The minimum wage for German workers is set to rise to an hourly €15. Though such a boost would put more money into the pockets of many, it could also increase production costs and contribute to increased inflation.

Berlin

The German government is weighing the possibility of raising the national minimum wage, which currently stands at €12.82 per hour and affects around six million workers, primarily in retail, gastronomy, and service sectors. The minimum wage is determined by an independent commission that aims to set it at about 60 percent of the median wage.

Employers express concerns that higher wages could lead to staff reductions and increased prices for consumers. Since its introduction in 2015 at €8.50, the minimum wage has risen steadily, and a proposed increase to €15 would represent a 76 percent rise over ten years. While some economists argue that a higher minimum wage could boost incomes and economic activity, others caution that it may also drive up the cost of goods and services, potentially impacting consumer demand.

New German government weighs hiking minimum wage

Washing, cutting, trimming. Oksana has been working at the Cutman hair salon in Berlin for three years. Like many in her line of work, she's passionate about styling her customers and having a friendly chat while doing so. At the same time, many hairdressers are also worried as they're making minimum wage in times of drastically rising prices. In Germany, 6 million people work for 12 euros and 82 cents per hour, most of them in retail, gastro and service jobs. Their exact earnings are set by an independent commission. They're required to look towards the median wage and set the minimum at around 60 percent. But for employers, the question of higher wages is not such an easy equation. Here at Cutman, that would mean that we have to cut down on personnel and we have to raise prices. 100 percent will have to pass this on to customers because the money has to come from somewhere. Ever since the minimum wage was standardized back in 2015, it rose steadily, starting at 8 euros and 50 cents. If the minimum wage were to reach 15 euros, as is currently discussed, that would be a 76 percent rise over 10 years, far outpacing standard wages, which on average have only gone up by 22 percent between 2015 and today. Pros and cons of a higher minimum wage can be argued in any hair salon or bakery or restaurant for that matter, but they're also debated among economists and they too disagree on what's best for the country and its stagnating economy. A higher minimum wage guarantees many people a higher income, but it also helps the economy as a whole, as it makes the economy more dynamic, it increases demand and productivity as well. A higher minimum wage certainly strengthens the purchasing power of those who earn it, but we have to be clear about the fact that it also increases prices for goods and services produced or provided by those people who are actually earning that minimum wage. Like the haircuts at Cutman, for example. They would go up in price and the salon fears that customers might cut back on visits.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill reducing the autonomy of two Ukrainian anti-corruption bureaus. Ukrainians protested in Lviv and Kyiv, concerned that the bill could lead to more corruption and threaten Ukraine’s chances of entering the European Union.

Kyiv

Ukrainians protest new anti-corruption law

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release as a second judge barred ICE from taking him into custody. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.

Nashville

Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release

A judge on Wednesday (July 23) sentenced Bryan Kohberger to four life sentences without the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Boise

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison

House Speaker Mike Johnson is sending lawmakers home early for their August recess amid a continued push to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Taurean Small has the latest.

Washington

Speaker Johnson sends House lawmakers home early

Venezuela Attorney General Tarek Saab's office will investigate El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and two other officials for the alleged abuse of Venezuelans who were detained in the Central American country.

Caracas

Venezuela to investigate Bukele for alleged detainee abuse

U.S. President Donald Trump touted new trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines ahead of his looming August 1 global tariff deadline. CBS News' Natalie Brand has the latest from the White House.

Global Tariffs

Trump touts new trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, Philippines

Newly released video shows Jacksonville deputies pulling William McNeil Jr. from his car during a February traffic stop, leaving him with a concussion and chipped tooth. Warning: This report contains disturbing images.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville police under scrutiny after violent arrest

As Bryan Kohberger faces sentencing for the University of Idaho murders, families and investigators are breaking their silence. The gag order has been lifted, prompting emotional impact statements and new revelations from officials involved in the case.

Officials, families break silence as Bryan Kohberger sentencing begins

U.S. President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of "treason" on Tuesday, accusing him, without providing evidence, of leading an effort to falsely tie him to Russia and undermine his 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump accuses Obama of treason in attacks over 2016 Russia probe

President Donald Trump announced a long-awaited trade agreement with Japan on Tuesday night, a framework between the allies and major trading partners that appeared elusive just weeks ago.

Trump announces U.S.-Japan trade deal

The Syrian defense ministry said it was aware of reports of "shocking violations" by people wearing military fatigues in the country's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, and said it would launch an investigation. That came after fighting between Druze militia and government forces sent to the city to quell the unrest has led to hundreds of people killed.

As Suwayda

Middle East Conflict

Syria to probe 'shocking violations' in Sweida after hundreds killed

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee changed its eligibility rules on Monday, effectively barring transgender women from competing in Olympic women's sports. CBS News correspondent Elise Preston has more.

USOPC effectively bars transgender women from women’s sports

President Donald Trump says he's reached a trade deal with Japan that will set tariffs on Japanese imports at 15% and see Japan invest $550 billion into the U.S.

Trump says he's reached trade deal with Japan

Photos from Trump’s 1993 wedding and video footage from 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion show shed light on the Trump-Epstein relationship.

New York

Photos show Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump’s wedding in 1993

Trump announced a new 19% tariff rate for goods from the Philippines after what he called a "beautiful visit" by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the White House, and said U.S. goods would pay zero tariffs.

Trump says U.S. will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who represented President Trump in his "hush money" case, announced he plans to meet with Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend and co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, as the push to release files related to Epstein's trafficking case continues.

Deputy attorney general seeks interview with Ghislaine Maxwell

Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN’s Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal.

Los Angeles

Legendary singer Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76

A SkyWest flight, operating as a Delta connection, with 80 people on board made a sharp maneuver to avoid a B-52 bomber flying over the North Dakota State Fair. The FAA is investigating how the aircraft came so close.

Minot

Investigation underway after jet narrowly avoids Air Force bomber

A judge on Monday sentenced ex-Louisville police officer Brett Hankison to 33 months in prison and three years of subsequent supervised release, following the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor.

Louisville

Judge sentences ex-officer in Breonna Taylor raid to nearly 3 years

A six-week-old infant and three other children have died of starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, local health officials said, with malnutrition and starvation now killing Palestinians faster than at any point in the 21-month war. This video includes images some may find distressing.

Jerusalem

Medics say four Gaza children starve to death in hunger crisis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Russia will hold a new round of peace talks on Wednesday. The announcement comes as Russian drones hit parts of Ukraine, officials said.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy says Russia, Ukraine to hold new round of peace talks

The Trump administration released thousands of records related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., despite objections from his family. CBS News' Weijia Jiang has the latest.

Trump admin releases Martin Luther King Jr. assassination records

Students gather to protest in Bangladesh outside the school where a military jet crashed Monday, killing at least 30 people, including dozens of children.

Dhaka

Protests break out as death toll passes 30 in Bangladesh jet crash

CBS News has learned that a new assessment of the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June finds that only one of three facilities was possibly destroyed. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata has the details.

Tehran

U.S. strikes may have destroyed one Iranian nuclear facility

For the first time, Taiwan has combined two major civil defense exercises and staged them in conjunction with its largest-ever military simulation. CNN’s Will Ripley explains why the self-governing island is bolstering its preparations for a potential war with China.

Taipei

Taiwan holds unprecedented military drills

With questions continuing around the so-called Epstein files, U.S. President Donald Trump has made several controversial social media posts. Some political scientists say the posts are likely a way to distract the public from talking about Trump’s past ties sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump posts fake AI video of Obama arrest amid Epstein furor

The next set of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia - the first meeting in seven weeks - is planned for Wednesday in Turkey, President Zelenskyy quoted the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council as saying.

Zelenskyy says new peace talks planned for Wednesday

Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza is targeting humanitarian hub Deir al-Balah because officials believe Hamas is hiding hostages there. The move comes as 25 countries, including Canada, called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of aid.

Israeli offensive targets humanitarian hub of Deir al-Balah

A sweeping cyber espionage operation targeting Microsoft server software 'SharePoint' compromised about 100 different organizations as of the weekend, two of the organizations that helped uncover the campaign said on Monday (July 21).

Redmond

Microsoft server hack hit about 100 organizations, experts say

Protestors showed up at the federal courthouse in Boston on Monday amid Harvard's $2 billion legal battle with the Trump administration.

Breakdown