Head to Netsuite.com

slash Briefing Now for their one-of-a-kind flexible financing program.

Hello from CNN, I'm Joe Beck.

With the five things you need to know for Wednesday, May 22nd.

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine.

The Prime Ministers of Spain, Norway and Ireland have announced plans to

formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.

That was Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris speaking this morning.

The countries say it's a quote, important step toward peace in the region and Harris said he's

confident that other leaders will join them in the coming weeks.

We ask CNN's Nick Robertson for more.

Joe Spain, Ireland and Norway, all allies of the United States have decided together to recognize

the state of Palestine for peace, coherence and justice is what the Spanish Prime Minister said.

An act of powerful and political symbolic value is what the Irish Prime Minister said,

the Norwegian Prime Minister saying in essence there cannot be peace in the Middle East without a Palestinian state and a two-state solution.

Israel has reacted angrily, recalling its ambassadors to all three countries.

Tornado spawning storms have left multiple people dead in Iowa, and now they're threatening cities from Texas to Vermont. The parade of

storms has been moving across the US all week leaving widespread power outages

structural damage and some flooding in their wake. In the small city of Greenfield, Iowa, a tornado carved a devastating path

through the community yesterday, with residents waking up today to sift through

the rubble and morn neighbors.

...