Germany's minimum wage is set to rise by about 14% over the next 18 months under an agreement that appears to defuse a potentially divisive issue for the new government.

A commission in which employers and labor unions are represented recommended on Friday that the minimum wage rise from its current 12.82 euros ($15) per hour to 13.90 euros at the beginning of 2026 and 14.60 euros a year later.

Asia's dependence on Middle East oil and gas — and its relatively slow shift to clean energy — make it vulnerable to disruptions in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic weakness highlighted by the war between Israel and Iran.

Iran sits on the strait, which handles about 20% of shipments of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Four countries — China, India, Japan and South Korea — account for 75% of those imports.

Asian shares were mixed on Friday, losing some of their morning gains, after U.S. stocks ran to the brink of another record. U.S. futures and oil prices also logged modest gains.

Investors were watching for further details after President Donald Trump said the U.S. and China had signed a trade deal. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in an interview on Bloomberg TV that the deal was signed two days ago, but he gave no details, saying "The president likes to close these deals himself."

Billionaire businessman and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter) Elon Musk has called President Joseph Aoun to express his interest in having his companies available in Lebanon.

Musk "expressed his interest in Lebanon and its telecommunications and internet sectors" in a call with Aoun, the Lebanese Presidency said in a statement.

The U.S. and China have signed an agreement on trade, President Donald Trump said, adding he expects to soon have a deal with India.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the deal was signed earlier this week. Neither Lutnick nor Trump provided any details about the agreement.

European Union leaders have called for even greater efforts to help meet Ukraine's pressing military needs, and expressed support for the country's quest to join their ranks, but they made little headway with new sanctions against Russia.

At a summit Thursday in Brussels, the leaders said it was important to deliver more "air defense and anti-drone systems, and large-caliber ammunition, to help Ukraine, as it exercises its inherent right to self-defense, to protect its citizens and territory against Russia's intensified daily attacks."

Shares were mixed in Asia on Thursday after U.S. stocks stayed near their all-time highs as financial markets caught their breath following recent bouts of volatility.

The dollar weakened against the Japanese yen and euro and oil prices were steady.

For her 6th grade honors class, math teacher Ana Sepúlveda wanted to make geometry fun. She figured her students "who live and breathe soccer" would be interested to learn how mathematical concepts apply to the sport. She asked ChatGPT for help.

The World Bank announced on Wednesday it had approved a $250 million project to support Lebanon's reconstruction and recovery following last year's devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Oil prices accelerated losses on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said China can continue to buy Iranian oil, providing reassurance over crude supply in Middle East.

International benchmark Brent slumped 4.5 percent to $68.26 per barrel, while the main US crude contract WTI shed 4.6 percent to $65.34, after plunging earlier over a fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire.