France announced it will formally recognize a Palestinian state, with President Emmanuel Macron stating the decision will be made official at the United Nations General Assembly in September. This move marks France as the first among the major industrialized nations to take this step, potentially straining relations with the United States, which has not recognized Palestinian statehood. The announcement comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where food shortages and violence continue to take a heavy toll on civilians, and as cease-fire talks have stalled. In other news, border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in casualties, and the global demand for matcha is surging, putting pressure on Japanese tea producers.