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Houston tops Oregon State, reaches 1st Final Four since '84

Houston overcame a blown 17-point lead to hold off Oregon State 67-61 in the NCAA Tournament and reach the Final Four for the first time in 37 years. Quentin Grimes hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:21 left and Marcus Sasser finished with a game-high 20 points. Maurice Calloo scored 13 points to lead the 12th-seeded Beavers, who were trying to become the lowest-seeded team ever to make the Final Four. Houston built its big lead behind a dominant defense but poor shooting after halftime allowed Oregon State to rally.

One Good Thing: A Singapore skyline view for migrant workers

Migrant workers are getting a bird's eye view of Singapore, with the public's help. The ItsRainingRaincoats initiative asked Singaporeans to donate tourism vouchers they've received from the government to the workers. They did, by the thousands. Migrant workers in dormitories accounted for many of Singapore's coronavirus cases, and their movements are still restricted. So riding a Ferris wheel and seeing other attractions was a welcome diversion. Ganesan Thivagar and his dormitory mates didn't mind the rain when they got their chance to ride the Singapore Flyer. Thivagar marveled at how the skyline had changed over the years and snapped photos to send home to India. 

Stepping up Myanmar coup penalties, US suspends trade deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Monday suspended a trade deal with Myanmar until a democratic government is restored in the Southeast Asian country after a Feb. 1 coup followed by a violent crackdown on protests. The military overthrew…

Barty goes distance, tops Azarenka to reach Miami quarters

Ash Barty seems to enjoy getting pushed to a deciding set. The top seed from Australia moved into the quarterfinals of the Miami Open on Monday, holding off 14th-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 in a matchup of past Miami champions. Barty improved to 17-3 in her last 20 matches that have gone the distance. Another winner Monday was world No. 2 Naomi Osaka, who ran her winning streak to 23 matches.

Asian shares mixed after Wall St. fall, mixed market signs

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed in listless trading Tuesday after U.S. stocks finished mostly lower as cause for optimism, such as the Suez Canal reopening, mixed with caution about the vaccine rollout. Japan's benchmark slipped 0.1% in morning…

Baylor coach calls for end of COVID-19 testing at NCAAs

Baylor women's coach Kim Mulkey thinks the NCAA should do away with COVID-19 testing during the Final Four for both women and men. Mulkey said after Baylor’s loss to UConn that it would be a “shame” if a player tested positive and couldn’t participate in the Final Four or national title game. She suggested that the NCAA “dump the COVID testing” and let those teams “battle it out.” Players and coaches at both tournaments have been tested daily and have been wearing devices that help assist with contact tracing. Through Saturday, there had been two confirmed positive tests at the women's tournament.

With blockbuster trade, 49ers go all-in on rookie QB

For San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, the biggest risk wasn’t trading three first-round picks for the No. 3 selection where he could take a shot on the franchise quarterback of the future. The chance he didn’t want to take going forward anymore was going into a season without an elite quarterback who he believes can consistently carry a team to a Super Bowl. The Niners traded the No. 12 overall pick, plus additional first-rounders in 2022 and ’23 and a third-round pick in 2023 to Miami for the No. 3 selection in a quarterback-rich draft.

Westminster dog show won't have spectators due to virus

America’s top dogs won’t have their pack of fans on hand at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The club announced Monday that spectators and vendors won’t be allowed this year because of coronavirus limitations. It’s the latest in a series of pandemic shakeups to the nation’s most prestigious canine competition. It’s been moved from its longtime February date to June 12-13, and from New York City’s Hudson River piers and Madison Square Garden to an outdoor setting at a riverfront estate in suburban Tarrytown, about 25 miles (40 km) north of Manhattan.

Trash scavengers who help keep cities clean plea for vaccine

An estimated 20 million people around the world help keep cities clean by scavenging through landfills and dumps. Experts say these trash pickers, who sometimes toil alongside paid municipal sanitation workers, provide a vital service, yet they usually are not on a priority list for vaccines against the coronavirus. The pandemic has amplified the health risks they face and few have their own protective gear or even clean water to wash their hands. The trash pickers often find it hard to get vaccines because they are not considered by the government to be essential workers or cannot afford to wait at overburdened public hospitals for free shots. 

Czech billionaire among 5 killed in Alaska helicopter crash

Federal investigators say a helicopter carrying five passengers on a heli-skiing trip in Alaska crashed into a mountain and then rolled downhill nearly 900 feet. The pilot and four of the five passengers on board died in the crash, including billionaire Petr Kellner, the richest man in the Czech Republic. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash just north of Anchorage on Saturday night. The bodies have been recovered, but an approaching snowstorm may stall efforts to remove the wreckage from the mountain near Knik Glacier. The crash site is only accessible by helicopter because of the rugged terrain and snowy conditions. 

Logano takes the checkered flag in a haze of Bristol dirt

Joey Logano won NASCAR's first Cup Series race on dirt since 1970 with an overtime victory at Bristol Motor Speedway. The track had been converted to dirt for an experimental event that, despite bobbles leading into the race, ultimately finished fairly trouble-free. Even before Logano took the checkered flag, Bristol announced over the public address system that next year's race would again be on dirt. The track had issues through the weekend and the race was pushed to Monday because of flooding on the Bristol grounds. 

EXPLAINER: In ex-cop's trial, defense promises video too

It's clear video will be the central focus at the trial of a white former police officer charged with killing George Floyd, and not just the widely seen bystander video that set off nationwide protests last year. The defense says it will also turn to videos to make its case. Derek Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of Floyd, who was Black. Prosecutors almost immediately played part of the bystander video on Monday that showed Floyd pleading for air as Chauvin held his knee on his neck. Defense attorneys say they will show video featuring Floyd swallowing drugs and police body camera footage that shows Floyd resisting arrest. 

MLB to relax virus protocols when 85% on field vaccinated

Card games, car pools and eating at restaurants may be back in the major leagues later this season. Trips to church and sponsor events may return, too. Mask use would be dropped from dugouts and bullpens, and electronic tracing devices would be eliminated when 85% of major league players and primary field staff are vaccinated against the coronavirus. Communal clubhouse video would return before and after games. Pool tables would be restored, along with team saunas. A memorandum from MLB and the union obtained by The Associated Press stated “all players and staff are strongly encouraged to receive" COVID-19 vaccines when eligible.

New Mexico sues US over proposed nuclear waste storage plans

New Mexico is suing the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission over concerns that the federal agency hasn’t done enough to vet plans for a multibillion-dollar facility to store spent nuclear fuel in the state. In a filing Monday, New Mexico says the project would endanger residents, the environment and the economy. New Jersey-based Holtec International wants to build a complex where tons of spent fuel from commercial nuclear power plants around the nation could be stored until the federal government finds a permanent solution. State officials worry the state will become a permanent dumping ground for the radioactive material. The commission says it's followed procedure and an environmental review was done.

Claims against Cuomo: A look at the women's allegations

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing allegations that he sexually harassed or behaved inappropriately toward several women in the workplace and elsewhere. The latest woman to come forward publicly, Sherry Vill, said Monday that Cuomo forcibly kissed her cheeks while examining flood damage at her home. Cuomo's lawyer responded that the governor frequently greets men and women with hugs and kisses. Other women's accusations range from unwanted kisses and other physical gestures to unwelcome personal questions about sex and dating. The Democratic governor has said that he never touched anyone inappropriately, that he didn't know anyone felt uncomfortable and that some allegations are false. 

Olympic failures show structural issues for US Soccer, MLS

The Catch-22 for U.S. men’s soccer in the Olympics is that the better a player gets, the less likely he is to play. American under-24 coach Jason Kreis says there's also a structural issue. Major League Soccer does not adhere to the international calendar of a season that runs from August to May, leaving most of Kreis' players trying to regain fitness while facing opponents in midseason form. Former players Alexi Lalas and Tim Howard say the onus is on the U.S. Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer to get better players from teams. The Americans failed to qualify for the Olympics when they lost to Honduras on Sunday.

Shooter at Kansas Jewish centers appeals death sentence

An attorney for an avowed anti-Semite who fatally shot three people at two suburban Kansas City Jewish sites in 2014 contends his client should not have been allowed to represent himself because he could not have understood the specific legal aspects of a death penalty case. The Kansas Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Frazier Glenn Miller Jr.'s appeal of his death sentence. Miller, also known as Frazier Glenn Cross Jr., was sentenced to death in 2015 for killing three victims in Overland Park, Kansas, because he wanted to kill Jews. Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe, representing the state, argued Miller knew what he was doing when he gave up his right to counsel. 

AP source: VW plans brand-name change to 'Voltswagen' in US

Volkswagen plans to change its brand name in the United States to “Voltswagen” as its shifts its production increasingly toward electric vehicles and tries to distance itself from an emissions cheating scandal. A person briefed on the plan said a formal announcement would be made Tuesday. The person didn’t want to be identified because the plans had not been made public. The company had briefly posted a press release on its website early Monday announcing the brand name change. The press release was noticed by a reporter from USA Today before it was removed. The release was dated April 29. 

Archbishop: Slain officer gave life, showed best of police

Denver's Catholic archbishop says a police officer shot and killed after rushing into a supermarket where a gunman opened fire sacrificed his life and showed what is best about the police, whom he said are too often taken for granted. Archbishop Samuel Aquila spoke Monday during a funeral Mass for Officer Eric Talley. He said Talley lived Jesus' words that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for others. The Mass was conducted in Latin, the style that was beloved by Talley. Police say he led an initial team of officers into the store within 30 seconds of arriving.

Southwest Airlines orders 100 Boeing 737 Max planes

Southwest Airlines says it’s expanding its all-Boeing fleet with an order for 100 737 MAX airplanes. The Max was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after two crashes that killed 346 people. Regulators in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Brazil and other countries have cleared the plane to resume flying after Boeing changed an automated flight-control system that played a role in the crashes Dallas-based Southwest expects aircraft capital spending of about $5.1 billion through 2026. Under the deal, Boeing could build more than 600 new 737 MAX jets for the airline through 2031.

What's ahead? NFL owners to meet about upcoming season

NFL teams will begin to learn this week what's ahead for the 2021 season. The 32 team owners hold virtual meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. Topping the agenda are two items: increasing the regular season to 17 games and decreasing the preseason games to three per team. Both are nearly certain to be approved after a pandemic-stressed season that severely cut into the league’s revenue stream. Many players, however, aren’t thrilled with the idea. Saints star running back Alvin Kamara calls the increase to 17 games “dumb.” Regardless, it’s about to happen. The owners want it and don’t need the union’s permission.

Not just offense: Gonzaga trusts defense entering USC game

Gonzaga's defense has been an overlooked part of the team's run to an NCAA Tournament regional final. The Zags remain unbeaten entering Tuesday's matchup with Southern California for a trip to the Final Four. They rank seventh nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings by allowing 88.6 points per 100 possessions. Gonzaga is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Sixth-seeded USC is back in a regional final for the first time in 20 years. The Trojans are coming off wins against Drake, Kansas and Oregon to reach the Elite Eight.

UCLA-Michigan conjures up more memorable images of March

The names UCLA and Michigan can’t help but conjure up some of the most memorable images of March Madness. The 11th-seeded Bruins and top-seeded Wolverines face each other for a spot in the Final Four. The Bruins have made it this far with a streak of upsets. The Wolverines have beat everyone they were supposed to on the way to the regional final. It will be the fifth time the schools have met in the NCAA Tournament, including the 1965 championship game won by the Bruins.

Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Three men have been ordered to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her coronavirus restrictions. Jackson County District Court Judge Michael Klaeren on Monday ruled there was enough evidence and bound over Paul Bellar, Joe Morrison and Pete Musico to circuit court. They are accused of aiding six other men who are charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Five more people are also charged in state courts. The FBI in October said it broke up a plot to kidnap Whitmer by anti-government extremists upset over her coronavirus restrictions.