Daily English Article — May 12, 2026

President Donald Trump has publicly rejected Iran's counter-proposal to a US plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, describing Tehran's response as 'totally unacceptable.' Trump also accused Iran of 'playing games' with the United States and the broader international community. The rejection marks a significant setback in diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions between the two nations, as both sides appear far from reaching any meaningful agreement on the terms of a potential ceasefire or peace arrangement.

Iran's counter-proposal, as reported by Iranian state media, included two major demands: formal recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for war damages inflicted during the conflict. Notably absent from the proposal was any mention of Iran's nuclear program, which Washington has consistently identified as one of the central issues requiring resolution. The omission is likely to further complicate negotiations, given that the US has made nuclear de-escalation a cornerstone of its diplomatic position.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipping, has become a flashpoint in the conflict. Iran's military issued a warning that nations enforcing sanctions against Tehran would 'face problems' when their vessels attempt to transit the strait. The US and Iran have already exchanged attacks in key regional waterways, raising fears that escalating naval confrontations could disrupt global energy supplies and draw other nations into the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking in a CBS '60 Minutes' interview, announced his intention to reduce US military aid to Israel from the current $3.8 billion annually to zero over the next decade. Netanyahu acknowledged declining US public support for Israel, attributing the trend largely to the rise of social media. He also referenced China's involvement, stating that Beijing provided components related to missile manufacturing to Iran, though China has denied assisting Iran's military rearmament efforts.

Netanyahu further emphasized that work remains to be done in Iran and confirmed that Trump agrees on the importance of eliminating Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. He also argued that any US-Iran ceasefire should be treated as a separate matter from the Israel-Hezbollah truce in southern Lebanon, a position Iran is unlikely to accept. The diverging stances across multiple parties suggest that a comprehensive resolution to the conflict remains a distant and complicated prospect.

Google has revealed additional hardware details about the upcoming Fitbit Air fitness tracker, shedding light on two features that are not immediately apparent from looking at the device. The core hardware unit of the Fitbit Air is referred to internally by Google as the 'pebble,' a name that Fitbit has used previously for the central component of its fitness trackers. While the overall design is described as straightforward, closer inspection reveals subtle but important functional elements built into the wearable's construction.

One of the notable features is a status light embedded on the left edge of the pebble. The bands designed for the Fitbit Air include a small hole aligned with this light, allowing it to shine through. Because of this design, users must pay attention to the orientation of the device when swapping out straps. Google advises users to firmly double-tap the top of the tracker after attaching a band to confirm proper alignment by checking that the LED light flashes correctly through the designated opening.

The status light supports four distinct light patterns, providing users with different types of feedback. The double-tap gesture that activates the LED also serves a second practical purpose: it can be used to silence both the Smart Wake feature and any individual alarms that users have configured through the Google Health app. This gesture-based interaction represents a deliberate design choice to give users quick, hands-on control without requiring them to navigate through a touchscreen interface.

Fitbit Air demo units have already been placed in ten US Google Store locations, including the newest outlet that opened its doors just last Friday. The presence of physical units in stores has given consumers and tech observers the opportunity to make direct size comparisons with rival wearables. One notable comparison that has emerged is with the Whoop fitness tracker, and early observations suggest that the Fitbit Air is noticeably narrower than its Whoop counterpart, which may appeal to users who prefer a more discreet form factor.

The Fitbit Air's relatively compact and narrow profile positions it as a minimalist option in a growing market of health-monitoring wearables. As Google continues to expand its retail footprint and place demo units in stores, consumer interest and hands-on feedback are expected to grow ahead of the device's official launch. The combination of gesture controls, a discreet status light, and a slim design suggests that Google is aiming to strike a balance between functionality and wearability with this latest addition to the Fitbit lineup.