diff --git a/services/search/providers.py b/services/search/providers.py
index 4a2a9bd1b..32bec41ce 100644
--- a/services/search/providers.py
+++ b/services/search/providers.py
@@ -149,7 +149,10 @@ def _safesearch_for(provider: str) -> Optional[str]:
 
 # ── SearXNG ──
 
-_NEWS_HINTS = ("news", "nyheter", "headlines", "breaking", "latest", "today", "idag")
+_NEWS_HINTS = (
+    "news", "nyheter", "headlines", "breaking", "latest", "today", "idag",
+    "current events", "what's happening", "what is happening",
+)
 _NEWS_EVENT_HINT_RE = re.compile(
     r"\b(?:deport(?:ation|ed|ing)?|arrest(?:ed|s)?|election(?:s)?|"
     r"evacuat(?:e|ed|ion)|flood(?:ing|s|ed)?|sanction(?:s|ed)?)\b",
diff --git a/src/agent_tools/web_tools.py b/src/agent_tools/web_tools.py
index 0975f149d..7c191d07c 100644
--- a/src/agent_tools/web_tools.py
+++ b/src/agent_tools/web_tools.py
@@ -232,7 +232,10 @@ class WebSearchTool:
             query = raw.split("\n")[0].strip()
         if time_filter is None:
             q_lc = query.lower()
-            if any(kw in q_lc for kw in ("today", "latest", "breaking", "this morning", "right now", "currently")):
+            if any(kw in q_lc for kw in (
+                "today", "latest", "breaking", "this morning", "right now",
+                "currently", "current events", "what's happening", "what is happening",
+            )):
                 time_filter = "day"
             elif any(kw in q_lc for kw in ("this week", "past week", "recent news", "last few days")):
                 time_filter = "week"
diff --git a/src/clean_agent_preview.py b/src/clean_agent_preview.py
index 8ef6ead64..b40aa61a0 100644
--- a/src/clean_agent_preview.py
+++ b/src/clean_agent_preview.py
@@ -4447,9 +4447,10 @@ async def stream_preview(*, endpoint_url, model, messages, headers, turn_contrac
                                 )
                         if tool_type == 'web_search':
                             web_search_attempts += 1
-                            if web_search_attempts > 4:
+                            if not native_workspace_enabled and web_search_attempts > 4:
                                 suppressed_tool_until_round['web_search'] = round_limit + 1
                                 force_no_tools_next_round = True
+                                terminal_budget_violation = True
                                 calls += 1
                                 raise ValueError(
                                     'The bounded search-attempt budget is exhausted. Do not search '
diff --git a/tests/test_service_search_provider_guards.py b/tests/test_service_search_provider_guards.py
index ebff7a475..fd9576220 100644
--- a/tests/test_service_search_provider_guards.py
+++ b/tests/test_service_search_provider_guards.py
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ def test_valid_configured_fallback_is_preserved(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(core, "_get_search_settings", lambda: {"search_fallback_chain": ["google_pse"]})
     monkeypatch.setattr(providers, "_get_search_settings", lambda: {"google_pse_cx": "test-cx"})
     monkeypatch.setattr(providers, "_get_provider_key", lambda name: "test-key")
-    assert core._build_provider_chain("searxng") == ["searxng", "google_pse"]
+    assert core._build_provider_chain("searxng") == [
+        "searxng", "searxng_yep", "google_pse",
+    ]
 
 
 def test_service_safesearch_values_match_provider_contract(monkeypatch):
diff --git a/tests/test_web_search_metadata_mode.py b/tests/test_web_search_metadata_mode.py
index c99b9f4fa..e5b36b05a 100644
--- a/tests/test_web_search_metadata_mode.py
+++ b/tests/test_web_search_metadata_mode.py
@@ -20,6 +20,24 @@ def test_search_reports_evidence_availability_independently_of_execution(monkeyp
     assert result['evidence_status'] == status
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('query', [
+    'Norway current events',
+    "What's happening in Norway",
+])
+def test_current_event_phrasing_uses_recent_search_mode(monkeypatch, query):
+    seen = {}
+
+    def search_call(*args, **kwargs):
+        seen.update(kwargs)
+        return 'Current reporting.', [{'title': 'Report', 'url': 'https://example.org/news'}]
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(search, 'comprehensive_web_search', search_call)
+    result = asyncio.run(WebSearchTool().execute(json.dumps({'query': query}), {}))
+
+    assert result['evidence_status'] == 'available'
+    assert seen['time_filter'] == 'day'
+
+
 
 def test_scholarly_metadata_intent_accepts_title_only_queries():
     assert _is_scholarly_metadata_query(