Do Less Numbers Of Knives In A Kitchen Cut Knife Crime?
I’ve thought this might be possible, so I asked Google AI and I received this answer.
Yes, reducing the number of kitchen knives, particularly by replacing pointed-tip knives with safer, rounded-tip alternatives, is considered an effective, evidence-based method to cut knife crime. Research indicates that kitchen knives are used in at least half of all stabbings, making them a primary weapon in both domestic and public violence.
Here is a breakdown of how reducing the number or type of kitchen knives impacts knife crime:
The Impact on Knife Crime
Reduced Lethality: Studies in Crime Science and by De Montfort University found that round-tipped knives do not pierce clothing in the same way as pointed knives, significantly reducing the potential for fatal injuries in stabbing incidents.
Lowered Availability: Because many violent attacks are impulsive, reducing the availability of lethal kitchen knives—by limiting ownership, changing the design, or having fewer in the home—can stop them from being used as weapons of convenience.
Preventing Domestic Homicides: Pointed kitchen knives are involved in over 50% of stabbing homicides in the UK. Removing them is seen as a key way to reduce fatalities in domestic altercations.
Proposed Strategies to Reduce Knife Numbers
Phasing Out Pointed Tips: Researchers are calling for the phasing out of traditional pointed kitchen knives, replacing them with rounded-tip knives, as they still function fully for cooking but are far less effective as weapons.
“Pointless” Campaigns: Police units, such as those in Kent and Nottinghamshire, have launched “Safer Knife Replacement Schemes” that offer families rounded knives in exchange for their pointed ones.
Restricting Sales: Proposals include banning the sale of long-pointed kitchen knives, which are identified as a primary weapon and are not considered essential by many chefs for daily food preparation.
Limitations
Complex Issue: While reducing access to dangerous knives is a major step,experts believe it cannot be the only solution; it must be accompanied by education, youth support, and other crime-prevention initiatives.
Replacement Effects: There is debate over whether offenders will simply switch to other weapons if long, pointed knives are restricted, though studies on similar interventions (like reducing access to paracetamol) suggest that reducing the easiest means of violence still saves lives.
In summary, reducing the number of pointed, easily accessible knives in the kitchen is not just about having fewer knives, but changing the type of knives available, which is deemed a highly practical step in reducing violent injuries.
I wondered if the answer for a household would be the same.
Repeating the question with household, I received the following answer.
Yes, research suggests that reducing the number of easily accessible, pointed kitchen knives in households—or replacing them with safer, rounded-tip alternatives—can cut knife crime and reduce the severity of injuries.
Kitchen knives are the most common weapon used in stabbings and homicides, particularly in domestic violence situations, because they are readily available and often taken from the home.
Here is an analysis of how reducing household knife availability impacts crime:
The “Weapon of Choice” Problem
High Prevalence: Statistics from England and Wales show that pointed kitchen knives are involved in over 50% of homicides where the weapon type is known.
Impulsive Crime: Many knife offenses are spontaneous acts, often influenced by alcohol or drugs. When a weapon is not immediately available, the chance of the altercation escalating to a killing drops significantly.
Accessibility: Unlike illegal weapons like zombie knives or machetes, traditional kitchen knives are available in every home, making them a common choice for both teenagers and domestic abusers.
Evidence-Based Solutions
Replacing Pointed Knives: Research from De Montfort University found that round-tipped kitchen knives do not penetrate clothing in stab tests, whereas pointed ones do. Swapping pointed tips for rounded tips could significantly reduce the lethality of attacks.
Safer Knife Initiatives: Pilot projects, such as the “Pointless” scheme by the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit, have successfully replaced pointed kitchen knives with round-ended knives in homes with residents at risk of violence.
Targeted Reduction: Experts recommend that a reduction in household knife crime can be achieved without restricting legitimate cooking activities by simply phasing out the long, pointed-tip knife in favor of safer designs.
Impact on Crime Rates
Lowering Lethality: While reducing the sheer number of knives is a factor, the primary focus is on reducing the lethality of the knives available, which is argued to reduce the overall homicide rate rather than just causing offenders to “switch” to other tools.
Preventing Domestic Tragedy: Because a large number of, specifically female, homicides occur in domestic settings, restricting access to sharp kitchen knives is viewed as a key preventative measure for this type of violent crime.
In summary, reducing the number of pointed knives in a household, or changing the standard design of kitchen knives to safer alternatives, is considered a practical, evidence-based intervention to cut knife-related deaths.
Alstom And Cummins Make A Deal On Hydrogen Rail Technology
I asked Google AI about this deal and receive this reply.
On April 2, 2026, Alstom announced the acquisition of Cummins’ hydrogen fuel cell activities specifically dedicated to the rail sector. This strategic move brings the technology and manufacturing capabilities for Alstom’s Coradia iLint hydrogen trains in-house, following a period where Cummins looked to wind down its wider hydrogen business amid losses in its Accelera energy transition segment.
Here are the key details of the deal:
Scope of the Acquisition
Fuel Cell Technology In-House: Alstom acquired the engineering, product, and support capabilities for the fuel cells used in its existing hydrogen train fleets, specifically the Coradia iLint.
Manufacturing Facilities: The deal includes the transfer of Cummins’ fuel cell manufacturing and assembly site in Herten, Germany, which has been producing for Alstom since 2021.
Targeted Support: The acquisition allows Alstom to strengthen its ability to maintain, improve, and provide support for existing hydrogen fleets in Germany, Italy, and France.
Context and Strategy
Securing Supply Chain: After facing maintenance issues with the fuel cells, which previously required sourcing parts from North America, this move gives Alstom direct control over its key technology.
Strategic Pivot: While Cummins moves to pivot away from the wider hydrogen market following losses in its Accelera unit, Alstom continues to focus on hydrogen as a critical solution for replacing diesel trains on non-electrified, long-haul lines.
Commitment to Hydrogen: Despite a 2025 announcement by Alstom that it would pause “further development” of new hydrogen technology due to funding cuts, this acquisition proves that the company remains committed to supporting and enhancing its current, contracted hydrogen train programs.
Future Impact
Reliability Improvements: Alstom plans to leverage this acquisition to accelerate development work, improve the energy management, durability, and reliability of the Coradia iLint fleet, and ensure the success of projects in Germany, Italy, and France.
Market Position: This acquisition solidifies Alstom’s position as a leader in sustainable rail alternatives, even as battery technology has advanced.
I would agree strongly with the future impact.
My First Ride In An Alstom Coradia iLint
In March 2019 in My First Ride In An Alstom Coradia iLint, I said this.
I’m finally, riding in a hydrogen-powered Alstom Coradia iLint train through the German countryside.
Not as quiet as the two battery trains, I’ve ridden, but that’s because It feels to me that the traction motors are crudely under the passengers and cardan shafts are used to drive the wheels!
Battery electric trains with regenerative braking should be virtually free of any mechanical noise. Both the Class 379 and Class 230 battery demonstrators were almost silent. As electricity generated from hydrogen doesn’t appear to generate much noise, then a hydrogen-powered train can also be almost silent.
From talking to fellow passengers on my German trip, it would appear that the train has been very reliable in service.
Conclusion
Alstom are proving hydrogen would work well in a train designed for that purpose, but updating a DMU with a noisy mechanical transmission, possibly isn’t the way to go.
I now believe that Alstom have everything they need to create a 125 mph tri-mode multiple unit.
Adding in today’s article about hydrogen, I have written enough about Bombadier, which is now Alstom, and their future plans, so that they can build an Alstom 125 mph tri-mode Aventra, with with electric, battery or hydrogen power.
It could be the ultimate train.
The Bombardier Aventra And Brexit
The Batteries for Bombardier Electrostar
Parallel Thinking From Bombardier
Bombardier’s Battery Technology
Have Bombardier Got A Cunning Plan For Voyagers?
Bombardier Bi-Mode Aventra To Feature Battery Power
Stadler Flirt And Bombardier Aventra Tri-Modes Compared
Bombardier’s Plug-and-Play Train
Bombardier’s 125 Mph Electric Train With Batteries
Do Bombardier Aventras Have Remote Wake-Up?
Hexicon Sells UK TwinHub Floating Wind Project After CfD Termination
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Renewables Now.
This is the sub-heading.
Floating wind developer Hexicon AB (STO:HEXI) announced it has divested its 32-MW TwinHub offshore wind project in the UK’s Celtic Sea waters, which recently had its contract for difference (CfD) terminated.
These first three paragraphs add some details.
The Swedish firm said it had entered into and completed a sales and purchase agreement (SPA) related to the TwinHub project company, Wave Hub Ltd. The buyer is an unnamed “leading global provider of advanced maritime and offshore engineering solutions.” Financial details were not provided.
Hexicon bought Wave Hub Ltd in 2021, when the site was permitted for wave energy, and later repurposed it for a floating offshore wind project. The scheme secured a 15-year CfD in the fourth allocation round in 2022, which was a first for a development of this type.
Earlier this month, the UK government confirmed that the CfD for TwinHub had been terminated.
It appears that the new owners will be continuing the project.
Getting To Know More About TwinHub
I like the design of the TwinHub and this link will give you all my posts on the technology.
This link will give you all my
What Is Putin’s Attitude To Rail Baltica?
Rail Baltica is a railway that the EU is building between Warsaw in Poland and Helsinki in Finland.
This is the first paragraph of the railway’s Wikipedia entry, which gives an outline of the route.
Rail Baltica is an under-construction rail infrastructure project that is intended to integrate the Baltic states in the European rail network. The project envisages a continuous rail link for passenger and freight services with stations from Tallinn (Estonia) to Warsaw (Poland), via Pärnu (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Kaunas (Lithuania), with two branches extending from the main line towards Riga International Airport and Vilnius (Lithuania). Its total length in the Baltic states is 870 kilometres (540 mi), with 213 kilometres (132 mi) in Estonia, 265 kilometres (165 mi) in Latvia, and 392 kilometres (244 mi) in Lithuania.
The second paragraph explains the history of the railway gauge in the area
Rail Baltica will build the first large-scale mainline standard gauge railway in the region. Rail networks in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania mainly use Russian gauge (1,520 mm). These countries’ first railways were built in the second half of the 19th century as part of the Russian Empire rail network. While some railways were built or converted to narrow or standard gauge in the Interwar period between World War I and World War II in the independent or German-occupied Baltic states, these were later converted back to Russian gauge under Soviet occupation rule after 1945.
The Russians do seem to be protective of their gauge.
The third paragraph gives the current status of the project.
As of 2025, the completion of the phase 1 single-track railway from Tallinn through Latvia (Riga) to the Lithuania-Poland border is scheduled for 2030, with completion of the double track railway to follow dependent on funding. Rail Baltica is one of the priority projects of the European Union (EU). It is part of the North Sea–Baltic Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) and it is also intended as a catalyst for building the economic corridor in Northeastern Europe. It has also been proposed to extend Rail Baltica to include an undersea railway tunnel between Tallinn and Helsinki. By 2024, the estimated cost of the project had increased from €5.8 billion in 2017 to €23.8 billion (at 2023 prices).
These are some characteristics of the railway.
Terminals: Warsaw and Helsinki.
Countries Served: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland
Intermediate Stations: 8.
Electrification: 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line.
Operating Speed: Passenger – 145 mph.
Freight – 75 mph.
Signalling: ERTMS – L2
Putin’s Attitude To Rail Baltica
Although, I can’t talk to Putin about this, I’m sure Google AI can give us a good idea.
I asked Google AI,”What Is Putin’s Attitude To Rail Baltica?” and received this answer.
Vladimir Putin’s attitude toward Rail Baltica is one of deep hostility, viewing the 500-mile high-speed railway as a strategic, military, and infrastructural threat to Russian influence in the region.
The project, which aims to integrate the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) with the European rail network, is seen by Moscow as an effort to sever ties with the former Soviet bloc and solidify NATO’s presence on Russia’s border.
Key Aspects of Putin’s Opposition:
Military Threat Assessment: The Kremlin views Rail Baltica not just as a civilian project, but as a crucial logistical tool for NATO to swiftly transport troops and equipment to the Baltic region, strengthening the “eastern flank” that Russia challenges.
Destabilizing Russian Sphere of Influence: Moscow perceives the integration of the Baltic States into the European infrastructure system as a direct challenge to its influence and an “imperial project” aiming to detach them further from the post-Soviet space, which Putin seeks to keep within Russia’s sphere of influence.
“Putin-Proofing” the Baltics: The project is explicitly recognized by Baltic officials as a way to “Putin-proof” their countries against Russian aggression by reinforcing their security and economic autonomy, a move the Kremlin strongly opposes.
Infrastructure Isolation: The project enables the Baltic States to shift away from the Russian gauge track (1520mm) to the European standard (1435mm), decreasing their dependency on Russian logistical infrastructure.
While the Russian state has not issued daily commentary on the railway, its overarching aggressive posture toward the Baltics, including threats to Lithuania over transit to the exclave of Kaliningrad and the use of hybrid operations in the region, indicates a fundamental opposition to projects that deepen Western integration, such as Rail Baltica.
Willenhall And Darlaston Stations – 8th April 2026
These two stations opened this week in Walsall between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton stations.
This OpenRailwayMap shows the location of the stations.
Note.
- Wolverhampton station is in the North-West corner of the map.
- Darlaston station is marked with an arrow in the middle of the map.
- Willenhall station is between Wolverhampton and Darlaston stations
- Bescot Stadium station is in the South-East corner of the map.
- Tame Valley Parkway is the first station South-East of Bescot Stadium station on the way to Birmingham New Street station.
- Walsall FC play in the Bescot Stadium.
- Walsall station is in the North-East corner of the map.
Trains between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street stations, run the following service.
- Trains start in the West at Shrewsbury.
- There are four trains per hour (4 tph).
- 2 tph have one stopping pattern and the other 2 tph have another.
These pictures show Willenhall station.
Note.
The two stations seem to share a simple design.
Both stations have a step-free bridge with lifts.
Darlaston station has a good-sized car park.
Willenhall station’s car park appears to be still being landscaped.
Neither station appears to have solar roofs. On roofs like these at Denmark Hill Station, they have been fitted, which I wrote about in Denmark Hill Station – 4th September 2021.
What Offshore Wind Turbine Components Can Be Transported By RORO Ferries?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) ferries, specifically specialized vessels like the Rotra class (Rotra Vente, Rotra Mare, Rotra Futura), are used to transport major, oversized offshore wind turbine components. These vessels allow large parts to be rolled directly on and off the deck using hydraulic ramps, mitigating the need for heavy-lift cranes in some cases.
Wind Turbine Blades: Modern RORO vessels can transport massive rotor blades—sometimes over 100 meters long—stowed in tiers (up to 12 or more blades per trip).
Nacelles: RORO vessels can carry multiple complete nacelles for large-scale direct-drive wind turbines.
Tower Sections: These vessels can accommodate large tower sections, often transporting multiple sections at once.
Hubs: Hub components can be transported via RORO, especially when loaded onto specialized trucks.
Drivetrains and Transformers: Internal components and large drivetrain assemblies are transported in the holds.
Floating Substructures/Substructures: In addition to the turbine itself, specialized RORO systems can transport components of floating substructures, such as secondary steel, inverters, and mooring equipment.
Advantages of RORO for Wind Components
Reduced Handling: Eliminates the need for cranes to lift heavy items, reducing the risk of damage during transport.
High Efficiency: Allows rapid loading and unloading of numerous large items simultaneously.
Protection: Specialized RORO vessels often feature telescopic roofs to protect sensitive nacelles from saltwater spray.
Efficiency for Large Projects: Specifically designed for handling large-scale offshore wind projects, such as the North Sea developments.
Specialized vessels, such as the Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon, are designed to handle even larger, heavier components for next-generation offshore wind farms, and they often include cranes to complement their RORO loading method.
This article on offshoreWIND.biz is entitled RoRo Offshore Vessel Rotra Futura Hits the Water, and gives a full description of the vessel and her sister; Rotra Horizon.
This is the sub-heading.
The first of two offshore wind Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessels, the Rotra Future, designed to transport wind turbine components, has been launched at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard in China.
These four paragraphs give details of the design, financing, construction and ownership of the two vessels.
Concordia Damen has collaborated with Amasus, deugro Denmark, Siemens Gamesa, and DEKC Maritime in the development and construction of two RoRo vessels, namely Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon.
The vessels, of which the first one was launched recently at the shipyard in China, are designed for the transport of large, and ever growing, wind turbine components.
The design of the two RoRo vessels builds on the previous ships in the Rotra concept, the Rotra Mare and Rotra Vente, which were also developed by Concordia Damen and have been operating since 2016.
These vessels are designed with a RO/RO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) system and an innovative ramp, allowing for the safe and efficient transport of larger loads.
‘Our Wind Farm Won’t Discourage Bronte Tourists’
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-title.
The developers of England’s largest wind farm have claimed that the turbines will not discourage visitors to moors once loved by the Bronte sisters.
These three paragraphs add more detail.
Calderdale Energy Park is applying to construct 34 turbines on Walshaw Moor, between Hebden Bridge and Haworth – the village associated with Bronte tourism.
As a nine-week public consultation begins, chief executive Christian Egal told objectors that the development would provide “cheap, reliable and stable” energy.
Campaigners who oppose the plans for the West Yorkshire moorland said that the wind farm would turn the scenic area into an “industrial complex”.
It is worth reading the whole BBC article as it gives a lot of detail and if you are worried about this sort of development, you should visit.
I have some thoughts.
Saint Brieuc Wind Farm
This wind farm has a web site.
Christian Egal says this about this wind farm of the coast of Brittany in France.
“There are thousands of visitors every day taking a boat to visit the wind farm, it has been demonstrated that at similar sites the balance is not negative, there are lots of circumstances where wind farms attract a lot of interest.”
The developers should make the wind farm visitor-friendly.
Peat
I know that peat on these and other moors is a sensitive subject and this is said about it.
Access roads will be built over the moor but Egal said: “We avoid deep peat, each turbine is located where the peat is shallow and any peat that is removed will be reinstated locally so the net balance will be zero loss of peat.
That looks to be the right attitude!
Will There Be A Battery?
This Google Map shows Haworth.
Note.
- Haworth is outlined in red.
- There appears to be something like a quarry on the Eastern edge of the map.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a suitable space for on of the new technology batteries can be found.
Rheenergise is one company that comes to mind.
Do Some People Have Skin That Leaks Excessive Amounts Of Water And Makes Their Hands And Feet Go Red?
That’s what seems to have happened to me over the last few days.
- I also seem to be producing excessive amounts of phlegm, which I’ve dealt with by drinking bottles of Adnams Ghost Ship Alcohol Free Pale Ale, which was recommended to me by Google AI in Does Zero-Alcohol Beer Help Phlegm?. It works well!
- I slept very badly last night.
- My teeth are painful too.
- I am taking a couple of paracetamol tablets each day for the pain.
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, some people experience conditions where their skin—particularly on the hands and feet—becomes red, hot, and appears to “leak” fluid or sweat excessively. These symptoms are often associated with rare or chronic conditions, most commonly Erythromelalgia, Dyshidrotic Eczema, or severe Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Here are the primary conditions that cause these symptoms:
1. Erythromelalgia (Red, Hot, Painful Skin)
This is a rare condition characterized by intense burning pain, severe redness, and increased skin temperature, most commonly affecting the feet, but often the hands as well.
The “Leakage”: While it is technically a vascular issue, the severe inflammation and heat can lead to secondary sweating or fluid-like sensations.
Trigger: It is triggered by warmth, exercise, or stress.
Characteristics: It can be primary (inherited) or secondary (linked to other conditions like blood disorders or nerve damage).
2. Dyshidrotic Eczema (Pompholyx)
This is a skin condition that produces small, intense, fluid-filled blisters on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sides of the fingers.
The “Leakage”: These blisters can leak serum (a clear fluid), making the skin look wet or “weeping”.
Symptoms: Severe itching and burning typically precede the appearance of the blisters, followed by dry, cracked, and red skin.
Causes: Triggers include stress, allergies, and hot, sweaty conditions.
3. Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
This condition involves overactive sweat glands that produce far more moisture than is needed for cooling.
The “Leakage”: Hands and feet can be constantly dripping or damp.
Redness: While hyperhidrosis itself causes wetness, the chronic dampness and resulting irritation can cause the skin to appear red and irritated.
4. Other Potential Causes
Weeping Eczema: A complication of eczema where intense inflammation causes skin to ooze fluid.
Infected Skin (Cellulitis): A bacterial infection that causes red, hot, swollen skin, which may sometimes blister or leak fluid.
Lymphedema: Chronic fluid buildup can sometimes result in fluid leaking directly through the skin in severe cases.
Note: If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms—specifically red, painful, or leaking skin—it is important to consult a healthcare professional, as some of these conditions require specific treatments to prevent complications like infections or skin damage.
Does Zero-Alcohol Beer Help Phlegm?
As a child, I suffered badly from phlegm and regularly had days off school. Sometimes, it was even whole terms.
How I passed the 11-plus is probably a mystery!
But my father also had breathing problems, which he controlled with catarrh tablets and strong peppermints. That remedy never worked for me!
My father’s father died at around fifty of acute pneumonia and asthma. Although most of my father’s descriptions of my grandfather include the fact that he was a drunk.
Which leads me to my first question for Google AI – Can Storms Bring On Phlegm?
Google AI gave me this answer.
Yes, storms and the associated weather shifts can bring on increased phlegm, congestion, and respiratory issues. Stormy weather often causes a rapid decrease in barometric pressure, high humidity, and increased wind, all of which can trigger excess mucus production.
Here is how storms affect your respiratory system:
Thunderstorm Asthma & Allergies: Thunderstorms can rupture pollen grains and mold spores, spreading tiny, easily inhalable particles in the air. These microscopic particles travel deeper into the lungs, triggering allergic reactions, phlegm, and asthma-related symptoms.
Barometric Pressure Shifts: When a storm approaches, air pressure drops, causing the air-filled sinuses to expand. This can cause sinus membranes to swell and produce extra mucus, leading to congestion and post-nasal drip.
High Humidity and Mold: High humidity and rainy weather create ideal conditions for mold growth, which is a major allergen that can trigger phlegm and respiratory congestion.
Wind and Pollen: Strong winds before or during a storm can stir up pollen and dust, triggering symptoms even in people who do not have chronic allergies.
If you notice increased coughing, wheezing, or phlegm during storms, it is often due to these environmental changes forcing the airways to narrow and produce more mucus.
Some of that may apply to me.
Note.
- My father and grandfather used to go to Biarritz for the winter, when the family had money.
- The only time, I went to Biarritz, I felt wonderful.
- I love being at altitude.
- I never had phlegm living in Liverpool or Suff0lk or with C.
- I felt better last week in South Wales, despite the rain.
My breathing was probably best, when I worked on chemical plants.
Zero-Alcohol Beer seems to help and I drink a lot of it, which leads me to my second question for Google AI – Does Zero-Alcohol Beer Help Phlegm?
Google AI gave me this answer.
Yes, zero-alcohol (non-alcoholic) beer can potentially help with phlegm and respiratory issues, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory properties, rather than acting as a direct cough suppressant.
Here is how it can help, based on research:
Reduces Inflammation and Respiratory Illness: Studies on marathon runners found that non-alcoholic beer, rich in polyphenols (natural plant compounds), reduced inflammation and lowered the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections.
Anti-inflammatory and Antiviral Properties: The polyphenols found in non-alcoholic beer offer anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that can help manage inflammation in the airways.
Hydration: Unlike alcoholic beer, which can dehydrate you and make phlegm thicker, non-alcoholic beer acts as an isotonic, hydrating beverage. Staying hydrated is essential for thinning mucus and making it easier to clear.
Immune System Support: Regular consumption of non-alcoholic beer has been shown to improve immune response and reduce the severity of colds.
Could the fact that most zero-alcohol beers are also gluten-free help with the last point?
The Anonymous Widower 