Latest news with #Condor
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What's Behind The 400% Rise In IONQ Stock?
CANADA - 2025/05/09: In this photo illustration, the IonQ logo is seen displayed on a smartphone ... More screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) IonQ Inc. (NYSE: IONQ), a company specializing in quantum computing, has witnessed its stock price rise dramatically by 400% over the past twelve months. This surge demonstrates an increasing interest in quantum computing, a domain that has the capacity to transform multiple industries. Unlike traditional computers that operate on binary bits, quantum computers utilize qubits that can exist in various states at the same time. This core distinction enables them to conduct complex calculations and manage extensive data by examining numerous potential outcomes simultaneously. The scope of quantum computing applications is wide-ranging, encompassing everything from financial modeling and drug discovery to materials science. Nevertheless, despite its potential, quantum computing encounters a major obstacle: the frequency of errors increases as systems become more intricate with higher qubit counts. This characteristic renders the technology inherently unstable, which is typical for emerging advanced technologies. Nonetheless, substantial progress is being made. Firms like Google, IBM, and IonQ have shown the capability to create scalable quantum computers with dozens of qubits, a pivotal advancement toward practical uses. IBM is at the forefront of this field, featuring its 1,121-qubit Condor processor and plans to develop systems with 100,000 qubits by 2033. IonQ has also introduced new quantum systems, such as Forte, which provides software configurability and versatility for researchers. However, if you are seeking potential gains with a more stable investment than an individual stock, you might want to explore the High Quality portfolio, which has surpassed the S&P and achieved >91% returns since its establishment. Additionally, see – Nvidia Stock's 1 Big Risk IonQ provides a variety of quantum computing solutions, including high-performance quantum computers and networking systems. These are available through cloud platforms and direct agreements, such as Amazon Braket, Azure Quantum, and IonQ's own Quantum Cloud. IonQ's unique method employs trapped ions as quantum bits. They specifically utilize ionized ytterbium atoms, which are ionized by removing an electron using lasers in a technique also known as 'trapping.' These ions are held steady by a specialized chip. IonQ's product lineup features IonQ Forte – a 36-qubit quantum computer tailored for commercial and research purposes. An enterprise edition is also offered. Additionally, they provide IonQ Aria: – a 25-qubit quantum computer available through the cloud. The company plans to introduce Tempo later this year, aimed at large enterprises and governmental bodies, featuring 99.9% fidelity. Recently, IonQ's management drew comparisons between their enterprise and Nvidia within the quantum computing landscape, which has further fueled investor enthusiasm. While quantum computing holds immense potential, it is still in a developmental phase and is not yet prepared for widespread practical usage. IonQ's revenue of $43 million over the past twelve months is relatively modest, and the company reported an operating loss of $255 million during that same timeframe. IonQ's stock is particularly vulnerable to negative market conditions, exhibiting significantly greater volatility than the overall market. For example, amid the inflation shock of 2022, IonQ's value dropped by 90%, while the S&P 500 recorded a peak-to-trough decline of 25.4%. Similarly, during the market correction induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, IonQ saw a 51% decrease in value from its peak, contrasting sharply with the benchmark index's 34% decline. This trend underscores the substantial risk of IonQ's stock declining in unfavorable market circumstances. Like many stocks in the quantum computing sector, IONQ represents a high-risk, high-reward investment opportunity. Key elements affecting its direction include ongoing technological advancements and cost management. IonQ could potentially sell many quantum computers in the upcoming years, which might contribute to further increases in its stock price. For investors, backing IonQ equates to supporting the future possibilities of quantum computing and IonQ's role in that future. The company stands out as one of the few providing high-fidelity quantum computing through platforms like Amazon Braket and has significant clients including Hyundai, Airbus, and Dow. As technology progresses, we can anticipate enhanced precision from a wider array of firms in the quantum computing sphere. Reflecting on its previous performance, IONQ stock has exhibited considerable volatility when juxtaposed with the broader markets. The stock returns were 55% in 2021, -79% in 2022, 259% in 2023, and 237% in 2024. In contrast, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, comprising 30 stocks, has displayed much less volatility and has comfortably outperformed the S&P 500 over the last four years. What accounts for this? On average, HQ Portfolio stocks yielded superior returns with lower risk compared to the benchmark index, providing a less tumultuous investment experience, as shown in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Quantum Computing Could Break Bitcoin-Like Encryption Far Easier Than Intially Thought, Google Researcher Says
A new research paper by Google Quantum AI researcher Craig Gidney shows that breaking widely used RSA encryption may require 20 times fewer quantum resources than previously believed. The finding did not specifically mention bitcoin BTC or other cryptocurrencies, but took aim at the encryption methods that form the technical backbone used to secure crypto wallets and, in some cases, transactions. RSA is a public-key encryption algorithm used to encrypt and decrypt data. It relies on two different but linked keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. Bitcoin doesn't use RSA, but relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). However, ECC can also be broken by Shor's algorithm, a quantum algorithm designed to factor large numbers or solve logarithm problems — which form the heart of public key cryptography. ECC is a way to lock and unlock digital data using mathematical calculations called curves (which compute only in one direction) instead of big numbers. Think of it as a smaller key that's just as strong as a larger one. While 256-bit ECC keys are significantly more secure than 2048-bit RSA keys, quantum threats scale nonlinearly, and research like Gidney's compresses the timeline by which such attacks become feasible. 'I estimate that a 2048-bit RSA integer could be factored in under a week by a quantum computer with fewer than one million noisy qubits,' Gidney wrote. This was a stark revision from his 2019 paper, which estimated such a feat would require 20 million qubits and take eight hours. To be clear: no such machine exists yet. IBM's most powerful quantum processor to date, Condor, clocks in at just over 1,100 qubits, and Google's Sycamore has 53. Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, using quantum bits or qubits instead of traditional bits. Unlike bits, which represent either a 0 or a 1, qubits can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously due to quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement. This allows quantum computers to perform multiple calculations at once, potentially solving problems that are currently intractable for classical computers. 'This is a 20-fold decrease in the number of qubits from our previous estimate,' Gidney said in a post.A 20x efficiency boost in quantum cost estimation for RSA may reflect algorithmic trends that could eventually apply to ECC too. RSA is still very widely used in TLS, email encryption, and certificate authorities, which are all vital to the infrastructure crypto often piggybacks on. Researchers, such as the quantum research group Project 11, are actively exploring whether even weakened versions of Bitcoin's encryption can be broken by today's quantum hardware. The group earlier this year launched a public bounty offering 1 BTC (~$85,000) to anyone able to break tiny ECC key sizes — between 1 and 25 bits — using a quantum computer. The goal isn't to break Bitcoin today, but to measure how close current systems can be.
Cosmopolitan
22-05-2025
- Cosmopolitan
The Ultimate Itinerary for a Road Trip from Bavaria to Cologne
When you get invited to fly business class to Germany and then hotel-hop around the country, you immediately RSVP yes, pack your luggage, and practice how to say guten tag in the mirror a million times. And that's exactly what I did last spring, when Condor Airlines and Altoff Hotels brought me on a road trip that started in the resort town of Tegernsee, took me into Schwangau (in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps), and ended in the bustling city of Cologne, enjoying all there is to see and do along the way. It was, in a word, incredible. And because I believe that I experienced Germany in the absolute best way (in my humble opinion), I put together this travel itinerary for you, with tips on where to stay, play, and eat while you're cruising through the country. Scroll down and follow my lead for an unforgettable road trip through the mountains and into the city. Ich verspreche, dass Sie Spaß haben werden! (That's "Promise you'll have fun!" in German.) (P.S. The writer received free transportation, stays, meals, and experiences to write this story.) I flew Condor's Airbus A33neo from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA), and felt so fancy flying business class. Not only did the new, modern design make the almost nine-hour flight go by like a breeze—shoutout to the lie-flat seats, mood lighting, and exceptionally good food—but the new plane is also a more sustainable model thanks to enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, which I love. In addition to their business class seats, the Airbus A33neo also offers four "Prime" seats, which are comparable to first-class suites on other airlines, which all have extra-large 4K TVs, large ottomans, and a ton of extra space. But if you're flying on a budget, you'll be happy to hear that the Airbus A33neo also has both premium economy and economy seats, which I thought looked more spacious than competing airlines. BOOK A FLIGHT TO FRANKFURT Only a 45-minute drive from Munich, along the shores of a crystal-clear lake, lies the quaint spa town of Tegernsee. Here, you'll find the five-star hotel Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt, which offers some of Germany's prettiest views, according to me. The rooms are very spacious—surprisingly so for Europe—and many have private balconies and soaking tubs. My favorite touch? The tasty welcome Pilsners at check-in. But I also loved the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant, Überfahrt, and the amazing spa, 4 Elements, which had lovely indoor and outdoor pools. BOOK A STAY AT ALTHOFF SEEHOTEL ÜBERFAHRT Just 90 minutes from Munich, the little village of Schwangau in Southern Bavaria is home to the Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort and Spa, where you get views of the Alps and gorgeous green forests. The hotel alone is a good enough reason to visit the area, but you'll also find two castles, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, the latter of which is said to have inspired Disney's Cinderella castle. I loved exploring the castles as well as the hotel's five buildings, four of which are ultra-modern. My fave was the oldest building, Jägerhaus, complete with 11 swanky rooms featuring canopy beds, elaborate wallpaper, and antiques. It plays into the whole fairytale aesthetic, and I highly suggest booking this building during your stay if you want an authentic experience. BOOK A STAY AT AMERON NEUSCHWANSTEIN ALPSEE After soaking up all the traditional Bavarian customs and gorgeous landscapes, I embarked on a five-hour drive to the city of Cologne, one of Germany's most vibrant cities. I stayed just outside of the city at the incredible Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg. This bright white, 18th-century palace has a marble-floored lobby, grand furnishings, a cobblestone driveway, and perfectly manicured gardens. My room was equally as lavish, and the dining experience at their two-Michelin-star restaurant, Vendôme, made for a once-in-a-lifetime stay. BOOK A STAY AT GRANDHOTEL SCHLOSS BENSBERG
ITV News
21-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Jersey businesses frustrated by higher than expected freight cost rises as some warn of price hikes
A major Jersey restaurant chain says it may have to charge customers more due to an unexpected rise in the cost of freight. Flo Aranda, Randalls' sales manager, explains that while the company is reluctant to hike prices on its menus, it may be forced to after being told by Ferryspeed to expect higher bills on imported goods into the island from later this year. Mr Aranda says it is not yet clear how much the freight costs will increase but that a rise of 10% or more would likely result in higher prices for customers. He adds: "What we want to achieve is keeping prices the same because I know that going out is expensive at the moment and we don't want to put any more pressure on people. "Just when you think you're out of the woods, something else comes up and something else comes up and something else comes up. "It feels like it's completely impossible to win." The news comes after Danish firm DFDS replaced Condor as the island's ferry operator at the end of March. DFDS charges a flat rate for freight compared to Condor's previous dynamic pricing model, with Jersey's Sustainable Economic Development Minister telling a scrutiny panel shortly before the takeover that there would be "no significant" rise in unit prices for retailers or consumers. In that hearing, Deputy Kirsten Morel and economy chief Richard Corrigan said they were estimating that consumers would pay 0.4% more for goods with the new flat rate. However, several retailers have confirmed to ITV News that Ferryspeed - the main transporters of freight for Jersey businesses - has told them to expect significant price rises. Pastella Ceramics expect a 7% increase, with another wholesaler told to brace for a double digit rise in freight costs. Ferryspeed declined ITV News's request for an interview but in a statement, the company said: "The global logistics industry is volume-based with low margins. "The greater the volumes of freight handled, the greater the opportunities to create efficiencies and pass the benefits of volume-based pricing on to the customer. "Brittany Ferries have also updated their Guernsey rates since the advent of the new single island contract. This means that our ferry operating costs have risen. "We have worked closely with our customers to try to mitigate and absorb these increases, where possible. "However, combined with above inflation increases on harbour dues and the increased cost of operations with two ferry providers, price adjustments are unfortunately unavoidable. "We have been paying the new rates since the ferry services launched and have protected our customers from the necessary adjustments while the impact was fully understood. "We recognise the importance of our role in ensuring that Channel Islands' economies grow by allowing businesses to import and export and enabling efficient supply chains." Responding to criticism from some businesses, Deputy Morel said: "I'm not here to be scapegoated. What I have done is brought transparency to ferry pricing. We now know how much it costs to bring goods to Jersey. "The intermediaries, the companies that take those goods off the ferry and distribute it around the island, there's no control on those prices. "That's very separate from the cost of the ferry and so I would like to have better sight of that and maybe we need to look at that."
See - Sada Elbalad
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Kathryn Newton, Lana Condor Team Up for Survival Thriller "Devil's Mouth" at Amazon MGM Studios
Yara Sameh Kathryn Newton and Lana Condor are teaming up for Jeff Wadlow's next project, "Devil's Mouth." The survival thriller, a co-production between Amazon MGM Studios and Lionsgate, follows college friends who, on a trip to get to Thailand who get trapped in an underwater cave system with a bull shark. Old tensions and power struggles resurface as they fight to survive. Aja Gabel (Sunny, The Staircase, upcoming Five Star Weekend) and Myung Joh Wesner (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, High Potential) wrote the script, which was featured on the 2019 Black List, with the latest revisions by Wadlow. Producers include Thunder Road Films' Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, and Wadlow. Thunder Road is natch, behind the John Wick movies. Carsten Lorenz will executive produce. Chelsea Kujawa will oversee for Lionsgate. Helen Lee-Kim and Michael Meyer negotiated the deal on behalf of Lionsgate. Newton most recently starred opposite Dan Stevens in Universal's vampire thriller "Abigail". Last year, she starred in Lisa Frankenstein for Focus Features. She also made her debut in the Marvel Universe as Cassie Lang in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania", and headlined Amazon MGM Studios' sci-fi romance "The Map of Tiny Perfect Things". She also starred in the body-swap slasher "Freaky" opposite Vince Vaughn. Her earlier credits include blockbusters like "Pokémon Detective Pikachu", Netflix's fan-favorite series "The Society", and Universal's "Blockers", the top-grossing R-rated comedy of 2018. Up next, she will star in Searchlight's "Ready or Not 2", opposite Samara Weaving. Condor was recently seen starring in "Valiant One", which was released in January, and will next be seen in the romantic comedy "Worth the Wait" for Tubi. Next in film, Condor will star in the action-thriller "Ballerina Overdrive", produced by David Leitch. She also stars in "Coyote vs. Acme" alongside Will Forte and John Cena, which is expected to release worldwide in theaters sometime next year. On TV, Condor recently appeared in several episodes of "Abbott Elementary". She became a household name in 2018 with the launch of Netflix's feature film "To All the Boys I've Loved Before", based on Jenny Han's New York Times bestselling novel. Condor reprised her role in "To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" (2020) and "To All the Boys: Always and Forever" (2021). Additional credits include "Moonshot", "Alita: Battle Angel", "Boo, Bitch", "Deadly Class", "X-Men: Apocalypse", and "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken". read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
