Signal has been blocked by Venezuela and Russia

The Verge
Illustration of the Signal logo: a white speech balloon with a dotted outline on a black and blue background.
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Signal is being blocked in Venezuela and Russia. The app is a popular choice for encrypted messaging and people trying to avoid government censorship, and the blocks appear to be part of a crackdown on internal dissent in both countries.

In Venezuela, the blockage follows the disputed results of the country’s presidential election

Oxford scientists' new light-absorbing material can turn everyday objects into solar panels

Engadget

Oxford University scientists may have solved one of the greatest hindrances of expanding access to solar energy. Scientists from the university’s physics department have created an ultra-thin layer of material that can be applied to the exterior of objects with sunlight access in place of bulky silicon-based solar panels.

The ultra-thin and flexible film is made by stacking layers of light

I'm not paying for my kids' college tuition unless they want to be doctors or lawyers. Money isn't the issue — the ROI has to be worth it.

Tech Insider
a couple takes a selfie outside
Bobby Kittleberger and his wife.

Bobby Kittleberger

  • Bobby Kittleberger won't pay for his children's college unless it's for a career requiring it.
  • Kittleberger believes college isn't always a good return on investment for financial stability.
  • He encourages his kids to explore alternative education paths and learn financial responsibility.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bobby

How the US artistic swimming team trains for the Olympics

Tech Insider

The US artistic swimming team has made a comeback by qualifying for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years. They're led by coach Andrea Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist and a 16-time world championship medalist. We follow the team through their demanding training regimen as they prepare for their final event before the 2024 Paris Olympics. One of the key parts of training is repetition

Sports, Sports

'Deadpool & Wolverine' screenwriters reveal secrets and spoilers, including the movie's original villain and who wrote that Hugh Jackman divorce joke

Tech Insider
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Jay Maidment/20th Century/Marvel Studios

  • Screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick tell BI secrets and spoilers from "Deadpool & Wolverine."
  • Chris Evans contributed to writing the profanity-laced Johnny Storm scene in the end credits.
  • Mephisto was going to be the movie's villain in early "Deadpool 3" drafts.

"Deadpool & Wolverine" marks the

Uber CEO says there's a potentially big problem with Elon Musk's Robotaxi idea

Tech Insider
Dara Khosrowshahi and Elon Musk sitting down side by side
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has some doubts about Tesla's Robotaxi idea.

Samantha Burkardt/Richard Bord/Getty

  • Uber's CEO has some doubts about Elon Musk's Tesla Robotaxi plan.
  • Dara Khosrowshahi questioned if Tesla owners would want strangers riding in their cars.
  • He also said Musk might be underestimating the customer service side of the business.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is skeptical about Elon Musk

Ukraine's shock invasion of Russia shows it can pull off complex, surprise attacks even on a modern battlefield where something's usually watching

Tech Insider
A screen grab from a Russian Ministry of Defense video showing an aerial view of Russian forces targeting a Ukrainian military vehicle driving down a road surrounded by grass.
A screen grab from a video released by Russian Ministry of Defense shows Russian forces launching a missile attack, targeting the military equipment of Ukrainian Armed Forces at the border area near Kursk Oblast, Russia.

Russian Ministry of Defense / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

  • Ukraine launched a surprise offensive into Russia's Kursk region earlier this week.
  • Details are murky, and how