Thursday briefing: Why EU​-Taliban talks have sparked outrage among Afghan women ​

European Union officials met with the Taliban in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss increasing the deportation of Afghan migrants, a move that has sparked outrage among Afghan women. Critics described the meeting as a "slap in the face" and expressed disbelief that Europe would engage with a regime that offers fewer protections to women than to birds. This engagement signals a potential shift in the EU's approach to balancing security concerns with human rights, particularly amid rising anti-immigration sentiment across Europe. The talks focused on how to scale up migrant deportations from Afghanistan.

Separately, Venezuela declared a state of emergency following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country, causing buildings to collapse and resulting in at least 32 confirmed deaths. Experts anticipate the death toll could rise significantly as rescue efforts continue. The earthquakes caused widespread damage, with dozens of structures reportedly collapsing.

In other news, the United Kingdom recorded its hottest June day on record, while France experienced its hottest day ever for the second consecutive day. These temperature records are part of a broader heatwave affecting over 90 million people across Europe. The extreme heat has prompted concerns about public health and infrastructure.

Additionally, former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on Andy Burnham, labeling him "extremely liberal" in his first public statement regarding the UK politician. This remark comes amidst ongoing political discourse and commentary from Trump on international figures.