Muslim student Suheila Mukhtar drew international attention after reciting verses from the Holy Quran at Harvard University’s 2026 commencement ceremony. On May 26, during the opening session that featured readings from various religious texts, she recited the first few verses of Surah Al-Alaq. Her melodious recitation captivated attendees and received widespread praise across social media platforms.

Suheila completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard for the 2022–2026 academic term, earning recognition for both academic excellence and community service. In 2024, she was honored as a ‘John Harvard Scholar’ and ‘Prize Fellow’. Her published research covers medical science, women’s empowerment, digitalization, and surgical studies.

She is also actively involved with several health and social service organizations at the university and currently volunteers at a hospital, continuing her engagement in community-oriented initiatives.

A political storm has erupted in the United States over President Donald Trump’s Iran policy, drawing sharp criticism from both the Republican and Democratic parties. According to Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for International Policy, divisions have emerged within both major parties as Trump’s approach toward Iran intensifies. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mortazavi noted that centrist and right-leaning Democrats argue Iran is growing stronger while the U.S. appears weaker, and a faction within the Republican Party’s 'America First' wing also opposes the policy.

Mortazavi explained that Trump had once made opposition to Middle East military interventions a key part of his political identity, but his current stance contradicts that position. She recalled that Trump twice promised to end what he called “foolish” and “meaningless” wars, presenting himself as a “peace president.” However, she warned that adopting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed Iran attack plan would be unprecedented and risky, as previous U.S. presidents avoided it due to potential consequences.

Mortazavi cautioned that underestimating Iran could provoke retaliation, leaving Trump trapped in a complex situation facing criticism from both allies and opponents.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a new message that Iran is eager to reach an agreement and that any future deal would be advantageous for the United States and its allies. His remarks were shared on social media, where he emphasized that Tehran truly wants a deal and that such an agreement would serve the interests of Washington and its partner nations.

Trump also criticized domestic opponents who have questioned his handling of military matters, accusing them of making unhelpful comments about his decisions. He urged critics to remain calm, assuring that everything would ultimately work out well, as it always has in the past.

The statement came amid ongoing international discussions about regional tensions surrounding Iran and the possibility of a diplomatic resolution. However, Trump did not provide any specific details about what a potential agreement might include.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani broke with tradition by not attending the annual Israel Day Parade held on Sunday. The event, which has taken place for decades along Fifth Avenue, typically features participation from the city’s governor, mayor, and other political leaders. This year marked the first time a sitting New York City mayor chose not to join the parade, citing solidarity with Palestinians.

Two weeks earlier, the mayor’s office released a video commemorating Nakba, an Arabic term meaning “catastrophe,” referring to the displacement of about 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. At a press conference on Thursday, Mamdani reiterated that he had pledged during his campaign not to attend the parade and had made his views on the Israeli government clear.

Despite his absence, Mamdani assured that the parade would proceed peacefully and without disruption. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, attended the event.

Technology company Google has proposed releasing 32 million laboratory-bred male mosquitoes in the US states of Florida and California over two years to reduce mosquito-borne diseases. The company applied for government approval in December 2025, and the proposal is currently under review by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The initiative is part of Google’s ‘Debug’ project, launched in 2014 to use technology for controlling disease-spreading mosquito populations and lowering health risks.

Under the plan, Google’s scientific division will infect male mosquitoes with a bacterium called Wolbachia pipientis. When these infected males mate with wild female mosquitoes, their eggs will not hatch, gradually reducing mosquito populations and limiting virus transmission. Since only female mosquitoes bite humans, the release of these males poses no risk of increased mosquito nuisance.

The project will proceed in two phases, releasing 16 million sterile males each year. However, the specific trial locations and start date have not been disclosed in the application.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has praised Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the ongoing Iran–US peace talks, saying a genuine friendship is developing between the United States and Pakistan. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiation table. He described the current progress between the two countries as unexpected and sincere.

Pakistan has been acting as a formal mediator between Washington and Tehran since the Iran–US ceasefire on April 8. Hegseth’s remarks followed questions about Pakistan’s missile capabilities and India’s Agni-6 program. He emphasized that the US does not view either India or Pakistan as threats, noting that both nations are nuclear powers concerned with their own security. Hegseth also recalled that President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025, despite later denials from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hegseth reiterated that the US remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and is prepared for military action if diplomacy fails.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is close to reaching a very good agreement with Iran. In an interview with Fox News, he said that once the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and the nuclear issue is resolved, US forces will be withdrawn from the region.

Trump emphasized that a diplomatic agreement is the preferred option, as signing it would mean the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for navigation. He added that the strait must be opened immediately and without any fees, and that Tehran must permanently refrain from acquiring any nuclear weapons.

The remarks indicate that Washington’s military presence in the region is linked to progress on both maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear commitments, though no timeline for the potential withdrawal was mentioned.

The United States has warned that it is prepared to resume military action against Iran if a peace agreement is not reached under President Donald Trump’s strict conditions. Trump stated that any deal must ensure Iran will never develop nuclear weapons, calling it one of his key red lines. According to AFP, White House officials said Trump is close to a decision on a possible agreement but has not yet given final approval. Iran, meanwhile, has confirmed that no final understanding has been reached to end the conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Singapore that Washington is fully prepared to restart the war if necessary, emphasizing that US military assets are ready. The US Central Command announced on social media that its forces remain deployed and on alert across the region. Despite a ceasefire in effect since April, sporadic clashes continue, and Iran claimed to have downed a US-Israeli drone.

Diplomatic talks are ongoing, including discussions on halting the conflict in Lebanon, which Iran insists must be part of any agreement. Israeli forces have reportedly advanced further inside Lebanon.

A meteor traveling toward Earth exploded over the northeastern United States on Saturday, according to NASA. The agency reported that the blast released energy equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT, producing a loud explosion that echoed across the region. NASA Deputy News Chief Jennifer Doren stated that the fireball broke apart at 2:06 p.m. local time over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire.

Doren clarified that the meteor was not part of any active meteor shower but a natural celestial object, unrelated to space debris or satellite reentry. NASA data indicated the meteor was traveling at more than 75,000 miles per hour and disintegrated roughly 40 miles above the ground, causing the intense sound.

Residents in the affected areas reported being startled by the sudden noise, with some saying their homes shook. NASA referenced the 2013 Chelyabinsk event in Russia for comparison, where a much larger meteor exploded with far greater energy and caused injuries and property damage.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a revised draft agreement to Tehran that includes tougher conditions than before, according to a report by The New York Times. The proposal, described as a framework for ending the ongoing conflict, was returned to Iran for reconsideration after Trump made several modifications. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in receiving a response from Iran.

Officials familiar with the matter told the newspaper that Trump raised concerns about clauses related to the possible release of Iran’s frozen assets. The report added that the talks, conducted through intermediaries including Pakistani officials, have been slow, increasing Trump’s frustration. Communication with Iran’s top leadership has reportedly become extremely difficult, raising fears that any new changes could further delay the deal.

Earlier, Trump held a nearly two-hour meeting with senior advisers in the White House Situation Room to discuss efforts to end the war, but no formal announcement followed the meeting.

US President Donald Trump stated that the airstrike on Iran was carried out to protect Israel. In an interview with Fox News, he said that if the United States had not launched a B-2 bomber attack on Iran nine months earlier, the country might have already developed nuclear weapons. According to Trump, such a scenario could have led to the loss of Israel and destabilized the Middle East.

Discussing his next steps on Iran, Trump said the United States was close to reaching a 'great deal' that would save many lives and allow the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after signing. He described Iran’s leadership as tough negotiators but claimed the US was gradually achieving its objectives.

Trump added that he was not in a hurry to finalize the deal, emphasizing that rushing could lead to a poor agreement. He concluded that if the desired outcome was not reached, the US would end the matter through other means.

U.S. President Donald Trump has requested several amendments to the draft of a potential agreement with Iran, according to a report by Axios citing American officials. During a Situation Room meeting on Friday, Trump reportedly instructed his team to revise sections of the draft related to Iran’s nuclear program. The current draft includes Iran’s pledge not to develop nuclear weapons but lacks specific provisions on related concessions.

A senior administration official told Axios that Trump asked for more detailed descriptions of how the United States would gain access to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the timeline for doing so. Another source said Trump also wants to alter the language concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Officials indicated that Iran’s response to the proposed changes is expected within three days, with the U.S. administration hoping to receive it by the end of the week.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, suggests that the proposed revisions could shape the next phase of U.S.-Iran negotiations if Tehran responds positively.

A new provision in the US Congress seeks to bring the American and Israeli militaries closer through expanded cooperation in weapons research, production, and technology. The proposal, titled the “United States–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,” appears in Section 224 of the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). If enacted, it would mark a major shift in one of the world’s closest military partnerships, extending collaboration beyond aid to joint defense industry integration.

Under Section 224, the US Secretary of Defense would appoint an executive agent to coordinate joint research, development, and production, as well as data and systems integration. Former State Department official Josh Paul criticized the measure, warning it would embed Israel deeply into the US defense base and grant it unprecedented access to American technology. The bill also aims to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, drones, and cyber operations.

The initiative follows recent US–Israeli joint military actions in Iran and comes amid regional instability and international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The proposal has bipartisan support from committee leaders Mike Rogers and Adam Smith but faces growing domestic debate over continued military aid to Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is not in a hurry to reach an agreement with Iran, emphasizing his preference for a diplomatic deal over military action. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that the United States is aiming for a 'great deal' with Iran, but if that fails, military options remain on the table.

Trump described Iran’s leadership as 'very tough negotiators' and noted that the U.S. is gradually achieving its desired goals. He stressed that rushing into negotiations could prevent a good deal, adding that patience is key to securing favorable terms. Trump also said that a successful agreement would save many lives and allow the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, reflect Trump’s cautious approach toward Iran, balancing diplomatic engagement with the threat of force if negotiations do not yield results.

US President Donald Trump stated that American forces should not have been involved in either the Iraq or Iran wars. He made the remarks during an interview with Fox News while discussing his next steps regarding Iran. Referring to the Iraq war, Trump said the United States had performed poorly there and that entering Iraq had been a foolish decision.

Turning to Iran, Trump said the US should not have remained involved there either, though he claimed Iran had significant capabilities. He suggested that if the US had not launched a B-2 bomber strike nine months earlier, Iran might have developed nuclear weapons, which could have drastically changed the Middle East situation. Trump also claimed that the US deliberately spared Iran’s military forces, describing them as somewhat moderate compared to other groups.

He added that wars often lead to mistakes that devastate nations for decades, implying that restraint in military action was a deliberate choice by his administration.