Latest news with #Secret
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rosebud lands $6M to scale its interactive AI journaling app
Journaling app Rosebud has raised $6 million in seed funding as it seeks to further flesh out its app as an AI mentor for self-reflection and personal growth. Rosebud uses AI to analyze your journal entries, identify patterns over time, and provide insights, questions, and guidance. The company says its goal is to help users better understand themselves, build new habits, and track goals, just like a human mentor would. Since its launch, Rosebud says, users have journaled 500 million words and spent more than 30 million minutes on its platform. Rosebud was founded in 2023 by Chrys Bader, a Y Combinator alum and co-founder of Secret; and Sean Dadashi, a UC Berkeley Cognitive Science graduate. The pair met at a men's group, and came up with the idea for Rosebud based on their own experiences with therapy and coaching. 'Everybody is different, and everyone has different languages, not just spoken languages, but different emotional language, different ways of communication,' Bader said in an interview with TechCrunch, explaining that AI allows for a level of personalized coaching and support that wasn't available so far. 'So one person might want validation and a soft approach, whereas somebody might want the really hard, like, 'hey, challenge me, call me out on my BS' approach," he continued. "Part of understanding somebody is using that understanding to best support each individual. That's what AI unlocks; that's never been possible before, to scale that kind of personalized advice or support where every individual could have this wildly different experience than the other, depending on what they shared.' Rosebud says it isn't looking to replace therapists, and instead wants to open up access to quality mentorship. The company plans to use the new funding to expand its team of four with engineering and product talent, and investing more into marketing. The startup also plans to invest more in its proprietary memory technology, and build out the app's features. In addition, Rosebud wants to explore ways to make its AI journal more accessible, possibly through partnerships with schools, businesses and clinics. The seed round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from 776, Initialized Capital, Fuel Capital, Avenir, Tim Ferriss, and other investors. Rosebud states that all journal data is encrypted, and that journal entries are never shared with third parties or used to train AI models. Looking forward, Bader and Dadashi envision Rosebud as a mentor, teacher and partner that can develop strategic, long term engagement plans with users. For instance, if someone is about to become a father, Rosebud could create personalized content around that milestone with journaling and other resources. 'What if everybody had something that was looking out for what's best for them? Or something that's helping them become their best self? I think that's the exciting thing that AI enables," Dadashi said. "I benefited so much from having mentorship throughout my life at various times, and I've suffered in times when I haven't had that mentorship. I think what we're seeing is a future where this can be available to everybody in a way that it just wasn't possible for it to be available before. You can have something that's actually thinking about you, actually trying to understand you, and is aligned with who you want to become.' Rosebud's basic journaling features are free to use, but the startup offers a $12.99 monthly subscription that unlocks premium features, such as long-term memory, and voice and call modes. The AI journal is accessible via the web, and on iOS and Android. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at 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
6 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Rosebud lands $6M to scale its interactive AI journaling app
Journaling app Rosebud has raised $6 million in seed funding as it seeks to further flesh out its app as an AI mentor for self-reflection and personal growth. Rosebud uses AI to analyze your journal entries, identify patterns over time, and provide insights, questions, and guidance. The company says its goal is to help users better understand themselves, build new habits, and track goals, just like a human mentor would. Since its launch, Rosebud says, users have journaled 500 million words and spent more than 30 million minutes on its platform. Rosebud was founded in 2023 by Chrys Bader, a Y Combinator alum and co-founder of Secret; and Sean Dadashi, a UC Berkeley Cognitive Science graduate. The pair met at a men's group, and came up with the idea for Rosebud based on their own experiences with therapy and coaching. 'Everybody is different, and everyone has different languages, not just spoken languages, but different emotional language, different ways of communication,' Bader said in an interview with TechCrunch, explaining that AI allows for a level of personalized coaching and support that wasn't available so far. 'So one person might want validation and a soft approach, whereas somebody might want the really hard, like, 'hey, challenge me, call me out on my BS' approach,' he continued. 'Part of understanding somebody is using that understanding to best support each individual. That's what AI unlocks; that's never been possible before, to scale that kind of personalized advice or support where every individual could have this wildly different experience than the other, depending on what they shared.' Image Credits:Rosebud Rosebud says it isn't looking to replace therapists, and instead wants to open up access to quality mentorship. Techcrunch event Save now through June 4 for TechCrunch Sessions: AI Save $300 on your ticket to TC Sessions: AI—and get 50% off a second. Hear from leaders at OpenAI, Anthropic, Khosla Ventures, and more during a full day of expert insights, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking. These low-rate deals disappear when the doors open on June 5. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW The company plans to use the new funding to expand its team of four with engineering and product talent, and investing more into marketing. The startup also plans to invest more in its proprietary memory technology, and build out the app's features. In addition, Rosebud wants to explore ways to make its AI journal more accessible, possibly through partnerships with schools, businesses and clinics. Image Credits:Rosebud The seed round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from 776, Initialized Capital, Fuel Capital, Avenir, Tim Ferriss, and other investors. Looking forward, Bader and Dadashi envision Rosebud as a mentor, teacher and partner that can develop strategic, long term engagement plans with users. For instance, if someone is about to become a father, Rosebud could create personalized content around that milestone with journaling and other resources. 'What if everybody had something that was looking out for what's best for them? Or something that's helping them become their best self? I think that's the exciting thing that AI enables,' Dadashi said. 'I benefited so much from having mentorship throughout my life at various times, and I've suffered in times when I haven't had that mentorship. I think what we're seeing is a future where this can be available to everybody in a way that it just wasn't possible for it to be available before. You can have something that's actually thinking about you, actually trying to understand you, and is aligned with who you want to become.' Rosebud's basic journaling features are free to use, but the startup offers a $12.99 monthly subscription that unlocks premium features, such as long-term memory, and voice and call modes. The AI journal is accessible via the web, and on iOS and Android.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Defense Intelligence Agency IT Specialist arrested for allegedly sharing classified information
( — A U.S. Government Employee has been arrested for attempting to provide classified information to a foreign government. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs stated that an IT specialist who was employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested on Thursday for attempting to transmit national defense information to an officer or agent of a foreign government. The suspect has been identified as Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia. He was arrested in northern Virginia and is set to make his initial court appearance in the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday, according to the U.S. DOJ. 'This case underscores the persistent risk of insider threats,' said Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel on X. 'The FBI remains steadfast in protecting our national security and thanks our law enforcement partners for their critical support.' Rite Aid Thrifty Ice Cream brand faces closure amid bankruptcy According to court documents, Laatsch became a civilian employee of the DIA in 2019, where he worked with the Insider Threat Division and held Top Secret security clearance. In March, officials stated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation started a probe after getting a tip that an individual — now known as Laatsch — offered to provide classified information to friendly foreign government agencies. In that email, DOJ said that the sender wrote that he did not 'agree or align with the values of this administration' and was then 'willing to share classified information' that the sender had access to, which also included 'completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation.' After many conversations with the FBI agents whom Laatsch allegedly believed to be a representative of the foreign government, he began to transcribe classified information to a notepad at his desk, and over about three days, he dropped the information from his workspace. San Joaquin County DA secured guilty plea for sex crime with firearm Authorities said Laatsch then confirmed to the FBI agent that he was prepared to transmit the information. Just a little after, the FBI implemented an operation at a public park in northern Virginia, and he would drop the classified information for the foreign government to get. Around May 1, FBI surveillance caught Laatsch going to the specific location and depositing an item, stated the DOJ. After he left, crews were able to get the item, which was a thumb drive, and later found that it had contained a message from Laatsch along with multiple typed documents. Each piece of information that was typed had a portion marked up to the Secret or Top Secret level, the DOJ said. The messages showed that Laatsch had chosen to include 'a decent sample size' of information that was classified to 'decently demonstrate the range of types of products' to which he had access. After the confirmation was received that the thumb drive had been received, on May 7, Laatsch allegedly sent a message to the FBI agent, which included that Laatsch wanted something in return for the continuation of getting information. The DOJ officials stated that the next day, Laatsch specified that he wanted a 'citizenship for your country' because he did not 'expect things here to improve in the long term.' He also said he was 'not opposed to other compensation,' since he was not in a position where he needed to get 'material compensation.' On May 14, the FBI agent advised Laatsch that it was time to get more classified information, and between May 15 and May 27, he tried again and started to transcribe multiple pages of notes while logged into his classified workstation. He folded the notes and hid the information in his clothes, according to the FBI. On May 29, Laatsch arrived at the location that was pre-discussed in northern Virginia. He was arrested when the FBI received the documents. At this time, the FBI Washington Field Office is investigating this case, with assistance from the U.S. Air Force OIS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Middle East Eye
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
France's Muslim Brotherhood report is manufacturing a threat
A new government report, presented by France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, revives the spectre of the Muslim Brotherhood as an underground Islamist threat poised to capture local and national institutions. But behind this alarmist framing lies a deeper political strategy: to delegitimise non-compliant Muslim political participation ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections, and to bolster the far right parties as the most credible guardians of the republic against a manufactured enemy. On 21 May, a confidential report - drafted by two civil servants and initially classified as "Secret Défense" before being leaked to Le Figaro - was presented to France's National Security Council. It warned of an alleged strategy of "entrism" by Muslim Brotherhood-linked actors to infiltrate and gradually transform public institutions, including schools, town halls, and sports associations. While the report offered no specific names or data, it was swiftly amplified by government officials and conservative media figures. Retailleau described it as evidence of "Islamist submersion", while former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called for new legislation on "separatism", including a hijab ban for girls under 15. The narrative is familiar - and so is the timing. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters With the far right gaining traction and the left showing signs of revival in urban constituencies, the French President Emmanuel Macron's government and the traditional right are converging around a securitarian consensus. Retailleau's dual role crystallises this alignment. The objective is not to counter Islamist influence, but to control electoral dynamics. After the near-defeat of the Rassemblement National (Le Pen's National Rally) in July 2024 - due largely to high turnout in left-leaning, working-class, Muslim-majority districts - the executive fears a repeat. A 'strategic' fear This fear is not ideological; it is strategic. The Gaza war has triggered widespread anger among French Muslims, particularly the youth. Many now view the state not just as indifferent, but complicit. For Muslims in France, there is no safe place Read More » In this climate, the prospect of renewed electoral mobilisation by Muslim voters is recast as a threat to national cohesion - not because of what it is, part of a widespread frustration with a failed voting system manipulated from the top, but because of what it disrupts: a well-established political machinery - the right and far right's race to dominate the narrative, rally conservative voters, and monopolise the field as the only viable custodians of republican order. But what do we actually know about the Muslim Brotherhood's real presence in French political life? Drawing on my 20 years of research on Islamist activism in France and my recent report on Muslim voting and political representation, I find no evidence of any coordinated electoral ambition linked to the Brotherhood networks. On the contrary, my fieldwork shows that the narrative of a "Muslim political project" has been disproportionately shaped by political actors - especially from the right and far right - who weaponise visibility to preemptively delegitimise future candidacies. What exists instead is a scattered, often localised landscape of civic engagement shaped less by religious ideology than by territorial injustice and political exclusion. If religion plays a role in electoral decisions, it intersects with class position, local trust in institutions, and varying interpretations of democratic participation. According to field interviews, Muslim voters are primarily motivated by concrete, everyday concerns: safe neighbourhoods, functioning public schools, and access to decent housing. This civic engagement often takes the form of defensive participation - attempts to protect one's dignity in a system where being Muslim and politically visible remains highly suspect. My research shows that even the most basic forms of civic expression, such as voting, are shaped by a desire to escape territorial discrimination rather than promote a religious agenda. The myth of a Muslim bloc vote is sustained by political fantasy - often co-constructed by extreme-right anti-Muslim rhetoric and opportunistic mobilisation on the left A significant share of socially conservative Muslims abstain, due to mistrust and a lack of credible representation by candidates who stigmatise them all year long but ask them to mobilise during elections "to block the far right". The myth of a Muslim bloc vote is sustained less by sociological reality than by political fantasy - often co-constructed by extreme-right anti-Muslim rhetoric and opportunistic mobilisation on the left. My findings show that such projections of cohesion obscure the diversity of political opinions among Muslims, which range from abstention to votes for mainstream left, centrist, or even conservative parties depending on the context. When minority candidates from Muslim backgrounds are elected, they rarely position themselves along sectarian lines. Instead, they embody a sociological normalisation of France's diversity where Muslim mayors and MPs are no longer considered exceptions. Imams, when they do offer voting instructions, do so more often at the request of candidates who canvass all their potential "constituencies" before elections than from their own initiative - much like in synagogues or churches before elections. Political utility Despite the disengagement of Brotherhood-inspired leadership and the disconnection between younger generations and any such legacy, the label persists. Not because it reflects a coherent political project, but because it offers the perfect scapegoat. In fact, Muslim electoral mobilisation in France is far behind that of comparable European countries where Muslim elected officials have become a structural feature of democratic life. Twenty years on, the French hijab ban is normalised across the political spectrum Read More » The government's strategy depends on ambiguity. The report's vagueness is not a flaw - it is intentional. By invoking an invisible enemy, the state gains rhetorical power: to justify increased surveillance, repress dissent, and perform toughness for conservative audiences. Despite this, even explicitly Muslim political formations like the Union des Démocrates Musulmans de France/Union of French Muslim Democrats (UDMF) or Parti Égalité Justice/Equality Justice Party (PEJ) have struggled to gain traction and acknowledgement, revealing that the "Muslim vote" is less an organised force than a projection of political anxiety. This securitarian agenda has deepened since 2017. Under the pretext of combating "separatism", France has closed mosques, dissolved NGOs, and restricted public expressions of dissent. These moves do not address violence; they police visibility. Muslim citizens are cast as a democratic firewall - useful only when voting against the far right, never empowered to vote for themselves. The real question This is not to dismiss all concerns about the rise of a rupture-oriented Islam among some young people as fabricated, but rather to argue that legitimate challenges - from addressing genuine disaffection to fostering authentic integration - are better addressed through inclusive democratic processes and representative politics than through surveillance and exclusion. When citizens feel their voices can be heard through the ballot box and institutional channels, they are less likely to seek alternatives outside the democratic framework. Many are tired of this. Fatigue is growing. The equation - vote for us to block Marie Le Pen's National Front - no longer resonates. After Gaza, the feeling is not just one of betrayal but of dispossession. When citizens feel their voices can be heard through the ballot box and institutional channels, they are less likely to seek alternatives outside the democratic framework This stems from France's political alignment with Israel during the war, its refusal to recognise the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza, and the repression of pro-Palestinian expression at home - from banning marches to silencing slogans. Many young Muslims experience this not as foreign policy, but as the confirmation that their grief, their voices, and their political concerns are structurally illegitimate in the public sphere. What haunts the political establishment is not radicalisation. It is the ballot box. The Brotherhood is not invoked because it poses a real threat to the republic. It is invoked because it provides a convenient frame to exclude and discredit a political subject that escapes official scripts: a post-colonial electorate that may no longer vote as expected. Unless this script changes, France risks pushing an entire generation further from its institutions. Abstention, disaffiliation, or fragile protest coalitions may follow - none of them manageable through repression or electoral criminalisation alone. The real question is not whether the Brotherhood is vampirising Muslim political claims and votes. It is why the French state still uses this frame to control the electoral behaviour of France's Muslims - revealing a profound misunderstanding of how younger generations of Muslims engage with politics today, and the full spectrum of their diversity. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Past Life Regression: Exploring Previous Incarnations Through Astrology
Reincarnation isn't just the plot twist in a soap opera where everyone suddenly remembers their royal past in Atlantis. For astrologers and spiritually curious folks alike, the birth chart—especially the positions of the Moon's Nodes, Saturn, and the 12th House—offers some eerie clues about karmic breadcrumbs from a soul's past life performance. South Node ( Ketu ): The Past Life Resume This is the VIP pass to who the soul used to be. Ketu isn't here for attention—it's a dusty archive of skills, habits, and comfort zones that feel oddly familiar. This point represents where the soul is already proficient, sometimes to a fault, and where it tends to revert when faced with discomfort. Its sign and house placement reveal the areas the soul is meant to release or move beyond in this lifetime. Example: Ketu in Leo? This soul likely commanded attention, perhaps ruled the room (or the kingdom), or was a literal theatre kid in 18th-century Paris in a past life. The lesson now is to move away from the spotlight and cultivate humility. Ketu in Virgo? Suggests a past life as a meticulous monk who alphabetized scrolls and corrected everyone's Latin. The current challenge is to let go of obsessive perfectionism and embrace intuition. North Node (Rahu): The Cosmic Dare This point acts as the future-self GPS. Rahu represents the soul's current karmic growth point—the areas where it needs to expand, learn new lessons, and step out of its comfort zone. This placement is often uncomfortable or unfamiliar, pushing the soul to evolve by abandoning the comfy bathrobe of past life patterns. Example: Rahu in Cancer? This soul is here to learn emotional intelligence, nurture others (and themselves), and stop ghosting feelings like they're spam calls. It's a journey into vulnerability and emotional depth. 12th House: The Secret Files Also known as the 'cosmic attic,' the 12th House holds the secrets, karmic debts, and past-life plot twists. It's associated with unconscious patterns, hidden enemies, solitude, and spiritual liberation. Planets residing here often carry unresolved lessons or burdens from previous incarnations that must be addressed in this life. Example: Mars in the 12th House? Perhaps a warrior with unresolved anger issues or battles from a past life that manifest as self-undoing. Venus in the 12th House? Could indicate a past life romance that ended dramatically, like a Greek tragedy, leaving lingering emotional ties or a need to resolve karmic relationships. Saturn: Father Karma Himself Wherever Saturn sits in the birth chart, it's pointing directly to an old soul debt or a significant karmic lesson that needs to be learned through discipline, hard work, and patience. It's not punishment, but rather a form of spiritual probation, demanding responsibility and maturity in that specific area of life. Example: Saturn in the 7th House (relationships)? This soul likely fumbled the relationship ball in a past life, perhaps struggled with commitment or responsibility in partnerships. In this life, they have to learn to build stable, loving connections without clinging or projecting past issues. Pluto: The Underworld Transformer As a generational planet, Pluto drops hints about deep, transformative soul evolution that a whole generation is collectively working through. Its sign placement can reveal overarching karmic themes related to power dynamics, cycles of death and rebirth, letting go, and confronting the subconscious. Example: Pluto in Scorpio (1983-1995 babies): This generation is collectively dealing with themes of power, transformation, intense psychological insights, and perhaps letting go of their TikTok-era trauma by confronting deeper truths. Astrology doesn't definitively "prove" past lives, but it certainly offers a rich, poetic roadmap. A birth chart is like a celestial fingerprint—only this one might be smudged with leftover karma and spiritual glitter from a dozen lifetimes ago, waiting to be deciphered. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
