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TWITTER’S FAMOUS BLUE checkmark, which has traditionally signified verified and authentic accounts, appear to have been removed en masse across the site.
Owner Elon Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the site shrink, previously pledged to get rid of what he described as a “lords & peasants system” by removing the marks.
Users including the Pope, Donald Trump and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer carry the blue tick.
My blue tick is gone. I won't be taking questions and I ask that you respect the privacy of my family and I as we navigate this difficult time.
— Barry Malone (@malonebarry) April 20, 2023
The blue checkmark was originally given to companies, celebrities, government entities and journalists verified by the platform.
Some blue ticks remain, such as on Hollywood actor Russell Crowe’s account. The checkmark carries a message in some cases that the account “is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number” with the platform.
How do you do, fellow no-checks
— Natalie Wynn ❌ (@ContraPoints) April 20, 2023
It comes following an unsuccessful launch earlier today of the Musk-owned SpaceX’s largest rocket to date went awry, when it exploded nearly four minutes after its a first blast-off in Texas.
The rocket, Starship, did not separate correctly from it’s second stage, which holds the rocket’s boosters, and experienced what was described as “a rapid unscheduled disassembly”.
Some Twitter users, such as Irish comedian Michael Fry below, hopped on the laboured description for the explosion when noting the sudden disappearance of their accounts’ blue ticks.
My blue tick has experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation
— Michael Fry (@BigDirtyFry) April 20, 2023
SpaceX founder Musk has sought to play down expectations for the risk-laden inaugural test flight, cast some doubt on whether the launch will actually go ahead today.
“The team is working around the clock on many issues,” Musk tweeted late Tuesday. “Maybe 4/20, maybe not.”
Containing reporting by AFP
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How the heck did we manage before they named storms and give us red, orange and yellow warnings?
We just dressed sensibly and got on with it!!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Well said
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Ollie you’re so edgy
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: because some people don’t heed weather forecasts and don’t moderate their driving regarding their own or other’s safety. They have to be beaten over the head with a big stick to pay attention.?
That means a lot coming from…whoever the hell you are.
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: because it very useful to people that are affected by weather, namely farmers, HGV drivers, construction, forestry, anything water based and thats only to mention a few.
Can’t understand the whinging people do about colour warnings
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Yes, and were killed by flying roof debris as happened to a poor man in my village back in the 60s.
I’m struggling to imagine how more information is a bad thing.
@Ronan McGrath: Not edgy at all Ronan, just showing my age. Lol ;>)
@Dave S: Dave, sorry if you thought I was whinging , I was being tongue in cheek whilst querying the national furore that exists when storms arrive. I was a professional driver all my working life over 50 years and know how these storms can affect all.
@Nell: Nell, most people do heed forecasts, but as you allude to some, don’t and never will. They are the sawdust heads that know it all and do their own thing to the detriment of others.
@Stanley Marsh: So sorry for the poor man who died. There are some people who will never heed weather warnings. We see them everytime there’s bad weather. If they actually got a phone warning, they still wouldn’t heed it!
Getting fairly breezy here now in Limerick west where we have a yellow wind warning.Im a bit worried for my good friends and neighbours in Kerry (orange warning) I might light a candle for them.
@Willie Marty: If you were any good, you would drive down to save them.
@Paul whitehead: too dangerous especially down around Kilgarvan where it might be extra windy if the Healy Raes are at home.
A morning of uncertainity for parents, schools saying not closing and with less than 5 mins notice ” oh school is closing”,
@: Tough life – I’ve no idea how you manage to keep going.
@: The winds of change
Eh no. Quite simple. Red Warning means no transport so schools close. No red warning so schools are open.
It’s not even raining lol
@Gavin Gray: Lashing here but I’ll take your word for it.
I remember walking to school in this kind of weather and you might get soaked, but it was just ordinary Irish weather, no big deal.
@ForYourSafety: and your teachers hogged the heater, while we froze yo death, the good old days.
@colette byrne: Lol you know it.
I don’t see the Climate stopping at the invisible line above Dundalk like Greedy Greens are telling us in the Republic that they only measure the 26 counties for emissions.
While the other 6 counties are happy out!!
@Luka Roche: What on earth are you on about, dear boy?
@Luka Roche: a great point that nobody talks about.
@Luka Roche: I never heard that one before.
Nanny is on overtime again
Hay guys, I’m gona climb Carrauntoohil and paraglide off its peak, land on the skilligs,then swim to Castletownbere,ride my motorbike up to the quays in Cork and have a picnic,cause I’m hard and don’t believe in this orange warning clap trap. There were no rainbow warnings in my day.
@HisMastersAlibi: hope you survive
Weather warning appear to be another day off for teachers.
Everyone else has to get on with their lives as usual
@Pat the Baker: nothing to do with safety of children, no? Just send your children out to play in the gale so, sure a few flying roof tiles and falling trees won’t bother them. Schools have a duty of care to the CHILDREN!
Rain now started here in co meath but not windy-yet! Stay safe everyone
If it’s breezy, I’m staying in bed till tomorrow. Disaster. Thank God for Topboy.
Beautiful here in Waterford. Early morning swim in Kilmurrin Cove then up the Cometaghs for a walk.
Dehydration is the real worry.
Comeraghs.
@Tommy Haze: Should stay up the Comeraghs for the afternoon, you know when it’s actually supposed to get stormy.
Brewing up a Storm.
have your say