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IBM says one of its quantum computers finished a calculation in 19 seconds that it estimates would take a conventional supercomputer around a century to complete. The claim, reported by ScienceAlert, is being circulated as a striking illustration of quantum advantage, though independent verification of the benchmark and how it was measured has not yet been established.

The U.S. Army has chosen a humanoid robot and four supporting technologies following selection from 103 proposals submitted after live demonstrations at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The decision points to the Army's effort to bring robotic systems into its future force plans. Details on the winning platforms and technologies have drawn attention from defence industry observers tracking military robotics development.

India's Finance Minister has identified quantum technology as one of the country's next major infrastructure investment priorities. The move signals that New Delhi intends to treat quantum computing alongside traditional infrastructure sectors as a strategic area for public funding, aligning India with other governments stepping up national quantum programmes.

French technology group Thales, computing firm Bull and the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique (CEA) are set to collaborate on software for quantum computers intended for the French armed forces. The partnership links three major French public and industrial players in quantum research, and is being discussed as a sign of France pushing quantum computing into defence applications.

Quantum computing is entering a new phase, with analysts saying the field has moved past pure physics experiments and into an era where supply chains and manufacturing capability will determine which companies succeed. Discussion is focusing on how firms scale production of quantum hardware and secure the components and industrial capacity needed to turn laboratory breakthroughs into commercial products.

Researchers have used a quantum computer to simulate how matter can emerge from pure energy, a process linked to pair production in which energetic particles such as photons convert into particle-antiparticle pairs. The demonstration shows how quantum hardware can model fundamental physics processes that are extremely difficult to capture with classical computers, offering a new tool for studying high-energy phenomena.

Military researchers are discussing the obstacles standing in the way of fielding quantum technology, covering challenges that range from hardware stability and scaling to transitioning laboratory systems into operational defense use. The conversation highlights how quantum sensing, computing and communications could affect national security, and why significant engineering and scientific barriers must still be overcome before these capabilities can be widely deployed by armed forces.

The US government has taken equity stakes in four quantum computing startups, extending Washington's recent pattern of direct investments in strategic technology companies. The move signals federal interest in securing a foothold in quantum computing, a field seen as critical to national security and economic competitiveness, and is drawing attention to how far the government will go in backing private tech firms.

The European research project Q-VERSE started in September with the goal of building a software stack for quantum computers that supports multiple hardware platforms. The initiative, reported by Linux Magazine, aims to give Europe an independent, platform-agnostic software foundation for quantum computing, an area currently dominated by vendors tied to specific machines.

New quantum sensor technology is enabling significantly more accurate monitoring of nuclear activities, according to a report in the scientific press. The sensors offer improved precision for detecting and measuring nuclear materials, with potential applications in arms control verification, non-proliferation efforts and nuclear facility inspections. The development points to growing practical uses of quantum technology in sensitive security and regulatory fields.

Intel has revealed it has a team of about 70 employees working on quantum computing, with CEO Pat Gelsinger betting the technology will be the next major frontier in computing. The move signals Intel is positioning itself alongside other tech giants pursuing quantum systems despite the field still being years away from commercial impact.

The Trump administration has committed more than $5 billion to a new initiative called the Genesis Mission, which will target three areas: cancer research, semiconductor development, and quantum computing. The funding combines health and technology priorities in a single program, drawing attention from markets tracking semiconductors and emerging tech. Details on how the money will be allocated across the three fields have not yet been fully laid out.

Police stopped three vehicles near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after reports of suspicious activity. Searches found a quantity of petrol but no explosives, and no arrests have been reported. The airbase hosts US Air Force tanker aircraft, and the incident comes amid heightened security concerns, prompting significant public attention.

Researchers are working on ways to protect Bitcoin from future quantum computers, which could theoretically break the cryptography that secures wallets and transactions. Three main approaches are being explored, including quantum-resistant signature schemes and protocol changes. The debate highlights growing concern in the crypto industry about preparing Bitcoin's code for a post-quantum era before it becomes a real security threat.

Digital certificate authority DigiCert has launched Quantum Central, a new initiative aimed at helping organisations prepare for post-quantum cryptography. The platform is intended to guide businesses through the transition to encryption methods resistant to attacks from future quantum computers. The announcement was reported by The Quantum Insider.

Counter-terrorism police say a quantity of petrol was recovered from vans found near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, but confirmed that no improvised explosive devices were discovered. The update comes as officers continue to investigate the incident at the RAF base, which has drawn significant attention given its military importance and recent high-profile activity at the site.

French photonic quantum computing company Quandela is looking to partner with Korean firms to manufacture its photonic quantum chips. The move would tie Quandela's quantum photonics technology to South Korea's semiconductor manufacturing base, potentially speeding up production of its quantum processors. Details on specific partners, timelines, or investment amounts were not disclosed, leaving the scope of the collaboration uncertain.

Bank of America has issued a fresh price target implying roughly 33% upside on a quantum computing stock that has been rallying sharply. The call adds to growing Wall Street attention on quantum computing names, which have surged on optimism about commercial progress in the technology. Investors are watching whether analyst endorsements can sustain momentum in the volatile sector.

French technology group Thales, computer maker Bull and the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) are working together on software for quantum computers intended for use by the French armed forces. The collaboration links France's leading defence electronics firm, its flagship computing company and its national nuclear research body around military applications of quantum technology.

French research institute CEA-Leti and quantum computing startup Quobly have announced an expanded collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of next-generation silicon-based quantum technologies. The partnership builds on their existing work and focuses on advancing silicon qubit technology as a route toward scalable quantum computing. Details of the agreement, including financial terms and specific milestones, have not been disclosed in initial reports.

Security publication BankInfoSecurity is asking whether organizations' networks are prepared for post-quantum cryptography, the transition to encryption methods resistant to attacks by future quantum computers. The discussion reflects growing pressure on enterprises and governments to inventory cryptographic systems and begin migrating before quantum-capable machines can break current standards.

Researchers at Nanjing University report an advance in quantum key distribution for networks serving three users simultaneously. The work reportedly raises the secure key rates achievable in such multi-user quantum networks, a step toward practical quantum-secured communications. Technical details of the method and its performance gains have drawn attention from the quantum information community.

Economist and long-time Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff says a quantum computing hack of the cryptocurrency could prompt him to short the entire Bitcoin market. At the same time, he suggested Bitcoin's current cycle could peak at around $600,000. The comments blend his usual bearishness on crypto with an unusually large price target, drawing attention from both Bitcoin supporters and skeptics across financial media.