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 » Balotelli ruled out of Croatia qualifier Italy striker Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia due to concerns over his hamstring and groin, the Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed Saturday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Expert: Catalan self-rule camp less than it appears Although nearly two million people voted Yes' in Catalonia's symbolic ballot on independence, analysts say nationalists will struggle for a majority in their drive to break away from Spain. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Napoleon's two-pointed hat sold for €1.9 mln One of Napoleon's famous two-pointed hats was sold on Sunday to a South Korean collector for €1.9 million ($2.2 million) at an auction outside Paris. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » German FM hails easing of Jerusalem tension German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in talks in the West Bank on Saturday hailed the easing of Israeli-Palestinian tensions in annexed east Jerusalem since an intervention by his US counterpart. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden set for darkest November on record Many Swedes spend November wondering where the sun has gone and this year has been greyer than usual with the month promising to be the darkest on record. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Euro 2016: Norway beat Azerbaijan Norway won their third match in Group H with a 1-0 victory away from home against Azerbaijan, on Sunday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Central bank prez calls gold proposal 'fatal' Switzerland’s central bank has come out swinging against a proposal that would require it to boost the share of gold in its assets to at least 20 percent while prevent it from selling any bullion. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Cold-blooded 'ice-cream' killer used a chainsaw A woman known as the 'ice-cream killer' who murdered both her ex-husband and her boyfriend, dismembered them with a chainsaw, and then hid them in the basement of her ice-cream parlour in Vienna released a memoir on Monday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Budget boosts affordable housing in Copenhagen An element of the newly-announced 2015 budget agreement could mean an end to ‘rich man’s ghettos’ in nation’s largest cities, particularly in Copenhagen. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 02:46 Seeking doctor who can prescribe antidepressants 02:21 Translators' meetup, monthly networking event 01:12 Lack of security at Kindergarten/Kinderkrippe 01:04 Munich babysitters wanted 23:41 Multiple passports for a baby of mixed nationality		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 03:42 Electric razor - good or bad for skin 02:00 MBA - is it worth it ? 01:44 IPad Internet Browsing. Highly Intrusive Adverts 01:30 International shipping - Cargo 01:16 [Clubs] no entry fee - Basel