Driving the news: Americans, Europeans, South Americans and Peruvians are among those unable to leave the ancient city as train service, which is the primary way in and out of the area, has been suspended indefinitely, Machu Picchu mayor Darwin Baca told CNN.
A local TV reporter in South Carolina recently captured a “heartwarming” and redeeming story of a thief returning a Santa display he stole from a restaurant.
The big picture: The story shows that acts of forgiveness and kindness are always right around the corner during the holiday season.
A massive aquarium in a Berlin hotel burst open Friday, spilling hundreds of tropical fish onto the cold city streets and injuring at least two people, the city's mayor said.
Why it matters: Hotel guests were asked to leave the hotel and stand outside in freezing temperatures amid dead fish.
A judge in Peru ordered former President Pedro Castillo to remain in custody for 18 months after authorities requested time to build their rebellion case against him, AP reports.
Driving the news: Judge Cesar San Martin Castro's order comes just days after Congress ousted Castillo and stripped him of the privilege that keeps the country's presidents from facing criminal charges.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday upheld the convictions and 25-year sentence of Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier who became the commander of Uganda's brutal Lord's Resistance Army rebel group.
The big picture: Ongwen, who is now in his mid-40s, was convicted last year of 61 offenses committed between 2002 and 2005. Those crimes included murder, rape and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Russia on Thursday warned of "consequences" if the U.S. sends the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, AP reports.
The big picture: Ukraine has pressed the U.S. and its allies to deliver more advanced weapons to counter Russian missiles, which have destroyed much of the country's critical infrastructure, including its energy facilities.
Indigenous, Spanish, and African influences shape the many nativity scenes that can be found during the holidays in Latin America and in the U.S.
Through the lens: These photos show how Latinos use their multicultural, multiracial experiences to reinterpret the birth of Jesus using the resources available.
Researchers in Mexico are developing an AI program to identify patterns and clues that humans cannot in the search for forcibly disappeared people.
Why it matters: Over 108,000 people have been reported missing or disappeared in Mexico since 1964, according to official counts. A third of the cases have been reported in the last four years.
The Bank of England and the European Central Bank both raised interest rates by a smaller amount on Thursday — the latest central banks to begin slowing the rapid pace of increases that have come to define the year.
Why it matters: Economic policymakers continue to up borrowing costs swiftly to battle still-elevated inflation and signal more to come. But the era of hiking rates by record-shattering amounts appears to be ending.
The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass a bill that would ban TikTok on government-issued devices.
Why it matters: A growing number of states have barred state employees and contractors from using the popular social media app on government devices in recent weeks amid FBI warnings about the possibility of surveillance and "influence operations" by the Chinese government.
Peru's defense minister announced Wednesday a 30-day state of emergency in response to deadly protests sparked by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo.
Driving the news: Peruvian Defense Minister Alberto Otarola told reporters the state of emergency would involve "the suspension of freedom of movement and assembly."
A key road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia remains blocked by Azerbaijani civilians for a third day Wednesday.
Why it matters: The blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only connection between Armenia and the region, cuts off the people of Nagorno-Karabakh from the outside world at the same time Azerbaijan cut gas supply during freezing winter temperatures, per Karabakh’s state-run InfoCenter.
