In Other News

[Broken_Erika]

Spain officials quit over trains that were too wide for tunnels


Two top Spanish transport officials have resigned over a botched order for new commuter trains that cost nearly €260m ($275m; £230m).

The trains could not fit into non-standard tunnels in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria.

The head of Spain's rail operator Renfe, Isaías Táboas, and the Secretary of State for Transport, Isabel Pardo de Vera, have now left their roles.

The design fault was made public earlier this month.

The Spanish government says the mistake was spotted early enough to avoid financial loss. However the region of Cantabria has demanded compensation.

Renfe ordered the trains in 2020 but the following year manufacturer CAF realised that the dimensions it had been given for the trains were inaccurate and stopped construction.

The rail network in northern Spain was built in the 19th Century and has tunnels under the mountainous landscape that do not match standard modern tunnel dimensions.

The mistake means the trains will be delivered in 2026, two years late.

Renfe and infrastructure operator Adif have launched a joint investigation to find out how the error could have happened. Earlier this month, Spain's transport ministry fired a Renfe manager and Adif's head of track technology over the blunder.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64717605

[BeBMan]

Dunno if this is interesting for anyone, but I just found out about.... the Handfish! Wondering if the handfish is using his handfishhands to handfish other handfish. Or somesuch However, I like this thing

https://theconversation.com/photos-from-the-field-diving-with-tasmanias-rare-and-elusive-red-handfish-your-new-favourite-animal-180962

[Dauphin]

I prefer the Mr Blobby Terminator. Needs sound on, and an appreciation of the British Television institution that is Mr Blobby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqn_blSavko

[BeBMan]

Shape-shifting robot melts itself to escape lab jail

It's not exactly T-1000 standard yet, but I found the vid rather impressing still

[Stantroll]

[police line do not cross]

[Stantroll]

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

"Responsible" is important beyond words for a society to function, as is cooperation.

[PLATO]

In the country it's okay, in a big city, not so much.

I can agree with that. The key though is "Responsibility." The country has seemed to have forgotten that you must teach responsibility with rights...and then you must monitor and regulate. A simple formula that worked for a couple of centuries before people forgot the "responsible" part of it....

[Dinner]

Naw, guns are much more valuable and far more needed.

[pchang]

I think things would be much better if we replaced everyone’s guns with swords instead.

[Broken_Erika]

I have had a firearm since I was 10. Started with a shotgun and worked up to a .22 at 12. A firearm is not a complex tool to learn to use properly. It DOES take good guidance and supervision. An automobile, otoh, is a complex machine that is by its very nature to be used around others. Of course, I was driving a pick up truck on the family farm at 14, but since it was private propert...no license required.

In the country it's okay, in a big city, not so much.

[Uncle Sparky]

I was tempted to look up the age of consent in Missouri, but really don't want that in my search history. I seem to recall that there was no minimum age of consent in Missoiri. Don't the GOP realize arming the children they are legally boinking might work against them?

[ricketyclik]

I have had a firearm since I was 10. Started with a shotgun and worked up to a .22 at 12. A firearm is not a complex tool to learn to use properly. It DOES take good guidance and supervision. An automobile, otoh, is a complex machine that is by its very nature to be used around others. Of course, I was driving a pick up truck on the family farm at 14, but since it was private propert...no license required.

I was driving from the age of 12. Mostly not on public roads, and if I were, it was under supervision. This vote negated that requirement.

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

I had to tell a member at AC2 a few days ago that no 'delete post' feature was ever happening -it WOULD be massively abused, once being too often- I was one of those guys as a newb; I know for an actual fact it would.

This is like that.

[PLATO]

Missouri votes against banning children from carrying guns in public



I presume then that children are allowed to operate a motor vehicle in Missouri, since there is no intent to do harm?

I have had a firearm since I was 10. Started with a shotgun and worked up to a .22 at 12. A firearm is not a complex tool to learn to use properly. It DOES take good guidance and supervision. An automobile, otoh, is a complex machine that is by its very nature to be used around others. Of course, I was driving a pick up truck on the family farm at 14, but since it was private propert...no license required.