5 things you need to know Wednesday

1. Paychecks increase for corporate McDonald's workers

McDonald's employees can now expect an extra dollar an hour — but only if they work at a corporate restaurant. In response to the minimum wage debate, McDonald's raised 10% of employees' paychecks and added vacation benefits. The other 90% work at franchise-operated stores, which don't offer the increase. President Obama called for a gradual increase from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour last spring, but the Senate blocked the bill.

McDonald's wage protests continue as shareholders meet

Protesters marched on McDonald's corporate headquarters June 15, but the company is looking to Washington to address minimum wage issues nationally.

Time

2. U.S. and Cuba to announce embassies in Havana and D.C.

The United States and Cuba will announce an agreement Wednesday to open embassies in each other's capitals, formally re-establish diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961. Obama has made rapprochement with Cuba a key part of his second-term agenda, arguing that 55 years of freezing out the Communist country has been counterproductive to establishing human rights on the Caribbean island nation.The move could face opposition in Congress: Republicans — including Cuban-American senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, both seeking the Republican nomination for president — have threatened to withhold funding for an embassy in Havana. An ambassador would also face a Senate confirmation hearing.

3. Amazon starts paying Kindle library authors by pages read

Reading only the first and last pages of a book might take a chunk out of authors' paychecks. Starting Wednesday, Amazon will pay authors in its Kindle library program by the number of pages read and not the number of times a book is checked out. Book authors who penned novels with word counts of about 500,000 told Amazon they felt they should receive more than authors writing 20,000-word publications. And Amazon responded with pay-by-page.

4. Army's new camouflage hit stores

Soldiers will look a little less homogeneous the next few months as the Army begins its transition to new combat uniforms. The uniforms with the Army's new operational camouflage pattern — and nine design changes — are on track to start appearing in military stores Wednesday. The uniform will become the new normal after a four-year transitional phase designed to save money for the Army and soldiers. Commanders are not allowed to force soldiers to buy replacement uniforms just to match the unit, but at least they are all, well, camouflage.

First look at Army's new camouflage uniforms

The Army begins to transition into new combat uniforms beginning July 1. Until the stock of current uniforms runs out, soldiers can expect a lot of mixing and matching of camo items.

VPC

5. "The Hunger Games: The Exhibition" showcases set items in New York

Hunger Games fans looking to "volunteer as tributes" can head to New York City for the experience. The Hunger Games: The Exhibition opened Wednesday in Discovery Times Square and the six-month showcase displays costumes, props, set recreations and interactives tied to the book and movie franchise. Seven themed hold key film artifacts, including the "Girl on Fire" dress worn by heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), her Mockingjay armor and pin, and her bow. Visitors just pay an entrance fee to join the "Games." "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2" opens in theaters Nov. 20.

And, the essentials:

Weather: A few scattered storms will be the main stories across the nation on the first day of July.

Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Wednesday.

TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Operation Wild and Mr. Robot.

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