AFP UK

Hungarian youths dance and sing into the early hours of April 13 in central Budapest to celebrate the end of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year “illiberal” rule following a resounding electoral drubbing. The next morning, on the streets of the Hungarian capital, residents share their relief. “Sixteen years of suffering and corruption will come to an end,” says Zoltan, a 74-year-old retiree. “Many people contributed to this, some only prayed for it, some longed for it, and now it has been achieved.”

Russia has withdrawn almost all its staff from Iran’s sole nuclear power plant, built and operated with help from Moscow, says the head of Russia’s atomic energy agency. “We began the final rotation at the Bushehr station,” says Alexei Likhachev, adding that 108 people have been evacuated while just 20 — top managers and those responsible for equipment safety — remain at the station.

Budapest (AFP) – Pro-European conservative Peter Magyar tells supporters “Hungary will once again be a strong ally within the EU and NATO” after his party won a two-thirds parliamentary majority in Sunday’s elections. Orban, a self-described “thorn” in the EU’s side and defender of “illiberal democracy”, lost Sunday’s elections after 16 years in power, despite vocal support from both US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as Hungarians fed up with corruption gave Magyar a decisive victory.

Budapest (AFP) – Hungarian political newcomer Peter Magyar defeats nationalist Viktor Orban in elections seen as a blow to right-wing populism worldwide. Orban, a self-described “thorn” in the EU’s side and defender of “illiberal democracy”, lost the 12 April elections after 16 years in power, despite vocal support from both US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as Hungarians fed up with corruption gave Magyar a decisive victory.

Aboard the Papal Plane (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV says he has “no response” to Donald Trump, after the US president criticised him over his comments on the US-Iran war, answering reporters aboard the papal plane as they head to Algeria for the pontiff’s first visit to Africa as head of the Catholic church. “I believe that the Church has a moral duty to speak out very clearly against war and in favour of peace and reconciliation”, he says.

Lima (AFP) – Polling centers reopen in Peru after important delays, leaving angry would-be voters waiting for a second consecutive day. Thirteen centers were meant to reopen at 7:00 a.m. local time, but documents were still being prepared and no votes had yet been cast, according to an official. Logistical foul-ups meant tens of thousands of people were unable to vote in Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections, prompting a decision to extend voting for a second day. IMAGES

Lima (AFP) – Vote counting begins in Peru’s presidential election after polls closed nationwide, with electoral authorities starting the tally in a closely watched race expected to deliver a tight result. IMAGES

Puno (Pérou) (AFP) – In southeastern Peru, near lake Titicaca, residents of Puno cast their ballots in Peru’s presidential and legislative elections. From the Amazon to the Andes, some 27 million voters are obliged to vote in a race that features a media baron, an autocrat’s daughter, and a hardline ex-mayor who likens himself to a cartoon pig. IMAGES

Lima (AFP) – Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori shows her finger with ink and her ID as she smiles to the press after voting on election day. IMAGES

Lima (AFP) – Peruvian presidential candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga votes in Lima during Peru’s presidential elections, joining voters across the country as polls opened for a race featuring 35 candidates. IMAGES

Lima (AFP) – People cast their votes in Lima as polls open in Peru’s presidential and legislative elections, with crime and instability dominating a crowded race to choose the country’s ninth leader in a decade. IMAGES

Lima (AFP) – Election officials wait for people to be let into voting center in Lima to start voting in Peru’s presidential election. Polls open in Peru’s presidential and legislative elections, with crime-weary voters facing a dizzying choice of 35 candidates vying to be the country’s ninth leader in a decade. IMAGES