Empty platforms

German train drivers on Wednesday rejected a last-ditch attempt by the national railway company, Deutsche Bahn, to head off a more than four-day strike that could cost the firm 50 million to 60 million euros (62.6 million to 75.12 million dollars), according to dpa.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed the Bahn's offer to the GDL train drivers union for a new round of conciliation in their long-running dispute over pay and working conditions.