One of NASA’s Most Important Deep Space Observatories Hit by Spanish Wildfires
Flames burned through the Deep Space Communications Complex near Madrid, but NASA has been unable to assess the damage as a wildfire emergency grips the region.
Chinese Companies Are Selling Vapes With Chemicals Potentially More Potent Than Nicotine
Big Tobacco studied nicotine analogs like 6-methyl-nicotine for decades but never marketed them. Now, Chinese vape makers are using them to sidestep US regulations.
The 2026 El Niño Is on Track to Be the Strongest on Record
This climate phenomenon could cause a massive global temperature spike and cause economic losses of $10 trillion by 2032.
China-US AI Race Escalates, OpenAI Models Break Free, and Why You Should Check Your Car Alarm
On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we dive into accusations that China’s Moonshot AI stole from Anthropic, and how the US Army needs to cut back on AI use.
Silicon Valley Is Completely Divided Over Chinese AI
The AI “startups” worth billions of dollars are raising alarm bells about Chinese AI. The smaller players have a totally different take.
Best Window Air Conditioners of 2026: Midea, Zafro, GE
These are the AC units we’ve trusted to cool our homes for months, if not years.
BenQ TK705STi 4K Projector Review: A Midrange Pick for Gamers
The TK705STi’s highly responsive, low-latency performance makes gameplay ultra-realistic. For movies and TV? It’s a purely average home projector.
What Is Entropy, Really?
Never mind the “heat death of the universe.” Entropy is just a bridge between two levels of reality.
Some of Our Favorite Brain-Boosting Toys for Kids of All Ages
From musical instruments and games to play pieces that encourage balance and dexterity, these toys will engage your child’s mind and body.
Some Kids Will Never Think AI Is Cool
“I think it should stand for artificial idiot,” one 9-year-old says. Here’s why kids of all ages are calling AI “disgusting” and “creepy.”
Satellite Images Reveal How Suspected Scam Compounds Appear Out of Nowhere
Analysis of satellite images of Myanmar shows dozens of alleged scam compounds have appeared in recent months, despite a purported crackdown on the criminal organizations.
Kagi Brings Back Old-School Search, One Human-Made Website at a Time
If you’re tired of sponsored and AI-summarized search results, Kagi gives you a curated—and human-centric—way to find what you’re looking for.
Trump Endorsed the MyPillow Guy as Minnesota Governor. The State GOP Isn’t Buying It
After Trump publicly backed pillow salesman turned election denier Mike Lindell for governor of Minnesota, the local GOP pushed back strongly.
European Researchers Say Big Tech Is Blocking Access to Their Data
EU law gives researchers unprecedented rights to scrutinize social media data. Researchers say TikTok, X, and Meta impede their attempts to look inside.
An FDA Panel Just Endorsed These Unproven Peptides
Outside experts—some with a vested interest in peptides—recommended adding a number of the amino acids to the FDA’s bulks list, including the “Wolverine stack” touted by Joe Rogan and other influencers.
Meta’s New Feel-Good AI Ad Uses a Song About the World Ending
The clip features the David Bowie track “Five Years,” which includes lyrics such as “Earth was really dying (dying).”
For Taylor Swift, Madison Square Garden’s Controversial Cameras Briefly Went Dark
MSG’s sprawling surveillance system can monitor guests down to the second. Its owners made an exception for the pop star’s rehearsal dinner.
The EU Fines Google $1 Billion for Prioritizing Its Own Services in Search
The European Commission claims that Google boosted its own apps and products to the top of search rankings to the detriment of its competitors.
22 Back-to-School College Dorm Room Essentials (2026)
Deck out your room and make class a cinch with these WIRED-tested favorites.
The Best Vacuum for Pet Hair—We Tested Many to Find Which Ones Work Best (2026)
Cordless, handheld, robot, and traditional—we tested them all to find the vacuum that’s fantastic for fur.