With independent, daily reporting from around Europe, The Local is a window on life in other cultures.

We capture the essence of nations by finding the stories that tell us who we are (and who those other people over there are), breaking down barriers and bringing us closer together. We are the largest English-language news network in Europe with more than 4.5 million readers every month, plus many more on our partner sites. Our entertaining blend of daily news, business and features has made the site essential reading for foreign professionals in Europe.

Latest news from: The Local in Italy » Italy: Crimean Russians won't get visas from us The Italian Embassy in Kiev has denied reports that its consulates in Russia have started issuing Schenghen area visas to Crimeans with Russian passports via Moscow. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Pope phones Spanish victim of abusive priests The Archbishop of Granada on Monday suspended a number of priests who are among at least twelve people being investigated for suspected sexual abuse. The Pope has personally phoned one of the alleged victims to pledge his support. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Top French journo prof 'ripped off' other media A high-profile journalism school in Paris has been left red-faced after its executive dean was accused of plagiarising material from other media and using it in her other job as a columnist – despite the strict anti-plagiarism guidelines the school vigorously enforces on its students. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Charity turns neo-Nazi march into fundraiser Year after year, the town of Wunsiedel was the unwilling host to a march of neo-Nazis who would make their way through the town to the grave of Rudolf Heß. When digging up the body didn't deter the unwanted guests, the town came up with a new plan. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden won't open new Palestine embassy Sweden says it will not open an embassy in Ramallah even though it has officially recognised the state of Palestine - the first major EU nation to do so. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » World Chess Champs: Draw for marathon men Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen drew their latest match in Sochi on Monday, in what was the second longest game in the history of the world championship. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Cameras on ski helmets seen as safety risk As the ski season begins to get under way in Switzerland, the country’s accident prevention bureau (BFU) is renewing its warnings to skiers and snowboarders against using mini-cameras strapped onto helmets. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Explosive hobby goes tragically wrong A father and son with a keen interest in explosive powders apparently ended their lives in tragedy with the explosion of their house in southern Styria on Monday evening. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Immigrants boost Denmark's rural towns More than one fourth of Denmark’s municipalities saw their populations grow over the past six years due to immigrants and refugees, according to an analysis from online journal Ugebrevet A4. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 02:48 Allowing kids to bring push scooters on the bus. 02:18 Children's adjustment to German school 02:01 The secret habits of Toytowners 01:59 Lack of security at Kindergarten/Kinderkrippe 01:23 Keeping neighbours from using my washing machine		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 02:53 Where to look for jobs with no job qualifications 02:50 Best homemade swiss cheese fondue 02:30 Prostatitis infection 02:12 Swiss only average in English 01:10 OnePlus One - available without an invite