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 » Christmas baby cheer for rescued migrant mother A baby born at sea on Christmas Day after his Nigerian mother was plucked from a floundering migrant boat by the Italian navy has been baptised Testimony Salvatore in honour of the medics who delivered him. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Taxi app Uber defies ban in Spain after ruling Smartphone car-ride service Uber vowed on Friday to keep operating in Spain despite a ban following a lawsuit by taxi drivers and said it would fight the case in court. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » French mum dies after setting herself alight A mother-of-two died on Friday in northern France after setting herself on fire in the courtyard of her home as her 18-month-old daughter slept inside, authorities said. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Germany warns Greece over reforms as left rises Germany's finance minister has warned Greece that any new government must respect commitments made by its predecessor, as the country moved closer to early elections that EU officials fear would be won by a radical leftist party. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden cancels snap election in March 2015 UPDATED: Sweden's government has abandoned plans to hold a snap election in March 2015, after crisis talks between Social Democrat Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and the country's four centre-right parties known as the Alliance. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Hearty Norwegians hit the gym at Christmas Norwegians have a reputation for being fitness freaks - and many plan to keep up their good habits over Christmas, a new survey shows, with one in five planning to hit the gym. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Credit Suisse denied bid to dismiss mortgage suit Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse can be prosecuted for its role in the US housing finance meltdown, according to a court decision, which dismissed the company's bid to halt a suit. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Austrian resident in Nigeria Xmas murder Rose Aifuwa, a permanent resident of Austria originally from Benin, was murdered by her former lover in Nigeria on Christmas day. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » The Local Denmark's most-read stories of 2014 We might have not been around for the whole year, but we still had plenty of stories that resonated with readers. Recap the year with our ten most-read stories. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 01:33Estate agent fee despite not renting the place 23:06Renter's market in Germany 23:04US FATCA and German banks 23:04Purchase account with cash card 22:42German public toilets		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 02:32North Korea lampoon film cancelled 01:57Someone else used my personal details for a driving ticket 01:49Taliban kill over 120 in Pakistan 01:31Details about UZH 'Master in informatics: Software systems' 01:28Masters UZH Fall 2014