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At the height of the pandemic, the Way of St. James was closed, and Santiago de Compostela was practically deserted. Now regional borders and hostels along the route have reopened, in time for what is called a Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago.

South Sudan has launched its first ever licensing round as the landlocked East African nation seeks to get its staple oil sector back on track after years of insecurity following its split from Sudan in 2011.

Four writers and editors of the online student magazine 'Doxa' are currently under house arrest for criticizing the Russian government. But for the young journalists, accepting censorship is out of the question.

In Italy, thousands of Nigerian women are being forced into prostitution. The Nigerian mafia is suspected to be behind it. Insiders warn of the dangers of this 'new mafia' with connections to Italian organized crime gangs.

After 13 years of near silence in the conservatorship that controls her life and money, Britney Spears passionately told a judge Wednesday that she wants to end the “abusive” case that has made her feel demoralised and enslaved. Speaking in open court for the first time in the case, Spears condemned her father and others who control the conservatorship, which she said has compelled her to use birth control and take other medications against her will, and prevented her from getting married or having another child.

Portions of the Midwest are facing a flash flood and severe storm threat while the Northwest prepares for another record breaking heatwave. CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam has the details.

Bangkok (AFP) – Pro-democracy protesters in Thailand call for the premier to resign as they march on the 89th anniversary of the Siamese Revolution — an uprising that transformed the country from absolutism to a constitutional monarchy. They took to the streets despite warnings from authorities not to gather because of soaring coronavirus infections.

Camp de Goudébou (Burkina Faso) (AFP) – Oscar-winning actor Angelina Jolie on Sunday visited a refugee camp in Burkina Faso sheltering thousands of Malians who have fled jihadist violence in the region.

Hong Kongers form long queues in the city to buy copies of the final edition of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, which was forced to close after authorities froze its assets under a sweeping new national security law.

Hong Kong's last pro-democracy newspaper closed its doors just before midnight Wednesday, ending 26 years of journalism. The company's remaining board members decided to close the paper earlier that day, following the arrests last week of five Apple Daily executives under the city's national security law.

Hong Kong's Apple Daily has printed its last edition as national security law charges leveled against its founder and executives force the paper out of business. VOA's Jessica Jerreat has details. Camera: VOA Mandarin Producer: Miguel Amaya