China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

A prototype of a new high-speed train that will run at speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour -- making it the fastest commercial train service in the world -- was unveiled by China's railway operator in Beijing on Sunday.

The electric multiple unit (EMU) CR450 train will further shorten travel times on the country's extensive railway network and represents a step up from the current CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains, which run at maximum speeds of 350 kilometers per hour.

The new train has been clocked at up to 450 kilometers per hour during its testing phase, with key performance indicators, including operational speed, energy consumption, interior noise, and braking distance, all setting a new international benchmark, according to the China Railway group.

The CR450 outperforms the existing EMU trains in multiple areas, with better operation and control, improved safety monitoring, and the ability to conduct intelligent interactions with drivers and provide intelligent services for passengers.

The latest breakthroughs made in the development of the CR450 project will help boost China's railway technological innovation and independence, further strengthening the country's global leadership in high-speed rail technology, according to China Railway.

China has built the world's longest and most advanced high-speed rail network since opening its first high-speed line back in 2008. As of September, the country's high-speed rail network exceeded 46,000 kilometers, accounting for over 70 percent of the global high-speed railway length.

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

Venezuela is facing a severe "flight suspension crisis" that has led to challenges in family reunion and severely impacted the tourism industry due to the country's heightened tensions with the U.S. and Trump's threat to shut its airspace.

Amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, both passengers and the Venezuelan airlines that operate international flights are facing pressure as the New Year holiday is near.

Julio, a resident of Caracas, is anxiously waiting for his mother at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia. His mother, in her 90s, has not returned to Venezuela to visit family for two years and is eagerly looking forward to spending the New Year holiday with her loved ones in Caracas. However, due to the recent extreme scarcity of international flights, she has been stranded in Bogota, Colombia, for a week before finally securing a ticket to return home.

"My mother flied from Italy. But due to issues with the airline, she had to stay in Bogota for a week waiting for a flight to Caracas. It used to be easy to buy flight tickets from Colombia. Just 20 days ago, several international airlines were still selling tickets, but now the flight cancellations have made it difficult to purchase them," he said.

The experience of Julio's family is an epitome of the difficulties faced by countless Venezuelans abroad who find it challenging to return home.

At the same time, outbound travel of Venezuelan people has also been severely affected. With most international airlines suspending their operations to and from Venezuela, traveling abroad for the New Year holiday has become both expensive and cumbersome.

A business manager of a travel agency in Caracas said that the extensive flight cancellations have led to a significant increase in travel costs, forcing approximately 35 percent of tourists to cancel their travel plans, with the routes to Europe being the most heavily impacted.

"Due to the lack of direct flights like before, the costs for outbound travel have risen. Travelers now need to purchase an additional connecting flight to reach their destinations. They are faced with the choice of buying multiple tickets or canceling their trips and staying in the country. Venezuelan airlines and the government have been working to address these challenges, but the number of travelers is vast, and many people continue to be affected," the business manager said.

In addition, the sharp decline in the number of inbound tourists has led to a significant drop in the occupancy rate at many hotels in Caracas. To attract tourists, numerous local hotels have been forced to implement substantial price reductions.

To address the series of negative impacts caused by extensive flight cancellations, Venezuela's tourism sector is taking proactive measures.

Vicky Herrera, president of the Venezuelan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism, said that although the tourism industry is currently facing severe challenges, the government is seeking breakthroughs by strengthening routes to neighboring countries.

Flight suspension in Venezuela impacts tourism amid rising U.S. tensions