Finnish footbridge collapse injures 27, mostly children

A temporary footbridge collapse in Espoo, Finland, injured 27 people, mostly schoolchildren on a field trip. The accident occurred when wooden planks gave way, causing the group to fall five meters onto a road. Emergency services responded quickly, and most injuries were limb fractures with no life-threatening conditions. The cause of the collapse is under investigation, with authorities looking into potential criminal negligence. Weekly inspections had been conducted on the bridge, with no prior indications of structural issues. A crisis team has been set up to support the affected school.

Finnish Footbridge Collapse Injures 27, Mostly Children

A temporary footbridge collapse in Espoo, Finland, injured 27 people, mostly schoolchildren on a field trip. The accident occurred when wooden planks gave way, causing the group to fall onto a road. Most injuries were limb fractures, with no life-threatening conditions reported. The cause of the collapse is under investigation, and the contractor is cooperating with authorities. Weekly inspections had been conducted on the bridge, with no prior indications of issues. A crisis team has been set up at the affected school.

Modeling and CFD Simulation of Regression Rate in Hybrid Rocket Motors

The article discusses the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model and simulate the regression rate in hybrid rocket motors, focusing on the challenges of accurately predicting this rate due to complex physical phenomena. The study employs a User-Defined Function (UDF) in commercial CFD software to simulate the regression rate as a function of heat flux at the fuel surface. Validation against experimental data from the University of Naples shows the model's accuracy within 10% for HDPE and 20% for HTPB fuels. The research highlights the potential of CFD in reducing development costs and improving the design process for hybrid rocket motors, while also identifying discrepancies in classical hybrid rocket theory regarding fuel regression rates.

photo documentary on Kihnu island in Estonia, realised for AFP

photo documentary on the conditions of Italian families taking care of their disable relatives

Violence against women: will everything get better?

During the pandemic, calls to anti-violence centers from women have increased exponentially. With the easing of domestic confinement, the article explores the tools and strategies available to women to embark on a path to freedom and autonomy. Campaigns by Telefono Donna and Fondazione Cariplo, as well as warnings from Cadmi, highlight the ongoing issue of violence against women.

Fear and paranoia lead Finns to form vigilante groups that ‘protect women’ from asylum seekers

The article discusses the rise of the Soldiers of Odin, a far-right vigilante group in Finland, amidst growing concerns over sexual assaults allegedly committed by asylum seekers in Europe. The group, which includes known neo-Nazis, has begun patrolling streets to protect 'our women.' The incidents of sexual harassment, particularly on New Year's Eve in cities like Cologne and Helsinki, have shifted the debate on the influx of asylum seekers from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Germany and Denmark have implemented stricter measures for refugees, and public sentiment is increasingly wary of a cultural clash. Critics argue that the danger is exaggerated, while some asylum seekers acknowledge the need to adapt to Western norms. The article also mentions hate crimes against asylum seekers and the fear among both locals and refugees due to these vigilante groups.