In the World

PARIS - An attorney for Manuel Noriega said Wednesday the former Panamanian strongman was to be extradited from France to his homeland Sunday.

Attorney Yves Leberquier said it was "good news" that "this old and tired man" is returning home "after more than 20 years in American and French prisons."

French authorities approved two extradition requests by Panama, which plans to retry Noriega in two cases in which he was convicted in absentia.

Noriega was ousted in the United States' 1989 invasion of Panama, convicted of drug racketeering in Miami, and served 20 years in a U.S. prison. The United States extradited the former dictator to France in April 2010 to face charges of laundering $3 million in drug money. He was convicted and handed a seven-year sentence.

- AP

BANGKOK, Thailand - A court in Thailand sentenced a U.S. citizen to 21/2 years in prison for defaming the country's royal family.

Thai-born Joe Gordon, 55, was accused of translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and posting them online. A Bangkok criminal court issued the verdict Thursday.

Gordon committed the alleged crime years ago while living in Colorado, raising questions about the applicability of Thai law to acts committed by foreigners outside Thailand. Gordon was detained in May during a visit to Thailand, whose so-called lese majeste laws are the harshest in the world. - AP

ROME - Police on Wednesday captured one of Italy's most-wanted fugitive mobsters, arresting the last major boss of one of Italy's bloodiest mob clans.

Michele Zagaria, on the run since 1995, was found in an underground bunker in Casapesenna, in his hometown province of Caserta, headquarters of the Casalesi clan of the Neapolitan Camorra.

Police had located the bunker some time ago and were digging around it. Zagaria was watching their progress on closed-circuit TVs and gave up without a fight after police cut off the electricity that pumped fresh air into the bunker. Zagaria is wanted for murder, extortion, kidnapping, and other crimes.

The world's oldest dog has died in Sakura, Japan, at age 26 years, eight months - the equivalent to 125 human years. Pusuke, certified by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living dog last year, died Monday, owner Yumiko Shinohara said. Pusuke, a mixed breed, is believed to have died of old age. Shinohara, 42, said: " I thank him for living so long with me."

Austria's national anthem now pays homage not only to the country's great sons but also to its daughters. Parliament voted to accept two text changes to the hymn. "Home you are to great sons" is being replaced by "Home to great daughters and sons," while "brother choirs" has been amended to "choirs of joy." The change goes into effect Jan. 1.