …

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Friday’s session are Nvidia Corp., Pacific Sunwear of California and Kohl’s Corp. Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. (ERJ) is expected to report earnings per share of 64 cents for the second quarter. After Thursday’s closing …

FRANKFURT/CHICAGO – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) said it’s raising wages at nearly a third of its 4,000 U.S. stores and introducing wage caps at all stores in an effort to remain competitive with other retailers and meet a need for workers and managers as it continues to expand. Workers at …

TOKYO – Japan was planning to slap its own set of economic sanctions on North Korea after the hardline regime flatly rejected a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning its recent ballistic missile tests, Japanese media reported Monday. Above and beyond sanctions already called for in the U.N. resolution, Tokyo was …

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine‘s government said Wednesday it had drafted a bill offering anti-Soviet guerrillas the same privileges currently provided to World War II veterans — a measure likely to meet a strong opposition in parliament. Deputy Prime Minister Vyacheslav Kyrylenko said the measure, which is subject to approval by …