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During the Google I/O 2026 keynote, Google unveiled a new class of AI agents that stay active in the background, turning Search into a proactive information hub rather than a reactive answer engine. Continuous AI Agents Redefine How Search Works Unlike traditional search, which only responds when a user types a query, the new information agents can be created, customized, and managed by users to monitor any topic of interest around the clock. They synthesize data from multiple sources, explain relevance, compare viewpoints, and deliver actionable insights directly to the user. Use‑Case Spectrum Highlighted by Google Financial monitoring: Track specific stocks, earnings reports, and market trends with real‑time alerts. Travel planning: Follow flight price changes and receive notifications when fares drop. Sports & entertainment: Get live updates on favorite teams, events, or new movie releases. Local conditions: Monitor weather, traffic, housing or job market shifts in chosen areas. Subscription and Rollout Economics The agents will first be available this summer to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States, with broader market expansion planned later. While Google did not disclose specific pricing, the tiered rollout suggests a strategy to monetize premium, continuous‑assistant features and drive higher ARPU among power users. Strategic Impact on Search and the Wider AI Landscape By moving from single‑question answers to ongoing assistance, Google is positioning Search as a persistent personal knowledge manager, effectively superseding the legacy Google Alerts service. This shift could reshape user expectations, pressure competitors to offer similar background agents, and deepen Google’s data collection on user interests. Looking Ahead: Adoption, Competition, and Feature Evolution If adoption mirrors early interest in Gemini and other AI‑first products, the agents could become a core differentiator for Google’s ecosystem, especially as rivals like Microsoft and Anthropic explore comparable continuous‑assistant models. Future updates may integrate deeper Gmail, Calendar, and Docs functionality, turning the agents into true 24/7 personal assistants across Google’s suite.

The LeadA body set up by United States President Donald Trump to oversee the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip has revealed a significant funding shortfall that threatens its ability to deliver on reconstruction efforts.The Board of Peace Funding CrisisTrump's so-called "Board of Peace" has warned of a substantial gap between the funds disbursed and the $17 billion pledged to the organization, according to media reports. The board, which was approved by the UN as part of a peace plan between Israel and Hamas, has faced skepticism from critics who view it as a means of sidestepping traditional international organizations and aid groups."Funds committed but not yet disbursed represent the difference between a framework that exists on paper and one that delivers on the ground for the people of Gaza," a May 15 report to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) states.The Financial Reality of Gaza ReconstructionThe cost of reconstructing Gaza has been estimated at $70 billion, with the board reporting that 85 percent of Gaza's buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed and 70 million tonnes of rubble need to be cleared. Despite these staggering figures, Reuters reported in April that the board had received only a small portion of the pledged $17 billion, a claim the body initially rejected by stating there were "no funding constraints."The May 15 report before the UNSC emphasized that funding gaps must be closed "with urgency," though it did not specify the exact size of the shortfall.International Skepticism and Geopolitical ImplicationsThe funding shortfalls have reinforced concerns about the Board of Peace, which has already been viewed with skepticism by many countries. Several nations, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Morocco, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have pledged funds, but many countries have declined to participate in the body.Israel has continued to restrict humanitarian access to Gaza and carry out frequent strikes that have killed more than 800 Palestinians since the ceasefire went into effect in October. The board has placed blame on Hamas for the shortcomings of the ceasefire, stating that the group has refused to relinquish control in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has responded by slamming what it calls "fallacies" in the report.Future Outlook for Gaza ReconstructionThe Board of Peace's ability to address the funding gap will be critical to the future of Gaza reconstruction. With the United States frequently shielding Israel from criticism and avoiding blame for negotiation setbacks, the board faces significant challenges in implementing its reconstruction plans. The international community will be watching closely to see whether the pledged funds materialize and whether the board can overcome the political obstacles to deliver on its promises for the people of Gaza.

The Endorsement United States President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican run-off to represent the state of Texas in the US Senate in advance of next week's Republican primary. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said that Paxton has been 'extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT' while also saying that his opponent, incumbent John Cornyn, was not supportive of him when 'times were tough'. The Run-off Details In March, Trump said the candidate who did not earn his endorsement should 'DROP OUT OF THE RACE'. In order to clinch the party nomination in Texas, a candidate must win a clear majority. Neither candidate met that threshold in the state's primary election in early March. Texas also has open primaries, meaning a voter does not have to be a member of a given political party to vote in that party's primary. However, voters must pledge to vote only in one party's primary election. The Data Analysis Recent polls have the Republican run-off as a tight race. An early May poll from Texans for a Conservative Majority, a super PAC aligned with Senator Cornyn, 74, had the incumbent leading by 1 point. A Lone Star Liberty PAC poll, backed by a pro-Paxton Super PAC, showed the attorney general leading by 11 points. More independent polls, like one from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, showed Paxton with a 3-point advantage. The Impact Analysis Texas Republicans have expressed concern about how Paxton would fare in the general election. Matt Shaheen, a Texas state representative, said that 'Ken Paxton would be a disaster for Texas conservatives!' in a post on X. The Republican nominee will face a tough general election. Polls suggest that James Talarico is either the favourite or within the margin of error. The Prediction Strategists believe this endorsement will also hurt Trump's relationship with the current Senate. 'Paxton, more likely than not, would have won without Trump's endorsement. Now Trump has alienated the Republican majority in the Senate, Senator Thune, in particular, who's been lobbying nonstop for Trump to endorse Cornyn,' Mark Jones, professor of political science at Rice University in Houston, Texas, told Al Jazeera.

The Journey to IstanbulAs Aston Villa arrived at Besiktas Park on the banks of the Bosphorus for their final training session before the Europa League final, the remarkable journey from the Championship to this moment was impossible to ignore. John McGinn, who will lead Villa out as captain in Istanbul, was part of the side promoted from the Championship via the playoff final seven years ago. Tyrone Mings also started that day at Wembley, and across the following 12 months, Villa built a spine that would be central to their hopes of winning their first major European trophy since 1982.McGinn reflected on a 3-0 league defeat at Wigan and a midweek trip to Rotherham in the season they clinched promotion, averting a likely financial disaster. "If we lose that match, are Aston Villa here at the minute?" McGinn asks. "Probably not. For us, tomorrow night, it will be nice to see the supporters who were there at Rotherham away, Wigan away, nights like that on a Tuesday evening when it's very easy to stay at home. They deserve it just as much as the players do and hopefully we can give them something to remember."The Core That Built European SuccessThe foundation of this Villa side was built through careful recruitment. Ezri Konsa, a beacon of consistency who was labeled a "Rolls-Royce" by Prince William (who is expected to attend the final as an avid Villa supporter), joined in the months after they returned to the Premier League. Emiliano Martínez, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash arrived the following summer. Together, this core of players have reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals, the Champions League quarter-finals and a FA Cup semi-final."We've been together for so many years, played so many games together, going from mid-table to the European places, semi-finals and now we're in the final," says Martínez. "I think we deserve it. I think the fans deserve it. And obviously the manager has had five finals and you wouldn't want anyone else on the bench leading us in a European final."The Hunger for Trophy SuccessMcGinn has spoken about shedding the tag of "nearly men" and Martínez acknowledges it would be "massive" to get over the line against Freiburg. Martínez likens trying to feed Villa's hunger for a first trophy since the League Cup in 1996 to his first Copa América with Argentina in 2021."I went into my first Copa América without seeing Argentina win a trophy," says the World Cup winner. "I was 27, 28 years old and this is the same. In Birmingham the Villa fans always say: 'I've never seen Villa in a European final, I've never seen Villa lifting a trophy.' So it's that same mindset as I went into my first Copa América, with that anger, belief and confidence I can do it. I believe in my team and myself."The Emery FactorMartínez was speaking publicly for the first time since attempting to leave the club last summer. It was this time last season he cried as he left Villa Park, presuming it would be for the last time. "We are in a European final, in the Champions League again with all the circumstances and the ups and downs, and with the budget we had this year, we were among the lowest spenders in the Premier League," says Martínez. "Sometimes football can change … when we stick together and fight together we can beat anybody. I am really proud to stay – I made the right choice."Villa yearn for a trophy and, as Martínez says, the consensus is that in Emery they have something of a superpower. Thomas Tuchel's comments in the buildup to Chelsea's Super Cup victory over Emery's Villarreal in 2021 spring to mind. "They can call the [Europa League] trophy the Unai Emery trophy soon," said the now England manager."I am not a king in this competition," says the Basque. "I am now here with Aston Villa in a new chapter. And everything I did is done – of course it's there in that moment but with it I am not winning tomorrow. I need to win with the players we have now, with Villa now. It's a new way, a new moment and, hopefully, a new era."The Final ChallengeVilla, who could welcome back Amadou Onana from a calf injury after he trained with his teammates on Tuesday, are heavy favourites to beat a Freiburg side seventh in the Bundesliga. McGinn and Emery recognise as much, both reading from the same hymn sheet. McGinn talks of treating Freiburg with the respect they deserve, Emery of a tricky task."Tomorrow we have a huge challenge," Villa's manager says. "Are we thinking about the next party on Friday? No, no, no."

The LeadThe upcoming US midterm elections may be influenced as much by how electoral maps are drawn as by voter preferences. Redistricting, the process of redefining electoral boundaries, has become a powerful tool that can determine which party controls Congress and state legislatures.The Art of Map DrawingRedistricting occurs every decade following the census, when states redraw congressional and legislative district lines to account for population changes. This process, intended to ensure equal representation, has increasingly become a battleground for political advantage. Through techniques like packing (concentrating opposing voters in a few districts) and cracking (spreading opposing voters across many districts), parties can create maps that favor their candidates even when they don't have majority support.The Data Behind District DesignStudies have shown that gerrymandering can have significant impacts on election outcomes. In the 2022 midterms, for example, Republicans won 54% of House seats despite receiving only 49% of the popular vote. Similarly, in some states with Democratic-controlled redistricting, Democrats have won disproportionate representation. The efficiency gap—a metric measuring how wasted votes are distributed between parties—has been used in court cases to challenge extreme partisan gerrymanders.Impact on American DemocracyThe practice of gerrymandering raises fundamental questions about democratic representation. When districts are drawn to favor one party, it can lead to uncompetitive elections, reduced voter choice, and diminished accountability. Many argue that this contributes to political polarization, as elected officials cater to their party's base rather than moderate voters. The issue has sparked numerous legal battles, with the Supreme Court ruling in 2019 that federal courts cannot hear challenges to partisan gerrymandering, leaving the issue to state legislatures.Future of Fair DistrictsAs the 2026 midterms approach, several states are experimenting with independent redistricting commissions to reduce political influence in map drawing. Technology has also emerged as both a tool for gerrymandering and a solution for transparency, with software helping to identify potential partisan gerrymanders. While the Supreme Court has largely stepped back from regulating partisan gerrymandering, state courts and constitutional amendments in some states continue to provide checks on extreme map manipulation. The battle over district shapes will likely remain a central feature of American politics for years to come.

The Modernist Comedian's Journey How has it come to this? That's what new show Tilting at Windmills finds John Kearns asking, and – after a fashion – it's what TS Eliot asked in The Waste Land, the modernist poem Kearns deploys here as an unlikely motif. After the breakup of a 12-year relationship with the mother of his son, we find the 39-year-old angrier than usual, and unmoored: flat-hunting pessimistically while living back home with mum and dad, roaming the streets of London having fled a disappointing walking tour based on Eliot's verse. High Culture Meets Everyday Life Sound clips of the poem, read by Alec Guinness, punctuate the show. They infuse it (as Van Gogh's Starry Night did with its predecessor, The Varnishing Days) equally with awe, at life's ineffable mysteries, and bathos – at the contrast between high literary culture and the humdrum realities of our host's life. Here he is shopping in Aldi with his mum; there he is naked and not very wet under a dripping shower. A remark about washing machines by a newspaper columnist induces a bout of class anxiety; an awkward teenage meeting is recalled with then-PM Tony Blair, who came to see Kearns' school play. Existential Questions and Personal Struggles Under Jon Brittain's direction, this all comes at us in Eliot-alike fragments, as Kearns bounces between existential conjecture (an encounter with ventriloquist Nina Conti has him wondering "am I my own puppet?!") and sadness at the wreckage of his domestic dreams. We're not let deeply into all that: no oversharer he. But if his real feelings are woven obliquely into this tapestry of a Streatham clown adrift, they remain palpable, not least in the surprising ferocity this usually low-key act brings to his dialogues with dimwit estate agent Connor, say, or with two poetry scholars in a pub over an illicit packet of prawn cocktail crisps. A Poignant Reflection on Modern Life Maybe its sharp edges, that sense of real hurt beneath the (very funny) gags about Kearns' limited commercial reach, forestall hilarity. But there's no resisting the care, the craft and the many beautifully turned phrases of a comic who "feels like he's being CC'ed into his own life". At its best, this show about The Waste Land itself aspires to wonderstruck, workaday poetry. Show Information Artist: John Kearns Show: Tilting at Windmills Director: Jon Brittain Touring to 6 November

Seattle Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith‑Njigba was handed a trophy that mistakenly labeled him the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, prompting a candid Instagram video where he called the error “disrespectful.”Misprinted Trophy Triggers Public FrustrationDuring the post‑season ceremony, Smith‑Njigba’s award was engraved with the phrase “Defensive Player of TheYear.” The 24‑year‑old, who actually secured the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year honor, highlighted the typo in a video, saying, “Defense? Come on, bro,” and mused about returning the misplaced trophy.Smith‑Njigba’s Offensive Milestones in Numbers119 receptions – franchise record for a single season1,793 receiving yards – also a franchise highThree tackles recorded on defenseFour‑year, $168.6 million contract extension signed in the offseasonPotential Repercussions for the NFL’s Award ProcessThe slip‑up puts the league’s internal checks into focus, especially as the mistake was publicized on social media. Fans and analysts are questioning whether the NFL will issue a corrected trophy, offer an apology, or adjust its award‑verification protocols to avoid similar blunders.What’s Next for the Misengraved Trophy?While Smith‑Njigba hinted at keeping the trophy “in the history books,” the NFL is expected to respond quickly to mitigate brand damage. A likely outcome is a replacement award accompanied by a public statement, and possibly a review of the engraving workflow ahead of future ceremonies.

The LeadIn a photographic self-portrait taken not long after she was diagnosed with squamous cell bladder cancer in 2020, Tracey Emin's iPhone shrouds her right breast as our line of vision descends from her catheter to her urostomy bag to her disposable knickers. Her body is fragile here in this hospital mirror, yet her gaze is anything but. It looks us dead in the eye as if to say: I matter, this matters – a sureness that challenges the notion of subjugation in times of ill-health.The Art of Bodily AutonomyEven now, six years after her life-saving surgery, Emin refuses to conform to what may, or may not, make us feel comfortable when it comes to her post-operative body. As well as losing her bladder, Emin also lost her uterus, ovaries, lymph nodes, part of her colon, her urethra and part of her vagina. And yet she has found a striking autonomy in documenting the changes in her body. "This is mine, I own it," she affirmed in an interview not long after her surgery.The Personal Becomes PoliticalWould I have taken these photographs if it wasn't for Emin? Probably not. In the weeks that led up to my own life-saving surgery, I became increasingly fixated on the ways in which her no-holds-barred Polaroids, like the squares of her autobiographical blankets, were urging us to look at her in ways that perhaps we'd rather not. Twenty-seven years after her sculptural work My Bed catapulted her to tabloid fame in the late 1990s, Emin is still challenging us to acknowledge the things we tend to pull away from. Only these days her bleeding nudes are centred squarely on the presence of non-visible disability and what Harry Weller, creative director of Emin's studio, calls "her wild scramble for existence".Challenging the "Confessional" Label"Back in the 90s, people used to say it was confessional art," Emin recently mused to Maria Balshaw, director of the Tate. Only it wasn't. "I wasn't confessing anything at all to anybody," she corrected her past critics – and maybe even her present fans. I thought of Emin's vital reframe only a few weeks ago when I visited her landmark show at Tate Modern and contemplated her 2023 painting, I watched Myself die and come alive. In it, her red-swabbed body is splayed out on a table, she is watched over by the black cloak of death, and her mother's ashes are resting in a casket behind her bloody hair. Like most of Emin's artworks, this painting isn't asking for a certain kind of gaze from us – it exists for itself alone, and that's what makes it so corporeally present.The Legacy of Frida KahloCall it visceral, call it personal. But, like Emin, I too struggle with the word "confessional" in relation to women's expression of their experiences. The implication being that there is something guilt-inducing and therefore even shameful about a woman drawing attention to herself both in her life and art. As if by doing so, she needs to beg pardon for it. Only Emin has never subscribed to this falsehood. Come to think of it, neither did Frida Kahlo over the course of her all-too-short life (Kahlo died when she was only 47) – another autobiographical artist whose retrospective is set to appear at Tate Modern next month.Transforming Trauma into TranscendenceWith an anatomical eye on her wounds, Kahlo would redraw what she called her "body's landscape" on her own terms, making her disabilities into something transcendental, a devotional act that helped her transform the mundanity of her physical limitations into something extraordinary. As Kahlo's biographer Hayden Herrera remarked in 1983, Kahlo's art has a particular intensity and strength "that can hold the viewer in an uncomfortably tight grip". We can see this for ourselves in her 1944 artwork, The Broken Column: a valiant self-portrait of chronic pain that evokes the Saint Sebastian paintings of the Christian faith.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far‑right finance minister, said on May 19, 2026 that the International Criminal Court in The Hague had requested an arrest warrant against him, citing his role in forced displacement policies in the West Bank.Smotrich Announces ICC’s Confidential Warrant RequestAt a news conference, Smotrich did not disclose the source of the information but described the alleged warrant as “a declaration of war” and vowed to retaliate. He also announced plans to sign an order to evacuate the West Bank village of Khan al‑Ahmar, intensifying the controversy.Legal Context and Recent ICC ActionsIn November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.The court has also targeted several Hamas leaders, many of whom were killed in Israeli operations.Sanctions imposed by the United States have cut off ICC judges and prosecutors from major banks and tech platforms.Political and Diplomatic FalloutThe United Kingdom and four other nations have already sanctioned Smotrich and fellow minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir for incitement against Palestinians. Smotrich’s call for permanent conquest of Gaza and settlement expansion further isolates Israel on the international stage.Potential Consequences for Israeli PolicyIf the ICC warrant is confirmed, Smotrich would become the third Israeli official targeted after Netanyahu and Gallant.International pressure could affect Israel’s settlement plans and its ability to secure financing for West Bank projects.Domestic backlash may empower hard‑line factions within the coalition, influencing future security and displacement decisions.Outlook: Escalation or Diplomatic Containment?Analysts warn that the warrant could trigger a cycle of retaliation, including harsher settlement actions and further legal challenges at the UN. However, diplomatic channels may seek a containment strategy to avoid widening the conflict, especially as the war‑crimes investigations continue.