logo
Tech CEO resigns after Coldplay concert 'kiss cam' video kicks off viral frenzy

Tech CEO resigns after Coldplay concert 'kiss cam' video kicks off viral frenzy

France 246 days ago
The CEO of the technology firm Astronomer has resigned after being caught canoodling on camera at a rock concert with a woman who was not his wife, the company said on Saturday.
The company posted a written statement on social media stating that its leaders "are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met".
The statement said that Andy Byron had offered his resignation as CEO and that the board of directors had accepted it. Byron had been placed on leave on Friday, and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy is serving as the interim CEO.
Byron and Astronomer's chief people officer Kristin Cabot were caught on camera at the Coldplay concert on Wednesday in Massachusetts in an awkward clip that quickly went viral.
A spokesman for the company said that the pair were the only employees of the firm caught on camera. The spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Cabot's job status.
Once Byron and Cabot realized they were being shown on a jumbo screen inside Gillette Stadium as they embraced, Byron ducked out of sight and Cabot covered her face with her hands and spun around.
Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin responded by saying "either they're having an affair or they're just very shy".
Internet sleuths immediately went to work and identified Byron and Cabot by their social media profiles before the company confirmed their identities.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Alien' lands at Comic-Con
'Alien' lands at Comic-Con

France 24

time19 hours ago

  • France 24

'Alien' lands at Comic-Con

The pop culture convention held annually in San Diego was the chosen setting for the world premiere of the FX series created by Noah Hawley. "This is by far the biggest thing I've ever made," Hawley told 6,500 cheering fans in Comic-Con's Hall H before presenting the first episode, which he also directed. And in Hall H -- unlike in space -- you could hear them scream. "It was crazy!" squealed Nicole Martindale, a fan of the franchise who traveled from northern California for the event. "It wasn't what I expected based on the Alien movies, but it was pretty cool," she added. "Alien: Earth" is set a couple of years before the events of Ridley Scott's seminal 1979 film starring Sigourney Weaver. Scott served as executive producer of this expansion of the franchise, which will hit streaming platforms in August. "If I have a skill at adapting these films, it's in an understanding what the original movie made me feel and why, and trying to create it anew by telling you a totally different story," Hawley told the audience. The panel also featured stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Babou Ceesay and Samuel Blenkin, who discussed what it was like to become part of the storied franchise and share a scene with the Xenomorph. "It's a dream, it was surreal," said Chandler, who plays Wendy, a "hybrid" who is a blend of human consciousness and a synthetic body. "I've been a sci-fi and 'Alien' fan forever. I keep pinching myself." 'Tron' One of the world's largest celebrations of pop culture, Comic-Con brings together 130,000 people, many of whom come dressed as wizards, princesses or characters from movies, games or TV series. This year, the lines to enter Hall H have been less frenetic than in previous editions. Fans accustomed to camping out at the gates of the venue to get a spot inside say the lack of a big Marvel Studios presence has eased the crush. "Last year, we arrived the night before and had to wait hours to get" in, said Carla Gonzalez, who has attended the event every year with her family since 2013. "This year the first panel is about to start, and there are still empty chairs. If Marvel were here, it would be packed," she added. There was still plenty for afficionados to get excited about, including a panel on "Predator: Badlands" directed by Dan Trachtenberg and set to hit US theaters in November. Trachtenberg, responsible for revitalizing the franchise with "Prey" (2022), is expected to appear alongside stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays the Predator, Dek. The panel is expected to reveal more details and images from the production, which places the predator at the center of the plot for the first time as prey, not hunter. Actors Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges and Greta Lee were also expected Friday to present exclusive clips from "Tron: Ares." The film, directed by Joachim Ronning, is the third installment of another beloved science fiction franchise, which began in 1982, with Bridges playing a hacker who becomes trapped in the digital world. Comic-Con concludes on Sunday.

'This Isn't Investment, It's Invasion': Locals Revolt as Dubai Takes 1 Billion ft³ of U.S. Land to Pump the ‘New Oil'
'This Isn't Investment, It's Invasion': Locals Revolt as Dubai Takes 1 Billion ft³ of U.S. Land to Pump the ‘New Oil'

Sustainability Times

time19 hours ago

  • Sustainability Times

'This Isn't Investment, It's Invasion': Locals Revolt as Dubai Takes 1 Billion ft³ of U.S. Land to Pump the ‘New Oil'

IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 Adnoc and ExxonMobil have partnered in the Baytown Project to revolutionize low-carbon energy production. and have partnered in the to revolutionize low-carbon energy production. ⚡ The project aims to create the world's largest low-emission hydrogen plant, producing up to 1 billion cubic feet of blue hydrogen daily. daily. 💼 Despite its promise, the project's success depends on political support and government subsidies for blue hydrogen in the U.S. in the U.S. 🔋 If successful, the Baytown Project will contribute to solving the global energy crisis and offer significant local economic benefits. As the world grapples with an unprecedented energy crisis, a groundbreaking partnership has emerged between the Abu Dhabi state oil company, Adnoc, and the American giant ExxonMobil. This billion-dollar collaboration aims to revolutionize the energy landscape by focusing on low-carbon solutions. The partnership's potential impact extends beyond the energy sector, influencing global geopolitics as countries seek alternatives to traditional oil. With a strong commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability, this venture could redefine the future of energy and reshape international alliances in the process. The Baytown Project: A New Era of Energy Production The visionary joint venture between Adnoc and ExxonMobil is known as the Baytown Project. This ambitious initiative aims to establish what could be the largest low-emission hydrogen plant in the world. The project is designed to produce up to 1 billion cubic feet per day of blue hydrogen, a form of hydrogen derived from natural gas with integrated CO₂ capture. This process is critical as it significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional hydrogen production methods. The production of blue hydrogen involves extracting hydrogen not as a liquid but through a refined, technologically advanced process. This clean energy source is poised to power refineries in Europe and energy plants in Japan and Korea. A key goal of the Baytown Project is to capture up to 98% of carbon emissions during production, paving the way for the annual generation of 1 million tons of low-carbon ammonia. This development is significant because ammonia is emerging as a crucial component in the global energy transition. Challenges and Risks: The Political Landscape The Baytown Project, though promising, faces political and economic uncertainties. The United Arab Emirates has invested heavily, securing a 35% stake in the project, centered in the heart of Texas. However, the project's future hinges on the availability of government subsidies for blue hydrogen production in the United States. Despite the absence of clear tax incentives, Adnoc has committed to the project, demonstrating strong confidence in its potential. ExxonMobil, on the other hand, has expressed concerns, even threatening to withdraw by early 2024 if blue hydrogen remains ineligible for tax credits under preliminary US Treasury guidelines. The evolving political climate, particularly after upcoming American elections, could alter this scenario. The project's success depends on navigating these complex political dynamics to secure essential support and funding. Implications for the Global Energy Crisis Despite uncertainties, the Baytown Project represents a pivotal moment in addressing the global energy crisis. Beyond a commercial alliance, the agreement marks a significant step in the internationalization of transitional energies. Adnoc's commitment to achieving zero emissions by 2045 underscores the strategic value of this partnership for the United States. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil solidifies its position as a leader in carbon capture technologies and the development of cleaner, sustainable fuels. The project also promises substantial local benefits, including job creation, economic development, and community support in Texas. If successful, operations are set to begin in 2029, potentially positioning this partnership as the most influential in the world. It could even surpass recent high-profile alliances, such as the one between China and Russia, touted as the most significant of the century. Looking Ahead: A Transformative Partnership The collaboration between Adnoc and ExxonMobil signifies not just a business venture but a transformative step towards sustainable energy solutions. With the potential to redefine low-carbon energy production, this project could lead the way in transitioning to cleaner fuel sources. However, its success will depend on political support, technological advancements, and global cooperation. As the world watches the unfolding of this ambitious initiative, one must ask: Will the Baytown Project become a beacon of innovation and collaboration, leading the charge in solving our energy challenges, or will it succumb to the political and economic hurdles that often accompany such groundbreaking endeavors? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (23)

America's Artificial Sun Is Here and It's Already Tearing the Country Apart Between Tech Elites, Climate Rebels, and Energy Giants
America's Artificial Sun Is Here and It's Already Tearing the Country Apart Between Tech Elites, Climate Rebels, and Energy Giants

Sustainability Times

timea day ago

  • Sustainability Times

America's Artificial Sun Is Here and It's Already Tearing the Country Apart Between Tech Elites, Climate Rebels, and Energy Giants

IN A NUTSHELL 🌞 The United States is working to create an artificial sun for limitless, carbon-free energy. for limitless, carbon-free energy. 🔬 MIT engineers have discovered materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of nuclear fusion reactors. have discovered materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of nuclear fusion reactors. 🤝 Collaborations with international projects like ITER and private sector firms are driving fusion advancements. and private sector firms are driving fusion advancements. 🌍 The successful development of fusion energy could significantly impact global energy independence and climate resilience. The United States is on the brink of a monumental breakthrough in nuclear fusion, a development that promises to revolutionize the energy sector. By creating an artificial sun, America aims to harness a limitless, carbon-free energy source. However, the journey is fraught with technical challenges, particularly in overcoming fusion-induced metal failures. The quest to find materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of nuclear fusion is central to realizing this vision. As scientists continue to push the boundaries, the potential to tap into the power of the stars becomes increasingly tangible. Fusion Energy: The Chance to Tap into the Energy's Potential Nuclear fusion, the process of combining light elements into helium, holds the promise of releasing clean, abundant energy. This process, unlike nuclear fission, does not emit greenhouse gases and primarily uses deuterium extracted from seawater. The ultimate goal is to use fusion to generate greener energy, but the challenge lies in replicating the sun's conditions on Earth. Fusion reactors must contain superheated ionized gas, or plasma, at temperatures exceeding 302 million degrees Fahrenheit. This plasma is typically contained within tokamaks, which are donut-shaped devices. The concept of achieving net energy gain—producing more energy than consumed—has been a significant hurdle. However, recent advancements have seen scientists make strides in materials that can endure the harsh conditions within a reactor. The structural integrity of the reactor's walls is crucial, as they are subjected to intense radiation and heat. Researchers at MIT are pioneering solutions to these challenges, focusing on developing metals that can withstand such extreme conditions without degrading over time. 'We Finally Made It Happen': World's Largest Stellarator Produces Historic Helium-3 in Unprecedented Nuclear Breakthrough MIT Engineers Making Groundbreaking Discoveries MIT engineers, under the auspices of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), are at the forefront of identifying durable materials for fusion reactors. Led by Professor Ju Li, the team has discovered that integrating ceramic nanoparticles into the iron-based walls of a reactor can mitigate the destructive effects of helium atoms. These atoms, produced during fusion reactions, create microscopic gaps in the metal's crystal structure, leading to bubble formation and eventual material failure. To counteract this, Professor Li's team has formulated a method to replace helium atoms with stronger elements, dispersing them throughout the metal. Iron silicate, a ceramic compound, has shown promise due to its chemical compatibility and mechanical strength. Tests have demonstrated that even a small percentage of iron silicate can reduce helium bubble formation by approximately 50%, significantly extending the reactor's lifespan. This breakthrough has parallels in Japan, where researchers have achieved similar successes with tokamaks operating at extremities close to 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. 'Nuclear Fusion Just Got Real': Scientists Unveil Breakthrough That Could Deliver Endless Clean Energy and Erase Fossil Fuel Dependency A Move Towards Fusion Reactors The progress in fusion engineering is paving the way for America's journey toward energy independence and climate resilience. Professor Ju Li's team is exploring commercial applications, including 3D printing, to advance fusion technology. Their efforts are part of a broader initiative to support fusion projects across the United States, with collaborations spanning various private sector firms and a target launch date set for 2030. Major international collaborations, such as the ITER project in France, alongside U.S.-based startups, are crucial to these advancements. The future of fusion energy hinges on developing reactor walls that are resilient enough to withstand the harsh environment of plasma physics. America's commitment to creating its own artificial sun is becoming a reality, with technological advancements bridging the gap between ambition and achievement. 'We Slashed the Work by 99.9%': Scientists Achieve Fusion Reactor Analysis 15× Faster in Unbelievable Computational Breakthrough The Future of Fusion Energy As America forges ahead with its artificial sun project, the technical obstacles are steadily being overcome. The potential of fusion energy to provide an infinite, enclosed, and extremely hot power source is within reach. The successful creation of an artificial sun would mark a turning point in the quest for sustainable energy solutions, addressing past challenges, particularly those involving the durability of tokamak walls. With these breakthroughs, the future of energy shines as brightly as the sun itself. However, the journey is far from over. What new challenges and innovations will emerge as we venture further into the realm of fusion energy? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (20)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store