News Roundup and Comment

Jim was back at the microphone and with the help of the Crosstalk team, he relayed many stories for listeners to consider. Below is a sample of what can be heard: --French President Emmanuel Macron took to X yesterday to announce his intention for France to become the State of Palestine (recognize the State of Palestine) at the U.N. General Assembly next September. --Iran confirmed on Monday it will not give up its nuclear enrichment program. --A foreign national from Lebanon has been sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian transactions and sanctions regulations when he attempted to smuggle U.S. made drills into Iran. --The U.S. will examine "alternative options" to bring home the 50 captives held by Hamas as the terrorist group "does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," according to U.S. Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff. --The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia have unsealed a civil forfeiture action targeting approximately 2 million dollars in digital currency allegedly tied to a Gaza based terror finance network. --Newly released Israeli Defense Forces footage exposes Hamas operatives living in luxury beneath Gaza's devastated streets, feasting on elaborate meals in well-stocked underground tunnels while the terrorist group simultaneously spreads propaganda, claiming that Israel is starving the Palestinians. --A woman in her 70's was indicted for an alleged attempt to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.