Malta told a high-level U.N. meeting that it will formally recognize the state of Palestine in September, joining France and the United Kingdom in stepping up pressure to end the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

If France and the UK do formally recognise Palestinian statehood, the US - a strong ally of Israel - will be the only permanent member of the UN Security Council not to do so.

Canada will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, marking a significant policy shift. Prime Minister Carney emphasised this decision aims to support a two-state solution,

Lease a Bike's Dutch rider Marianne Vos celebrates her overall leader yellow jersey on the podium after the 4th stage (out of 9) of the fourth edition of the Women's Tour de France cycling race, 130.7 km from Saumur to Poitiers, in Poitiers, western France on July 29, 2025. © JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Mauritian Kim Le Court became the first African to win a stage on the women’s Tour de France.. It was a case of double celebration for the 29-year-old who, on Wednesday took the fifth stage honours in a sprint to reclaim the leader’s yellow jersey.

Mauritian cyclist Kim Le Court-Pienaar makes history by becoming the first African to win a stage at the women's Tour de France, reclaiming the leader's yellow jersey in a thrilling sprint finish.