Fire ravages Santa Barbara

• Fire pushed by strong winds swept Santa Barbara in California Wednesday, gutting about 30 houses in a posh (一流的 ,华丽的 ) neighborhood of expensive homes and causing the evacuation (疏散 ) of more than 8000 people. Four firefighters were injured and more than 2000 homes were threatened. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the area.

Oldest dog turns 21• The world’s oldest dog celebrated her 21st

birthday Wednesday with a visit to a dog hotel and water SPA, a Guinness World Records spokesman said. New Yorker Chanel is aged 147 in dog years and she struggles to see, hear and walk. Her owners reportedly like to dress her up in little jumpers and sunglasses to protect her aged eyes from the sun’s glare.

Saudi pageant judges morals

• Saudi Arabia’s only beauty pageant, in the quest for a “Miss Beautiful Morals”, will open on May 9, AP reported. “The winner won’t necessarily be pretty,” a pageant founder said. “We care about the beauty of the soul and morals.” Since the pageant is not televised and no men are involved, contestants can take off the veils and black abayas they always wear in public.

Flu vaccine coming in Nov.

• Vaccines against the A/H1N1 flu virus could come as early as November, Canadian scientists said at a press conference in Ottawa Wednesday. On the same day, Canada announced it had completed the world’s first genetic sequencing (排序 ) of the A/H1N1 flu virus, marking a “significant milestone” in studying the virus. Of the 3 virus samples, one comes from Mexico and the others from Canada.

“World’s best job” to Briton• A British man was appointed (任命 ) the new c

aretaker of an Australian tropical island, a 6-month position touted as “the best job in the world”. Ben Southall, 34, a charity fundraiser, will start his new role on July 1. he will be paid $110000 for the job and is expected to have as much fun as possible, soaking up the sun, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and reporting to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.