To celebrate Bluesky crossing the threshold of 20 million users, the decentralised social media platform's chief executive Jay Graber posted 20 facts about the company, among which was the story behind its name.
“The name Bluesky was originally a placeholder for the project started by Twitter to build an open social protocol,” she wrote, referring to the platform's origins many years ago before it was eventually launched in 2021 as an invitation-only app until 2024.
“It gave us time to grow the network responsibly and build our trust and safety team,” she added.
Bluesky started as a side-project initiated by former Twitter founder Jack Dorsey in 2019, when he was chief executive of the company. He chose Ms Graber, one of the engineers at Twitter, to lead the project. Coincidentally her first name, Lantian, means 'blue sky' in Chinese.
The idea behind the project was rooted in the vision for a social network that Mr Dorsey had always wanted at Twitter before he took the company public, a move he later regretted.
Once Twitter went public, it came under scrutiny of a board and increasing pressure to monetise. Bluesky, however, methodically kept evolving.
Throughout this evolution process, a series of unforeseen circumstances in the form of heightened political rhetoric, the sale of Twitter and the re-election of Donald Trump as US president, would help push Bluesky into the spotlight.
After Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022, Twitter severed all legal and financial ties with Bluesky Social. And following Mr Trump's victory on November 6, Bluesky was in the right place at the right time and has experienced a continued spurt of growth amid a backlash against Twitter and its Trump-backing owner Elon Musk.
All that said, media platforms can be fickle. MySpace had a surge back in 2003, only to whither away as Meta's Facebook skyrocketed to popularity. Even Facebook's influence isn't ironclad, with TikTok increasingly eating away at its cultural influence among younger and middle aged social media users.
Then, of course, there's Twitter now known as X, which was launched in 2006, and slowly but surely grew as a go-to platform for posting quick opinions, news stories and random life updates. Twitter grew methodically, and its no frills approach ensured stability amid the choppy social media waters.
That is of course, until it was purchased by Mr Musk, who cut jobs in the company, eliminated a lot of the human moderators, and proceeded to allow users who had previously been banned for posting hate speech on the platform.
The initial anger led to a mass departure of people and companies from the platform. Despite this, Mr Musk insisted that X, a name he chose himself, remained a global town square for those seeking to communicate. Some disagreed however, saying that the town square felt increasingly empty, tired and occasionally toxic.
Then, as the 2024 US presidential campaign heated up, Mr Musk became more vocal about his support for Mr Trump, posting dozens of messages of support each day, and bashing the Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Deactivations on X have surged
Ultimately, when Donald Trump emerged victorious, that was a tipping point that prompted hundreds of thousands more users to leave X.
Some went to Meta's Threads platform, others left social media altogether, but many turned to Bluesky.
With more than 20 million users now, Bluesky appears to have the wind at its back, although it is still a fledgling platform compared to X's estimated 400 million-500 million active users.
“For Bluesky, the fact that it's so similar to Twitter, and it feels the most similar, in terms of the vibe and personality with people posting regularly, really works in its favour,” said Matt Navarra, a social media consultant and analyst who was among the first to join Bluesky when it debuted back in 2021.
He added that, although other platforms have also seen a surge in interest, such as Meta's Threads and Mastodon, Bluesky's almost identical interface and prioritisation of real-time news and information made it a more comfortable transition for those seeking to leave X for something similar.
Meta, he said, has acknowledged that it does not want to prioritise news or political content on Threads, and Mastodon's cumbersome sign-up process has left an opening that Bluesky has been able to exploit.
“All the platforms out there are seeing a continued post-Trump growth, but Bluesky is at a big tipping point,” he said.
“Will Threads backtrack on its stance on political and news content? That seems unlikely but if they really want to make it a direct competitor to what Twitter is, maybe they'll change their minds.
Mr Navarra said his account was attracting hundreds of followers each day on Bluesky, and that he's now posting there on a more regular basis, seeing content engagement and in turn, clicks on his content.
The familiarity, he said, combined with the additions of elements that once made X popular, seem to be helping Bluesky maintain interest from curious users.
“You can really control your algorithm there, and you have more power in terms of content moderation,” he said, pointing out that Bluesky is tightly integrated with what's referred to as the Fediverse, making it easier for users on the platform to post their content on other social apps quickly and easily.
“That part, the Fediverse won't matter much to the average user right now, but it will help creators who want to have more ownership over their audience in the long run,” he added.
US election prompted another “Xodus”
X's value was never in its size but in its influence. In 2021, an internal survey shared with the firm’s employees revealed that 80 per cent of users came to the platform to “stay informed”. It became the place where fandoms, communities and experts converged – whether for breaking news, niche interests or cultural movements like Black Twitter and LGBTQ+ communities. Tweets often pre-empted news headlines, influencing media far beyond the platform itself.
It remains to be seen if those communities and news organisations who helped build X into a powerhouse, will be able to regroup and sustain interest on platforms, even those platforms that share a striking resemblance to X like Bluesky.
Yet some niche and minority groups have begun to thrive, using features such as the “starter pack” list to connect with like-minded individuals. Academics, researchers, journalists, and experts are rediscovering each other, creating what feels like a digital reunion.
Despite all the interest and curiosity, there are plenty of cautionary tales that show the road ahead might be bumpy.
When Threads launched, it broke the record for the highest number of registrations for any social media app ever. But the hype quickly died down partly because its user strategy was flawed and confused. Meta, which owns Threads, had a huge advantage in that it could tap into their existing Instagram and Facebook users for sign-ups.
At the same time, Twitter leavers were joining in droves and what happened was this: Instagram users, mostly influencers and content creators with little experience using text-based community discussions, joined threads expecting it as an extension of Instagram. The Twitter users who joined had hoped to find real-time, self-curated, informative feeds. But Threads delivered neither.
Bluesky doesn't have any qualms about social feeds filled with real-time information, and it also offers a non-algorithmic, chronological feed along with greater user control, harking back to the simplicity that made Twitter so beloved.
Yet again despite ticking all these boxes, maintaining user interest for any social platform has proven to be difficult.
Post, a once much hyped news-based social app that closely resembled X, followed a similar strategy like Bluesky, but ultimately, interest waned and the platform closed earlier this year.
Mr Navarra, however, noted that Mr Musk shows no indication that he plans to lower his increasingly partisan noise on the platform, which could cause more users to leave in droves, despite X's claims that user interest and engagement is at an all-time high.
“I expect Bluesky and others to see another growth spurt as more people become aware and grow tired of Elon Musk's X,” he said, also pointing out that fears of disinformation and AI generated content going unchecked on X, might also fuel another 'Xodus'.
“It's definitely more of a concern for average users as well as regulators,” he added.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
More coverage from the Future Forum
Result
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
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The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Mountain%20Boy
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
THE CARD
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
