Fires spreading...Japan braces for G-8...free turtles

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) Evacuation orders have been issued for residents of about 5,000 homes in and around Goleta, California, because of a fast-growing wildfire. People in another 1,400 homes have been told to be ready to leave on short notice.

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) President Bush heads to Japan today to take part in his final G-Eight summit. More than 1,000 people attended an anti-G-Eight rally today, blaming the industrial powers for the world's problems.

TORONTO (AP) A Canadian court has ordered the government's refugee board to reconsider its rejection of an asylum request by a deserter from the U.S. Army. The court backs Joshua Key's complaint that he might have to kill innocent people.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) A seventh person has died from the collision of two medical helicopters in Flagstaff, Arizona, last Sunday. James Taylor was a 36-year-old registered nurse and the only one to initially survive the crash.

KOHALA COAST, Hawaii (AP) Five endangered green sea turtles have won independence. They were released into the Pacific at a beach in Hawaii yesterday as part of the 19th annual Turtle Independence Day Celebration. Hundreds of people watched and cheered.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-05-08 0655CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list