Germany

The number of unemployed Germans rose more than four times what analysts had expected in May. Still Europe's largest economy held onto its jobless rate of 6.9 percent -- lower than the majority of euro zone countries.

Germany and France are launching a 'New Deal' to combat the problem of youth employment in Europe. 24 percent are out of work in the euro zone -- that figure rises to more than 50 percent in Greece and Spain.

German business software company SAP has announced a push to hire autistic people. SAP says autistic employees raised company productivity and engagement.

German business software company SAP has announced a push to hire autistic people. SAP says it's hoping other companies follow its lead.

France is in recession, while Germany's economy has expanded.

As the G7 gathers near London, austerity is on everyone's mind.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel enjoyed close relations with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy but not with successor Francois Hollande. Differences over austerity are part of the problem.

More than a million foreigners flocked to Germany for work last year, the biggest influx since 1995. Most of the migrants were from Eastern Europe, but many came from recession-hit countries elsewhere in the euro zone.

Linked by a common currency, the countries in the euro zone are roped together like climbers scaling a cliff face. If one or more loses their footing, the rest could come crashing down.

Ground staff at Lufthansa, Germany's biggest airline, walked off the job Monday on a one-day strike that prompted the company to cancel most of the day's scheduled flights.