logo
First the CEO, now the HR chief: Coldplay cuddle clip hits replay on resignations

First the CEO, now the HR chief: Coldplay cuddle clip hits replay on resignations

Malay Mail3 days ago
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — A US tech company's chief people officer has resigned after a video went viral showing her and the company's CEO embracing during a Coldplay concert, the BBC reported today.
Kristin Cabot, who served as Astronomer's chief people officer, is no longer with the company, the British news agency cited Astronomer as saying in a statement.
Her resignation follows that of CEO Andy Byron, who left the company last week after being placed on leave pending an investigation.
According to the BBC, the identities of the pair in the clip have not been independently confirmed.
However, the video — which showed a man and a woman embracing on a jumbo screen during the concert before ducking out of view — was widely circulated on social media and covered by various US media outlets who identified them as co-workers.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin quipped to the crowd after the moment was caught on screen and widely shared on social media: 'Either they're having an affair, or they're just very shy.'
The footage quickly went viral online globally, spawning memes and being featured on television shows.
As speculation grew and false statements about the incident surfaced online, Astronomer released a statement announcing an investigation, though it did not refer specifically to the video.
The following day, the company confirmed Byron had resigned.
Astronomer, which specialises in data, analytics and artificial intelligence, has since named co-founder and chief product officer Pete DeJoy as interim CEO.
In a company update, DeJoy acknowledged the unexpected attention.
'The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies — let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world — ever encounter,' he was quoted by the BBC as saying.
He added that the firm had become a 'household' name overnight and would move forward with its commitment to building something great.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ringgit strengthens broadly on cautious trade sentiment
Ringgit strengthens broadly on cautious trade sentiment

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

Ringgit strengthens broadly on cautious trade sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened marginally higher against the US dollar in early trade on Monday amid cautious sentiment, as traders awaited clarity on a possible extension of the trade truce between the United States (US) and China, said an analyst. At 8 am, the local note stood at 4.2110/2310 versus the greenback, compared with Friday's close of 4.2195/2245. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that earlier, the US and the European Union (EU) had agreed to a 15 per cent tariff on most EU imports, while most US imports would face zero tariff under the deal. He said markets are also closely watching the upcoming US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled for July 29 and 30, with consensus expecting no change to the Federal Funds Rate, currently at 4.25 per cent to 4.50 per cent. "Based on recent developments, most countries appear accommodative in offering favourable terms to the US. It remains to be seen whether this will effectively narrow the trade balance in the near term. "However, the cost of doing business in the US is likely to rise, and it also appears the US may be relying on a weaker dollar to boost export competitiveness. "Against this backdrop, we expect the ringgit to remain within a narrow range of RM4.22 to RM4.23 versus the US dollar,' Mohd Afzanizam told Bernama. At opening here, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It rose against the Japanese yen to 2.8499/2863 from 2.8529/8565 at Friday's close, and strengthened versus the British pound to 5.6600/6869 from 5.6786/6853. However, it eased slightly against the euro to 4.9521/9757 from 4.9507/9566. Against regional peers, the ringgit was also firmer. It advanced against the Indonesian rupiah to 258.0/259.3 from 258.5/258.9 on Friday, and gained versus the Singapore dollar at 3.2878/3039 from 3.2937/2978. The local note also strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.9809/13.0546 from 13.0268/0478, and edged up against the Philippine peso to 7.37/7.41 from 7.38/7.40 previously. - Bernama

Starmer to discuss Gaza crisis and trade with Trump in Scotland
Starmer to discuss Gaza crisis and trade with Trump in Scotland

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Starmer to discuss Gaza crisis and trade with Trump in Scotland

TURNBERRY: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to press US President Donald Trump on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stalled ceasefire talks when they meet at Trump's Scottish golf resort. The discussions will also cover trade cooperation following a recent UK-US deal and efforts to resolve Russia's war in Ukraine. Starmer is expected to emphasise the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, where hunger and suffering continue to escalate. A Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister would welcome US efforts to mediate through Qatar and Egypt while pushing for more action. 'He will discuss what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza, and free the hostages,' the spokesperson added. Trump, who arrived in Scotland earlier this week, acknowledged the crisis but stressed that Gaza's plight is an 'international problem' requiring broader contributions. 'It's not a US problem,' he said, after announcing additional US aid. The meeting follows a landmark US-EU trade agreement that averted a potential tariff war. Starmer and Trump will review progress on the UK-US trade deal signed in May, which lowers tariffs on certain British exports but has yet to take full effect. Domestically, Starmer faces pressure to follow France's lead in recognising Palestinian statehood, with over 220 UK MPs backing the move. However, the Downing Street statement did not mention this issue. After their talks, the leaders will travel to Aberdeen, where Trump is scheduled to open a new golf course. The US president has combined leisure and diplomacy during his five-day visit, raising questions about the overlap between his official duties and business interests. - Reuters

Ringgit likely to trade within RM4.22-RM4.24 vs greenback next week ahead of Fed decision
Ringgit likely to trade within RM4.22-RM4.24 vs greenback next week ahead of Fed decision

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Ringgit likely to trade within RM4.22-RM4.24 vs greenback next week ahead of Fed decision

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is expected to hover between RM4.22 and RM4.24 next week as the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is anticipated to maintain its policy rate, said an analyst. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said this outlook is tied to the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, scheduled for July 29-30, 2025. "Based on the interest rate futures market, the Fed is likely to keep the Federal Funds Rate steady at 4.50 per cent. Technical indicators suggest that the US dollar-ringgit exchange rate is currently in a neutral zone," he told Bernama. Meanwhile, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes expects the ringgit to trade within a relatively narrow range of 4.2080-4.2280, with trade-related headlines and external sentiment continuing to drive short-term direction. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the ringgit ended the week better against the greenback, closing at 4.2195/2245 versus 4.2410/2455 previously. However, the local note traded lower against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit depreciated vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.8529/8565 from 2.8517/8549 and declined versus the euro to 4.9507/9566 from 4.9336/9388 at the end of last week. However, it gained against the British pound to 5.6786/6853 from 5.6999/7060 last Friday. Against ASEAN currencies, the ringgit trended higher. The local note firmed against the Singapore dollar to 3.2937/2978 from 3.3027/3065, strengthened versus the Thai baht to 13.0268/0478 from 13.3027/3065, rose versus the Indonesian rupiah to 258.5/258.9 from 260.2/260.6 previously, and improved against the Philippine peso to 7.38/7.40 from 7.41/7.43 last Friday. - Bernama

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