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Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could eventually reach a “dangerous” stage, urging humanity to be prepared to step away if needed. “When the system can self-improve, we need to seriously think about unplugging it,” Schmidt said Sunday in an interview with American television network ABC News . Schmidt, looking ahead to AI’s potential, predicted that computers may one day define their own objectives. “It’s going to be hugely hard. It’s going to be very difficult to maintain that balance,” Schmidt said, acknowledging how rapidly AI systems are advancing. The American channel also highlighted China’s progress in AI development, to which Eric Schmidt noted that while the US previously held the lead, China has caught up in the past year and is now poised to surpass American technological programs. Schmidt emphasised the importance of the US reaching critical AI milestones first, as AI “scientists” begin to conduct their own research independently of humans. “The Chinese are clever, and they understand the power of a new kind of intelligence for their industrial might, their military might, and their surveillance system,” Schmidt said. He stressed the need for greater intervention to establish guardrails for AI rather than leaving its oversight solely to tech leaders like himself. “Humans will not be able to police AI, but AI systems should be able to police AI,” he said. Regarding the competition with China, Schmidt suggested that President-elect Trump’s administration could benefit US AI policy. Last month, as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance rapidly, its benefits and risks are becoming increasingly evident, said Arvind Narayanan, Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit , Professor Narayanan addressed AI’s rising influence, its potential dangers, and the need for responsible regulation and usage. In June last year, a survey highlighted a divide among top business leaders regarding the risks AI poses to humanity. Conducted during Yale University’s CEO Summit and reported by CNN, the survey revealed that 42 per cent of CEOs believed AI could lead to humanity’s extinction within 5-10 years. Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld described the survey results as “dark” and “alarming,” CNN reported. Out of the 119 CEOs surveyed, 34 per cent believed AI could destroy humanity within ten years, while 8% felt this could happen in just five years. However, some CEOs expressed no concerns about such outcomes.Since November 27, a coalition of opposition forces in northwest Syria, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched an offensive against the Assad regime and its allied Iranian militias’ strongholds in the area. On November 29, opposition forces captured Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. On December 5, the opposition rebels entered Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, after dictator Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian Arab Army (SAA) announced that it was withdrawing from the city to its outskirts. This is the first major opposition offensive since the 2020 Idlib ceasefire between Russia and Turkey, and it marks the most significant shift in the balance of power in Syria’s war since Russia’s military intervention in the conflict almost a decade ago. The capture of Hama is a significant strategic victory for the rebels, but Damascus remains the biggest prize. Here’s what to watch as the rebel offensive continues to unfold. Why Hama matters The rebels’ operation, named “Deterrence of Aggression,” was a response to increased shelling of civilian areas by government forces since the 2020 ceasefire agreement. With the control of strategic heights surrounding rebel-controlled northwest Syria, the regime and Iranian proxies utilized artillery, rockets, and first-person view drones to attack civilian infrastructure across Idlib province. Just a day before the operation launched, Assad regime forces attacked an elementary school in Ariha, killing three children and injuring fourteen. The rebels’ success so far has been attributed both to external factors, such as diminished Iranian and Hezbollah support for the regime, and to internal coordination among opposition forces in Idlib and neighboring Aleppo. As the rebels advance in Hama province, the power dynamics are dramatically shifting in their favor. The collapse of government defenses suggests a tactical failure and a broader strategic disarray within the Assad regime. Taking Aleppo is a major feat by the rebels, but securing Hama holds a special political and strategic importance. Hama is the city from which Syria’s early uprising in the 1960s and 1970s started. In 1982, it was subjected to a brutal military campaign, during which tens of thousands of its residents were killed and displaced. The event remains alive in the collective memory of Syrians as a demonstration of the willingness of the regime, then under Hafez al-Assad and now under his son Bashar, to exercise violence to remain in power. Hama also played a prominent role in the 2011 uprising as a site of large-scale popular protests. Hama is also strategically positioned in central Syria between major cities, making it a critical node for controlling supply lines and transportation routes across the country. The province hosts a significant military airbase used by the SAA and its allies, including Russian forces. The airbase has been critical for launching airstrikes, reconnaissance, and logistical operations throughout the conflict. The city and its surroundings, which the rebels are currently taking over, also house several military barracks and artillery positions, making it a vital operational center. In all, the rebels’ advance in and around Hama will seriously weaken the Assad regime’s ability to counter rebels’ attacks, reverse its losses from the past week, and defend its remaining strongholds in central Syria. What’s next for the rebels? Next, the opposition forces will likely advance southward and push toward the capital, Damascus. But after successfully capturing Aleppo and Hama, the rebel forces will face military, social, and governance challenges as they move south. The rebels will need to cement their gains in Hama province. The area will be important to maintain military and strategic leverage against Assad, and it is likely to be the first target for any attempt by Assad to the reverse the course of the rebel offensive. The rebels may also face logistical and operational challenges, including the need for supplies. Open-source intelligence indicates that as the SAA withdraws from different military bases, it is leaving enough military equipment and ammunition to power the rebel advances. However, the area captured in Hama province may stretch the rebel forces and expose them to counterattacks. As the rebels head south toward Homs, they will be faced with new challenges. Homs is Syria’s third-largest city and serves as a critical transit hub connecting Damascus to the northern and western provinces, including the coastal strongholds of Latakia and Tartus, where the Russian military has bases. Entering Homs province requires going through large Alawite communities, many of which strongly support Assad. This poses a challenge for rebels to establish local support. A decade of fighting between Assad-allied militias and rebels within the province has resulted in more fortifications being build there. Homs is also home to a significant concentration of Syrian government forces, bolstered by allied militias and a large Hezbollah presence. More importantly, the rebels advancing toward Homs will test Russia’s redlines in Syria. So far, Russia has been absent from providing serious military support to uphold Assad’s defenses across areas he’s losing to the rebels. While Russia has conducted some airstrikes in Idlib and Aleppo to counter rebel advances, it has not engaged directly in Hama. This restraint reflects Moscow’s strategic calculations to avoid overextension. However, Russia appears committed to preserving the Assad regime, its primary foothold in the Middle East, and it has reportedly promised additional military aid to Damascus. If the rebels now advance toward Homs, Russia will have to decide where it draws the line, whether that is in preventing an advance toward Assad in Damascus or the protection of its major naval and air hub in western Syria. The evolution of HTS Syria’s rebels also face challenges in Hama and other areas under their control. Rebel factions in Syria have long had differing ideologies, and over the past decade they have often struggled to present a unified governance structure. This lack of cohesion led to internal conflicts and weakened their overall ability to govern. So far in Hama, however, the rebels appear to be taking a different approach. Led by HTS, the rebels participating in Deterrence of Aggression have shown discipline in their military conduct, their control of civilian infrastructure, and their outreach to minority communities. Statements from rebel leadership emphasize the protection of civilians and Syria’s cultural heritage, reflecting efforts to gain local and possibly international legitimacy. This approach draws on HTS’s experience in Idlib province, where it has maintained control through a combination of military dominance, localized governance structures, and a focus on community relations, including outreach to minority groups. While previously associated with al-Qaeda, HTS has evolved into a locally focused group, abandoned al-Qaeda’s cross-national jihadism ideology, and become the main force to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and al-Qaeda in northwest Syria. Yet the group remains controversial due to its past militant and extremist activities. HTS also remains a designated terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations, which presents challenges for foreign governments to deal with it. HTS has announced its willingness to dissolve itself, again, and work with partners on the ground to develop a more representative governing structure, in what seems to be a signal of its pragmatism toward the European Union (EU) and the United States. Diplomats have also indicated that HTS has communicated with different EU capitals its willingness to work with them to facilitate a safe return for Syrian refugees in Europe. The control of Syria’s second- and fourth-largest cities and their advances toward Homs present Syria’s rebels with challenges and opportunities. Aleppo is one of only two metropolitan centers in Syria with a population of more than four million. Hama is home to more than a million Syrians. In contrast to long-held Idlib, the rebels will be dealing with diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic communities, and they will have to adapt relatively quickly to the challenges ahead. If the rebels are successful in providing good governance in Aleppo and Hama, then it bodes well for their ability to successfully govern Damascus, and ultimately the whole of Syria. The world is watching. Qutaiba Idlbi is a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs, where he leads the Council’s work on Syria.
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TARLETON STATE 61, HOFSTRA 59deals are epic and while everyone’s buzzing over giant TVs and laptops, let’s not overlook the unsung heroes of holiday cheer: These festive favorites set the mood, the scent and the vibe — and they're as much as half off at . Yankee Candles are known for their big glass jars, extra-long burn times (we're talking 110 hours or more) and high-quality wax — that's why they're so popular. Well, that and because they smell so good. Some of the most popular scents are marked down for a limited time, including and . So keep scrolling to score a few Yankee Candle deals and stock up for the season, whether you plan to keep your new scents to yourself or gift them to some very lucky folks. Balsam & Cedar Salted Caramel Red Apple Wreath Spiced Pumpkin Christmas Cookie Autumn Wreath Home Sweet Home Are you craving the ambiance of a winter forest hike? This blend features aromatic balsam, cedarwood and juniper berry and smells like a walk in the woods right after a rainfall. And its extended burn time (110–150 hours) means it'll take you through the holidays and beyond. There are few things more soul-soothing than the scent of salted caramel. It's delicious over pie, scooped onto a crunchy fall apple ... and wafting from a glowing candle. It's a option, according to one of the 5,000+ five-star reviewers. A little crispy and a whole lotta homey, the notes in this No. 1 bestseller are fall and Christmas all rolled into one. Sweet apples and cinnamon blended with walnuts and maple create a scent that describe as "Perfect: not too sweet, not too pine-tree, just the right spice and warmth for the season." For tons of folks, pumpkin spice is the main scent signifier of autumn — which may be why more than 10,000 of these have been sold in the past month at Amazon. You'll want to bask in its aroma of baked pumpkins spiced with cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon and sweetened with brown sugar. that smelling your favorite foods can be just as satisfying as eating them. Not that we’d ever say "no" to a freshly baked cookie, but how about enjoying their delicious aroma without the labor of making them? this buttery, rich, vanilla scent smells like there's "always cookies in the oven." No wonder they're a No. 1 bestseller! Yum! Even if you're not one to hang up a wreath as soon as the leaves start to fall, you can enjoy the smell of that evocative moment with this candle — now 50% off! It combines the scents of spicy cinnamon apples and fall leaves. Shoppers say it's super fragrant even before lighting it. This fan-favorite scent might just get you in the mood to finally start readying your house for holiday guests. the cozy scent has notes of cinnamon, baking spices and tea. Others say it has a fragrance so comforting it smells like a " ." If you have , you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. . (And by the way, those without still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)Marsha Blackburn to Unveil Bill to Freeze Federal Hiring, Relocate Agencies from D.C. Swamp
Cozy winter fare: Make a French-style cassoulet at home
The ethics of AIOak Street Health, EmblemHealth, Vytalize Health, and several large national health plans recognize Thyme Care's patient-centric navigation and deep provider relationships as a leading value-based model that delivers on the promise of better care at lower costs Thyme Care generates savings and improves the cancer experience, fueling its national expansion across Medicare Advantage, commercial health plans, employers, provider groups, and CMS's Enhancing Oncology Model Thyme Care Oncology Partners (TCOP) doubles the number of oncologists in its network since launching in March; more than 850 oncologists represented from every major managed service organization now part of the platform NASHVILLE, Tenn. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thyme Care today announced new strategic partnerships across the cancer care continuum, enabling the company to achieve 4x year-over-year growth in 2025. With this momentum, Thyme Care expects to bring comprehensive cancer care support services to over 40,000 people with cancer. The cancer care system is nearing a financial and logistical breaking point, strained by systemic inefficiencies and gaps in care that burden patients, providers, and payers alike. Patients and caregivers struggle to navigate a complex and siloed healthcare ecosystem, and often experience barriers to care once they leave the physician's office. Oncologists, regardless of whether they practice in the community or a hospital setting, are not incentivized in the current fee-for-service environment to provide value-based care. These challenges inflate costs for everyone in the care continuum, bringing the entire system closer to a breaking point. Thyme Care addresses challenges by empowering oncologists with the resources to deliver value-based care while providing patients with comprehensive support to navigate their journey in collaboration with their care team. "Thyme Care is the connective tissue between oncologists, primary care providers, hospitals, and health plans, creating a cohesive cancer care delivery system that reduces barriers to care and eases the burden of a cancer diagnosis for everyone involved," said Thyme Care President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Diephuis , MD. "Our partners recognize Thyme Care has the technology, data, and relationships to reduce barriers to care and drive better outcomes and affordability across the system." Thyme Care's 2024 strategic partnerships and key milestones include: Health Plan Partnerships: EmblemHealth , one of New York's largest not-for-profit health insurers, has partnered with Thyme Care to provide comprehensive cancer support for its three million members across the tri-state area. Nearly 30% of EmblemHealth's members with cancer receive care in trusted settings like New York Cancer and Blood Specialists (NYCBS), a Thyme Care Oncology Partner. In addition, several large national plans will be launching with Thyme Care in Q1 of 2025. Primary Care Collaborations: Oak Street Health and Vytalize Health , two leading risk-bearing primary care groups, have chosen Thyme Care as their oncology partner to enhance their specialty offerings for members, aligning value-based primary care and oncology care. These collaborations streamline patient referrals, improve patient care coordination, and reduce unnecessary drug spend. Oncologist Enablement: Thyme Care has rapidly grown its oncology provider relationships to embrace new economic incentives, participate in shared savings models, and deliver patient-centered care beyond its four walls. Since launching its oncology partner platform in March, Thyme Care has more than doubled its oncologist partnerships, now counting more than 850 oncologists across the nation. Northwest Cancer Centers and Oncology Consultants have recently joined the platform. Thyme Care's partnership with American Oncology Network (AON) to support its 3,200+ patients in CMS's Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) has resulted in $2.5M projected savings across pharmacy interventions over a six-month period. Patient Reach: With the addition of new strategic partnerships, Thyme Care expects to quadruple the number of covered lives across the nation, reaching over 40,000 people with cancer in 2025. By aligning incentives across payers, providers, and patients, Thyme Care reduces barriers to care and streamlines a collaborative, value-based framework that prioritizes better outcomes and affordability. The partnership momentum coincides with other successes this year, including the company's recent $95M Series C raise , the establishment of its scientific advisory board , and the addition of new executive hires including Lalan Wilfong , M.D , senior vice president of value-based care, who joined the company from McKesson/The US Oncology Network. Partner Quotes "Vytalize Health's partnership with Thyme Care represents an exciting step forward in our approach to partnering with preferred oncologists to deliver superior care while also lowering patient cost share. Thyme Care offers specialized expertise in value-based cancer care as well as a nimble and flexible approach to engaging providers and patients," said Vytalize Health Vice President of Network Innovation, Jessica Riccardo . "We are committed to improving health outcomes and affordability for EmblemHealth members, and partnering with Thyme Care is a reflection of our shared vision to deliver value-based care. Thyme Care's innovative model ensures our members receive the guidance and support they need, whether that's in the clinic, at the hospital, or at home," said EmblemHealth Senior Vice President of Medical Management & Chief Health Equity Officer, Abdou Bah . "Our partnership with Thyme Care has been instrumental in helping us succeed in the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM). Over the past year, Thyme Care's Care Team has worked seamlessly with our oncologists and clinic staff to improve the patient experience, while their insights and analytics have helped us better understand the meaningful savings we're generating. Thyme Care supports our ability to deliver high-quality, value-based care that meets the demands of alternative payment models," said American Oncology Network Chief Medical Officer, Stephen "Fred" Divers, MD. About Thyme Care Thyme Care is the leading value-based care enabler, collaborating with payers and providers to transform the experience and outcomes for individuals living with cancer. The company partners with health plans, employers and risk-bearing providers to assume accountability for enhanced care quality, improved health outcomes, and reduced total cost of care. Thyme Care's approach combines a technology-enabled Care Team and seamless integration with more than 800 oncologists in Thyme Care Oncology Partners, creating a hybrid collaborative care model that guides and supports the entire patient journey. Thyme Care empowers oncologists nationwide through purpose-built tech, advanced data analytics, and virtual patient engagement, driving better care and outcomes in value-based arrangements. Thyme Care is a founding member of CancerX , and is backed by leading investors . To learn more about how Thyme Care is enabling the shift to value-based care in oncology, visit www.thymecare.com . Contact Kimberly Dreisinger Thyme Care Communications [email protected] SOURCE Thyme CareThe Ducks will ring in December by hosting the Ottawa Senators on Sunday in a matchup of teams that are an eyelash under .500 with designs on gaining some upward momentum. They’ll enter the clash with identical .477 points percentages that situate them near the bottom of their respective divisions but not far behind a crowded pack of middling clubs. The Ducks have had more of a defensive inclination while the Senators have shown more scoring pop to date. Ducks coach Greg Cronin said his team hadn’t “had too many stinkers” of late, and that’s been reflected by their 5-3-1 record across their past nine games, with four of their five-plus-goal games this season arriving in that span. “Since we got back from that New York trip, I think we’ve been on a pretty good path in terms of playing with an identity and competing,” Cronin said. They had to grind hard on Black Friday, when they played what Cronin described as something of a postseason-style game against the Kings at Honda Center. Though they fell 2-1 to what veteran forward Ryan Strome described as a “mature, veteran team” that they couldn’t quite edge past despite playing a “disciplined, structured and north-south” game, the Ducks still felt they carried forward some positive indicators from their recent play. “It was a good hockey game. We competed hard. I thought we dictated a lot of the game. We played similar to the way we’ve been playing,” Strome said. Kings coach Jim Hiller concurred. With teams frequently playing the Southern California franchises back to back, he and Cronin get constant looks at one another’s teams during pre-scouts, and Hiller assessed the Ducks’ performance quite favorably. “I thought – we’ve played them this year, I’ve scouted them this year – I thought that’s the best game they’ve played this year. I thought they played very well,” Hiller said. Time will tell if Sunday’s match elicits similar plaudits from Ottawa coach Travis Green, who spent parts of two seasons with the Ducks as a player and is in his first year as the Sens’ head coach after previously guiding the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils briefly. Though Brock McGinn has made some progress in his return, he and Robby Fabbri remained unavailable. So, too, did Leo Carlsson, whose upper-body injury has kept him out of the Ducks’ past two matches. Cam Fowler will be a game-time decision. Troy Terry has four points across his three-game scoring streak, while Trevor Zegras just snapped a four-gamer that saw him compile six points. For Ottawa, forwards Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson each have seven points in the Sens’ past five outings. Captain Brady Tkachuk, whom Cronin suggested could be a model for his own power forward Mason McTavish, has racked up five points during a three-game surge. Those are the three Senators scoring above a point per game this season, with Stützle’s 28 points in 22 games leading the way. Ottawa at Ducks When: 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Many of the best Black Friday deals continue into the weekend, including Lego , so there's still time to stock up. Whether it's Duplo for youngsters, Star Wars for the franchise's most die-hard fans, or elaborate builds that take hours, there's sure to be a Lego set to suit any kid or kid-at-heart on your wishlist. We expect popular or hard-to-find sets to go quickly, so act fast if there's a set you've been eyeing. We've rounded up a selection of the best Lego deals we've seen. Lego's official Black Friday deals end on December 2, and it's offering a free Winter Holiday Train set when you spend $170 or more. Other retailers are also offering discounts as part of their Black Friday sales, so we will also list them here. Likewise, these sales will last into Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday. Shop all Black Friday deals from Lego . Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds $169.99 $135.95 at Walmart Lego Friends Heartlake City Community Center $139.99 $118.99 at Target Lego Creator Main Street $139.99 $82.99 at Amazon Lego Star Wars Invisible Hand $49.99 $29.99 at Target Lego Technics NASA Mars Rover Perseverance $99.99 $79.95 at Amazon The best Black Friday Lego deals With over 2,600 Lego bricks, this recreation of Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter movies should be part of any die-hard fans' collection. The iconic house lifted into the sky by balloons in the animated film "Up" gets the Lego treatment, complete with Minifigures for the main characters. This set lets you build two Formula 1-spec racecars from the McLaren Racing team. Pull it back and watch it take off. The Invisible Hand is a replica of the separatist ship from the film Star Wars film "Revenge of the Sith." It comes with a pedestal to display the finished work. At 896 pieces, it may seem like a small set, but the model opens up to reveal the interior of Hagrid's home. From the Friends series, this Community Center is a multi-level building comprised of over 1,500 bricks. Combine it with other sets to create Heartlake City. The history-making Mars Rover Perseverance gets an homage from Lego. Also included is a model of Perseverance's companion, the helicopter Ingenuity. Based on Nintendo's Animal Crossing Switch title, this set features a seaplane, a terminal, and two characters from the game. The ship from the Marvel film, "The Marvels," features all three main characters (Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Photon). The top opens to reveal the interior of the ship. The set recreates a city scene with a hotel, cafe, and record shop. It can be rebuilt into a four-storey building or a city archway. The Lego set captures the scene from "The Avengers: Endgame" movie when Thanos faces the heroes on a destroyed Avengers compound. This set from the Lego Friends series includes four characters and a tour bus that opens up to reveal a studio, backstage, bedroom, and more. Arguably the most popular K-Pop group, this set recreates a scene from BTS's video, Dynamite. It comes with all seven band members, naturally. This set is a tribute to women's soccer. It features professional players Asisat Oshoala, Yūki Nagasato, Sam Kerr, and Megan Rapinoe as Minifigures. Amazon: Up to 30% off games Kohl's: 50% off select toys Macy's: Buy 1, get 2nd 50% off toys Target: 30% off select FAO Schwarz toys Walmart: Up to 40% off outdoor play See more of our Black Friday roundups The best Amazon Black Friday deals The best Walmart Black Friday deals The best Black Friday TV deals The best Black Friday Apple deals Black Friday Lego FAQ Lego sets are often on sale at all times of the year, so Black Friday isn't your only opportunity. However, you may find deals on Lego sets that don't usually get discounted. And, because Lego is an often-requested gift, it's a good time to check it off a wishlist. As part of its Black Friday sale items, Lego's own store often includes incentives if you spend a certain amount. In 2024, for example, Lego includes a Winter Holiday Train set when you spend $170 or more. Lego's product range has expanded so greatly that it's impossible to pick the best one. If you're looking to purchase one as a gift, find out what your giftee's interests and hobbies are, or if they enjoy challenging puzzles that take time to complete. There will likely be a Lego set to suit that child, teen, or adult. The Lego store often lists some sets as backordered. This means that the set can still be purchased, but you will need to wait for Lego to fulfill the order, which could take some time. If you hope to gift a set by a certain time, you may want to avoid such sets or find them at another retailer. Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Black Friday deals .
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The City of Boston says its X account will stay alive while it gains a presence on Bluesky , a social media platform that has attracted millions of users following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in early November. “The City maintains a presence on multiple communications platforms to reach constituents,” a city spokesperson told the Herald on Saturday. “We are not deleting our presence on other platforms as we establish new accounts on Bluesky to meet the surge of activity and local interest there.” Critics accused the city of “running away” from Elon Musk’s “toxic” X platform after announcing it had created a Bluesky account last week. “Hey Boston, we’re here!” officials wrote in their first Bluesky post, the day before Thanksgiving. “City teams are building accounts and making moves to make Bluesky our home. Stay tuned.” The post included links to various departments that had already created Bluesky accounts including the Streets Cabinet , Parks and Recreation , and the Public Health Commission . Bluesky had gained 1 million new users in the week after Trump’s reelection, as some X users, mostly liberals, looked for an alternative platform to post their thoughts and engage with others online. Despite Bluesky’s growth, X reported that it had “dominated the global conversation on the U.S. election” and had set new records. The platform saw a 15.5% jump in new-user signups on Election Day, it said, with a record 942 million posts worldwide. Bluesky has referenced its competitive relationship to X through tongue-in-cheek comments, including an Election Day post on X referencing Musk watching voting results come in with President-elect Donald Trump. “I can guarantee that no Bluesky team members will be sitting with a presidential candidate tonight and giving them direct access to control what you see online,” Bluesky said. Bostonians Against Mayor Wu , an X account critical of how the city is being governed, posted about the Bluesky development around 5 p.m. on Friday. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, the post had gained nearly 900,000 views. “The city of Boston announces it is ditching @elonmusk’s X and moving all of their accounts over to X’s rival platform,” the post read. Thousands of critics responded to the post, slamming the city for adding Bluesky to its social media repertoire. Former Herald sports columnist and current podcaster Gerry Callahan chimed in: “Elon Musk: We will allow ANYONE to speak. No censoring. No shadow banning. No collusion with the government. Democrats: Sorry, not for us.” The post even caught the eye of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones , who has 3.4 million X followers. “This is what cults do when they are exposed and in total collapse,” Jones posted on X late Friday night. “They run and hide from reality. This is the last stage of a failed ideology’s death. As Jesus said ‘let the dead bury the dead.’” Mayor Michelle Wu has sparingly used her @wutrain X account since Musk took over the platform. She posted a link to her Bluesky last Sunday, days before the city announced its account. In an interview with Commonwealth Beacon in January 2023, Wu said she’d stop using X as often as she did during her mayoral campaign as the platform became “an increasingly difficult place to share information and have civil dialogue over important issues.” “I’ve experienced this platform becoming more and more toxic over the last year,” Wu said, “and it’s a direction that makes it a less productive use of my personal time to reach constituents about local issues.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
