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Associated Press HELSINKI (AP) — A zoo in Finland has agreed with Chinese authorities to return two loaned giant pandas to China more than eight years ahead of schedule because they have become too expensive for the facility to maintain amid declining visitors. The private Ähtäri Zoo in central Finland some 330 kilometers (205 miles)

Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Memphis police officer has testified under a plea deal that he told his supervisor the arrest of Tyre Nichols was handled “by the book” because he wanted to protect his job and hide a beating that was ultimately fatal for Nichols. Desmond Mills returned to the stand

Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland woman who pleaded guilty to conspiring with a neo-Nazi leader and plotting an attack on Baltimore’s power grid has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Prosecutors say Sarah Beth Clendaniel was working with neo-Nazi leader Brandon Russell to plan a series of “sniper attacks” on electrical substations

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a man set off an explosive device in the lobby a California courthouse, injuring five people and leading to the closing of the court complex and other city buildings. Sheriff’s officials say a 20-year-old man was detained following the blast reported shortly after 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at the

Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — An attorney for Karen Read has asked the highest court in Massachusetts to dismiss a murder charge and one other charge she faces in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend. Read’s attorneys filed a brief Tuesday to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court arguing that trying her again on

Associated Press KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Hundreds have protested in front of Congo’s top court to demand the release of political prisoners, including the country’s three most prominent opposition figures imprisoned on charges the opposition says are politically motivated. Protesters on Wednesday in the capital, Kinshasa, held banners that read, “Release political prisoners.” After the

MOSCOW (AP) — In a strong, new warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that any nation’s conventional attack on Russia that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country. The threat, outlined in a revision of Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, was clearly aimed at discouraging the

AP Business Writer An arbitration board has ruled that U.S. Steel may proceed with its proposed acquisition by Nippon Steel. The board, which was jointly chosen by U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers to decide disputes between them, said Wednesday that U. S. Steel has satisfied each of the conditions of the successorship clause of

Associated Press JDEIDET YABOUS, Syria (AP) — Families fleeing the escalating conflict in Lebanon poured into Syria in growing numbers on Wednesday, waiting for hours in heavy traffic to reach the relative safety of another war-torn country. U.N. officials estimated that thousands of Lebanese and Syrian families had already made the journey. Those numbers are

Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The president of the Dominican Republic has warned that his administration would take “drastic measures” to protect the country if a U.N.-backed mission in neighboring Haiti targeting gang violence fails. Luis Abinader did not provide details of what action he might take during his speech Wednesday at

AP Fashion Writer PARIS (AP) — Olivier Rousteing opened Balmain’s Wednesday show at Paris Fashion Week with an audacious angular micro-gown — a glittering number featuring peaked shoulders, humped hips and a massive clasping hand motif. It was clear from the start: this season’s Balmain was not going to be a study in subtlety. Meanwhile,

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A jury has awarded $2.78 million to an au pair whose employer used a hidden camera to videotape her while she slept in their New York City home. The jury in Brooklyn federal court ordered Michael and Danielle Esposito to pay Kelly Andrade $780,000 for emotional distress and $2

Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A state investigation has found that Nashville’s district attorney secretly recorded defense attorneys, colleagues and other visitors without their knowledge. In a scathing report released Wednesday, the Tennessee Comptroller’s office found that District Attorney Glenn Funk installed an extensive surveillance system for audio and video recordings nearly four years

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials briefed Donald Trump’s campaign this week on Iranian threats against the Republican presidential nominee, but the briefing centered on previously reported threats and not a new plot. In July, authorities boosted Trump’s security after linking a threat against Trump’s life to Iran. Iranian hackers also stole information from

Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The mayor of a central Wisconsin city who ran for office on his opposition to absentee ballot drop boxes says he did nothing wrong when he removed a drop box outside City Hall. Wausau Mayor Doug Diny put on work gloves, donned a hard hat and used a dolly