But today, file-sharing is one of the most cutting-edge areas of software development, as high-speed Internet connections allow users to trade music, movies and applications at a blistering pace.

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The decision is a signal that China is slowing its ambitious high-speed rail program, which has put the country in the same league as Japan and Europe in terms of high-speed rail development, government run newspaper China Daily reported on Thursday.

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In the postwar decades, scientists working there pioneered a stunning list of breakthroughs, from advances in high-speed photography to the development of the physics behind microwaves.

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The former president also favors government spending, on infrastructure, student loans, job training, manufacturing, broadband, high-speed rail, and development of alternative energy sources like biofuel, solar and wind.

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The development of high-speed trains across Europe encourages direct travel from one city centre to another, reinforcing the appeal of living and working near the centre.

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What's more, legislation approved by the European Union last year that requires national rail systems to open up to operators from other countries by 2010, will further push development of a European network of high-speed rail.

CNN: The high-speed rail revolution

"If we are to continue economic development and prosperity, we will need to greatly reduce our daily oil consumption, and high-speed rail is the only possible solution that can scale up to meet the growing demand of American mobility while greatly reducing our oil consumption, " said Kunz.

CNN: Is the U.S. turning a corner on high-speed rail?