COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Chris Pan, Ohio State Universitys most recent commencement speaker, has told NBC4 what he shouldve changed about his speech while standing by certain portions.

Dubbed a social entrepreneur by Ohio State ahead of the speech, Pan is a 1999 graduate from the university with previous stints at PepsiCo China, McKinsey and Co., and Facebook. He now runs his own company called Spirit Labs, which includes custom bracelet-maker MyIntent in its fold.

But Pan, returning to his alma mater on May 5, drew boos from an audience of graduates and parents at Ohio Stadium when he mentioned Bitcoin. Calling it a misunderstood asset, he encouraged attendees to keep an open mind and look into it as an investment while reminding them of runaway inflation in the U.S.

I have tons of love mail, I have hate mail too, Pan acknowledged. You get a little bit of both out of 70,000 people.

In an interview Friday with NBC4, Pan said the controversial moment was born from a March 8 email asking him to be the speaker.

I asked all the faculty and staff that I know are at the university, Did you nominate me? And nobody said they did, Pan said. I couldnt really believe it. It was such a huge honor. And I immediately screenshotted it, and I texted to people here at the university. And I said, Is this what I think it is? Like, just to confirm, because I didnt want to jump the gun.

Pan was joined on stage for the speech by Ohio State President Ted Carter, who also happens to be on the board of directors for a nuclear-powered Bitcoin mining company. And while the pair shares what Carter called a completely random connection, Pan admitted the cryptocurrency was more of a new discovery for him. He doesnt think it had anything to do with his being picked to speak.

People speculate that there was some Bitcoin conspiracy, Pan said. I only got into Bitcoin like mid-February. That was when I got the news of the ETF and then I spent two weeks really understanding it for myself.

Pan voiced support in his speech and the interview specifically for Bitcoin ETFs, a new investment option that lets people buy into a fund that tracks the price of the cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin ETFs simplify secure investing into it, they also come with some disadvantages compared to buying the coin outright.

An investor placing money in one of these funds wont directly own the cryptocurrency, meaning they cant use it outside of the ETF. And while direct cryptocurrency can be bought, sold, sent and received at any time, ETF buys and sales are limited by stock market hours, as well as accompanied by additional fees.

Pan noted he had dabbled directly with Bitcoin in 2020 before selling it at a loss. But he said he made his first social media post about the cryptocurrency on March 2, six days before he received the email inviting him to speak. Carter and Pan both acknowledged that they talked about Bitcoin at the dinner before commencement. There, the social entrepreneur also received another answer from the president: This year, they wanted an alumni.

Its not surprising because Ive done other events here, I was on the cover of the 2018 alumni magazine, Pan said. And they did a big spread on me and the bracelets.

Pan also wasnt shy about how he made the speech, announcing on LinkedIn that he used the psychedelic drug ayahuasca to write it. He told NBC4 he has previously used the drug multiple times, starting out for therapy. Looking back, he doesnt regret doing so or speaking about it publicly.

You look at John Lennon, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, these are all guys whove worked with psychedelics, you know, LSD in particular, to fuel creativity, Pan said. And obviously, this is the biggest speech of my life. Of course I was gonna do psychedelics, how could I not? It would be crazy for me not to, right? Because thats part of my practice.

Pan pointed out that Ohio State is home to a group whose entire focus is studying the drugs, alongside some states in the U.S. making moves toward legalizing certain psychedelics for therapy.

Over at Bricker Hall, we have one of a handful of psychedelic clinical research centers in the middle of campus that a lot of people probably dont know about, Pan said. And it started with researching for veterans PTSD. By me talking about it, yes, Im getting a lot of flack. But I do hope its going to help a lot of people. And its going to take ayahuasca from What the heck is this to Oh, its just another healing modality.'

On what was possibly the biggest point of conflict in his speech, Pan said he felt misinterpreted about Bitcoin, as well as comments about barriers to investing: fear, laziness and closed-mindedness. NBC4 asked him if he saw how that could come off to an audience with fresh student debt.

Some people took offense because they think I was calling them that, Pan said. I was not, I was calling myself that. I was that person who was fearful and who was lazy and who was closed-minded. In terms of debt, I actually had a section that I ended up cutting out, because I just didnt have time. And it was around, you know, we buy things we dont need to impress people we dont like. And we have an emptiness inside us, a sense of unworthiness, emptiness, you know, not being loved. And we use retail therapy.

The speaker also issued an apology, and separately explained what he would have changed in his message about Bitcoin.

I think it comes from a notion, probably a couple of things. One is what is appropriate at a commencement, right? Because theyre like, Well, you know, I didnt want to hear about this. Yeah, thats probably right, so I apologize. I didnt mean to offend you, I just thought it was really important, Pan said. My main message isnt even around Bitcoin, its around being open-minded, its around love, its around conflict resolution. If I were to do it over again, I would probably make it clear that I only got in three months ago.

At the same time, Pan stood by his message about researching cryptocurrency and investing in general.

I think dont put your rent money in there, Pan said. Dont put money you need over the next two years, three years, right? If its something you need in the short term, dont put it in there. But if its long-term money, thats five years and up, which hopefully all of us are thinking about retirement. Obviously, the earlier we start saving for retirement, the bigger the nest egg is going to be and thats where we get to retire. For any long-term investment, Im so bullish on Bitcoin. Ive never been more bullish on an asset class.

Pan said while his speech may have been criticized, the boos he received on stage will be worth it if a graduate says he helped them years from now.

Im really sorry, if you had a bad experience. I genuinely am, Pan said. That was not my intention. I have never had an intention to make people upset. My intention was actually to be helpful.

Regarding the MyIntent bracelets he promised to the stadium at the end of his speech, Pan said his company sent codes to OSU for each student and three of their attendees to get free bracelets. He noted the university did not give students emails to MyIntent, and OSU will handle sending the codes out. Redeeming the codes is optional.

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Im really sorry: Chris Pan on Ohio State Bitcoin speech, and how he was picked - NBC4 WCMH-TV

Ethereum prices (ETH-USD) are jumping on the possibility that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could approve offerings for an ether ETF. This sort of action in the crypto market is reminiscent of what investors saw in the lead-up to the SEC's decision on spot bitcoin ETFs seen at the start of 2024.

Yahoo Finance Senior Markets Reporter Jared Blikre monitors the price action brewing around digital assets and the year-to-date crypto asset flows since the spot bitcoin ETF's inception.

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination.

This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Sticking with the prospect of another spot.

Crypto ETF Jared Blier is here now with a look at the lessons learned from what happened with Bitcoin.

Jared.

Yes, it's, uh, hard.

Easy to forget that.

Uh, only at the beginning of the year.

We are still looking forward to the spot Bitcoin ETF approvals.

And I'm gonna put up a chart here of Bitcoin.

This is gonna be over the last year and things that rumour mill really got started last October.

We didn't get the approvals until, let's say mid January, and we actually saw a little bit of a decline.

Sell the news on that.

But then we rose to record highs.

And that's where we've been kind of languishing in this in this upper end of this trading range here.

Now, with Ethereum really interesting that this comes right now.

It was only a week or two ago that President Trump himself came out as a pro crypto candidate, and it's leading a lot of people to speculate that this reversal, this sudden reversal that we saw at the SEC with respect to the spot ether, is because the Democratic Party wants to be more competitive in crypto.

So whether or not that's the case, I do want to point out Jim Bianco has pointed out Rather, and I'll echo his sentiments here that the whole purpose of the spot Bitcoin ETF that there is going to be this wave of boomers and people just absorbing all this all this Bitcoin into their 401 This did not happen.

In fact, we see the Bitcoin ETF flows.

This is as of this year.

So this is year to date, largely just following the price.

Uh, Bitcoin topped out right in here and this is when it started trading in that range and that is when the flow started decreasing.

So we haven't seen the promised uptake in people's 401 that could happen.

But nevertheless, the fact that this is now a political football is just bullish for crypto.

You're probably going to see a lot of favourable statements into the election.

So take that for what you will.

Story continues

Jared.

Thanks a lot.

Appreciate it.

We'll continue to be on top of this

Continued here:

Could a pending ether ETF mimic the arc of spot bitcoin ETFs? - Yahoo Finance

WFMZ-TV 69 News provides news, weather, traffic, sports and family programming for the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, Southeastern Pa., Poconos and Western NJ including Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Reading, Kutztown, Emmaus, Quakertown, Stroudsburg, Philadelphia, Jim Thorpe, Doylestown, Phillipsburg, Flemington, Wilmington, and Newark. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Molly Sims On Health, Fitness, And Why She Hates THIS Comment - 69News WFMZ-TV

By James Evans Eight schools participated in the inaugural Rutherford County chess tournament event Saturday, April 20 at the Patterson Park Community Center

Ethan Harrelson of Riverdale won all five games and the overall championship in Saturdays inaugural Contest of High School Chess Champions. Xavier Sztapka (Rutherford County Virtual School) and Ben Chen (Central Magnet School) finished second and third place, respectively.

Other competitors included Aiden Mauldin (Stewarts Creek), Darren Keoni (LaVergne), Atticus Hiott (Smyrna), Youssef Mekhail (Blackman), and Kenneth Lugo (Oakland).

The event was spearheaded by Rutherford County property assessor Rob Mitchell, who formed a partnership with Rutherford County Schools to provide chess materials to each high school in preparation for the championship.

Mitchell envisions a day when high school students throughout Rutherford County are fluent in the language of chess. He believes a county-wide integrated program will help reduce the need for remedial classes, will help students with their critical-thinking skills, and above all else, prepare them to be problem-solvers for life.

For a little more than a year, Mitchell has been talking to anyone who will listen, to raise money for this grassroots project. His efforts have caught the attention of many, including the state legislature, which invited Mitchell to the state capital to discuss the potential program.

Mitchell participated in an interview with Rutherford County Schools recently to discuss his vision, its origin and his ultimate goal.

QUESTION: You are obviously passionate about chess, tell me why.

Mitchell: I started playing chess my earliest recollection is playing when I was about five or six years old, watching my dad and a good friend of his play chess. So my best friend at the time who is my dads best friends son we picked up and started playing.

As I moved around the country my dad was in retail, and wed moved to a different city chess was always something that I could use, and I did use to kind of fit in with other kids and have something to talk about. Id ask if they played chess and if they didnt, I would teach them how to play. So that was kind of a way of me establishing a rapport as a kid with kids that I didnt know who were from different backgrounds and from all different parts of the country.

I kind of carried chess with me through high school and then through college I played chess in the Rec room over at MTSU and met people that way in between classes.

And then I kind of set it down for a little bit until I started having kids and my kids started going to school. I arranged to have some chess sets sent to Walter Hill (Elementary) when Butch Campbell was principal. And some of the kids picked up and played chess there. Then with Mr. Delbridge over at Siegel Middle School. I had some chess sets ordered up over there, and we had a little chess club on Thursday afternoons that we would meet over in one of the math classrooms and that the kids would play.

Then my kids got into band, and they didnt want to do chess anymore, so I became a band dad at that point.

QUESTION: I know for at least the past year, youve been talking to our School Board members and our director of schools about wanting to expand and do something more. Where did this most recent push come from?

My wife and I were watching a movie on Netflix called Critical Thinking. We started watching it, and its a true story about a chess club, actually it was a class, in a high school in the worst part of town in Miami, Florida.

The story is how this teacher, who is passionate about teaching children that they could think their way to a better place in life, how it was his passion for (chess) and the children understanding the benefits of it.

These kids, many of them, couldnt even speak English at the time, went and won a national championship in chess. Its the first time that it ever happened in an inner city school, especially in Miami.

After my wife and I watched the movie we turned off Netflix and went back to the news and there was something about some kids involved in trouble up in Nashville, and she just looked over at me and said, Somebody needs to do that here. (referring to the chess program).

QUESTION: Youve told me you then reached out to the executive producer of the chess movie for more information and then started looking for sponsors.

I went to Twitter checking the news, and Marcus Lemonis, who is the CEO of Camping World, has his own nonprofit. Its called Lemon-Aide, and he posted a picture of a blank check and said, If I gave you this, what would you do with it?

And I just responded, I would create a critical-thinking and conflict-resolution (chess) program for at-risk children in schools, in Rutherford County schools.

I didnt think that much more about it. And then about four or five days later, I woke up on Saturday morning and opened my computer. My Twitter feed had just exploded.

I thought, what in the world is this, nobody ever pays any attention to anything that I say. I started going through the trail of things and at the very end of it is Marcus Lemonis saying, Im giving you $5,000 for this program. Thats when I knew that we were onto something.

So we got the $5,000 and we invited local politicians and community leaders to a chess event in the mid-summer. Two of the school board members, Claire Maxwell and Caleb Tidwell, were there, and we had a couple of county commissioners who showed up, and Dr. Michael McDonald, whos on the Juvenile Oversight Board for the county, were all there. We had a very successful event, and we raised another five or six hundred, maybe a thousand dollars.

We gifted the money to Rutherford County Schools to purchase the equipment necessary to get this program off the ground.

QUESTION: Branded chess sets and materials have now been delivered to all the schools. Whats your short-term and long-term goal for this initiative?

Well, the short-term goal would be to bring it to the forefront of kids understanding that this is something that anybody can do and that theres benefits to it long-lasting benefits. I want to give all the kids an opportunity to play if theyre so inclined.

The second step is there is a program thats put out by FIDE, which is the International Chess Federation, that gives teachers the ability to integrate chess into their current curriculum and lesson plans. That is something that theyre rolling out in Pakistan and therell be six million students going through this program within the next year or so. Its being done in the state of Alabama. Its being done currently in New Hampshire.

So I would like to have the opportunity to bring that to Rutherford County. I have reached out to the governors office and reached out to members of our legislative delegation to keep it on the governors highlight list.

If we get it, and its successful, (Gov. Lee) would also like to extend that offer to Shelby County so that they could have a pilot program as well. Wed have the ability to work for a couple of years integrating it into our schools and see what the actual results are prior to leading to a wider adoption, I hope, statewide.

QUESTION: So how do you get buy-in from teachers when theyre already asked to do so much?

Well, they wouldnt have to change their lesson plans, which is the big thing. They would learn how to do it through a professional development class taught by Mr. Jerry Nash, whos the chairman of education for the International Chess Federation.

Over a two- or three-day period in a workshop, they would learn how to integrate these into their current lesson plans.

They would learn the language of chess because it has its own language. They would be able to integrate that in with their current reading languages, with the current mathematical languages, and with their conflict resolution (lessons). His experience in Alabama was the teachers that were the most reluctant to try it, were the ones that became the largest and biggest advocates for it once they learned and saw the impact of it.

Its one of those things people tend to be afraid of. But when they actually start doing it, realize its not that big of a buy-in. Its just a tiny little thing, and if the children grasp the information quicker and retain it longer, that means we have to have fewer remediation classes going on or fewer repetitions of the same material over and over again.

QUESTION: Tell me about the tournament youre hoping to do in April? Whats the plan to get it going?

I know a chess person, a real chess person, is going to say you must have a big tournament at each of the schools. And if the schools want to do that, I think thats great. I would encourage it. But I dont want any school to be left out.

Thats why I said, You pick who your champion is, however you want to do it. It could be they have a chess tournament in the school, in between breaks, or one day after school, and then, whoever wins will be that schools representative.

But I want every high school to have the opportunity to have somebody participate.

Then well have a Swiss-style tournament, which means that certain people will play multiple times, and then whoever has the most points, that school and that individual will be the champion of Rutherford County.

That carries some pride with it because as we continue this the next year, the schools that didnt win, theres some pride involved because they didnt get a trophy. Theyll want to be better prepared, and theyll take the steps necessary, hopefully, to get there.

And if its part of a curriculum thats being worked into some of their classes, its in their mind, so it is kind of a marketing tool right there with it.

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Rutherford Co. Property Assessor Talks Chess in Schools, First Tournament - Rutherford Source

Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterApr 10, 2024, 07:19 PM ET

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Stanford women's basketball coach Tara VanDerveer had flirted with retirement several times before, but she never thought she'd quite be ready to walk away from the job with which she has become synonymous for the better part of the past four decades.

Yet there VanDerveer sat at Stanford's Arrillaga Family Sports Center on Wednesday afternoon, spending roughly 45 minutes answering questions, telling stories and recounting the highs and lows of a legendary career in which she became the NCAA's winningest basketball coach with 1,216 victories at Stanford, Ohio State and Idaho, three national championships and 14 Final Fours at Stanford.

Stanford announced VanDerveer's decision to retire Tuesday night, adding that she will remain affiliated with the university in an advisory role and that Kate Paye, VanDerveer's longtime assistant and former player, was in the middle of negotiations to replace her. VanDerveer's retirement from the coaching position will become official May 8, which will mark exactly 39 years since she was hired as the Cardinal's coach.

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"After every year I really evaluate it, I've probably retired at least 20 times in my mind," VanDerveer said. "I just felt I'm ready. I never really thought I would be. I just felt like maybe I would just keel over on the bench because I love it. ... It kind of just came together."

For VanDerveer, it all came together after a season in which she didn't necessarily know it would be her last but checked plenty of boxes if it was going to be, especially with the diminishment of the Pac-12.

But even with the Pac-12's disintegration and Stanford poised to move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next year, a move that will come with a taxing travel schedule, VanDerveer emphasized that didn't play a role in her decision to step away.

"I want to just say that it has nothing to do with going into the ACC," VanDerveer said. "Really, that was a motivator to want to stay, to play that competition because I think it's going to be a great, great league."

According to VanDerveer, the motto for the 2023-24 Cardinal was simply "best year ever," and she was motivated to make it just that.

Along the way, she surpassed Mike Krzyzewski's NCAA record of 1,202 wins Jan. 21 and, more important, coached a team that ranked in the top 10 most of the year before bowing out in the Sweet 16.

As VanDerveer and her team walked off the Maples Pavilion court following a round of 32 overtime win against Iowa State, she allowed herself to ponder the idea that if it was her last game on the sidelines in Palo Alto, it was a fun way to go out.

According to some of her players, VanDerveer had made a habit throughout the season of savoring every moment. It was, perhaps, a clue that retirement might be forthcoming, but nobody was certain.

After Stanford's 77-67 loss to NC State in the Sweet 16, VanDerveer said she did what she usually does, taking some time to assess where she stood and if she wanted to continue. During that period of reflection, VanDerveer considered the amount of work and dedication it took to succeed at her job.

The thoughts struck a similar tone to 10 years ago, when VanDerveer said she came closest to walking away as she struggled with exhaustion. At a dinner with longtime Stanford supporter John Arrillaga and with the blessing of athletics director Bernard Muir, VanDerveer agreed to return but with the caveat that she would need the summer off.

This time, though, VanDerveer thought of playing bridge with her 97-year-old mother, Rita, and the opportunity to go water skiing and sailing without having to worry about the recruiting or any of the many other endless responsibilities of coaching.

Ultimately, VanDerveer decided she couldn't give her all around the clock anymore. She informed the school of her retirement Tuesday night and called her mother before the news broke.

"It's a bittersweet moment," senior guard Hannah Jump said. "I'm very happy for her and everything she's accomplished and all the lives and relationships she has kind of touched here. But also, it's sad. She had such an impact on this sport and all of our lives as well."

Stanford has not yet formally announced Paye as VanDerveer's successor, but all sides are aiming for that to happen sooner than later. Paye played for VanDerveer from 1991 to 1995 and has been on Stanford's staff for the past 17 seasons, during which she emerged as the obvious choice to one day step into the lead job.

On Wednesday, VanDerveer called Paye her "security blanket," and noted that Paye has paid her dues, passing up other head-coaching opportunities to wait her turn in Palo Alto. Now that time is near, and Paye acknowledged Wednesday the challenge that comes with replacing a legend.

"Tara is one of one," Paye said. "That's plain and simple. Nobody could ever replace her or duplicate her."

Paye said that while there will be plenty of change for the program in the next year, she expects to retain the coaching staff as she hopes to "lean into continuity."

And, as Paye and the Stanford program forge a new path, VanDerveer won't be far away. While VanDerveer is looking forward to doing the things her life in basketball have kept her from doing, she said she has more to contribute to the athletic program, whether that's as an ambassador or in an advisory role in which she helps coach other coaches.

"I want to be involved," VanDerveer said. "But it'll be a balance. When you're a coach ... You're on 24/7, and I'm ready for maybe just the seven, not the 24."

VanDerveer's retirement comes at a time when a handful of some of the most successful coaches in sports have also walked away from high-profile jobs, if not retired altogether. Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban retired after winning seven national championships. Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick did the same after winning six Super Bowls.

But VanDerveer is also walking away at a time when women's college basketball is thriving at previously unmatched levels. Sunday's NCAA championship game between Iowa Hawkeyes and South Carolina Gamecocks averaged 18.7 million viewers, besting the men's final by nearly four million average viewers, and marking the first time the women's final has drawn a larger number than the men.

While none of that seemed factor into VanDerveer's decision to stay or go, she said it will help her walk away at peace with her choice.

"The support for women's basketball is just growing, and for basketball in general, it's very, very exciting," VanDerveer said. "I feel like I'm leaving it in a good place."

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Stanford's Tara VanDerveer on retirement -- 'Just felt I'm ready' - ESPN

When it comes to his diet, the top tier actor Cillian Murphy is trying the vegan thing.

Apr. 1 2024, Published 10:34 a.m. ET

Cillian Murphy has been gracing our screens with intense character performances for decades. However, the talented actor has also made the news for other reasons. As it turns out, Murphy has been an on-and-off plant-based eater for years now, following a vegetarian diet and later a vegan diet out of concern for the environment and his overall health.

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As a prominent figure in film and television, including being an Academy Award winner for his portrayal of Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, Murphy holds a lot of influence on his followers and fans. So, lets find out the details on Cillian Murphy going vegan.

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Yes, Cillian Murphy has been following a vegan diet since 2023. In a July 2023 episode of the WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, Murphy told the host: Ive been trying the vegan thing.

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Like many actors, it seems that Murphy has switched up his diet quite a few times in the past decades. According to an interview with Mr Porter in 2017, Cillian had just begun eating meat after being vegetarian for 15 years.

He told Mr Porter at the time, For the first series of Peaky Blinders, they were anxious that I shouldnt look like a skinny Irish fella, and my trainer recommended meat. The star explained that his vegetarianism had been based on his fear of mad cow disease, not his morals.

But since then, there have been further developments in Cillian Murphys diet.

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While on the WTF with Marc Maron Podcast in summer 2023, he told the host that his decision to go vegan was for the planet and his health. According to Plant Based News, Murphy explained on the podcast that eating meat didnt make him feel his best, and he doesn't miss it from his diet.

"I dont miss the meat. Ive been off the meat for a long time," he said on the podcast, per Plant Based News. "I did have a kind of a relapse and I didnt feel any better, so Im back off it again."

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Although Murphys original inclinations towards a more plant-based lifestyle were once based in his fear of mad cow disease, the actor made it clear that this step towards veganism was for the planet. However, according to The Daily Mail, when "pressed" on whether he missed any animal foods, he stated that he missed cheese.

Although Murphy hasnt explicitly said whether he is fully abstaining from animal products in all aspects of his life (such as fashion and entertainment), he has made clear that he sees his plant-based diet as a conscious decision for himself and the planet, per Plant Based News. And being an influential actor and public figure, even seemingly small decisions like this can have a major influence on the public.

The Oppenheimer star will make a return to his role in Peaky Blinders in an upcoming movie adaptation of the show, per NME. Perhaps this time he will opt for building muscle the vegan way.

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Is Cillian Murphy Vegan? 'Oppenheimer' Star Is Eating Plant-Based - Green Matters

(WO) OQC announced that Chevron Technology Ventures, part of Chevron Corporation, has joined its $100m Series B funding round.

Quantum computing in the oil and gas market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 37.9%, owing to the increasing demand for efficient optimization and simulation across the sector. Chevron's investment marks a significant move by a supermajor into the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing.

"OQC's development of the quantum computer has the potential to change the information processing landscape by merging the bounds of engineering and physics," said Jim Gable, Vice President, Innovation and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. "This is the latest investment from our Core Energy Fund, which focuses on high-tech, high-growth startups and breakthrough technologies that could improve Chevron's core oil and gas business performance as well as create new opportunities for growth."

A quantum future for oil and gas. OQC's technology provides several potential groundbreaking opportunities for the oil and gas sector, including the development and optimization of catalysts and the efficiency of transportation and distribution networks. Quantum is anticipated to accelerate the oil and gas industry's discovery and development of new materials through the simulation of complex molecules to lower carbon products.

To realize this future, the oil and gas industry requires secure, accessible and powerful quantum computing that is integrated with existing high-performance computing. Prior to the launch of OQC Toshiko, quantum computers were only available in labs, making secure access for companies and integration with existing high-performance computing the largest barriers to wider business adoption of this groundbreaking technology.

Commenting on the news, Ilana Wisby, Chief Executive Officer at OQC, said, "Chevron's investment marks a significant milestone in harnessing quantum computing for the energy sector. We're excited to drive innovation and efficiency in exploration and renewables and pioneer enterprise-ready quantum in the energy sector."

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Chevron invests in quantum computing development for oil and gas market - WorldOil

HP announced on Thursday that several of its business PCs now benefit from protection against quantum computer attacks thanks to a new security chip.

The tech giant said the 5th generation of its Endpoint Security Controller (ESC) chip, which is built into some of its computers, can protect the integrity of the devices firmware using quantum-resistant cryptography.

According to HP, the 5th generation ESC is currently available in Zbool Firefly, Power and Studio workstations; EliteBook 1000 series, 800 series and some 600 series notebooks; and some 400 series ProBook notebooks.

By embedding protection against quantum computer hacks at the chip level, HP is today setting a new standard in hardware and firmware security with our 5th generation ESC chip, HP said. By isolating the chip from the processor and OS, the ESC provides a hardware platform that reduces the risk of data breaches and improves productivity by preventing downtime.

[ Read: Cyber Insights 2024: Quantum and the Cryptopocalypse ]

While practical quantum computer attacks may still be at least a decade away, major tech companies have already started taking steps to ensure that the cryptography used in their products will be able to provide protection against quantum attacks when that day comes.

Apple, for instance, recently announced adding post-quantum encryption to iMessage to protect communications against quantum computing attacks.

Governments have also started taking steps to tackle the theoretical threats posed by quantum computing before they become a reality.

HP urges businesses to immediately start planning for the future and begin migrating their fleets. The company recommends identifying the highest priority use cases, finding out what technology providers are planning in regards to quantum protections, and creating a plan to ensure protection is rolled out in the required timeframe.

Related: AI Helps Crack NIST-Recommended Post-Quantum Encryption Algorithm

Related: In Other News: WEFs Unsurprising Cybersecurity Findings, KyberSlash Cryptography Flaw

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Quantum Attack Protection Added to HP Business PCs - SecurityWeek

READING, England, March 5, 2024 OQC, a global leader in quantum computing-as-a-service (QCaaS), today announced that Chevron Technology Ventures, part of Chevron Corporation (CVX: NYSE), has joined its $100m Series B funding round.

Quantum computing in the energy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 37.9%, owing to the increasing demand for efficient optimization and simulation across the sector. Chevrons investment marks a significant move by a supermajor into the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing.

OQCs development of the quantum computer has the potential to change the information processing landscape by merging the bounds of engineering and physics, said Jim Gable, Vice President, Innovation and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. This is the latest investment from our Core Energy Fund, which focuses on high-tech, high-growth startups and breakthrough technologies that could improve Chevrons core oil and gas business performance as well as create new opportunities for growth.

OQC recently launched OQC Toshiko, an upgradable 32-qubit platform and the worlds first Enterprise Ready Quantum Computing Platform. As the first company in the world to integrate quantum computing into commercial data centers, OQC is bringing quantum out of the lab and into the data centre. The company aims to make it possible to offer hybrid computing, integrated quantum and high-performance computing, to the market.

A Quantum Future for Energy

OQCs technology provides several potential groundbreaking opportunities for the energy sector, including the development and optimization of catalysts and the efficiency of transportation and distribution networks. Quantum is anticipated to accelerate the energy industrys discovery and development of new materials through the simulation of complex molecules to lower carbon products.

To realize this future, the energy industry requires secure, accessible and powerful quantum computing that is integrated with existing high-performance computing. Prior to the launch of OQC Toshiko, quantum computers were only available in labs, making secure access for companies and integration with existing high-performance computing the largest barriers to wider business adoption of this groundbreaking technology.

Spearheading Industry-Leading R&D

OQC recently announced that SBI Investment, Japans premier venture capital fund, is leading OQCs $100m Series B raise. Existing investors Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC), Lansdowne Partners, and OTIF, acted by manager Oxford Investment Consultants (OIC), are also participating.

The ongoing round is the UKs largest ever Series B in quantum computing enabling industry-leading R&D that could pave the way to quantum advantage and furthers OQCs ability to bring next generation platforms of hundreds of qubits to businesses globally.

Commenting on the news, Ilana Wisby, Chief Executive Officer at OQC, said: Chevrons investment marks a significant milestone in harnessing quantum computing for the energy sector. Were excited to drive innovation and efficiency in exploration and renewables and pioneer enterprise-ready quantum in the energy sector.

About Chevron Technology Ventures

Chevron Technology Ventures identifies and invests in externally developed technologies and new business solutions with the potential to enhance the way Chevron produces and delivers affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy. CTV has more than two decades of being the primary on-ramp for external innovation into Chevron. For more information, visit http://www.chevron.com/technology/technology-ventures.

About OQC

OQC is a global leader in quantum computing-as-a-service, building a brighter future by providing enterprise-ready quantum solutions that seamlessly integrate into digital infrastructures and customer workflows. Its award-winning and world-first integration of quantum computing into colocation facilities removes technical, financial, and geographical barriers to quantum; offering every enterprise a chance to seize a competitive edge. Prior to Series B, OQC raised $52 million including the largest Series A in quantum in the UK at that time. In 2023, OQCs team grew to over 100, attracting talent from across the globe. The team has built and deployed OQC Toshiko platforms to colocation data centers expanding its operations in the UK, Japan and Spain. OQC Toshiko is the worlds first and only enterprise ready platform: a powerful next generation system, deployed to commercial data-centres, enabling businesses to securely tap into ground-breaking technology from anywhere in the world. This new technology is now in private preview and coming soon on public cloud and data centre fabric.

Source: OQC

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OQC Welcomes Chevron Technology Ventures in $100M Series B Funding to Enhance Quantum Computing in the ... - HPCwire

Home TRAVEL EVENT NEWS Unlock Your Inner Peace: Meditation Workshop with Sarah Vie This May in Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs

Saturday, March 9, 2024

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Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs is delighted to offer an invitation to explore the transformative power of meditation in a special workshop led by Sarah Vie, a renowned lifestyle designer and expert in manifestation. The workshop, titled A Journey of Transformation Meditation Workshop: Releasing, Harmonizing and Embracing Purpose in Natures Tranquility, is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will be treated to a handpicked selection of meditative practices focusing on themes such as acknowledging and releasing negative emotions, overcoming personal barriers, and discovering ones true life calling.

This event is crafted to inspire peace and enlightenment, encouraging attendees to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, adjust their inner vibrational energy, and find greater happiness in their day-to-day lives. Sarah Vie will share insights on starting and enhancing a meditation routine and each participant will receive a special manifesting keepsake as a gift.

Event Details:

Additionally, for those seeking a comprehensive experience, consider the Meditation Bliss package. This offer includes a stay at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, daily breakfast for two, a welcome gift, and access to Sarah Vies meditation workshop with a manifesting keepsake. Prices start at $576 per night for double occupancy, available from Tuesday, May 14, to Tuesday, May 21, 2024, with a required stay on Saturday, May 18.

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs stands as a serene oasis at the heart of downtown, offering stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Its an ideal venue for experiencing mindfulness and rejuvenation.

Sarah Vie has made significant contributions to the field of mindfulness, self-help, and manifestation, with a substantial YouTube following and several best-selling books. Her work spans from personal development to lifestyle design, including her upcoming release, Sacred Kitchen: Abundant Plate, a collection of vibrant and healthy recipes. Vie also offers luxury travel experiences and design services, enhancing physical spaces and personal well-being.

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Unlock Your Inner Peace: Meditation Workshop with Sarah Vie This May in Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs - Travel And Tour World