Peru, Niger, Afghanistan

Today's three stories you should know

Jun 24, 2026

Peru

Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori appears to have gained an insurmountable lead over leftist rival Roberto Sánchez in Peru’s presidential run-off, according to figures from the country’s electoral authority. Peruvians are hoping the election can draw a line under years of political chaos that has seen presidents arrested, deposed and impeached, leading to eight leaders in as many years. Four previous presidents are in prison and Fujimori’s late father, whose legacy she has sought to distance herself from, served more than 15 years for human rights abuses committed during his decade-long rule in the 1990s.

Niger

Military-run Niger has formally withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the third country to do so after the Philippines and Burundi. Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali all announced last year that they intended to leave the court, accusing the judicial body based at the Hague of selective justice. Niger’s army toppled a democratically elected government in 2023, saying insurgents were not being resisted effectively. It swiftly shifted its allegiance from western nations, most notably former colonial ruler France, and drew closer to Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin is wanted by the ICC.

Afghanistan

A Taliban delegation has travelled to Brussels to meet European Union (EU) officials for the first time in a trip criticised by rights activists. The meeting is expected to focus on diplomatic services and providing “dignified returns” for Afghans in Europe, a Taliban official said, adding the visit was “historic.” Afghans are one of the largest groups of people seeking asylum in EU countries but many of those nations now want to deport those whose asylum claims have been rejected or who have committed crimes. Rights groups denounced the meeting for legitimising the Taliban and endangering those who may be returned.

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