High-speed train travel is set to take over in China. New lines linking major cities are providing faster and faster routes. China has committed almost $300 billion over the next decade to build the planet's most expansive high-speed network. The world's fastest train covers the 664-mile Guangzhou-Wuhan trip in just three hours -- an average speed of 217 mph.

In recent weeks, several national elections took place around the world. Here is a round-up of the newly elected with comments from bloggers.