DHS’s Push for a Single Biometric Search Engine, Explained
Homeland Security is moving to unify face and fingerprint searches across its components. Here’s what it means for privacy, accuracy, and interagency power—and what to watch next.
A seaside town’s surprise: Firefighters and rescuers free a wild goat from a basement window well in Wales
In Llandudno, Wales, a feral mountain goat became stuck in a basement window well—prompting a careful rescue by firefighters and an RSPCA officer. The incident highlights how urban life increasingly overlaps with wildlife, and how simple property fixes can prevent risky entrapments.
China’s Reusability Push Gets Fresh Cash as Falcon 9 Heads Back to the Bahamas
A Chinese launch startup that recently attempted the nation’s first orbital-class booster landing says it will try again, buoyed by a major funding round. Meanwhile, SpaceX is positioning a droneship near the Bahamas for a high-energy Falcon 9 mission—an old playbook with new implications.
A Giant Virus From Japan Rekindles a Big Idea: Did Viruses Help Build Complex Life?
A newly isolated “giant” virus from Japan, dubbed ushikuvirus, invades amoebae and aggressively remakes the host cell’s nucleus. Its gene repertoire bridges features once thought to be confined to separate giant-virus families—evidence that could reshape how we think the eukaryotic nucleus arose and how complex life began.
Jeffrey Epstein’s Ties to CBP Agents Sparked a DOJ Probe
Newly surfaced records suggest Jeffrey Epstein maintained cordial ties with customs officers in the US Virgin Islands long after his 2008 conviction. Here’s how that could have happened, why it matters, and what the Justice Department would be looking for.
Inside the Paradox: How an FBI-Controlled Insider Helped a Dark-Web Market Operate as Fentanyl Spread
Court records and new reporting reveal an FBI-controlled staffer helped run the Incognito dark‑web market for years—while vendors allegedly sold fentanyl‑laced pills, including from a seller tied to a confirmed death. Here’s how that happened, why it matters, and what comes next.
The 10 Best Shows to Stream Right Now (February 2026)
From Fallout’s wasteland to Monarch’s kaiju family saga, here are 10 series worth cueing up this February—and what they say about streaming in 2026.
Meta and others clamp down on OpenClaw amid agentic AI security alarms
A fast-rising agentic AI toolkit, OpenClaw, has sparked security pushback from major companies, including Meta. The move highlights a growing industry pivot from flashy autonomy demos to disciplined controls, auditing, and containment for AI that can act on the internet.
The 2026 Budget Phone Boom: What WIRED’s Updated Picks Tell Us About Paying Less, Getting More
In 2026, midrange and entry-level phones are good enough for most people. Here’s what WIRED’s refreshed list of eight affordable standouts reveals—and how to buy smart between $100 and $600.
Did Drought Doom the ‘Hobbits’ of Flores? A New Climate Record Points to a Dry, Difficult End
Fresh cave climate data from Flores Island indicate a centuries-long megadrought around 61,000 years ago—just as Homo floresiensis vanishes from the archaeological record. The drying likely starved rivers, collapsed pygmy proboscidean populations, and squeezed the tiny humans into a survival corner.
Inside Zuckerberg’s Cautious Turn on the Stand in LA’s Social-Media-Addiction Trial
In Los Angeles, Mark Zuckerberg stuck to a rehearsed, risk-averse script while facing questions about whether Meta’s apps are designed to keep teens hooked. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 Hit a Rare Low—Why This Deal Matters Right Now
Bose’s latest flagship noise-canceling cans have dropped to a rare low. Here’s what makes the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 compelling, how they compare to rivals, and who should snap up this deal now versus wait.
When AI Agents Learn to Pull the Pin: What Scout AI’s Live Demo Signals for Autonomous Weapons
A defense startup says it has stitched together modern “AI agents” with sensors and effectors—and then proved the system can end in an explosion. Here’s what that means technically, tactically, and ethically, and what to watch as autonomy pushes deeper into the kill chain.
Burnt Hair and Soft Power: How a “Not-Political” Women’s Brand Became a Political Force
At the first IRL event for Evie Magazine, the message wasn’t red-meat politics—it was beauty, hormones, entrepreneurship, and “common sense.” That’s the point. In 2026, lifestyle media is the new frontline of ideological persuasion.
The Best Smart Rings of 2026: What WIRED’s Testing Reveals and How to Pick the Right One
Smart rings have graduated from novelty to near-mainstream, with multi-day battery life, serious sleep tracking, and ever-tighter phone integration. Here’s what WIRED’s 2026 roundup signals about the category—and how to choose the right ring for your needs.
Lovehoney Deals Guide 2026: How to Actually Save Up to 70%—and What Matters Beyond the Price
Big promos at a major sexual-wellness retailer are great for your wallet—but it pays to think about materials, privacy, warranty, and timing. Here’s how to shop smarter during Lovehoney’s latest sale.
The Best Way to Pay Your Taxes Online (2026)
A practical, up-to-date guide to paying US federal and state taxes online in 2026—without tripping penalties, overpaying fees, or falling for phishing links.
GameHub is coming to macOS: another imperfect route to Windows gaming on a Mac
GameHub says it’s bringing its Windows-game compatibility tech to macOS. That’s good news for curious Mac gamers—but be prepared for caveats, tinker-heavy setup, and uneven results.
The Curling Controversy at the Winter Olympics Isn’t What You Think
A heated accusation between Sweden and Canada lit up social media, but the real story is how modern curling’s invisible technologies, ice physics, and ethics collide under Olympic lights.
Scientists hunting mammoth fossils found whales 400 km inland
A field team prospecting for Ice Age megafauna stumbled onto whale bones hundreds of kilometers from today’s shoreline—a discovery that points to ancient seas, migrating coastlines, and Earth’s ceaseless reshaping of the land.
The Simplest Android App for Scanning Documents—And Why That Matters
Tired of subscription-heavy scanner apps? An ultra-minimal, open-source Android scanner called FairScan offers a clean, private alternative—and a reminder that simple tools often serve us best.
How a Quiet London Commuter Town Landed on the Front Line of the AI Infrastructure Boom
Potters Bar sits on the edge of London’s protected countryside—and at the edge of a global contest to build ever more computing power. Locals are organizing. Developers are lobbying. The outcome will echo far beyond one Hertfordshire meadow.
The 99%-off MacBook caper: What a reported Best Buy exploit reveals about retail tech and insider risk
Police say a Best Buy employee used a manager’s override code to ring up MacBooks for pennies on the dollar over several months. Beyond the headline, the case spotlights how old-school retail workflows collide with modern attack surfaces—and why insider threats remain retail’s most persistent blind spot.
Apple sets March 4 “Special Experience” — what it could mean for new Macs and iPads
Apple has flagged a March 4 “Special Experience,” an unusual label that suggests curated demos and hands‑on time—likely for new Macs and iPads. Here’s the context, what to expect, and how to decide whether to wait before buying.