French and German rail operators launch the first direct high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin, in response to growing European demand for train travel. "It's a direct, stress-free and climate-friendly connection," says Deutsche Bahn chief Richard Lutz. The trains run at up to 320 kilometres (199 miles) per hour while in France, but that speed drops to a maximum 250 km/h in Germany -- only just meeting the definition of high-speed rail travel. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES