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

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.

The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said today that Spain would recognise a Palestinian state from 28 May, despite warnings from Israel that recognition would “fuel extremism and instability”. Sánchez told the parliament in Madrid: “We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words – peace, justice and consistency.” The Irish prime minister, Simon Harris, meanwhile, said he expected other countries to join Ireland, Spain and Norway in recognising a Palestinian state in the coming weeks.

But Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, criticized the landmark diplomatic moves, which he said “endangered” Israel’s security. “Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays,” he wrote on X. “This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran’s jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defence.”

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.

Defense rests without Donald Trump testifying in criminal hush-money trial

The defense rested in Donald Trump’s criminal trial yesterday, without the former president himself testifying. Trump had previously railed about being silenced and falsely claimed he was not allowed to testify, but ultimately elected not to take the stand in his own defense.

Trump’s decision came without fanfare. The move was not surprising – defendants in criminal cases rarely testify, because they would be subject to cross-examination, during which they could easily say something that harms their defense – but followed several instances of Trump claiming he was not allowed to do so.

The judge, Juan Merchan, had gone so far as to address Trump’s claims, saying: “I want to stress, Mr Trump, that you have an absolute right to testify at trial,” and adding that the gag order preventing Trump from verbally attacking witnesses did not affect his right to take the stand.

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.

Russia begins tactical nuclear weapon drills near Ukraine border

Russian forces have started military drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to what Moscow deems threats from western officials about increased involvement in the conflict. Vladimir Putin ordered the drills earlier this month in what Russian officials said was a warning to the west not to escalate tensions further.

The Kremlin has in particular been angered by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who floated the possibility of sending European troops to fight Russia in Ukraine, and by remarks from the UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, who said Ukraine had the right to use weapons supplied by London to target sites in Russia.

The Russian defence ministry published footage yesterday showing trucks carrying missiles to a field where launch systems had been prepared and troops at an airfield readying a bomber to carry a nuclear warhead. The drills are taking place in Russia’s southern military district, headquartered in Rostov-on-Don, which borders Ukraine and includes parts of the country that Russia occupies.

What could happen next? Putin recently warned Nato countries they risked provoking a nuclear war if they deployed troops to Ukraine. In a recent speech to mark the Soviet Union’s victory in the second world war, he said the country’s nuclear weapons were “always at combat readiness”.

In other news …

The actions of a New Zealand man filmed jumping off a boat in an apparent attempt to “body slam” an orca have been described as “shocking” and “idiotic” by the country’s Department of Conservation. In a video posted to Instagram, others can be heard laughing and swearing in the background.

Howler monkeys are falling dead from trees in Mexico because of scorching heat. At least 83 of the midsize primates were found dead in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco. Others were rescued by residents, including five that were rushed to a local vet, who battled to save them.

Kenyan special forces police are expected to arrive in Haiti in the coming days, as part of a larger UN-backed “multinational security support mission” to stabilize Haiti after months of mayhem owing to a gang uprising amid warnings the country could become “an all-out failed state”.

Half the world’s population cannot freely speak their mind, according to a new report on freedom of expression. In its annual report, the advocate group Article 19 found the number of people facing a “crisis” in freedom of speech and information was the highest this century after a sharp rise.

Stat of the day: Americans are drinking half the coffee they did in the 40s

Trouble is brewing at the biggest coffee chain in the US: Starbucks’ sales are struggling. Consumption in the US just is not what it used to be, even while the coffee industry is touting growth in an era of upmarket shops. In an April press release, a trade association boasted the number of US adults who have had a cup in the past day is up 37% since 2004. It might also be that we need less coffee than we used to. In 1950, the average US worker clocked 1,989 hours a year compared with 1,757 hours in 2017. Caffeine isn’t such a crucial drug when there is less work and more sleep.

Don’t miss this: hundreds of families ask to be moved away from the Dominican Republic goldmine

Families living around the Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republican are complaining of serious health problems and have spent years campaigning to be moved. Plans for a new dam and the mine’s expansion are at the forefront of the minds of the committee members representing the affected communities. Leoncia Ramos, a spokesperson, said: “There are many people who suffer respiratory problems, vision loss, skin lesions, heart problems and depression because of the situation. People are dying.”

… or this: Can no- and low-alcohol ‘nolo’ drinks match the real thing?

No- and low-alcohol drinks are increasingly popular in a world where abstinence is on the rise, especially, but not exclusively, among younger people, and global wine consumption is in a historic slump. It is no wonder so many producers continue to strive, like medieval alchemists, to make a no-alcohol wine that can match the real thing in a blind taste test. They are getting closer. The “world’s first vintage alcohol-free sparkling wine”, launched in March – with an audacious price tag.

Climate check: What causes air turbulence and is the climate crisis making it worse?

The death of a British passenger and injuries to others on a Singapore Airlines passenger flight from London has underlined the potential dangers of turbulence. But what causes turbulence, how much risk does it pose – and is the climate crisis making it worse? Yes, according to at least one study. Scientists at Reading University said their research showed higher temperatures as a result of the climate crisis were leading to significant increases in turbulence across transatlantic flights.

Last Thing: Goths, gays, punks and surfers: behind the wild rise of Lollapalooza

A new documentary Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza, is less a highlight reel of the past 30 years than a rumination on the cultural forces behind the music. It charts how during the festival’s 90s-era infancy, Lollapalooza not only helped guide the underground “alternative” music scene into the mainstream; it would convert many in that frustrated young crowd into registered voters, environmental activists and first amendment defenders on site. Meanwhile, in the UK, there is a new dance-theatre piece on moshing!

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