Germany is set to raise its hourly minimum wage to €14.60 ($17.11) by 2027, a government-appointed commission decided on Friday.

The wage increase will take place in two stages.

First, it will be increased from €12.82 per hour to €13.90 at the beginning of 2026.

It will then increase again by €0.70 a year later.

This means German workers would typically earn close to €2,500, making it the second-highest minimum wage in the European Union after Luxembourg,&nbsp;which mandates a monthly minimum of €2,638.

Three other EU countries also have a national minimum wage higher than €2,000 per month:&nbsp;Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland.

<h2>Who decided to raise the minimum wage?</h2>

Germany's Minimum Wage Commission is made up of top representatives from unions and employers.

It votes on wage adjustments every two years, taking into account the growth in incomes.

The commission's proposal must be implemented by the Labor Ministry.

In the lead-up to February's election, the Social Democrats (SPD) campaigned on raising the minimum wage. The party is now the junior member in a coalition with the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

"It's good that the minimum wage commission has reached a consensus," CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann told Germany's DPA news agency.

"This is social partnership in action and shows that the commission works. Setting wages will remain a matter for the collective bargaining partners in the future."&nbsp;

Edited by: Kieran Burke

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Germany to raise minimum wage to €14.60 by 2027

China's Commerce Ministry on Friday announced that Beijing and Washington had confirmed the details of a trade deal framework&nbsp;that the two countries had agreed upon earlier this month following talks in London.

According to the statement from the ministry, Washington will lift "restrictive measures against China," and Beijing will "review and approve applications for the export control items."

Late Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and China had signed a trade agreement and that he expects to soon reach a deal with India. "We just signed with China the other day," Trump said.

Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the deal was "signed and sealed" two days earlier. No details about the agreement were provided by either Lutnick or Trump.

"The president likes to close these deals himself," Lutnick said. Also on Thursday, a White House official announced that the United States had reached an agreement with China on how to expedite shipments of rare earth materials to the US.

<h2>What do we know about US-China trade talks?</h2>

The announcement by the US and China follows initial talks in Geneva in early May, which led both sides to postpone massive tariff hikes that threatened to halt much of the trade between the two countries.

Later talks in London set a framework for negotiations, and the deal Trump and Chinese Commerce Ministry mentioned appeared to formalize that agreement.

Ensuring the supply of rare earth elements— essential for products including electric vehicles, hard drives, and national defense equipment — has been a top priority for Washington in talks with Beijing.

In early April, China — which dominates global production of these elements — began requiring export licenses, a move widely viewed as a response to Trump's tariffs.

Shares in Europe and Asia rose as investors assessed signs of easing trade tensions between the United States and China.

<h2>Chinese foreign minister to visit EU, Germany, France next week</h2>

On Friday, Beijing also announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Europe next week to meet with his counterparts from the European Union, Germany, and France.

China's top diplomat will meet with his EU counterpart, Kaja Kallas, at the bloc's headquarters in Brussels for a "China-EU high-level strategic dialogue," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

In Germany, Wang will discuss diplomacy and security with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and in France, he will meet with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.

While in Brussels, Wang will also meet with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot.

Edited by: Kieran Burke

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China and US confirm agreement on trade framework

Billionaire&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;founder Jeff Bezos has changed the venue of the party celebrating his wedding with former TV presenter Lauren Sanchez, following protests against the event scheduled for the weekend in the Italian city of Venice.

The wedding party, which was rumored to be held this&nbsp;Saturday in a popular and central nightlife area,&nbsp;in Cannaregio's&nbsp;Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia,&nbsp;was moved to an isolated, less accessible part of the lagoon city for security reasons.

The&nbsp;highly anticipated event,&nbsp;dubbed "the wedding of the century," is set to draw a bevy of celebrities,&nbsp;including US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both of whom have&nbsp;already arrived in Venice.

<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.dw.com/image/73028266_906.jpg" alt="Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arrived in Venice earlier today" title="Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arrived in Venice earlier today" class="hq-img loaded"><figcaption class="img-caption">Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arrived in Venice earlier today</figcaption></figure>

<h2>Reception venue moved to an isolated part of city</h2>

The wedding party, which will include some 250 guests,&nbsp;will now be held in the Arsenale, an exhibition space for the Venice Biennale art fair. The venue, which lies further from the center,&nbsp;was originally a shipyard serving the Venetian Republic's maritime empire during its heyday in the 15th century.

The venue is considered safer than the medieval former religious school where the party was initially scheduled to be held. It is surrounded by water, making it impossible to reach by land when bridges are raised.

<h2>Protesters argue against turning&nbsp;fragile city into a private park for the rich</h2>

Protesters including residents and pressure groups have rallied against&nbsp;the wedding ceremony for weeks, arguing that the event will transform the city into a private amusement park for the rich.

Protesters ask city authorities to prioritize local needs over those of tourists,&nbsp;with more protests&nbsp;scheduled on Saturday on Venice's canals, bridges and narrow streets in an effort to turn the event into a "nightmare" for the Amazon founder and his guests.

"The news that Bezos has run away from the Misericordia is a great victory for us," Reuters quoted Tommaso Cacciari, a&nbsp;leader of the "No Space for Bezos" campaign, as saying.&nbsp;

<h2>Bezos-Sanchez wedding location kept under wraps</h2>

The exact date and location of the wedding have so far been kept a secret for security reasons.

The wedding and the parties held on its sidelines are expected to cost €40 to&nbsp;€48 million ($46&nbsp;to&nbsp;$55&nbsp;million), according to Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region&nbsp;that comprises the city.

Bezos,&nbsp;in parallel, will&nbsp;make sizable charity donations, including €1 million for Corila, an academic consortium that studies Venice's lagoon ecosystem, according to Italian media reports.

Zaia defended the wedding and criticized&nbsp;protesters, saying that the celebrations&nbsp;would bring revenue of up to €48 million to local businesses, via the 90 private jets&nbsp;set to carry&nbsp;guests to nearby airports.

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Bezos' Venice wedding party venue moved following protests

The European Union has launched an antitrust investigation into Mars' acquisition of Pringles' maker Kellanova, it announced on Wednesday, citing concerns of market price hikes.

In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission said the multibillion-dollar deal between the two US-based snack makers would increase Mars' bargaining power against EU retailers.

Announced last August, the $35.9 billion (roughly €31 billion) deal was meant to bring two new billion-dollar brands, Pringles and Cheez-It, into Mars' fold.

Mars&nbsp;hoped the acquisition would help it meet demand in fast-growing markets, including Africa and Latin America.

<h2>Why is the EU concerned about the acquisition?</h2>

The EU said alarmed retailers across the 27-nation bloc reached out, expressing concerns regarding Mars' increased bargaining power should the deal go through.

"By acquiring Kellanova, Mars will add several very popular brands of potato chips and cereals to its already broad and strong product portfolio," EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said. Aside from Pringles, Kellanova also produces Kellogg's cereals.

Citing inflation and high food prices across the continent, Ribera stressed the importance of ensuring "this acquisition does not further drive up the cost of shopping baskets."

She added that the EU's in-depth investigation will assess the deal's impact on the price of products sold by both companies.

Mars, which also makes popular snacks including M&amp;Ms and Snickers, defended the acquisition, saying it would "deliver more choice and innovation to consumers."

"We are disappointed yet remain optimistic that this investigation will be positively resolved," the company said in a statement, adding that it was cooperating with the investigation.

A decision is expected by October 31.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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Mars' acquisition of Pringles' maker triggers EU alarms

Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel closed a $14.9 billion (€12.96 billion) acquisition of US Steel, both companies said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

According to a joint press release, US Steel will retain its name and headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.&nbsp; The "partnership" will also include "massive investments in steelmaking" in several US states.

Under the deal's terms, Nippon bought 100% of US Steel shares at $55 per share, the same offer that was made when Nippon first introduced its bid&nbsp;in 2023.

"The companies have now completed the transaction as contemplated by their merger agreement," Nippon and US Steel said.&nbsp;

<h2>Revamped deal after 18-month delay&nbsp;</h2>

The deal was held up for 18 months by opposition from US steel unions, and was formally blocked by outgoing President Joe Biden in January 2025, who cited&nbsp;national security concerns and risks to key supply chains.&nbsp;

Current President Donald Trump also opposed the takeover&nbsp;on the campaign trail.

After taking office, the Trump administration ordered a new national security review of Nippon's bid, while at the same time&nbsp;beginning negotiations for concessions.

The finalized deal includes a commitment by Nippon for $11 billion of new investments in US Steel for the next three years. It also includes an agreement based on national security concerns to meet US production demands for steel.

Additionally, US Steel's top management,&nbsp;including the CEO, will be US&nbsp;citizens.

<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.dw.com/image/72742054_906.jpg" alt="Donald Trump points next to steelworkers in Pennsylvania " title="Donald Trump points next to steelworkers in Pennsylvania " class="hq-img loaded"><figcaption class="img-caption">Trump visits a US Steel factory in Pennsylvania in May </figcaption></figure>

<h2>US government maintains veto power&nbsp;</h2>

Importantly, the revamped deal allows for a "golden share," which gives the US government veto authority over corporate decisions that could affect US jobs, representing an unusually high level of government control given by the companies.&nbsp;

These include vetoing moves like changes to plant operations, cutting production capacity and moving jobs overseas.

The acquisition agreement also includes a big role for&nbsp;Trump, giving the president&nbsp;authority to name a board member.

The inclusion of this golden share clause was part of a bid by Nippon to allay concerns from the US Committee on Foreign Investment, which checks foreign investment for national security risks.

Eiji Hashimoto, Nippon Steel's CEO, thanked Trump in a press release, and framed the&nbsp;acquisition as a "new chapter" for the ailing US steel giant.&nbsp;

US Steel CEO Dave Burritt said that "American workers secured the best possible deal."

When the takeover was first pitched in 2023, US Steel had approved the&nbsp;$14.9-billion bid saying it would help&nbsp;protect the ailing firm&nbsp;from intense competition from abroad, including China.

On Wednesday, Nippon Steel said its annual steel production capacity is now expected to reach 86 million tons.&nbsp;



Edited by: Rana Taha

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Nippon completes acquisition of US Steel

Niger's ruling junta militia announced plans to nationalize Somair — a unit of the French uranium company Orano, on Thursday, escalating tensions between the two nations.&nbsp;

"Faced with the irresponsible, illegal and disloyal behavior of Orano, a company owned by the French state, a state openly hostile to Niger, Niger has decided, in all sovereignty, to nationalize Somair," the junta said in a statement read on Niger's national television.&nbsp;

The decision comes amid a deepening rift between Paris and Niamey after a deterioration in 2023 when the military junta staged a coup to take over Niger. As a result, France had pulled back its troops from the Sahel nation.&nbsp;

<h2>Why is Niger nationalizing a French-run venture?</h2>

Orano&nbsp;— which is itself 90% owned by the French state&nbsp;— holds a 63% stake in Somair. The rest of the uranium venture is controlled by Niger's state-run Sopamin.

Orano has operated uranium mines in Niger for decades but was shut out of its operations in three key mines in 2024 following a coup that saw a sharp rise in anti-French sentiment in the former French colony.

Niger possesses some of the world's&nbsp;largest uranium deposits.

The French company has been pursuing legal means to regain operational control of Somair, claiming the state's actions have been damaging the mine's finances.

In May, The Financial Times reported that the company was also exploring options to sell off its stake in the venture.&nbsp;

Edited by: Alex Berry

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Niger to nationalize French share in uranium company Somair

Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, announced Thursday that it will impose fines<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20"><path d="M11.5 3.5 11.5 4.233C14.342 4.233 15.167 4.245 15.167 4.258L8.984 10.467 10.033 11.516C14.826 6.725 16.228 5.333 16.242 5.333L16.267 9 17.733 9 17.733 2.767 11.5 2.767 11.5 3.5M2.267 11 2.267 17.233 16.733 17.233 16.733 12 15.267 12 15.25 15.75 9.5 15.75 3.75 15.75 3.75 6.25 9.5 6.233 9.5 4.767 2.267 4.767 2.267 11 "></path></svg> starting at €500 ($579) on passengers whose disruptive behavior leads to their removal from a flight.

The budget carrier said it hopes the fine will serve as "a deterrent to eliminate this unacceptable behavior onboard our aircraft."

"It is unacceptable that passengers are made to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger's behavior," a Ryanair spokesperson&nbsp;said.

<h2>Ryanair also&nbsp;pursue civil damages</h2>

Ryanair said disruptions were "caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers."

In one incident in January, the airline sought more than €15,000 in damages after a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, in Spain's Canary Islands, was diverted to the Portuguese city of Porto due to a disruptive passenger.

A Ryanair flight from Glasgow to Krakow in June 2024 was diverted to Rzeszow, Poland, due to a disruptive passenger. The passenger&nbsp; was convicted in court and fined €3,230.

The airline has amended its terms and conditions to allow fines to be "taken directly from the card used to make the booking."

Ryanair, which transported more than 200 million passengers between 2024 and 2025, had called on the European Union to limit the sale of alcohol at airports.

Edited by:&nbsp;Zac&nbsp;Crellin

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Ryanair to fine unruly passengers €500 or more

US President&nbsp;Donald Trump on Wednesday announced progress in trade negotiations with China, highlighting a new agreement that would see Beijing supply the world's biggest economy with "magnets, and any necessary rare earths."

Rare earth elements are critical for various high-tech industries, and China is the world's dominant supplier. The agreement marks a potential de-escalation in trade tensions between the two economic powers.

The deal follows two days of talks in London, where rare earth exports were a major point of contention. Trump said the agreement — pending final approval from both him and Chinese President Xi Jinping — also includes a provision allowing Chinese students to continue studying at US colleges.

More to come...

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Trump says deal 'done' for China to supply rare earths

China's export growth slowed to a three-month low in May as shipments to the United States dropped following tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, according to customs data released on Monday.

While exports rose 4.8% year-on-year, it was down from 8.1% in April, with shipments to the US falling almost 12% month-on-month.

The report of the slowdown comes just hours before another round of trade talks between US and Chinese officials in London.

In May, China exported $28.8 billion (€25.23 billion) worth of goods to the US, down from $33 billion in April.

Analysts say the strong trade figures in March and April can be attributed to a rush by exporters to ship goods ahead of anticipated tariff hikes.

At the same time, imports from the US also fell 7.4% to $10.8 billion.

<h2>Trump, Xi phone call signals thaw in ties</h2>

On Thursday, Trump said he had a "very good phone call" with China's President Xi Jinping, which "resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries."

The call comes amid a 90-day tariff truce that came into effect last month which paused a spiraling trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Trump has lowered his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% for 90 days to allow for talks while China also reduced its taxes on US goods from 125% to 10%.



<h2>Beijing braces for economic fallout</h2>

The China-US trade talks are happening as US policymakers have voiced frustration at China's stalling on export license approvals for rare earths and other elements needed in the high-tech, defense, and clean energy sectors.

China's government data also showed&nbsp;a fall in the producer price index, while consumer prices dipped.

Meanwhile, to cushion the economic blow, Beijing introduced new stimulus measures in May, including interest rate cuts.

Edited by: Kieran Burke

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US trade tensions hit China's export growth

Top US and Chinese officials met in London on Monday for trade talks amidst tensions between to the two superpowers.

Beijing has sent Vice Premier He Lifeng for the negotiations while Washington is being represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at Lancaster House.

Issues up for discussion are likely to include US restrictions on the sale of high-tech products to China, and China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, where it dominates the global market.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to the meeting in a phone call on Thursday. It's the first time officials from the two countries are meeting since May, when tariffs on both sides were cut back considerably following discussions in Switzerland.

A spokesperson for the British government confirmed only that the meeting will take place in the UK and that the country "welcomes the dialogue."

<h2>US officials desire&nbsp;'handshake' agreement</h2>

According to Trump, the talks will focus on the details of the May trade agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called on China to keep its side of the agreement to pave the way for a more comprehensive deal.

"The purpose of the meeting today is to make sure that they're serious, but to literally get handshakes," Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC in an interview.

He said the expectation was that immediately after the handshake, export controls would be eased and rare earths released in volume.

After the phone call between the two presidents last week, China has also called on the US to stick to the agreement, while refraining from criticism.

The talks, which could run into Tuesday, come at a crucial time for both economies, with investors looking for relief from Trump's cascade of tariff orders since his return to the White House in January.

Edited by: Zac Crellin

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US, Chinese officials meet in London for further trade talks

On Thursday, the German-based candymaker Haribo recalled its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands after cannabis was found in at least three bags containing the product.

The recall only applies to 1-kilogram (2.2-pound) bags sold in the Netherlands.

Haribo has asked customers to return Happy Cola F!ZZ candies with a best-before date (BBD) of January 2026 and the product code L341-4002307906 for a refund.

Despite the low number of products found to contain cannabis, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20"><path d="M11.5 3.5 11.5 4.233C14.342 4.233 15.167 4.245 15.167 4.258L8.984 10.467 10.033 11.516C14.826 6.725 16.228 5.333 16.242 5.333L16.267 9 17.733 9 17.733 2.767 11.5 2.767 11.5 3.5M2.267 11 2.267 17.233 16.733 17.233 16.733 12 15.267 12 15.25 15.75 9.5 15.75 3.75 15.75 3.75 6.25 9.5 6.233 9.5 4.767 2.267 4.767 2.267 11 "></path></svg> said Haribo had issued a complete batch recall as a precaution.

"There are bags in circulation with sweets that can lead to health complaints, such as dizziness, when consumed," NVWA spokesperson Saida Ahyad said.

"The police reported this to the NVWA after several people, both children and adults, became ill after eating the cola bottles," Ahyad said. "Do not eat the sweets," Ahyad added.

<h2>Haribo working with Dutch authorities</h2>

Haribo said it was actively working with authorities to find out how the cannabis made its way into the company's products.

"The safety of our consumers is our highest priority, and Haribo takes this incident very seriously," Haribo's vice president of marketing, Patrick Tax, told the AFP news agency.

"This is a live issue and we are working closely with the Dutch authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts around the contamination," Tax said.

The internationally renowned sweets manufacturer has been producing its cola bottles since 1965, promising that "every bottle conceals a little adventure of its own."

Edited by: Zac Crellin

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Haribo recalls sweets in Netherlands after cannabis found

China has agreed to resume the import of seafood from Japan after a two-year ban over the discharge of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, Tokyo said on Friday.

<h2>What do we know about the deal between China and Japan?</h2>

The agreement between the two countries was reached in a meeting held in Beijing on Wednesday, Japan's Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said.

He said the export to China will begin once China takes "necessary procedures."

The exact procedures were not detailed by Japan.

The agreement is based on China's participation in the water sampling missions as part of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Nikkei newspaper, which reported the news earlier, said that the agreement calls on Japan to register fishery processing facilities with the Chinese authorities.

The agreement also requires inspection and certification of the seafood, confirming the absence of radioactive substances such as caesium-137.

Nikkei&nbsp;also reported that China is expected to officially announce the resumption of exports from areas that lie outside the Fukushima region soon.

<h2>Why did China ban the import of seafood from Japan?</h2>

In 2023, China stopped importing Japanese seafood over the release of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

It said the released water posed a risk to the fishing industry and coastal communities in eastern China.



The Fukushima Daiichi plant was damaged in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which led to meltdowns in three of its reactors,&nbsp;causing large amounts of radioactive water to accumulate.

Japan started releasing the treated wastewater into the sea in 2023 and said the discharge met international safety standards&nbsp;and data from the IAEA monitoring was publicly available.

But China still decided to halt the import of Japanese seafood at the time.

Edited by Sean Sinico