Germany's national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) is allowing passengers to cancel trips due to extreme heat. The state-owned company is offering refunds for long-distance tickets purchased by June 23, valid until June 30. This is the first time DB has offered refunds because of heat.

The heat is also causing problems for the railway system: air conditioning units may fail, and points and safety technology can be damaged by intense sunlight. Last summer, heat caused problems with several points in June and July, leading to cancellations and delays. Heavy rainstorms that often follow hot periods also pose risks.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will rotate his squad for the final World Cup group game against Ecuador, but striker Deniz Undav will remain on the bench despite scoring three goals recently. Nagelsmann said: "I understand the argument that Deniz has earned his place... Nevertheless, we also have a plan behind our decisions."

The Ifo Institute reported that Germany's export outlook improved slightly, with the export expectations index rising to minus 3.7 points in June from minus 5.6 in May. Economist Klaus Wohlrabe said: "The exporters are still skeptical whether geopolitical uncertainty will ease in a sustained way. International competition also remains strong."

The picture varies sharply by sector: the electrical industry expects strong growth, while beverage producers are the most optimistic. However, Germany's key car industry remains under pressure, with expectations falling further to minus 17.9 points. The chemicals sector showed a marked recovery.

Source: www.dw.com