First Thing: Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize Palestinian state

Spanish PM says possibility of two-state solution should not be destroyed by force. Plus, Russia begins nuclear weapons drills

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Good morning.

Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, prompting Israel to instruct the immediate recall" of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway. It is expected to take similar measures with Spain.

Israel in diplomatic defensive. Israel urged nations of the civilised world" to refuse to implement any international criminal court arrest warrants issued against its leaders after the world's top court alleged the Israeli prime minister and his defence minister were guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In other news. Individual members of Israel's security forces are tipping off far-right activists and settlers to the location of aid trucks delivering vital supplies to Gaza, enabling the groups to block and vandalise the convoys, according to multiple sources.

What's next in the legal saga? After the defense rested, Merchan told jurors to return on 28 May for closing arguments. Merchan said he would also announce his instructions to jurors the next day and expected that they would then start deliberating.