"Sour Grapes" wine fraud con man deported to Indonesia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A one-time California man who bilked wine collectors out of millions by selling cheaper booze he rebottled in his kitchen has been deported to his native Indonesia, U.S. immigration officials said Tuesday. Rudy Kurniawan, 44, was deported last week on...

Column: Matsuyama goes from inspiration to Masters champion

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The idea was to create golfing heroes, not necessarily a Masters champion. Hideki Matsuyama is now both. “I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the members of Augusta National,” Matsuyama said on the night before he became...

Muslims mark Ramadan amid virus surge and new restrictions

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Muslims in many parts of the world marked the start of Ramadan on Tuesday, but a spike in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again put curbs on the holy month's signature feasts and lengthy prayers in mosques. Still, there were...

Grab to list in US via $40 bln merger with Altimeter Growth

HONG KONG (AP) — Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing company, Grab Holdings, said Tuesday that it plans to merge with U.S.-based Altimeter Growth Capital in a deal that would value it at nearly $40 billion and allow it to trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market. That would...

Southeast Asia's Grab Holdings plans US Nasdaq listing via nearly $40 bln merger with financial vehicle Altimeter Growth

Thailand records more than 900 cases for third day in a row

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thailand recorded a third day in a row with more than 900 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, as thousands of people swarmed to beaches on the first day of a long national holiday despite warnings from health officials. Dr. Opas Karnkavinpong,...

Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over reef dispute

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government summoned the Chinese ambassador to press its demand for Chinese vessels to immediately leave a reef claimed by Manila in the South China Sea and said their presence was stoking tensions, officials said Tuesday. The...

UN chief: 52 armies and groups suspected of sexual violence

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in gender-based violence last year and combatants continued to use sexual violence “as a cruel tactic of war" and political repression in a number of countries, the U.N. chief said in a report circulated Monday. ...

The Latest: Australia has 2nd likely Astra-Zeneca clot case

CANBERRA, Australia — Australian authorities have identified a second case of a rare blot clot likely linked to the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. Officials said Tuesday the woman is in her 40s and is in a stable condition. A 44-year-old man developed the same...

Myanmar's ruling junta issues fresh charges for Suu Kyi

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s ruling military squared off against its opponents in the courts, the streets and the countryside Monday, showing no sign of relenting in its crackdown against those opposed to February's coup. Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the elected...