On Tuesday, primary elections were held in Maryland, Utah, and New York, with redistricting being a central issue in Democratic primaries in Utah and Maryland. Meanwhile, in the European Union, officials faced criticism over plans to host the Taliban in Brussels, with rights campaigners and MEPs warning that the meeting risks normalizing a regime that has banned girls from school and sought to erase women from public life.

In the UK, charities warned that they "cannot continue to absorb the impact of child poverty" without government support, as new research found that 400,000 children were supported by baby banks in 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year.

In sports news, the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is underway, with several teams qualifying for the round of 32. And in the US, a California court dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Los Angeles over a city ordinance limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The EU's decision to host the Taliban in Brussels has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it legitimizes a regime that has been accused of human rights abuses. The meeting has been seen as a significant development in the EU's efforts to engage with the Taliban, but it has also raised concerns about the impact on women's rights and human rights in Afghanistan.

The rise in child poverty in the UK is a significant concern, with charities warning that they are struggling to cope with the demand for support. The issue has been linked to austerity measures and welfare cuts, and there are calls for the government to take action to address the problem.

The Trump administration's lawsuit against Los Angeles was seen as part of a broader effort to crack down on sanctuary cities, but the court's decision is a significant setback for the administration.

• 400,000: The number of children supported by baby banks in the UK in 2025
• 11%: The increase in the number of children supported by baby banks in the UK from the previous year
• 5: The number of single-day visas issued to the Taliban delegation to attend a meeting in Brussels
• 32: The number of teams that have qualified for the round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage

"The EU's decision to host the Taliban in Brussels is a significant development, but it's also a worrying sign that the EU is willing to engage with a regime that has been accused of human rights abuses." — Rights campaigner

"The rise in child poverty in the UK is a national scandal, and it's clear that the government needs to take action to address the problem." — Charity spokesperson

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 led to a significant deterioration in human rights, particularly for women and girls. The regime has banned girls from school beyond the sixth grade and has sought to erase women from public life.

The UK's baby bank network has been growing in recent years, as more families struggle to make ends meet. The network provides essential items such as nappies, clothes, and toiletries to families in need.

The EU's meeting with the Taliban is likely to be closely watched, with many expecting the regime to make concessions on human rights in exchange for international recognition. The UK government is under pressure to address the issue of child poverty, and there are calls for increased funding for charities and support services. The Trump administration's lawsuit against Los Angeles is likely to be appealed, but the court's decision is a significant setback for the administration's efforts to crack down on sanctuary cities.