Today's other headlines in the Middle East, Israel's far-right finance minister,

Betzel-Smotrich, announced the approval of a controversial new settlement in the occupied West Bank

that's been on ice for decades. The construction of several thousand housing units would connect

one of Israel's largest settlements to Jerusalem, but it would also effectively cut the West Bank in two.

The Palestinian government and the U.N. say this will complicate efforts to reach a two-state

solution. Several countries, including France and the UK, have said they'll formally recognize

a Palestinian state in September. But Smotrich said today the planned settlement, quote,

buries that idea.

The time to achil the Rheal the Rheulhah and Yudah and Shomeron. said today the planned settlement, quote, buries that idea.

The time has come to fully apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria at the West Bank,

to forever remove from the table the idea of dividing the land and to make sure that by September, Europe's hypocrite leaders will simply have nothing

to recognize. Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law. Today, a State

Department spokesperson said, quote, a stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this

administration's goal to achieve peace. Tropical storm Aaron is gradually getting stronger

by tomorrow. It's expected to become the first Atlantic hurricane of the season before intensifying

into a category three major hurricane over the weekend. Officials warn Aaron will bring heavy rains

and dangerous ocean surf to the northern Caribbean.

Meantime, clear across the globe.

Tropical storm, POTL hit the southeastern coast of China with heavy rain,

leading to closed schools and canceled court proceedings in Hong Kong.

Poldel slammed the island of Taiwan as a stronger typhoon yesterday, injuring more than 100 people. One person remains missing after being swept out to sea. Florida Governor

Ron DeSantis announced plans today to open a second immigration detention center in the state.

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