Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, Jun 19, 2026

Spain officials quit over trains that were too wide for tunnels...

In a bizarre turn of events, Spanish railway officials have resigned after it was discovered that dozens of new high-speed commuter trains that cost nearly 260 million Euro were too wide to fit through tunnels.
The blunder was uncovered after it was noticed that trains were scraping the sides of tunnels, causing damage and delays.

The trains were too wide to fit into the non-standard tunnels in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria, leading to the resignation of the head of Spain's rail operator Renfe, Isaías Táboas, and the Secretary of State for Transport, Isabel Pardo de Vera.

However, they did not pay for the damage that they caused, as accountability for taxpayers' wasted money is often lacking in democracy, where nobody really care about public money. The public is paying taxes without questions so they will pay for the new train again.

In a statement, the officials apologized for the mistake, saying "we didn't realize that trains came in different sizes." The Spanish Transport Minister did not resign of course, and just has called the incident a "serious mistake" and promised to investigate.

Many affected citizens are frustrated and want to see accountability for their wasted money and a swift resolution to the problem. But who cares...?

The Spanish Transport Minister should go home and let others with no conflict of interest to investigate her failure.

Because as the saying goes, whenever a politician see a light in the end of the tunnel - they immediately offer to expand the tunnel further more.

Thank you to Chris and Kate for bringing this story to my attention. I definitely miss your talent!

I couldn't believe that civil servants' stupidity can still surprise me.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
European Parliament Approves Fast-Track Deportation Rules and External Return Hubs for Migrants
Apple Raises Global Product Prices as Semiconductor Memory and Storage Shortages Persist
European Union Advances €131 Billion Defence and Space Budget and Welcomes Canada to Procurement Pact
US Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates at 3.5 to 3.75 Percent Amid Cautious Economic Outlook
G7 Summit in France Ends Without Joint Communique as Leaders Split Over Ukraine, Middle East and US Diplomacy
Israel Consolidates Control Over 1,000 Square Kilometres Across Gaza, Lebanon and Syria After Years of Military Operations
United States and Iran Sign Memorandum of Understanding to End Conflict and Reopen Strait of Hormuz
New Global Study Finds Climate Messages Gain More Support When Focused on Costs and Energy Security
Canada Announces New Infrastructure and Housing Measures for British Columbia
Russia Hosts ASEAN Leaders in Kazan to Mark Thirty-Five Years of Partnership
Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Urges Europe to Take Greater Responsibility in NATO Overhaul
G7 Backs UK and French Naval Initiative to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Shipping Routes
United States and Iran Sign Memorandum on Nuclear Restraint and Regional De-escalation
G7 Nations Commit Additional Military Aid to Ukraine Ahead of Winter
Health Officials Warn Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo Could Become Deadliest on Record
SpaceX Acquires AI Coding Platform Developer Anysphere in $60 Billion Deal
China's Retail Sales Unexpectedly Contract as Industrial Output Remains Resilient
Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged Under Chairman Kevin Warsh
Bank of Japan Raises Interest Rates and Signals Further Shift Away From Ultra-Loose Policy
G7 Leaders Promise More Military Support for Ukraine and Tougher Sanctions on Russian Energy
United States and Iran Agree Framework to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and Ease Regional Tensions
European Union Considers Social Media Ban for Children Under Sixteen
Russia Offers India Access to Major Siberian Rare Earth Minerals Deposit
China and Myanmar Expand Economic and Strategic Cooperation During Beijing State Visit
Bank of Japan Raises Key Interest Rate to One Percent Amid Rising Energy Costs
Ukraine Formally Opens European Union Membership Negotiations
Group of Seven Leaders Pledge Greater Pressure on Russia to End War in Ukraine
United States and Iran Agree to Ceasefire and Reopen Strait of Hormuz After Three-and-a-Half-Month War
Eight Killed in United States Air Force B-52 Bomber Crash During California Test Flight
United Kingdom to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under Sixteen
China Tightens Export Controls on Drones and Industrial Machinery Amid Escalating Technology Disputes
European Union Approves New Sanctions Targeting Russia's Shadow Oil Fleet and War Revenues
Russian Strikes Kill Eleven in Ukraine and Damage UNESCO-Protected Cathedral in Kyiv
Group of Seven Leaders Meet in France to Coordinate Middle East Peace Efforts and Support for Ukraine
United States and Iran Reach Preliminary Peace Agreement and Begin Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Advanced Micro Devices Acquires AI Memory Optimization Firm MEXT to Ease Data Center Strain
World Bank Completes Securitization Deal to Unlock Private Capital for Developing Economies
European Union Advances Ukraine Accession Talks and Adds Kyiv to Cybersecurity Reserve
China Shifts Taiwan Strategy Toward Diplomatic Isolation and Targeted Sanctions
G7 Leaders Meet in France Under Tight Security to Discuss US-Iran Peace Framework
Russian Drone and Missile Strike on Kyiv Kills 11 and Damages UNESCO-Listed Heritage Site
United States and Iran Reach Tentative Agreement to Restore Strait of Hormuz Shipping and End Hostilities
China Shifts Taiwan Strategy Toward Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Hong Kong Launches First Five-Year Economic Plan Aligned With Mainland China
United States and South Korea Coordinate Measures to Stabilise the Won
European Union Advances Ukraine's Membership Bid to Formal Negotiations
Russian Airstrikes Hit Kyiv Hours After Trump-Putin Call on Ukraine
Group of Seven Leaders Meet in France Amid Global Security and Economic Challenges
United States and Iran Reach Peace Agreement to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and End Direct Conflict
SpaceX Raises Record $75 Billion in Historic Initial Public Offering
×