BREAKING: R&B star R. Kelly convicted in sex trafficking trial after decades of allegations about sexual misconduct with minors. apne.ws/TCz2PWD
A jury of seven men and five women found Kelly guilty of racketeering. Prosecutors had argued that the entourage of managers and aides who helped the singer meet girls — and keep them obedient and quiet — amounted to a criminal enterprise. apne.ws/BxHqtZY
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Cruz Melendez had argued that Kelly was a serial abuser who used “every trick in the predator handbook.” The defense labeled singer's accusers “groupies” and “stalkers" and said their relationships with Kelly were consensual. apne.ws/XUD3mql
Kelly, wearing a face mask, remained motionless with eyes downcast as the verdict was read in federal court in Brooklyn. He faces decades in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 4. apne.ws/Ol22MLE
A look at R&B singer R. Kelly's life, from growing up in Chicago's housing projects to superstardom to his conviction on sex trafficking charges. apne.ws/FaawnxI
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The @AP and @Univision spent 18 days on the high seas off South America this summer, observing China’s distant water fishing fleet, the largest in the world. apne.ws/phO2DoD
Since 2009, the number of China-flagged ships in the high seas has surged 10-fold.
U.S. and regional governments fear that the push into the waters off South America could exhaust fish stocks and that illegal fishing will soar without effective controls. apne.ws/KMxbtSZ
The expansion is no accident. China’s distant water fishing fleet was launched in the 1980s as a response to depleting fish stocks at home. But it has become part of China’s geopolitical push to secure access to the world’s dwindling natural resources. apne.ws/GzGmq2B
U.S. residents left behind in Afghanistan describe a fearful, furtive existence of hiding in houses, keeping the lights off and moving from place to place to evade the Taliban. apne.ws/wgo1ECX
California green card holders left behind in Afghanistan take turns sleeping so they can grab their children if Taliban approach. A Texas grandmother watches Taliban drag men from a neighbor’s house. Another Texan is warned, “We know where you are.” apne.ws/wBZ62ZF
“Whenever we feel breathless, I pray.” A California mother, her husband and their three children have moved seven times in two weeks to avoid the Taliban. They wait desperately for a call from anyone who can help them get out of Afghanistan. apne.ws/8GuSYv7
BREAKING: Qatari envoy says Qatar Airways plane at Kabul international airport will fly Americans, Westerners out of Afghanistan. apne.ws/Yx64dlw
THREAD:
Qatari officials say Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities will allow between 100 and 150 Americans to fly out from Kabul. The flight, with Americans and Westerners, would be the first air evacuation since the U.S. withdrawal. apne.ws/Z2HNjpN
Dozens of foreigners, including Americans, boarded a commercial flight at Kabul airport in the first large-scale evacuation since U.S. and NATO forces left Afghanistan late last month. apne.ws/lIgRlm8
BREAKING: Ida downgraded to a tropical storm, 16 hours after striking in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane, forecasters say. apne.ws/wubvNkc
As a hurricane, Ida knocked out power to all of New Orleans and inundated coastal Louisiana communities on a deadly path through the Gulf Coast. Forecasters said Ida would bring damaging winds, possible flash floods and life-threatening storm surge. apne.ws/jSByCmN
Ida’s torrential rains have moved mostly into Mississippi as more than a million people in Louisiana and Mississippi are left without power. Officials have promised to start the massive rescue effort as the weather breaks and the sun rises. apne.ws/PljmtLU
BREAKING: Witnesses say rockets have struck a neighborhood near Kabul’s international airport amid the ongoing U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. apne.ws/sjgAmIy
Witnesses said they heard the sound of three explosions and then saw a flash in the sky. People fled after the blasts, they said. U.S. military cargo planes continued their evacuations after Monday's rocket fire near Kabul airport. apne.ws/3JY67b4
The U.S. military says five rockets targeted the Kabul airport, and U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them. A spokesman for the U.S. military’s Central Command said there were no U.S. casualties in Monday's attack. apne.ws/0FY2m0L