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 » Clashes erupt at Italy's anti-reform protests UPDATED: Clashes erupted between protesters and police in Milan and elsewhere in Italy on Friday, as demonstrators marched against government reforms and a nationwide strike shut down public transport. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Spanish soldiers served rotten rations: report Underpaid and demoralized Spanish soldiers are being supplied with rotten and insect-infested rations, a dissident lieutenant claimed in a newspaper piece on Friday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » France scales down hunt for mystery cat French officials on Friday scaled down a frantic hunt for a mysterious big cat prowling on the outskirts of Paris after scotching earlier fears it was a tiger. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » 'Germany is a country of migration': Stats New data released from the 2013 Microcensus showed that one in five Germans are from a migration background, Destatis announced on Friday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Driving (expats) home for Christmas? A Stockholm taxi company is offering two people living in Sweden the chance to win a road trip in December, claiming it wants to help those who are afraid of flying to experience more of Europe. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norway poker star wins big sum, loses big sum Norway's unluckiest gambler Felix Stephensen is to lose half his 35 million kroner prize money, won at the Poker World Championship held this week in Las Vegas. The Norwegian government will take just over half in tax deduction, it was revealed Friday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Wawrinka and Federer in all-Swiss semifinal Stan Wawrinka secured an all-Swiss semifinal showdown with Roger Federer at the ATP Tour Finals before his last group match against Marin Cilic had even reached the end of the first set on Friday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Saudi school 'teaching anti-Semitism' Vienna’s Saudi School - a private school for Islamic immigrants from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East - is under review by the city council after allegations that it is teaching conspiracy theories and anti-Semitism. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Film duo shows maker culture in all its glory The formidable double feature of ‘Home Made’ and ‘Maker’ totals about 95 minutes. They are very good minutes. They are well-made minutes. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 01:17 A German IPA is born 00:35 Is it racist if they get your nationality wrong? 23:56 Where is THE current living hotspot? 23:06 Giving birth in Heidelberg 22:37 Frenchman in Germany not feeling comfortable.		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 03:04 Is it nearing Christmas again? 03:01 Dreadlocks and Professionalism 02:50 Russia and NATO in the News 02:20 Dreadlocks 01:44 Moving to Basel in December