The 68-year-old actress, best known for her role as Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, revealed her diagnosis earlier this month and has since returned to her home in Norfolk to begin treatment.

Callard was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer just 20 minutes before filming her first scenes for Fair City in Dublin.

In a video update shared on Instagram on Sunday (February 8), she said: “I’m feeling really positive, and I’m very strong.

“I begin hospital stuff and everything now I’m home. Everything begins this week.

“On Wednesday, they’re testing lymph nodes and lymph glands and all of that, and I will keep everyone updated.”

She also took the opportunity to thank fans and well-wishers for their support.

Callard said: “I really want to say thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful messages.

“Everybody’s been truly fantastic. I’m so appreciative of all the love that’s coming. Thank you.”

She first publicly shared her diagnosis on February 6 during an appearance on The Late Late Show.

Callard told host Patrick Kielty: “It’s difficult to know where to start.

“I knew I was coming over here for four weeks, and then I’d have a couple of weeks back in the UK, and then back here – for a long time.

“I’d had some tests just before I left the UK and literally 15 to 20 minutes before [her first scene] I was in my dressing room at Fair City, getting ready to go on, and I was quite nervous and thinking, ‘I hope everybody thinks I’m all right, whatever.’

“And my consultant rang me and said, ‘You’ve got to come back to the UK.’

“I said, ‘Well, I can’t possibly, you know, I’ve just taken a new job, I’m away for a month.’

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Despite the shock, she remains optimistic and grateful that the cancer was detected early.

Callard said: “I’m fine. I’m absolutely fine.

“My head was a bit mashed for the first few days.

“It’s very early stages, and I’m along with, you know, thousands of other women as well.

“I travel back to the UK tomorrow (February 7), just for a couple of weeks.

“They’re going to test lymph nodes and lymph glands and all that.”

Callard, who appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, has said she intends to return to work as soon as she can.

She had been due to appear in the Dublin-based soap Fair City, playing Lily, the long-lost mother of Carrigstown resident Gwen, played by Emily Lamey.

Callard said: “I need an operation and some radiotherapy, and then I’m coming back to Fair City, so I will be back in just a few weeks.”

Radgie’s, a new takeaway and street food style venue, has announced its opening date for this Friday (February 13), taking to social media saying: “See you Friday RADGIES.”

The unusually named takeaway with a bright pink pop of colour is the brainchild of Darlington-based owner Ishy Miah, who learnt the trade working at his dad’s long-established venue Café Spice.

The 23-year-old owner said the new venture has been years in the making.

Radgie’s is opening this Friday. (Image: RADGIES)

He said: “I’ve been working in hospitality since I was about 13 years old. My family run restaurants, so I thought it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’m a really big fan of unique, tasty food such as smash burgers, Nashville chicken and unique pizzas.

“I thought this is the kind of food I’d want in a town and what you’d find in big cities like Newcastle. So, I thought, all this would do really well in Darlington.”

The owner said the name and display was specifically chosen to “stand out from the rest”.

He added: “With the whole name and the theme, I just thought, it’s quite fun and bold. It stands out, as we’re not you’re normal pizza shop.

“We’re different, so I chose a unique name and a unique theme with the bold pink to stand out from the rest. You’ll never forget it because it’s that different.”

A taste of Nashville and South Asian food will be on the menu, including smash burgers, Nashville Chicken, curry, pizzas and parmos.

The new business has taken over a long vacant store which has since undergone a full refurbishment.

Ishy said: “When we first got it, it had been empty for a while. We literally stripped it back to bare brick.

“Floors were removed, ceilings were redone, walls were reboarded, plastered, skimmed, decorated – everything is brand spanking new.

“We’ve got some really good chefs in. One of my chefs is currently working in a restaurant in Mayfair in London, so he knows his stuff.

“We’ve got a great team, we’re all experienced in hospitality and I just feel like the food we will serve is going to be absolutely unbelievable.”

Since announcing the opening, Ishy has said the response has been “mixed”.

AI design for Radgies interior (Image: RADGIES)

He said: “I’ve had a mixed response since announcing my opening.

“Some people think I’m absolutely crazy. Some people think it’s a really good idea, so I guess there’s only one way to find out, but I’m confident in the food.”

As opening day approaches, the owner said there has been some hurdles along the way.

He said: “We thought we were ready and then things came up and it’s been a bit stressful.

“There’s been a few obstacles along the way, but our main focus is getting everything ready for opening now.

“We’re sticking with that opening date and hopefully we can get everything done. We’re almost there now. “

The 23-year-old who is currently working as a quantity surveyor while studying for a masters, said 2026 was the right time to start his new venture.

He said: “When 2026 came, I thought, you know what, I’m just going to do it.

“There is always going to be an excuse, such as I’m doing a master’s or I have work, but this is what I have wanted to do, and I thought this was the time to do it.

“It’s so exciting to bring something fresh and new to my hometown. I love Darlington and I can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

You can find the new takeaway venue on 89 Victoria Road, Darlington.

The BBC has visited Iran for the first time since the crackdown by security forces on nationwide anti-government protests last month.

Iran’s leaders are marking 47 years since the Islamic Revolution, with bunting and flags decorating the streets of Tehran – but the pain is still raw after unprecedented force was used to put down the protests.

Human rights activists have said they have confirmed the killing of at least 6,400 protesters, but warned that the final death toll could be far higher.

The BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet is reporting from Tehran on condition that none of her material is used on the BBC’s Persian Service. These restrictions apply to all international media organisations operating in Iran.

Pateley Bridge, in Nidderdale near Ripon, has built a reputation as a destination that blends independent shops, scenic walking routes and easy access to some of the county’s best-loved landscapes.

“Whether it’s summer sunshine or a crisp winter morning, this place always feels special,” one visitor wrote in an online review.

Set beside the River Nidd, the town offers a compact but thriving high street, home to coffee shops, butchers, sweet shops and specialist independents. Visitors frequently describe it as “friendly”, “unspoilt” and “the kind of town you wish more places still were”.

Pateley Bridge (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Pateley Bridge sits within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, but many say it delivers the same sweeping views without the crowds.

“It’s tranquil, scenic and feels untouched by time,” one reviewer said. “You get the full Dales experience without the rush.”

The surrounding moorland and country roads have also helped make the area familiar to millions of TV viewers.

Pateley Bridge (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Several scenes from the 2020 reboot of All Creatures Great and Small were filmed on the roads and hills above Pateley Bridge.

“For fans of the show, it’s a real thrill,” another visitor wrote. “You can stand there and recognise the landscape instantly.”

Culture and heritage are also central to the town’s appeal.

Reviewers regularly highlight the Nidderdale Museum, describing it as a “hidden gem” that offers a deep dive into the valley’s history and community life.

The Oldest Sweet Shop in England (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“You come for the views but leave knowing the story of the place,” one visitor said.

On travel websites and regional guides, including Visit Yorkshire, Nidderdale is consistently described as “one of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of the region”, with reservoirs, quiet villages and wide open moorland forming a backdrop that many say feels increasingly rare.

But for many, it is the town’s shops, and their stories, that leave the strongest impression.

The Oldest Sweet Shop in England, which has traded continuously since 1827, remains one of Pateley Bridge’s biggest draws. Its status was officially recognised by Guinness World Records in 2014.

“The moment you walk in, it’s like stepping back in time,” a reviewer wrote. “The building alone is worth the visit.”

Dating back to 1661, the shop still retains many of its original features and has been described by visitors as having an atmosphere “as rich and layered as the sweets on the shelves”.

Over the years, it has attracted national attention, appearing on television with Paul Hollywood, Nigel Slater, Alan Titchmarsh and Robbie Coltrane.

Beyond the town centre, Pateley Bridge also hosts the Nidderdale Show, the final Dales agricultural show of the year, held annually on the showground by the River Nidd. The event attracts more than 14,000 visitors and remains a key date in the local calendar.

Historically, the town was served by two railway stations.

Pateley Bridge railway station operated between 1862 and the Beeching cuts in 1964, while the Nidd Valley Light Railway ran further up the dale from 1907 to 1937.

Today, access is by road, with an hourly bus service from Harrogate, a journey many visitors say is “worth it the moment the landscape opens up”.

CrossCountry revealed the newly upgraded Voyager train, 220033, at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane facility in Derby today (Tuesday, February 10).

The Voyager fleet has served as the company’s primary long-distance train for more than 20 years, and the refurbishment project will see all 70 Voyager trains overhauled over the next two years.

Refurbished CrossCountry Voyager – first class seats (Image: CrossCountry)

Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry, said: “This train marks an important step in our commitment to improving the experience for everyone who travels with us.

“The Voyager fleet has served passengers well for more than two decades, and these upgrades will ensure it continues to meet modern expectations for comfort, sustainability, and security.

“We’re proud to be investing in the future of long-distance rail travel and look forward to welcoming passengers on board our refreshed trains.”

Refurbished CrossCountry Voyager – power points (Image: CrossCountry)

The £75.1 million refurbishment programme is being funded by rolling stock company Beacon, which leases the Voyager fleet to CrossCountry.

Each train will receive new seating with increased legroom, enhanced under-seat storage, and integrated power sockets, including three-pin, USB-A, and USB-C ports.

Other improvements include upgraded tables, new carpets, refreshed interior and exterior artwork, more efficient LED lighting, refurbished toilets and vestibules, and upgraded onboard CCTV systems.

Refurbished CrossCountry Voyager – first class-2 (Image: CrossCountry)

The project is also noteworthy for its environmental approach.

Alstom, which is carrying out the refurbishments, operates under a no-landfill waste policy.

Materials that would otherwise be discarded are instead recycled, with further options under consideration to maximise reuse.

The trains are being refurbished by a team of around 130 staff at Alstom’s Derby site, while ongoing maintenance is carried out at the company’s Central Rivers Depot.

Refurbished CrossCountry Voyager – standard class-2 (Image: CrossCountry)

Steve Harvey, Alstom’s Services Director UK and Ireland, said: “This milestone reflects the strength of Alstom’s refurbishment capabilities in the UK and the expertise of our team in Derby.

“Upgrading a fleet as intensively used as the Voyagers demands precision, innovation, and deep technical knowledge – and our people have delivered exactly that.

“Working closely with CrossCountry and Beacon, we’re ensuring this trusted fleet is equipped for many more years of reliable and comfortable service for passengers across Great Britain.

Refurbished CrossCountry Voyager – standard class 2 (Image: CrossCountry)

“I’m proud of the quality and dedication our team has brought to the first Voyager to leave Litchurch Lane and I know that same commitment will define every train we deliver throughout this programme.”

The first upgraded train has already covered more than 5.8 million miles since it was originally built in 2000.

Adam Cunliffe, Chief Executive Officer at Beacon Rail, said: “Beacon is proud to support CrossCountry in delivering this substantial upgrade to the Voyager fleet.

“These trains have underpinned long-distance rail travel in Britain for more than two decades, and this investment ensures they remain reliable, comfortable, and fit for the future.

“Through our close partnership with CrossCountry and Alstom, we remain committed to providing sustainable, high-quality rolling stock that enhances the passenger experience.”

Since their introduction in 2000, Voyager trains have played a key role in modernising long-distance rail travel across the UK.

Features such as air conditioning and electronic seat reservations helped double passenger numbers from 12 million in 1997 to 24 million in 2007.

In 2025, CrossCountry delivered 39.6 million journeys, serving more than 100 stations.

The company’s Class 170 Turbostar trains are also currently being refreshed, with seven already back in service on routes between Birmingham, Leicester, and Stansted Airport, and between Cardiff, Birmingham, and Nottingham.

Keir Starmer’s fightback against an attempted Labour leadership coup has been overshadowed by a fresh scandal involving one of his closest former aides.

Labour announced on Tuesday evening that it had suspended Sir Keir’s former communications chief Lord Matthew Doyle over links to a convicted paedophile who the prime minister has elevated to the Lords in December.

The latest development will raise new questions over Sir Keir’s integrity and judgment with echoes of the Peter Mandelson scandal which has already cost him his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and brought his premiership to the brink of collapse.

Mandelson was made ambassador to the US – the UK’s most important diplomatic role – despite the prime minister knowing of his ongoing relationship with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

open image in gallery

In a statement Lord Doyle has apologised for his past association with a paedophile councillor as he was suspended from the Labour party.

Lord Doyle, who formally became a peer earlier this year, campaigned for Sean Morton when he ran as an independent in May 2017. In January that year, Mr Morton had appeared in court charged in connection with indecent child images.

Lord Doyle said: “I want to apologise for my past association with Sean Morton. His offences were vile and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightly convicted. My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by these crimes.

“At the point of my campaigning support, Morton repeatedly asserted to all those who knew him his innocence, including initially in court. He later changed his plea in court to guilty.

“To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgment for which I apologise unreservedly.”

The news broke just hours after Sir Keir had broken cover to launch his personal fightback with a speech focussed on the cost of living at a community centre in Hertford.

He insisted: “I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country. I will never walk away from the people that I’m charged with fighting for. And I will never walk away from the country that I love.”

In a bid to limit the damage, sources in Downing Street last night briefed that No10 was not aware Lord Doyle had campaigned for Sean Morton at time of appointment. Nevertheless there were media reports on the issue before Lord Doyle was sworn as a peer.

But the development comes as a blow to Starmer just a day after his government was rocked by the departure of a second key aide, director of communications Tim Allan, and a public demand for the PM’s resignation from Labour’s own leader in Scotland Anas Sarwar.

He was also facing questions over sacking cabinet secretary Sir Christopher Wormhald a year after appointing him with home office permanent secretary Dame Antonia Romeo the expected replacement.

Lord Doyle worked for Keir Starmer in opposition and entered Downing Street with him in 2024. He entered the House of Lords last month, weeks after his links with Morton were reported.

Already, Sir Keir had been embarrassed by his health secretary Wes Streeting who had unanimously published private messages between himself and Mandelson to clear his names over “smears” about their relationship. The publication broke cabinet collective responsibility by revealing Mr Streeting disagreed with Middle East and economic policy in the government of which he is a part.

While Sir Keir was too weak to sack him, energy secretary Ed Miliband hit out at the health secretary for breaking collective responsibility and the Metropolitan Police and Cabinet Office warned other ministers against further publications which could undermine any criminal action against the disgraced former Labour peer Mandelson.

Last week Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, wrote to Sir Keir calling on him to publish “vetting advice and due diligence” received ahead of Mr Doyle being handed a peerage. Sir Keir also faced questions about the appointment at a meeting of Labour MPs on Monday night.

Reacting to the latest scandal, Ms Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer handed a peerage to Matthew Doyle despite knowing about his ongoing friendship with a man charged with child sex crimes. The Prime Minister has now suspended the whip, but he must come clean about what he was told before making this appointment. We won’t let this go.”

Despite not taking the Labour whip, Lord Doyle will remain a peer. Currently peers can retire from the House of Lords but cannot be removed, although Sir Keir discussed plans to change that process in the wake of the Mandelson scandal.

On Monday the PM was also hit by the resignation of another Downing Street director of communications Tim Allan, less than 24 hours after chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, as Labour tries to weather the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.

Mr McSweeney stepped down on Sunday over his advice to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States despite Mr Mandelson’s previous association with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement Lord Doyle added: “Those of us who took him at his word were clearly mistaken.

“I have never sought to dismiss or diminish the seriousness of the offences for which he was rightly convicted. They are clearly abhorrent and I have never questioned his conviction.

“Following his conviction any contact was extremely limited and I have not seen or spoken to him in years. Twice I was at events organised by other people, which he attended, and once I saw him to check on his welfare after concerns were raised through others.

“I acted to try to ensure the welfare of a troubled individual whilst fully condemning the crimes for which he has been convicted and being clear that my thoughts are with the victims of his crimes.

“I am sorry about the mistakes I have made. I will not be taking the Labour whip.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me conclude where I started. Morton’s crimes were vile and my only concerns are for his victims.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under questioning from Democrats Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child, reversing Lutnick’s previous claim that he had cut ties with the late financier after 2005.

Lutnick once again downplayed his relationship with the disgraced financier who was once his neighbor in New York City as he was questioned by Democrats during a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He described their contact as a handful of emails and a pair of meetings that were years apart.

“I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with him,” Lutnick told lawmakers.

But Lutnick is facing calls from several lawmakers for his resignation after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted Lutnick’s claims on a podcast last year that he had decided to “never be in the room” with Epstein again after a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

The commerce secretary said Tuesday that he and his family actually had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and he had another hour-long engagement at Epstein’s home in 2011. Lutnick, a member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, is the highest-profile U.S. official to face bipartisan calls for his resignation amid revelations of his ties to Epstein. His acknowledgement comes as lawmakers are grasping for what accountability looks like amid the revelations contained in what’s known as the Epstein files.

In countries like the United Kingdom, the Epstein files have triggered resignations and the stripping of royal privileges, but so far, U.S. officials have not met the same level of retribution.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, the Democrat who questioned Lutnick, told him, “There’s not an indication that you yourself engaged in any wrongdoing with Jeffrey Epstein. It’s the fact that you believe that you misled the country and the Congress based on your earlier statements.”

Meanwhile, House members who initiated the legislative effort to force the release of the files are calling for Lutnick to resign. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called for that over the weekend after emails were released that alluded to the meetings between Lutnick and Epstein.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, joined Massie in pressuring Lutnick out of office on Monday.

“Based on the evidence, he should be out of the Cabinet,” Khanna said.

He added, “It’s not about any particular person. In this country, we have to make a decision. Are we going to allow the rich and powerful people who are friends and (had) no problem doing business and showing up with a pedophile who is raping underage girls, are we just going to allow them to skate?”

Northstowe Nursery in Cambridgeshire has been rated expected standard in all areas by Ofsted following its latest inspection

A Cambridgeshire nursery described as ‘calm and harmonious’ has been praised by inspectors in its first Ofsted report. Northstowe Nursery, in Stirling Road, has been rated as “expected standard” in all areas after an inspection in December 2025.

The nursery, a purpose‑built 80‑place setting for children aged from 9 months, said that it offers a “nurturing environment that encourages social, emotional, and cognitive growth”.

The report by Ofsted said that older children enjoy the company of staff, who are enthusiastic and support their learning. The report said “children flock to staff during story sessions, giggling at the funny voices they use to engage them in books”.

Inspectors found that children “feel happy and safe in their environment” and demonstrate a “sense of belonging” in their nursery. The report said that “babies wave and smile when new adults enter their room” and “older children are keen to show visitors around their vibrant environment and encourage them to join in their favourite activities”.

It continued: “Children build warm and close relationships with key staff who are attentive to their needs. These relationships are particularly strong with children who are new to the setting and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

Lisa Peacock, Executive Director of Peacock Early Years Provisions and owner of the nursery, said: “The inspection outcome is testament to the incredible team who have created strong bonds with the children and meaningful partnerships with families and the wider community. We are proud to serve the community of Northstowe and look forward to many years of collaboration.”

The report said children “cooperate well in play, which contributes to a calm and harmonious learning environment”. The Ofsted report emphasised that staff adapt teaching for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The report continued: “Staff understand how these children learn best and focuses their teaching around this. For example, staff have constructed an indoor playground where children with SEND can explore all areas of learning based on their strong physical skills.”

To improve, Ofsted asked leaders to “consider ways to enhance learning opportunities for babies during daily routines, such as mealtimes”. They also need to “enhance the organisation of the key-person system to ensure that babies are cared for by staff who have a consistent understanding of their early experiences in order to maximise support and teaching”.

The Creuddyn pod in Ceredigion is just 15 minutes from Aberystwyth but also offers a peaceful countryside base

Creuddyn in Ceredigion is a distinctive holiday pod that has quickly built a strong reputation, earning Sykes’ Gold Award for Best in Mid and South Wales in 2025, following a Bronze Award for Best Newcomer in 2024. The back-to-back recognition has helped establish it as a standout short-stay option in Wales.

Set in the village of Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, the single-storey pod sits among open green fields and offers a peaceful countryside base while still being within easy reach of the coast. Aberystwyth is around a 10–15 minute drive away, giving guests access to restaurants, shops and attractions without sacrificing the quiet of a rural setting.

Inside, the pod has a studio-style layout with a bunk bed, kitchen, dining and seating area, electric heating and two smart TVs.

Outside, there is a fully enclosed garden featuring a patio, hot tub, fire pit, barbecue and outdoor furniture. Many guests have highlighted the hot tub as a particular bonus, especially for evenings spent overlooking the surrounding village and countryside.

The property description notes that the pod makes the most of both countryside and coast, making it suitable for couples, friends or small families looking to explore the area. While it has an intimate feel that works well for romantic breaks, it can accommodate up to four guests.

In the property description, the pod does not accept dogs or smoking, and children must be over the age of three. The property is accommodating and provides towels and robes for the hot tub as well.

If you wanted to go for a place closer to a national park, Pen Y Lodge, located in the Brecon Beacons is within easy reach of the amazing landscapes and is now available to book for four nights at the price of £416.

Or the Lodge At Brynbanc, located in Narberth, is also a great romantic getaway option to book, available for £477 for four nights.

Demand for Creuddyn remains high, with limited availability for February and March. A stay in March costs around £450 for a two-to four-night break on Sykes Cottage

Guest reviews consistently reflect positive experiences. One visitor described a “brilliant stay,” praising the pod’s location, facilities and relaxing atmosphere, “10-15 minutes from Aberystwyth town, with plenty of restaurants and attractions. The cottage itself was perfect size for a couple for a long weekend, the hot tub made for a relaxing time looking out across the village. Kitchen facilities had everything we could need. Would recommend to anyone looking for a short, quiet, relaxing stay.”

Another couple chose the pod to celebrate their engagement, describing it as: “The pod was beautifully presented and the views were absolutely immaculate. We chose to stay here to celebrate our engagement, hoping for a peaceful place to relax and spend time together after a busy Christmas period, and it was exactly what we needed. The snowfall made our stay feel even more special, and your thoughtful message checking in with us made us feel very welcome and safe. We couldn’t have asked for a more memorable place to celebrate such a special moment.”

The unveiling by IBM of two new quantum supercomputers and Denmark’s plans to develop “the world’s most powerful commercial quantum computer” mark just two of the latest developments in quantum technology’s increasingly rapid transition from experimental breakthroughs to practical applications.

There is growing promise of quantum technology’s ability to solve problems that today’s systems struggle to overcome, or cannot even begin to tackle, with implications for industry, national security and everyday life.

So, what exactly is quantum technology? At its core, it harnesses the counter-intuitive laws of quantum mechanics, the branch of physics describing how matter and energy behave at the smallest scales. In this strange realm, particles can exist in several states simultaneously (superposition) and can remain connected across vast distances (entanglement).

Once the stuff of abstract theory, these effects are now being engineered into innovative, cutting-edge systems: computers that process information in entirely new ways, sensors that measure the world with unprecedented precision, and communication networks that are virtually impossible to compromise.

To understand how this emerging field could shape the future, here are five areas where quantum technology may soon have a tangible impact.

1. Discovery for medicine and materials science

A pharmaceutical scientist seeks to design a new medicine for a previously incurable disease. There are thousands of possible molecules, many ways they might interact inside the body and uncertainty about which will work.

In another lab, materials researchers explore thousands of different atomic combinations and ratios to develop better batteries, chemicals and alloys to reduce transport emissions.T raditional supercomputers can narrow the options but eventually meet their limits.

This is where quantum computing could make a decisive difference. They use quantum bits, or qubits – the most basic unit of information in a quantum computer. Qubits do not simply consist of 1s and zeroes, like bits in conventional computers, but can exist in a variety of different quantum “states”.

Indeed, the ability to develop and control qubits is central to advancing quantum computing and other quantum technologies. By using qubits, quantum computers can simulate vast numbers and different possibilities simultaneously, revealing patterns that classical systems cannot reach within useful time-frames.

In healthcare, faster drug discovery could bring quicker response to outbreaks and epidemics, personalised medicine and insight into previously inscrutable biological interactions. Quantum simulation of how materials behave could lead to new high efficiency energy materials, catalysts, alloys and polymers.

Although fully operational, commercial quantum computers are still in development, progress is accelerating, with existing paradigms combining quantum and classic computational approaches already demonstrating the potential to reshape how we discover and design cures.

2. Sensors for navigation, medicine and the environment

A new range of sensors can exploit different quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to detect changes that conventional instruments would miss, with potential uses across many areas of daily life.

In navigation, they could guide ships, submarines and aircrafts without GPS by reading subtle variations in the Earth’s magnetic and gravitational fields.

In medicine, quantum sensors could improve diagnostic capabilities via more sensitive, quicker and noninvasive imaging modes.

In environmental monitoring, these sensors could track delicate shifts beneath the Earth’s surface, offer early warnings of seismic activity, or detect trace pollutants in air and water with exceptional accuracy.

3. Optimisation for logistics and finance

Many of the hardest challenges today concern the optimisation of staggeringly complex systems; the task of choosing the best option among billions of possibilities.

Managing a power grid or investment portfolio, scheduling flights or financial trading, or coordinating global deliveries all feature optimisation problems so complex that even advanced supercomputers struggle to find efficient answers in time.

Quantum computing could change this. Quantum algorithms could be used to solve optimisation problems that are intractable using classical approaches.

By using quantum principles to explore many solutions simultaneously, these systems could identify solutions far faster than traditional methods. A logistics company could adjust delivery routes in real time as traffic, weather and demand shift.

Airlines and rail networks could automatically reconfigure to avoid cascading delays, while energy providers might balance renewable generation, storage and consumption with far greater precision. Banks could use quantum computers to evaluate numerous market scenarios in parallel, informing the management of investment portfolios.

4. Ultra-secure communication

Security is one of the areas where quantum technology could have the most immediate impact. Quantum computers are inching ever closer to being capable of
breaking many of today’s encryption systems (such as RSA encryption which secures data transmission on the internet), posing a major cybersecurity challenge.

At the same time, quantum communication techniques, such as quantum key distribution (QKD), could offer intrinsically secure encrypted communication.

In practical terms, this could secure everything from financial transactions and health records to government and military communications. For national security agencies, quantum-safe encryption is already a strategic priority. For the average person, it could mean stronger digital privacy, more reliable identity systems and reduced risk of cyberattacks.

5. Supercharging progress in AI

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping industries, but is reliant on the immense computing power needed to train and run large models. In the future, quantum computing could boost AI by handling calculations that classical machines find too complex.

While still at an early stage of development, quantum algorithms might accelerate a subset of AI called machine learning (where algorithms improve with experience), help simulate complex systems, or optimise AI architectures more efficiently. That could lead to AI systems that learn faster, understand context better, and process far larger datasets than today’s models allow.

Think of AI assistants that understand you more naturally, medical diagnostic tools that integrate genomic and environmental data in real time, or scientific research that advances through rapid, quantum-boosted simulations.

Why this matters… and what to watch

Quantum technology is no longer just a theoretical pursuit. Optimism is increasing that commercially viable and scalable quantum technologies may become a reality over the next ten years. With billions in global investment and a growing number of prototypes being tested outside the lab, the “quantum era” is starting to take shape.

Governments see it as a strategic priority, and industries see it as a competitive edge. Its ripple effects could touch nearly every sector from healthcare, energy, and finance, to defence and beyond.

That means we should be asking whether our education systems, workforce dynamics, infrastructure and governance mechanisms are effective – and whether they are keeping pace.

Those who invest early and strategically in quantum readiness and who have the patience to sustain this effort will shape how this technology unfolds. When it does arrive, even if we might be a few years away, its impact could reach far beyond the lab into every part of our connected, data-driven world.