Astronomer CEO Andy Byron resigns after viral 'cheating' Coldplay video
In the video captured on the 'kiss cam' at the concert, the two were seen cuddling, sparking controversy and rumours that they were having an affair.
Astronomer confirmed Byron's resignation in a statement on LinkedIn.
'As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,' the statement read. 'Our leaders are expected to set the standard in, both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.
'Byron has tendered his resignation, and the board of directors has accepted. The board will begin a search for our next CEO, as cofounder and chief product officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
New WhatsApp platform empowers South Africans to tackle electricity and digital divide challenges
Ben Lindeque, Co-Founder and Business Architect at Prepaid24. Image: Supplied. In a significant step towards tackling South Africa's persistent electricity supply issues and digital divide, Prepaid24 has launched the country's first full-service WhatsApp-based platform. Announced this week, this innovative collaboration with WhatsApp solutions provider Chat Inc and payment gateway Ozow aims to streamline essential transactions, putting the power of service access directly in the hands of consumers. As millions of South Africans continue to face challenges with both electricity access and digital services, the new Prepaid24 – Transact WhatsApp channel responds to a pressing need. Users can now easily purchase prepaid electricity, pay municipal accounts, buy airtime, data, and various vouchers—all through a simple and familiar WhatsApp chat interface. 'This introduction of our WhatsApp channel directly responds to the ongoing challenges South Africans face with electricity access and digital inclusion,' said Ben Lindeque, Co-Founder and Business Architect at Prepaid24. The innovative platform emerges at a time when South Africa struggles with a reliable electricity supply and is striving to enhance digital accessibility. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Despite the growing prevalence of online payments, a substantial portion of the population remains hindered by limited internet access, unfamiliarity with complex online platforms, and lacking traditional banking infrastructure. By utilising WhatsApp, one of the most widely used communication tools in the country, Prepaid24 facilitates a more inclusive, user-friendly solution. 'Like many South Africans, I found navigating websites and making online payments intimidating, especially when things didn't go as planned. That personal frustration inspired us to build something radically simpler, something that meets users where they are: on WhatsApp,' Lindeque said. How the WhatsApp platform works The operational mechanics of the new Prepaid24 platform underscore its user-centric design. Users can initiate transactions simply by sending a 'Hi' message to 060 012 2010. Following this, they can select their desired service and make payments via Ozow's Instant EFT or the Prepaid24 SmartFund, with a PayShap integration set to be introduced shortly. Purchase confirmations and tokens are delivered instantaneously through the chat as well. This service comprehensively covers over 95% of South African municipalities and Eskom meters, making it relevant to a broad demographic across the nation. Beyond offering electricity top-ups, the platform also includes vouchers for popular streaming services like Netflix, DStv, Showmax, alongside familiar shopping options such as Takealot and Pick n Pay. Jonathan Williams, Founder and CEO at Chat Inc, expressed enthusiasm for this venture. Image: Supplied. This ground-breaking platform originates from a synergistic partnership among Prepaid24, Chat Inc, and Ozow. Chat Inc, recognisably known as 'the WhatsApp people', facilitates chat commerce experiences for numerous prestigious South African brands, providing solutions ranging from lead acquisition to enterprise-grade transactional chatbot platforms. Jonathan Williams, Founder and CEO at Chat Inc, expressed enthusiasm for this venture. 'We are thrilled to power this first-of-a-kind utility purchase channel in WhatsApp and to collaborate with such an innovative partner like Prepaid24. We're passionate about innovation and building technology that feels natural, and WhatsApp is where South Africans already live,' Williams said. Ozow's involvement ensures a secure and real-time payment processing framework for all transactions. Their expertise has resulted in a seamless payment journey, allowing users to receive their tokens and vouchers within seconds. This launch signifies a substantial trend towards leveraging widely adopted messaging platforms to deliver essential services, aiming to bridge digital divides and promote financial inclusion in South Africa. 'By simplifying the process of purchasing critical utilities like electricity and everyday vouchers, the platform could benefit a significant portion of the population, particularly those in underserved communities or those less comfortable with conventional online banking methods,' added Lindeque. BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Midfield maestro hopes to ply trade in big European league
Total Football Excellence (TFE) midfielder maestro Reatlegile Manamela said he looks forward to playing in the Safa Hollywoodbets Regional League. Nicknamed 'Maestro', the versatile midfielder who can play as a central defensive midfielder (CDM) or central attacking midfielder (CAM) was inspired by talented Spanish anchor Sergio Busquets. Read more: Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools excited to announce its Midrand branch development From Noordwyk, Manamela (18) said he plays more like Vítor Machado Ferreira, popularly known as Vitinha. 'I play CDM and CAM… I joined TFE through the Engen Knockout Challenge last year, in June,' said Manamela. He added his dream is to play in one of the big leagues overseas. Manamela is a Grade 11 learner at the Crowthorne-based Midland International School, formerly Midland Primary and High School. He said now that they will be playing in the Safa Hollywood Regional League, he would love for his team to finish in the top 3. 'Locally, my favourite player is Relebogile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates because he plays the game with passion and his proof that hard work pays off. And internationally, I would say Vitinha. I just love the way he controls the game.'. Manamela said his nickname came from his friends while they were playing street football and thought he was just too good. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
BRICS+ Series: UAE Launches US Energy Investment to Power AI Boom
The tallest solar power tower in the world at 260 metres is pictured at the concentrated solar thermal power (CST) Noor Energy 1 solar complex at Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park, about 50 kilometres south of Dubai, on July 19, 2025. Image: AFP The announcement came from Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and UAE Minister of Industry and Technology, at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Forum in Washington DC. At the heart of the move is a recognition that America's power infrastructure, designed for a different time, must be urgently upgraded to meet the soaring demands of the AI economy. Al Jaber introduced XRG, Adnoc's newly formed global investment arm, as the entity spearheading this transformation. The funding marks a sixfold expansion in XRG's U.S. interests and underlines a shift in strategy: acknowledging that artificial intelligence will drive demand for 50–150 gigawatts (GW) of additional installed capacity within the next five years. As a point of comparison, he noted that a single hyperscale data centre can consume 'as much electricity as a city the size of Pittsburgh', highlighting the dramatic scale of the upcoming energy challenge. 'This moment presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity,' Al Jaber stated, stressing the need for seamless collaboration between energy producers, grid operators, financiers, and policymakers. He emphasised that while ramping up power generation is crucial, the greater obstacle lies in enhancing transmission and distribution networks—the 'last mile' of energy delivery. 'You can't run tomorrow's technology on yesterday's grid,' he warned, underscoring that much of America's grid architecture remains rooted in an earlier era. Addressing the bottlenecks of outdated infrastructure, Al Jaber revealed that installing vital equipment such as transformers and turbines often takes over three years, slowing down grid expansion. To counteract this delay, an annual investment of US $300 billion in grid modernisation is essential. Globally, the scale of the issue is staggering—an estimated 2,600 GW of power production capacity currently sits idled, waiting for grid access. Next Stay Close ✕ XRG is already making inroads into the U.S. energy landscape, having invested in the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Texas. Additionally, Masdar USA, the renewable-energy arm of Adnoc, has delivered approximately 5.5 GW of clean energy production and storage capacity spread across the east and west coasts. Both Adnoc and XRG have established a presence in Washington DC to coordinate this historic wave of investment. This initiative unfolds against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Al Jaber seized the moment to reaffirm the UAE's commitment to 'de-escalation and diplomacy', suggesting that economic collaboration remains a powerful stabilising force amid global unrest. Other senior UAE officials echoed his sense of urgency. Mariam Almheiri, CEO of 2PointZero and advisory chair to the Presidential Court, cautioned that 'time is not on our side', highlighting the necessity to move rapidly. 2PointZero, an Abu Dhabi-based holding firm, has been targeting opportunities across the AI value chain—including critical minerals and cable manufacturing—and aims to list on stock markets this year. Similarly, Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO and MD of Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (Enec), expressed notable optimism about forging U.S. partnerships. He confirmed that nuclear energy remains a central component of the UAE's diversified energy mix. 'In the next five years, we will hopefully generate electrons with partners who are serious to capitalise on those business opportunities,' he said, signalling the potential for clean base-load energy to meet AI's hefty requirements. In combining fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear power, and grid infrastructure investment, the UAE is advancing a comprehensive energy blueprint. The planned US $440 billion investment represents not only a financial behemoth but also an instrument of global strategic influence. It emphasises that addressing AI's power demands requires more than adding generation capacity—it necessitates a re-engineering of the entire energy ecosystem, from source to socket. Should this programme achieve even partial success, it may herald a transformational era for the U.S. energy sector. By unlocking stalled projects and upgrading outdated networks, such a wave of investment could bolster grid reliability, reduce carbon emissions, and accelerate adoption of next-generation technologies. As AI continues its inexorable rise—touching every facet of modern life—the infrastructural foundation to support its energy appetite must evolve swiftly. For now, the UAE's vision marks a significant pivot in global energy collaboration. Anchored by XRG and endorsed by leaders across sectors, the plan extends beyond short-term profit—it offers a blueprint for securing the technological backbone of tomorrow's economy. If realised, it stands to define a new model of strategic energy partnership: dynamic, integrated, and purpose-built for an age of intelligence and innovation. Written by: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Chloe Maluleke Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL. ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
