Latest news with #Norse
Euractiv
8 hours ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Danish quantum investment will boost EU biotech and medical research
The investment in a new, powerful quantum computing hub in Denmark aims to provide a significant boost to biotech and medical research in the Nordics, according to the CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation have announced plans to invest €80 million in a Level 2 quantum computer. Named after the Norse god Magni, the computer is expected to be operational by 2026–2027. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, told Euractiv that the investment aims to provide a significant boost to biotech and medical research in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Computer power It is also a necessary step in generating an even more powerful computer: a level 3 quantum computer, which is expected to be ready for use by 2030 and will be a thousand times more powerful than a level 2 computer. 'Being squeezed from both the West and the East, from both the US and China, Europe is in a vulnerable position and falling behind, as the Draghi report shows. Therefore, we in Denmark would like to do our utmost to restore and strengthen our position in the Nordics.' Also, Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, stated that, 'With the investment in the world's strongest quantum computer, we are making a solid shift in the global quantum race." He added, "This will benefit all of Europe. We need to harness the untapped possibilities of quantum technology for Danish and European businesses, society, and security. Denmark and the EU must lead the race in developing new technologies.' EU-US collaboration Although primarily European, the Magne project will involve two American companies. The California-based Atom Computing will build and deliver quantum hardware for Magne, while Microsoft will integrate its Azure cloud platform software, tailored to Atom Computing's neutral atom technology . TheNovo Nordisk Foundation CEO said that all data input, such as individual health journals, will be stored in Denmark and shall not migrate outside its borders. 'No data is ever leaving Denmark,' he stated. At the same time, the next generation, the level 3 quantum computer, is planned to be fully based on European technology. Keeping research in Europe The investors are setting up a company called QuNorth to house the Magne computer in Copenhagen. Magne will be used alongside AI and hybrid computing; the latter could, for example, integrate public and private clouds or systems, or digital and analogue components of different sorts. The quantum computing hub in the Danish capital will, according to Thomsen, invite both public and private researchers to conduct advanced calculations to solve complex problems, such as those at the subatomic or molecular level, and study protein mechanisms in medical research. 'We would especially like to stimulate private and public partnerships and to keep innovation in Europe.' At the same time, 'unethical research' would probably not be allowed, but such a definition is not yet set. Empowering the Nordics Marie Arsenian-Henriksson, Vice President for Research at the renowned Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet (KI), told Euractiv that the new initiative creates 'very favourable conditions for researchers and industrial partners in the Nordics within health and life science,' adding that: 'The QuNorth initiative consolidates and further develops the Nordic region's position as a global leader in Quantum Life Science and helps us to translate advanced quantum technology into concrete societal benefits in the field of health." This is also the view of Juleen R. Zierath, an American professor at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery at KI, and affiliated with a research centre at the University of Copenhagen, financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. She is not directly involved in the Magne project. Usually, she explained, it is very difficult for researchers to access such modern and powerful tools. 'The new quantum computing resources will be very important and open up opportunities to find new medical advances for Nordic researchers in the future. It will be a lift for the whole ecosystem of life science –natural science, tech science and medical science – in the Nordics,' she said. Not without caveats Even so, Juleen R. Zierath also pointed to the risk of trusting AI and quantum computing too much, as answers and solutions depend on what data a researcher puts into these systems. 'Researchers and students need to have a basic understanding of how to conduct science, and that one needs to put in the highest and most accurate level of information to get the best possible outputs.' Magne will be 100% Danish-owned, with EIFO and the Novo Nordisk Foundation each investing approximately €40 million in the establishment of QuNorth. QuNorth plans to build a small organisation of around 10 employees, whose primary task will be to ensure optimal utilisation of Magne across commercial and academic users in the Nordic region. The search for a CEO for the new company is set to start soon. [Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Sandman Season 2 Vol 2 review: Of one final dream, legacy and letting go
'The Sandman' season 2, Volume 2, wrapped up on an emotional note. For those who have been following Tom Sturridge's haunting portrayal of Lord Shaper, the season's finale may have felt inevitable, but that didn't make it any less heartbreaking. The beauty of the series lies in its slow, deliberate build of emotions that leaves you with a bittersweet was the emotional investment worth it? Did the series feel adventurous enough? And does its message land as seamlessly as it intended to?advertisementYou must understand that 'The Sandman' is not your usual fantasy series. There are no flying brooms or spellbooks that glow on cue. It's magical, yes. But also meaningful. It demands attention every step of the way. Unless you are totally invested in the story, absorbing every detail and symbolic gesture, you might miss the emotional payoff waiting at the end. The God of Dreams, also known as Lord Shaper or The Sandman or The Dream of the Endless, has spilt his family's blood. As per the Norse rules, the Furies, also known as the Kindly Ones, will come for him the moment someone asks for his blood in vengeance. It has to happen. It's written. But, with all his greatness and majesty, will The Sandman be able to move past his destiny? Can he build an army to fight the Furies, or restructure the time in a way that doesn't make him look like the culprit any more?Vol 1 of the series, which premiered earlier this year, marked a shift from a craftily adventurous narrative to a heavier emotional arc - one that set Lord Shaper on a path of irreversible transformation. A journey that will alter not his destiny, but the future of his realm. The Dream of the Endless knows what's coming. At times, he fears it. At times, he endures it, and sometimes, he even welcomes it with open arms. Photo: Netflix The idea is clear: nothing in this universe is permanent, and journeys must be taken, irrespective of what lies at their end. Vol 2 offers a mature, thoughtful closure. This is not a fantasy world for children. In Vol 2, time and destiny collide in complex ways, characters reappear from earlier episodes, and new ones join the narrative - building towards a finale that is both inevitable and surprising. It's a season of grand emotion and opportunities, hinting that every end is also a a standout twist, we see the return of Boyd Holbroom as The Corinthian. Only this time, he's changed. He's more passionate about his duties, more reliable, more emotional and, dare we say - more charming than ever. His chemistry with Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman) is electric. Together, they represent so much about second chances, unlikely connections, and the leap of faith it takes to believe in something again. The father-son dynamic that season 2 tries to portray from the beginning, also finds its closure. Photo: Netflix While 'The Sandman' goes heavy on melodrama - and we don't mind any of it - it continues to dazzle with its visual imagination. The skies are starrier, the castles more glorious. The costumes, the creatures, the dreams are majestic - a masterclass in visual storytelling and limitless stays with you, though, are not just the images, but the questions about the purpose of your life, the legacy that you are so ardently trying to build, and a question: when you are gone, will your story be worth telling? It is perhaps the most serendipitous expression of what gives your life meaning, and how others perceive Vol1 furthered the idea of Dream of The Endless being nearly invincible, Vol 2 strips that illusion away. It shows that no story is immune to an ending - whether we like how it turns out or not. 'The Sandman' doesn't care about comforting its viewer, it exists to tell a wholesome story, being unafraid to say that nothing really lasts the series shifts its arcs quite abruptly sometimes, and the climax, too, feels slightly stretched, especially when we already know where it's going. But you never feel cheated. The greatest stories always contain a bit of nuance, sometimes fiction as truth, the 'what if' moments, the emotions you have already lived, but also a promise of what could be or could have been. In 'The Sandman', you find all of that, and more.'The Sandman' is currently streaming on Netflix.- Ends
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stephen Curry's wife Ayesha Curry supports Golden State Valkyries with encouraging message during game
Ayesha Curry supports the Golden State Valkyries (Image via Instagram / @ayeshacurry) The Golden State Valkyries are becoming a household name in basketball. They have also been attracting admirers and fans from all around the state. The Curry family as a whole has been an ardent supporter of their city's WNBA team. They also visit their game whenever they get a chance. Now, recently, Ayesha Curry , the owner of the Sweet July Skin, was seen watching the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings in their most recent WNBA game on Friday. Ayesha Curry shows love for Golden State Valkyries in standout game-day appearance The schedules of Stephen Curry and his spouse are among the busiest, if not the most. However, that doesn't stop her from occasionally enjoying some alone time. Now, recently, Ayesha Curry made headlines at a Golden State Valkyries game after she was spotted encouraging them. She even sent out a message on their behalf. She showed her support for the Bay Area-based WNBA team on Instagram. Mrs. Curry wrote, "BALLHALLA," as the caption for her Instagram story, which included a gorgeous photo of her black boots. It was a subtle nod to the Valkyries. The Chase Centre, where the Golden State Warriors and Valkyries play, has come to be known as "Ballhalla." The name is a subtle reference to the "Valhalla" of Norse mythology. Additionally, in another post, Ayesha Curry tagged the Golden State Valkyries' official Instagram account and uploaded a video of the game from the historic Chase Centre. It's no coincidence that the Curry family and the G.S. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Blood cancer is taking our curious baby away from us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Warriors have shown their support for the Valkyries. Ayesha Curry and Stephen Curry are a happy couple (Image via Getty Images) One of the strongest connections between an NBA and WNBA team in the league is illustrated by the two franchises' shared stadium and ownership team. It is also evident by the obvious thematic similarities to the designations of Warriors and Valkyries. Meanwhile, Ayesha Curry was praised by both fans and commentators for presenting the spirit of the night in a witty and decisive manner in her one-word post. It also went viral on social media immediately. Whether celebrating her husband's success or cheering for her favorite team, Ayesha Curry, a media entrepreneur and cookbook writer by profession, never fails to amaze people with her charisma and authenticity. Also read: Stephen Curry's wife Ayesha Curry celebrates Sweet July lip launch with tropical flavors and ice cream collab For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Is the fear of number 13 real or just a myth? Here's what we know
AI is writing code, spacecraft are exploring beyond the moon, and technology is pushing every boundary. Yet, many buildings skip the 13th floor. Airlines quietly leave out row 13. Important plans are sometimes avoided on the 13th of the month. This quiet discomfort isn't just a coincidence. It's tied to triskaidekaphobia– the long-standing superstition around the number 13. For some, it's just a harmless quirk. For others, it triggers real unease. Despite scientific progress, the fear still lingers in unexpected places. But where did it begin– and why does it still hold power in the modern world? Is it a real phobia or just an old habit? Fear of the number 13– also known as triskaidekaphobia– doesn't always count as a serious psychological phobia, according to a report by Medical News Today. Most people who avoid the number aren't panicking or deeply distressed. It's more of a mild discomfort, like feeling weird about staying in room 13 or sitting in row 13 on a flight. That's why mental health professionals usually don't see it as a medical condition, as per online sources. It's generally considered a cultural superstition, not a disorder– unless it starts to seriously affect someone's daily life or cause unusual levels of anxiety. Ancient roots, global presence The fear of the number 13 isn't something new, and it's not limited to one culture either. Over time, different traditions and stories have added to its reputation. According to a report by Very Well Mind, one of the most well-known examples comes from Christianity– the Last Supper, where Jesus had dinner with his 12 apostles. Some reports suggest that the betrayer Judas was the 13th to join the table. In Norse mythology, there's a similar story where Loki, the trickster god, showed up uninvited as the 13th guest at a feast and caused trouble. Still visible in everyday life Even in today's tech-driven, logical world, the fear of the number 13 still quietly lingers. In many modern buildings, you won't find a 13th floor. Some airplanes skip row 13 entirely, and even cities avoid using the number when naming streets or plots. As per online reports, pop culture has played a role in keeping the superstition alive– especially with the popularity of the Friday the 13th horror films. In many Western countries, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. While no one knows exactly why, one theory traces it back to the year 1307, when a group called the Knights Templar was arrested on a Friday the 13th. Not just 13– other numbers carry meaning too According to Very Well Mind, this uneasiness with certain numbers isn't just about 13 or limited to Western cultures. In China, for example, the number 4 is often avoided, especially in hospitals or real estate, because it sounds similar to the word for 'death.' The same goes for Japan and South Korea, where some numbers are skipped in elevators or hospital rooms for similar reasons. These examples show how language and culture can shape what people believe, even if there's no real logic or scientific reason behind it. When should it be taken seriously? In most cases, the fear of the number 13 isn't something that needs treatment. But if someone starts going out of their way to avoid it– like changing travel plans, skipping buildings, or feeling anxious just seeing the number– it could point to a deeper fear or obsessive pattern. When that happens, doctors often recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), according to Very Well Mind. It helps people face their fears slowly and with support. In more serious cases, medication might be used along with therapy, though that's pretty rare for this kind of fear. A fear that's more cultural than clinical In the end, triskaidekaphobia isn't really about the number 13– it's more about how culture, stories, and old beliefs still shape the way we think and act. For some people, it's just an interesting quirk. For others, it brings a bit of unease. Either way, it shows that even in today's logical world, certain superstitions still stick around– quietly affecting our choices without us even realising it.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The gospel of ‘Vinland Saga' and its life-changing meditations on pacifism
By the time Japanese author Makoto Yukimura's seminal seinen manga publishes its 220th and final chapter today, it will have spanned two decades, 28 collected volumes, and two critically acclaimed seasons of anime. Widely considered as one of modern manga's most influential and evocative stories, Vinland Saga has sold over seven million copies, won the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award, and built a global congregation of devout fans. Despite its success, it still resists easy summary. It presents as a Viking epic of blood, vengeance and conquest, but harbours a stirring moral parable about remorse, forgiveness, and the long, difficult work of laying down one's sword. Inspired by the real-life Norse explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni, who led an expedition to North America around the turn of the 11th century, Yukimura set out to reconstruct the world of medieval Scandinavia with fastidious detail. He read Icelandic sagas — Erik the Red, The Greenlanders, The Flateyjarbók — though he later confessed that the source material was too long and dense to fully absorb. Instead, he travelled to Scandinavia, studied Viking law and shipbuilding, consulted anthropologists, and even created full-scale models to ensure historical fidelity with near-scholarly devotion. But the facts were never the point. The real Thorfinn's journey ended in failure, and Yukimura wanted to imagine what it would look like if it didn't. As a child, Thorfinn watches his father die and is consumed by a Hamletian thirst for revenge. By the series' midpoint, hollowed by grief, he finds a new vision: a vow of nonviolence, and a dream of a land where no one owns another, and no one draws a sword. This becomes the essence of Vinland — a utopia worth striving for, even if never found. Yukimura has rarely drawn attention to his influences, but his story hums with echoes of the great moral epics that preceded it. He has often cited Fist of the North Star as his entry point into manga, but Vinland Saga draws from a broader lineage of Dostoevsky's psychological torment, Kurosawa's tragic grandeur, and the lyrical, spiritual minimalism of Terrence Malick and Shūsaku Endō. At first, the story seduced readers with brutality. In its early arcs, Vinland Saga offered the baity spectacle of Nordic warbands slashing their way through medieval England. But as the chapters wore on, Yukimura gradually subverted the expectations he had so carefully cultivated. The swordplay gave way to introspection, and the battlefield faded into farmland. The manga became slower, quieter, and immeasurably deeper. The phrase 'I have no enemies,' first spoken by Thorfinn's father and later claimed by Thorfinn himself, has become the story's most striking refrain. It appears on posters, surfaces in comment threads, and circulates online like a secular prayer; emblematic of the story's moral arc. Though it sounds simple, in the context of the story, it marks a hard-earned philosophical commitment. In Buddhist thought, it echoes metta, or the cultivation of boundless goodwill toward all beings. In Christianity, it recalls Christ's command to love one's enemies. In Stoicism, it aligns with Marcus Aurelius' belief in understanding over judgment, and action guided by reason rather than impulse. In postcolonial thought, it resists the machinery of 'othering' that makes violence seem natural. Yukimura draws on this rich theological lineage to suggest that 'I have no enemies' doesn't deny conflict, but rather rejects the moral architecture that makes violence seem inevitable. Yukimura, a self-avowed pacifist, has said he would sooner go to prison than take up arms, even under government coercion. That conviction gives Vinland Saga its definitive force as a story set a millennium ago that speaks directly to the carnage of now. With clannish bloodlust and righteous warfare currently fueling the most defining atrocities of our time, Vinland Saga's radical, almost naive faith in a world without violence feels more vital than ever. That its titular utopia would later birth one of history's most brutal empires only deepens the irony. And yet in its belief in redemption, it insists a better world is still worth the reach. The parallels may not be precise, and Vinland Saga does not offer prescriptive solutions to modern crises. But its questions linger: How do people break free from cycles of violence? What does justice look like when forgiveness is possible, but memory endures? Can a society built on conquest ever truly become peaceful? The story doesn't pretend these are easy questions, and Thorfinn's path is full of doubt and contradiction. But Yukimura insists, again and again, that refusing to dehumanise others is the first step. Over time, Vinland Saga has cultivated a devoted, soul-searching following. Many have turned to it for solace in depression or as a catalyst to let go of rage. Its hopeful creed offered a blueprint for a kinder, gentler way of living, and nurtured one of the most thoughtful, generous fandoms in contemporary pop culture. As online spaces grow louder with manospheric posturing, Thorfinn has fostered a countercurrent of healthy masculinity, encouraging a generation of men to pursue empathy, accountability, and emotional growth over dominance or vengeance. That a slow, meditative story could thrive alongside testosteronic shounen offerings is a testament to its emotional gravity. YouTube essays, Reddit confessions, and blog threads have long extolled the virtues of this beautiful alchemy Yukimura has achieved. Vinland Saga is often grouped with Berserk and Vagabond as part of a loose cannon of modern seinen — three extraordinary, long-running epics centred on men forged in violence, each quietly threaded with pacifism. Today, it will become the only one of the three to reach its intended conclusion. As the final chapter approaches, there is a palpable sense of farewell in the air. Fans across the globe are bracing for the inevitable goodbye, already penning long letters of gratitude to a story that helped them survive the years. A millennium ago, a Norse explorer imagined a land without swords. In our time, a Japanese mangaka handed us that dream again. Now it's ours to carry forward, as far as it will go. Vinland is somewhere just past the horizon.
