Latest news with #Germ
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germ brings end-to-end encrypted messages to Bluesky
A new startup called Germ is bringing end-to-end encrypted messaging to the Bluesky social network, allowing its users to have a more secure option for chats than Bluesky's existing DMs. After over two years of development, the service is launching its encrypted DMs for Bluesky into beta this week, with plans to gradually onboard new testers ahead of a public launch. In time, the technology that Germ is building, much of which is open sourced, could allow Bluesky to introduce encrypted messaging into its own app. Germ was designed to offer an alternative to existing end-to-end encrypted platforms that dominate globally, like iMessage, Signal, and WhatsApp. Germ takes advantage of newer technologies, like Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a new standard approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and the AT Protocol (or ATProto), which powers Bluesky. However, instead of requiring a user's phone number as some messaging apps do, Germ integrates with AT Proto. This allows Germ users to securely chat with friends from Bluesky and the wider open social web, including apps like Flashes and Skylight, but with added controls over the user experience. For instance, you can choose to accept DMs from people you follow on Bluesky, or you could configure it so that only you can initiate chats with other people. Plus, when you block a user in Germ, you can choose whether you want to only block them in Germ or if you want to block them across Bluesky and other AT Proto-powered apps as well. The concept for Germ comes from co-founders Tessa Brown (CEO), a communications scholar who previously taught at Stanford, and Mark Xue, who worked as a privacy engineer at Apple on technologies like FaceTime and iMessage. Brown's studies led her to realize that access to private communications was fundamental to the health of social networks. 'We know that, psychologically, you can't build a good relationship with people if you feel like you're being stared at and manipulated all the time. And that's really what social media is today,' Brown tells TechCrunch. 'So I came out of that work with a really strong conviction around end-to-end encrypted messaging as kind of the centerpiece of what I thought was the future of social media and the future of communication,' she adds. Xue, meanwhile, came out of Apple believing that the use of phone numbers and telephony is a dated technology to serve as the basis for secure communications, and wanted to build something new. Today, Germ's service works by way of a 'magic link,' which is generated for you and pasted into your Bluesky bio. When another Bluesky user on iOS clicks this link, they can immediately chat with you without downloading a new app from the App Store. To make this possible, Germ takes advantage of underutilized Apple technology called App Clips, which allow users to run a portion of an app's code on their device without installing the full app. Today, app clips are used for miscellaneous one-off type transactions, like paying for parking via a QR code. But in Germ's case, they allow for quick chats. While the user experience is simple enough, the technology behind it is not. The link itself is actually a cryptographic key that authenticates the user's AT Proto identity to confirm that the user is the person associated with that Bluesky handle. From the Germ app clip, you can choose to install the Germ iOS app, which offers more controls, access to your friends list, and now, Bluesky pairing. The pairing feature was somewhat finicky in our tests, but we are running the iOS 26 developer beta, which may be causing complications. (To work around the issue, we started the chat from the app clip first, before trying to authenticate from the installed app.) Brown tells TechCrunch that she's excited about building within the Bluesky community, given the app's growing cultural impact, which has attracted big names in U.S. politics, like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other representatives, senators, and governors, to join. Given that Germ is ahead of the Bluesky team itself in building encrypted messaging technology, Brown is hopeful that Germ's protocol could be more broadly adopted by Bluesky and others in the future. While currently free to use, the Germ app may later introduce a premium subscription upgrade that offers more advanced services, including private AI services, personalization tools, and more. The four-person startup has raised pre-seed funding from angel investors, including a co-author of MLS and other trust and safety experts. Institutional investors include K5 Global and Mozilla Ventures. The company hopes to raise additional funds for an Android version in the future. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
30-07-2025
- TechCrunch
Germ brings end-to-end encrypted messages to Bluesky
A new startup called Germ is bringing end-to-end encrypted messaging to the Bluesky social network, allowing its users to have a more secure option for chats than Bluesky's existing DMs. After over two years of development, the service is launching its encrypted DMs for Bluesky into beta this week, with plans to gradually onboard new testers ahead of a public launch. In time, the technology that Germ is building, much of which is open sourced, could allow Bluesky itself to introduce encrypted messaging into its own app. Germ was designed to offer an alternative to existing end-to-end encrypted platforms that dominate globally, like iMessage, Signal, and WhatsApp. Germ takes advantage of newer technologies, like Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a new standard approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and the AT Protocol (or AT Proto), which powers Bluesky. Image Credits:Germ Image Credits:Germ However, instead of requiring a user's phone number as some messaging apps do, Germ integrates with AT Proto. This allows Germ users to securely chat with friends from Bluesky and the wider open social web, including apps like Flashes and Skylight, but with added controls over the user experience. For instance, you can choose to accept DMs from people you follow on Bluesky, or you could configure it so that only you can initiate chats with other people. Plus, when you block a user in Germ, you can choose whether you want to only block them in Germ or if you want to block them across Bluesky and other AT Proto-powered apps as well. The concept for Germ comes from co-founders Tessa Brown (CEO), a communications scholar who previously taught at Stanford, and Mark Xue, who worked as a privacy engineer at Apple on technologies like FaceTime and iMessage. Brown's studies led her to realize that access to private communications was fundamental to the health of social networks. Image Credits:Germ 'We know that, psychologically, you can't build a good relationship with people if you feel like you're being stared at and manipulated all the time. And that's really what social media is today,' Brown tells TechCrunch. 'So I came out of that work with a really strong conviction around end-to-end encrypted messaging as kind of the centerpiece of what I thought was the future of social media and the future of communication,' she adds. Xue, meanwhile, came out of Apple believing that the use of phone numbers and telephony is a dated technology to serve as the basis for secure communications, and wanted to build something new. Today, Germ's service works by way of a 'magic link,' which is generated for you and pasted into your Bluesky bio. When another Bluesky user on iOS clicks this link, they can immediately chat with you without downloading a new app from the App Store. To make this possible, Germ takes advantage of underutilized Apple technology called App Clips, which allow users to run a portion of an app's code on their device without installing the full app. Today, app clips are used for miscellaneous one-off type transactions, like paying for parking via a QR code. But in Germ's case, they allow for quick chats. While the user experience is simple enough, the technology behind it is not. The link itself is actually a cryptographic key that authenticates the user's AT Proto identity to confirm that the user is the person associated with that Bluesky handle. From the Germ app clip, you can choose to install the Germ iOS app, which offers more controls, access to your friends list, and now, Bluesky pairing. The pairing feature was somewhat finicky in our tests, but we are running the iOS 26 developer beta, which may be causing complications. (To work around the issue, we started the chat from the app clip first, before trying to authenticate from the installed app.) Tessa Brown, Germ Network CEO Image Credits:Germ Network Instagram (opens in a new window) Brown tells TechCrunch that she's excited about building within the Bluesky community, given the app's growing cultural impact, which has attracted big names in U.S. politics, like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other representatives, senators, and governors, to join. Given that Germ is ahead of the Bluesky team itself in building encrypted messaging technology, Brown is hopeful that Germ's protocol could be more broadly adopted by Bluesky and others in the future. While currently free to use, the Germ app may later introduce a premium subscription upgrade that offers more advanced services, including private AI services, personalization tools, and more. The four-person startup has raised pre-seed funding from angel investors, including a co-author of MLS and other trust and safety experts. Institutional investors include K5 Global and Mozilla Ventures. The company hopes to raise additional funds for an Android version in the future.
Int'l Business Times
14-07-2025
- Int'l Business Times
German 'Doctor Death' Goes On Trial For 15 Murders
A German doctor will go on trial Monday for killing 15 patients with lethal injections, in what investigators fear may just be the tip of a deadly iceberg. The 40-year-old palliative care specialist, named by German media as Johannes M., is accused of killing 12 women and three men between September 2021 and July 2024 while working in Berlin. He allegedly injected the victims, aged between 25 and 94, with a deadly cocktail of sedatives and in some cases set fire to their homes in a bid to cover up his crimes. A co-worker first raised the alarm about Johannes M. last July after becoming suspicious that so many of his patients had died in fires, according to Die Zeit newspaper. He was arrested in August, with prosecutors initially linking him to four deaths. But investigations threw up a host of other suspicious cases, and in April prosecutors charged Johannes M. with 15 counts of murder. A further 96 cases are still being investigated, a prosecution spokesman told AFP, including the death of Johannes M.'s mother-in-law. She had been suffering from cancer and mysteriously died the same weekend that Johannes M. and his wife went to visit her in Poland in early 2024, according to media reports. The suspect, dubbed "doctor death" by German media, reportedly trained as a radiologist and a general practitioner before going on to specialise in palliative care. According to Die Zeit, he submitted a doctoral thesis in 2013 looking into the motives behind a series of killings in Frankfurt, which opened with the words "Why do people kill?" Prosecutors say that in all 15 cases, Johannes M. "administered an anaesthetic and a muscle relaxant to his patients... without their knowledge or consent". The relaxant "paralysed the respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory arrest and death within minutes". In five cases, Johannes M. allegedly set fire to the victims' apartments after administering the injections. On one occasion, he is accused of murdering two patients on the same day. On the morning of July 8, 2024, he allegedly killed a 75-year-old man at his home in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg. "A few hours later" he is said to have struck again, killing a 76-year-old woman in the neighbouring Neukoelln district. Prosecutors say he started a fire in the woman's apartment, but it went out. "When he realised this, he allegedly informed a relative of the woman and claimed that he was standing in front of her flat and that nobody was answering the doorbell," prosecutors said. In another case, Johannes M. "falsely claimed to have already begun resuscitation efforts" on a 56-year-old victim, who was initially kept alive by rescuers but died three days later in hospital. Johannes M. has not commented on the accusations against him. Prosecutors say he had "no motive beyond killing" and are seeking a life sentence. The case recalls that of notorious German nurse Niels Hoegel, who was handed a life sentence in 2019 for murdering 85 patients. Hoegel, believed to be Germany's most prolific serial killer, murdered hospital patients with lethal injections between 2000 and 2005, before he was eventually caught in the act. More recently, a 27-year-old nurse was given a life sentence in 2023 for murdering two patients by deliberately administering unprescribed drugs. In March, another nurse went on trial in Aachen accused of injecting 26 patients with large doses of sedatives or painkillers, resulting in nine deaths. Last week, German police revealed they are investigating another doctor suspected of killing several mainly elderly patients. Investigators are "reviewing" deaths linked to the doctor from the town of Pinneberg in northern Germany, just outside Hamburg, police and prosecutors said.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Newsweek
Best Small City for Foodies
Asheville, NC Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville Self-proclaimed as Foodtopia, Asheville's food scene has an eclectic mix of restaurants that highlight the city's bohemian, Southern charm. Farm-to-table spots like Posana source ingredients from the lush gardens that surround this mountain city, and hospitality has never been higher than at Cúrate, recognized by the James Beard Foundation for its warm, attentive service. Beer and BBQ fill many corners, too, with local brews and Carolina-style roasted meats. Bozeman, MT Photo courtesy of DianeBentleyRaymond/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of DianeBentleyRaymond/iStock by Getty Images People who love to explore the outdoors flock to Bozeman for its rugged beauty, only to realize that its restaurant scene is equally as enchanting. Before heading out on a hike, swing by Wild Crumb for a flaky croissant to fuel your adventures; when you return, a pint and a bite—try the local, pasture-raised burger—from Montana Ale Works satisfies the appetite you built on the trail. Burlington, VT Photo courtesy of Julia Potapoff/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Julia Potapoff/iStock by Getty Images Known for its craft beer and delicious cheeses, Burlington enjoys a lakeside location close to farms that supply its restaurants with seasonal ingredients, inspiring a range of flavors. You can share small Mediterranean plates at Honey Road or indulge in a cheeseboard with a beer from one of the 30 draft lines at The Farm House Tap & Grill. Don't leave without trying Vermont's famous creemee from Little Gordo. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Carmel-by-the-Sea boasts more restaurants per capita than other city in the country—that alone should pique any foodie's interest. But add on its enchanting oceanside village vibe with access to the freshest seafood and some of the best wine in America, and it quickly becomes an epicurean paradise. Even Michelin has taken notice, awarding its most coveted stars to restaurants like Chez Noir and Aubergine. Charlottesville, VA Photo courtesy of Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau Photo courtesy of Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau A bustling college town with historical roots and a strong agricultural presence, Charlottesville is constantly welcoming exciting new restaurants like Tangerines Kitchen while supporting mainstays like the 18th-century Michie Tavern. Of course, the wineries and cideries in and around the city are also a huge draw, and spots like Pippin Hill Farms, with its garden-to-table tapas, provide the chance to experience the area's best food and wine. Fredericksburg, TX Photo courtesy of DenisTangneyJr/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of DenisTangneyJr/iStock by Getty Images You might not expect to stumble upon delicious European cuisine in the middle of the Lone Star State, but Fredericksburg has a rich German heritage that continues to influence this delightful Texas Hill Country city. Start your day at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant with a pancake dusted with powdered sugar, served with lemon wedges, and then savor a plate of wurst and sauerkraut from Otto's at dinner. Galena, IL Photo by Keren Roeglin on Unsplash Photo by Keren Roeglin on Unsplash For cozy bistros, global flavors and classic treats, consider a visit to Galena, an adorable city steeped in history. You can spend a day strolling down Main Street, stopping to try crazy popcorn flavors (like cherry cheesecake) from the Great American Popcorn Company before continuing on with your shopping to finally end at Fritz and Frites, an upscale café that'll make you feel like you're dining in Paris. Greenville, SC Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Ever since Greenville began revitalizing its downtown area, talented chefs and restaurateurs have been flocking to this burgeoning city to join its culinary community. Though anchored by its farm-fresh Southern fare at places like Soby's, this city's food scene is diverse, offering everything from dim sum and birria ramen to goat korma and gyros. Tack on coffee shops like Methodical and bakeries like Rise, and it's a no-brainer foodie destination. Gulf Shores, AL Photo courtesy of George Dodd/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of George Dodd/iStock by Getty Images If you can't get enough of fresh seafood, plan your next vacation in Gulf Shores. After a day on the beach, you can eat at humble dives like Sloop for Gulf-caught shrimp or splurge on a fine-dining experience at Coast, where stunning sea views are served alongside oysters and crab. Reel in a big one on a fishing excursion? Several local restaurants will even cook your catch. Healdsburg, CA Photo courtesy of Stay Healdsburg Photo courtesy of Stay Healdsburg Nestled in the middle of California's Wine Country, Healdsburg offers a restaurant landscape studded with Michelin Stars and lauded by the James Beard Foundation. Visitors can meander around its charming plaza and downtown on a tasting tour, pausing for bites and sips at places like Costeaux French Bakery, Spoonbar and Bravas. And if you're lucky enough to snag a reservation, the acclaimed SingleThread restaurant features a 10-course tasting menu. McMinnville, OR Photo by Ben Eubank on Unsplash Photo by Ben Eubank on Unsplash While this area of the Willamette Valley has been known for its wine for quite some time, only in the last 15 years or so has it become a culinary hot spot. Fueled by the flourishing farms that surround the area, McMinnville's restaurants rival those in any big city with local establishments like Okta and Hayward garnering the attention of and a few nominations from the James Beard Foundation. Oxford, MS Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS Oxford, a town bolstered by literary legends and the arts and culture of Ole Miss, has seen its food scene blossom under the leadership of award-winning chefs like John Currence and Vishwesh Bhatt. Here, a good day starts with a meal at Big Bad Breakfast (order a side of locally smoked meats!) and ends with soul food like the sweet heat okra bowl or shrimp and grits from Bouré. Santa Fe, NM Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Spice up your next getaway with a stay in Santa Fe, where you'll uncover inspiring flavors influenced by its Native American, Spanish and Mexican heritage. In between tours of the historic architecture and colorful art galleries, you can try local specialties like crisped breakfast burritos from Cafe Pasqual's or indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with a nine-course meal at Sazón with curated tequila, mezcal and wine pairings. Sedona, AZ Photo courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Photo courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Imagine savoring expertly prepared dishes as the sun sets against towering red rocks, setting them aglow and creating breathtaking views. This mixing of senses is exactly what you'll encounter when you dine in Sedona, a city designed to take you to new levels physically, spiritually and mentally. To capture its golden-hour glory and thrilling flavors, we recommend dinner reservations at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Enchantment or SaltRock Kitchen. Traverse City, MI Photo courtesy of Meg Bowen Photography/Travis City Tourism Photo courtesy of Meg Bowen Photography/Travis City Tourism Popular for its bountiful cherry orchards, growing wine region and lakeside location, Traverse City is an area where you're just as likely to have a memorable meal at a refined restaurant as at a local microbrewery. Keep it casual with patio lunches at Farm Club, relish an intimate supper at The Cooks' House and enjoy mouthwatering freshwater fish at the Boathouse.
Daily Record
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Kate Nash slams JK Rowling, Rod Stewart and Denise Welch in Glastonbury set
The singer made several swipes at celebrities and politicians during her set at the iconic festival. Musician Kate Nash has taken a serious swipe at several celebs and politicians, including JK Rowling, Rod Stewart, Denise Welch, Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage. Nash was headlining the Left Field tent at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday night, June 28. She told the audience: "The loudest feminist voice in the UK is currently transphobic and that is something that I take very f****** personally, as a feminist and a feminist with trans friends in my life, trans people that I love and that are very important to me. "Dismantling systems of oppression lies at the very core of feminism, so transphobia is not f****** feminist. And just because you're a f******* millionaire and a f****** bully with an army of trolls on the f****** internet. "I don't give a f*** mate. I don't give a s*** about the hundreds, if not thousands of comments, that I've been receiving from trolls since I penned my essay, released it into a song. It's called Germ." Kate continued by laying into music bosses, including Denise Welch, who was at the festival supporting her son Matty Healy's band The 1975. She said: "The music industry doesn't know what to do with me. They tried to get rid of me, but they didn't. There is a record executive sweating their t*** off with Matt Healy's mum. "They're scared of me. I like that. But I was made of mother f****** Bricks. But they didn't believe me. I even gave them a second warning a few years later when I told them 'Do not underestimate the girl'. Is it my fault they didn't believe me? "I'm not going to give my third warning. It's too late for that. I'm taking my bricks and I'm throwing them through the f****** window.' Launching into her song D***head, she said: "F*** Rod Stewart. This one [Why You Being A D****head For] goes out to Keir Starmer, JK Rowling, Rod Stewart and Nigel f****** Farage.' Last week, Rod announced his support for Farage in an interview with the Times. The 37-year-old singer shot to fame in the Noughties with her debut album Made of Bricks, which came out in 2007 and went straight to number one in the music charts. Despite having huge success, the former Brit School alumni later discovered her manager had stolen vast sums of money from her, leaving her almost bankrupt. And after parting ways with her record label, she says she was forced to sell her flat and move back in with her parents. Alongside singing, Kate went on to land a part in Netflix series Glow, about female wrestlers in the Eighties, but this was cancelled part way through filming the fourth season. She also makes money on adult website OnlyFans, which she said she started doing to cover touring costs. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
