A Cosmic Mystery: Is China Building the World's Biggest Telescope?
He recently added a new mystery to the list: Is China quietly building the world's biggest telescope? He would like to know, because he leads a rival telescope project in the U.S.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Gwyneth Paltrow is Astronomer's ‘temporary spokesperson' in new video
There's a lot of buzz around Astronomer, the data infrastructure company that skyrocketed into public attention after its executives - now former executives - gave us the viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' moment. With all this recent popularity, the business brought on some extra help, hiring a 'temporary spokesperson' with experience in Coldplay internet fame: Gwyneth Paltrow. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. 'I've been hired on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300+ employees at Astronomer,' the actress said in the minute-long video posted to social media Friday. 'Astronomer has gotten a lot of questions over the last few days, and they wanted me to answer the most common ones.' The Goop chief executive happens to be the ex-wife of Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and co-author of the original 'break-the-internet' breakup statement when the pair announced their 'conscious uncoupling' in 2014. If you're searching for answers to the company's real frequently-asked questions, you won't find them in the tongue-in-cheek clip. The questions 'OMG! What the actual f' and 'How is your social media team holding' get comically cut off by Paltrow as she explained the much less juicy details of Astronomer's business. 'We've been thrilled so many people have a newfound interest in data workflow automation,' Paltrow said. Astronomer's chief executive Andy Byron and human resources chief Kristin Cabot both resigned after they were filmed cuddling at a Coldplay concert in Boston earlier this month. They appeared on the arena video board in a 'kiss cam' segment before looking uncomfortable, with Cabot turning around and Byron ducking out of sight as Martin quipped from the stage that the two might be having an affair. Mark Borkowski, a British public relations and crisis consultant, described using Paltrow to front a video parodying the incident as 'utter genius' that shows the company has a sense of humor. 'It's a savvy use of media to create a viral moment,' he told The Washington Post in a phone interview Saturday. 'In a way you're laughing with everybody else.' Astronomer choosing Paltrow will not go unnoticed, Borkowski said. 'Astronomer is a meme now. Owning the ridiculous nature of how it became a meme is far better than apologizing for it.' A representative for Paltrow didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. As for how he advises clients caught in such situations, Borkowski said acting in a dignified way and 'using as few words as possible' is always the best approach. Paltrow's cameo is reminiscent of the scared Peloton wife discourse from 2019. After actress Monica Ruiz's worry-stricken expression in a Peloton holiday commercial became the butt of internet jokes, she laughed it off, later using her horrified face for an Aviation Gin ad. 'We will now be returning to what we do best: delivering game-changing results for our customers,' Paltrow closed out the ad. 'Thank you for your interest in Astronomer.' - - - Tatum Hunter contributed to this report. Related Content Hulk Hogan was a well-known Trump supporter. Their ties go back 40 years. Mendelson reaches deal with Commanders on RFK site amid growing pressure Amy Sherald cancels major Smithsonian show over 'censorship' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
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Astronomer CPO Kristin Cabot Resigns After Attending Coldplay Concert With CEO Andy Byron
Astronomer's Chief People Officer has resigned from her position at the tech company after being caught on video at a Coldplay concert with the then-CEO . "Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer," a spokesperson for Astronomer told Us Weekly on Thursday, July 24. "She has resigned." Cabot's life changed forever after she attended Coldplay's concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on July 16. During the show, lead singer Chris Martin took a pause from performing to introduce the venue's kiss cam. The jumbotron showed Astronomer executives Cabot and Byron embracing each other before they quickly tried to dodge the cameras when they realized they were onscreen. Astronomer Cofounder Breaks Silence on Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot's Coldplay Kiss Cam Controversy 'Whoa, look at these two. All right, come on. You're OK,' Martin said as the pair tried to hide their faces and escape the camera. 'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy. I'm not quite sure what to do.' As the camera panned to other audience members — two individuals dressed in banana costumes — Martin had one final thought about what he had just witnessed during his show. 'Holy s***,' he added. 'I hope we didn't do something bad.' Hours after the concert moment was caught on camera, footage began going viral on social media. The internet did some digging and discovered Andy is reportedly married — to a woman multiple outlets identified as — not Cabot. Since the scandal broke, Megan appeared to remove 'Byron' from her Facebook page, according to a screenshot published by Newsweek. She has also deleted her account. Andy resigned from his position as CEO on July 19. Astronomer cofounder Pete DeJoy is now serving as interim CEO. Stars React After Coldplay Jumbotron Seemingly Exposes Affair Between Astronomer Executives Us Weekly previously reached out to Astronomer and both executives for comment. Since November 2024, Cabot has held the title of Astronomer's Chief People Officer. According to the site's website, the tech company aims to empower data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics and AI to life. Coldplay Fan Addresses Posting Jumbotron Video of Astronomer Executives: 'Play Stupid Games' 'I prefer to think of my role as people strategy versus traditional human resource,' Cabot said in a press release at the time of her hiring. 'I was energized in my conversations with Andy and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here.' Andy also expressed his excitement at the company's new hire. 'Kristin's exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management, employee engagement and scaling people strategies will be critical as we continue our rapid trajectory,' he said. 'She is a proven leader at multiple growth-stage companies and her passion for fostering diverse, collaborative workplaces makes her a perfect fit for Astronomer.' Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
HKSTP Takes Nine Game-Changing AI Tech Ventures to WAIC 2025 to Advance China's AI Plus Vision in Transforming Business and Industry
HONG KONG SAR / SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2025 - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is embarking on a mission to advance China's AI Plus vision with nine Hong Kong AI park companies at the World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC) 2025, taking place from July 26-29 in Shanghai, China. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Cyberport, HKSTP is leveraging Hong Kong's growing global AI innovation hub status to advance the China's strategic AI initiative and applying AI and big data to transform old and new industry sectors to boost a new era of growth. HKSTP is embarking on a mission to advance China's AI Plus vision with nine Hong Kong AI park companies at the WAIC 2025. Mr. Eric Or, Acting Chief Corporate Development Officer, HKSTP, said: 'Hong Kong is a crucible for world-class AI innovation and our unique HKSTP ecosystem provides an ideal platform to empower AI tech firms with global fluency and pave the way for global expansion. By taking local tech companies on a global growth journey and attracting more international startups to land Hong Kong and integrating into the Mainland China or even the Asia markets means a growing critical mass of world-class AI innovators is created. This influx of global talent and technology will accelerate the country's high-tech industry and economic development, further fueling the national drive for new quality productive forces.' The nine park enterprises participating in the Hong Kong Pavilion cover technologies in life and health tech, fintech, entertainment, aerospace tech, digital education and more, highlights included: In addition to the showcase of tech firms, HKSTP also hosted a provoking panel discussion at WAIC 2025, exploring the theme of: 'From Hong Kong to global impact: Shaping the future with AI and New Quality Productive Forces for Cross-industry Growth', moderated by Ms Pheona Kan, Director of Business Development at HKSTP with the fellow scientists and experts from the field. The discussion highlighted how Hong Kong has a unique role in global AI development by uniting international talent and technology behind the city's AI vision which also aligns with China's vision to transform industry through quality productive forces. As the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP is home to over 500 AI startups, including home-grown unicorns that are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. In alignment with Hong Kong's bold vision for technological leadership, the HKSTP San Tin Technopole Campus—a 20-hectare site within the soon-to-be-built San Tin Technopole—will serve as a critical catalyst for the city's next wave of innovation. Strategically located in the heart of the Northern Metropolis, the Campus is poised to become a flagship landmark for AI+ and beyond, aiming to promote its widespread development and application across sectors. This year, WAIC 2025, themed 'Global Solidarity in the AI Era,' will bring together top scientists, global leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovators in the AI ecosystem. KSTP's participation at WAIC 2025 is a testament to Hong Kong's role as a bridge between Chinese and global innovators, fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas, technologies, and governance philosophies. Appendix 1: List of park companies at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion Hashtag: #HKSTP The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,300 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc. Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined. Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more. Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong. More information about HKSTP is available at
