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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department has announced it’s levying sanctions against two senior Cambodian military officials for corruption. The move Wednesday comes as the Biden administration has expressed increasing concern about China’s influence in the Southeast Asia nation. The sanctions target the director general of the defense ministry’s material and technical services department

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Myanmar has heard closing arguments in the case of Danny Fenster, a U.S. journalist jailed in Myanmar for more than five months on charges of breaking security laws. His lawyer says the court will deliver its verdict next Monday. Regardless of the outcome, Fenster still faces more legal problems.

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A judge has ruled that prominent South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh must stay in jail until his trial on insurance fraud charges. Prosecutors say he stole $3.4 million meant for the sons of his housekeeper, who died in his home.  Circuit Judge Clifton Newman initially denied

By GRANT PECK Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ruled that three pro-democracy activists who called for reform of the monarchy were attempting to overthrow the nation’s system of government with the king as head of state. The ruling banned any similar activities in the future by the activists and their organizations.

By KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Just days before the CMA Awards, artists, academics and historians gathered in Nashville to address racial representation within the genre. It was a timely event as the industry deals with a racial reckoning, both past and present. Country artists like Cleve Francis and Frankie

By ALEX DANIELS of The Chronicle of Philanthropy Chronicle of Philanthropy Michael Bloomberg will spend $120 million in an effort to reduce the soaring numbers of deaths from drug overdoses, he announced today at a healthcare summit he organized. The pledge more than doubles the $50-million philanthropic commitment he made toward the same goal in

By PAN PYLAS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Elton John has formally received one of the highest awards that can be bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II. In an investiture ceremony on Wednesday at Windsor Castle, Prince Charles anointed the rock star and charity patron as a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.

By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — One of the three white men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery told police they had the 25-year-old Black man “trapped like a rat” before he was fatally shot. Glynn County police Sgt. Roderic Nohilly testified Wednesday that defendant Greg McMichael made the statement a

By MICHAEL TARM, SCOTT BAUER and KATHLEEN FOODY Associated Press KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse broke down in tears on the witness stand at his murder trial Wednesday, describing how he was being pursued by the first man he shot and killed during a night of turbulent street protests in Kenosha. Rittenhouse said he

By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is stepping up pressure on Russia over a buildup of troops along its frontier with Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Ukrainian counterpart in Washington that the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity is “ironclad” and will not change.