The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious plan to build a Europe-wide high-speed rail network by 2040, promising to drastically cut travel times, boost cross-border connectivity, and support the EU's green and security goals. The proposed network would allow trains to reach speeds above 250km/hr, linking major European capitals and regional hubs more efficiently than ever before. By 2035, for example, travelers could journey from Athens to Sofia in just six hours, half the current time; while trains between Berlin and Copenhagen would complete the trip in four hours instead of seven. A Paris-Lisbon route via Madrid has also been planned by 2035. According to the Commission, the initiative aims to make rail "the backbone of a carbon-neutral, competitive, and secure Europe". In addition to reducing congestion and emissions, the train network is aimed at strengthening Europe's internal market and improving the movement...