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Google just declared itself a contender in AI design at IO 2026

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Google announced at its annual Google I/O event on Tuesday that it’s launching Pics, a new AI-powered design and image-generation app for Google Workspace. The tech giant says it designed the app to be accessible to everyone, from teachers to small business owners.

With Pics, users can generate everything from social media graphics and invitations to marketing materials and mock-ups using simple text prompts, without needing any editing skills or advanced tools. By giving users an easy way to generate visuals, Google is looking to take on popular design apps like Canva, as well as products from AI-native competitors like Claude Design from Anthropic. Google’s entry into the space signals that AI-powered design is fast becoming a core competitive arena — with real stakes for any business that depends on visual content.

The new app is launching to a group of testers at I/O and will be rolling out to Google AI Ultra subscribers this summer, Google says.

The company acknowledges that although AI models today can generate high-quality images, it’s still difficult to modify just one part of an image. If you get an image that’s almost perfect but want to change a small detail, you have to write an entirely new prompt and hope the AI doesn’t alter too much. That’s why Pics not only generates images but also makes them easily editable.

 

Users can enter a prompt, and Pics will generate what they need. Gemini powers the editing layer, making every element in a generated design or image fully adjustable. You can write a new prompt to make changes, but you can also simply click the part you want to change and leave a comment — much like leaving feedback in Google Docs.

You can also edit directly, without leaving a comment or writing a prompt. For example, if you create a birthday party invitation and want to change the time listed on the card, you can do so manually.

Pics is powered by Nano Banana 2, which Google says is a strong fit for the app because it supports precise text rendering, real-world knowledge, and detailed visual output. Pics is also built natively into Google Workspace, enabling visual collaboration across its apps.

Once you’re happy with your design, you can download, copy, print, or share it with others. You can also pass it to someone else for a final round of edits before it goes out, Google says.

Catch up on the rest of Google IO 2026’s big news

Google Search as you know it is over

Google updates Gemini app to take on ChatGPT and Claude

Google introduces Gemini Spark, a 24/7 agent assistant with Gmail integration

How to use Google’s new information agents

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DHQ Intensifies Multi-layered Campaign, Neutralises 435 Terrorists, Rescues 717 Hostages

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces of Nigeria has sustained an unrelenting multi-layered campaign of coordinated land, air and maritime operations across all geo-political zones.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said this on Thursday in Abuja, at the Joint Security Press Briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Uba said under the strategic leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, troops executed 588 distinct security operations in September and October.

He said troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders like Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.

He also said that troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and successfully liberated 717 kidnapped victims and captives.

Uba listed the rescued victims to include 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi.

According to him, troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, which severely fractured enemy networks.

He added that to dismantle their war-making capacity, troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices, alongside vital logistical assets.

He said that in the Niger Delta, economic protection operations destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1,061,000 litres of stolen petroleum products thereby directly boosting national crude production.

The defence spokesman said while security hotspots persist in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna States, forces continue to adapt through aggressive synergy clearance patrols and deep inter-agency.

He also said that beyond tactical theatres, the DHQ championed indigenous defence manufacturing and technology transfer at Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026.

He further said that the DHQ also convened high-level regional forums to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force in Lake Chad basin and prioritised personnel welfare through veteran engagement tours and launch of Defence Discount Shop in partnership with Konga and Zinox.(NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

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Benue: Gov Alia inaugurates 2027 campaign council, says re-election will ensure sustainability

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Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated the Tinubu/Alia 2027 Campaign Council as the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue begins preparations for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alia in the 2027 general elections.

Alia said Nigeria and Benue State had no reason to look elsewhere, insisting that he was steadily delivering on his promises while President Tinubu was also making progress and providing relentless support to the state to regain its lost glory.

The Tinubu/Alia Campaign Council, which has Hon Citizen Richard Asema as Director-General, was inaugurated by the governor at IBB Square on Thursday. The event was followed by the commissioning of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Office at Wurukum, Makurdi.

Speaking during the occasion, Governor Alia charged members of the council to demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication, describing their appointments as a reflection of the confidence reposed in them by the party leadership and the people of Benue State.

The governor also urged party members in the state to put aside personal grievances, embrace reconciliation and work collectively towards securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

He described the Director-General, Citizen Asema, as an experienced political leader with the capacity to coordinate the campaign and deliver the desired result.

Highlighting his achievements in office, Governor Alia attributed the successes recorded by his administration in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and industrialisation to the cooperation and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government.

He particularly acknowledged federal interventions that had strengthened security operations and supported efforts to restore peace to previously troubled communities in the state.

The governor also listed the recruitment of 9,700 primary school teachers, improvements in public school infrastructure, regular payment of salaries and pensions, road construction and the establishment of agricultural processing facilities among the achievements of his administration.

He noted that the partnership between the state and the federal government had contributed significantly to these developments.

On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that efforts to connect all 23 local government areas of the state through road networks were nearing completion, with approximately 25 per cent of the work remaining.

He also cited the revival and completion of previously abandoned projects, including Taraku Mills, the International Conference Centre at IBB Square and the Cancer Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, as evidence of his administration's commitment to continuity.

He promised that, if re-elected, he would concentrate on consolidating existing achievements rather than starting new projects from scratch.

According to the governor, his administration remained committed to implementing its development blueprint since assuming office in 2023 and would focus on sustaining ongoing initiatives, strengthening completed projects and ensuring that public investments delivered lasting benefits if re-elected in 2027.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor further stated that industrialisation, agriculture and strategic investments in education, healthcare and commerce would remain central to his administration's determination to break the cycle of poverty and expand economic opportunities for the people.

He expressed confidence that Benue's enormous agricultural potential, coupled with its emerging oil and gas prospects, could provide the state with the resources needed to build a stronger economy and generate substantial internal revenue, thereby reducing its dependence on federal allocations.

Benue: Gov Alia inaugurates 2027 campaign council, says re-election will ensure sustainability

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