China launches world’s longest train to Spain

In an initiative to build a new silk road linking Asia and Europe though Central Asia, China launched a cargo train service connecting world’s largest commodity market in Yiwu with the Spanish capital Madrid.

The train with 82 containers was the first to travel the entire course of the cargo line on November 18. The journey marks the longest route taken by a freight train, longer still than Russia’s famed Trans-Siberian Railway. While container-borne trade still moves mostly by sea, the growing appetite of the Chinese market for European luxury goods means that Eurasian railway freight is catching up, according to a report in the the Economist. Source: Article

Read More........ → January 24, 2015

Spanish “angel of mercy” sentenced to 127 years for nursing home murders

A security guard in Girona, Spain, has been sentenced to 127 years and 6 months in prison for the murder of 11 elderly residents in the nursing home where he worked. Joan Vila Dilmé admitted that he had administered high doses of insulin, cocktails of various medications, and in some instances, bleach, in order to "relieve the suffering" of his victims. During the trial, Dilmé’s lawyers drew attention to his complex psychological history, which included bouts of depression and anxiety, reclusiveness, cross-dressing and repressed homosexuality. His own vulnerability, according to the defense, led him to have a strong- albeit misguided- sense of compassion for the elderly. Dilmé himself insisted that he only wanted to help prevent the elderly from suffering and help them to die. The judge found that compassion was not Dilmé’s motive and that his psychological state during the killings did not prevent him from distinguishing right from wrong. In addition to the sentence, he was ordered to pay €369,000 to the families of his victims. Source: Article

Read More........ → December 12, 2013

Sky tests F1 3D

In what it describes as a “one-off experiment”, Sky is transmitting the second pre-season Formula One test in Barcelona in 3D. Sky has the rights to show live all Formula One races in the UK, with 2013 marking the second year of its coverage, launching a dedicated Sky F1 HD channel in 2012. The test sessions, which continue up until March 3rd, are being shown on the digital satellite service’s Sky 3D channel. “It’ll be fascinating to see what it looks like,” said John Cassy, Head of Sky 3D, who noted that F1 was the 14th different sport that Sky had covered in 3D. Observers present at a Central London screening of the live coverage noted a number of shots that gave a better perception of distance between cars on the track, and work in the pits, than in 2D – but other shots with objects such as tyre barriers in the foreground were considered distracting. Ex-Grand Prix driver turned Sky F1 commentator and expert analyst Anthony Davidson said the format gave a clearer indication of action that was often afforded by some circuit commentary monitors. The live coverage was made possible with the co-operation of broadcast rights holder Formula One Management, controlled by Bernie Ecclestone. Source: Advanced Television

Read More........ → March 03, 2013