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 » The Local's aspirations for Italy in 2015 With widespread corruption, soaring unemployment and an economy in tatters, it's been another turbulent year for Italy. But The Local is positive that fortunes can be reversed. Here are our aspirations for the year ahead. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Police bust Spanish coin forgers Spanish police arrested three people on Tuesday for allegedly producing up to 12,000 fake €2 coins a month then using them in Madrid's public transport ticket machines. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » EasyJet cancels flights in France over New Year Anyone flying out of France with EasyJet on New year's Day may have to rearrange their travel plans after the budget airline was forced to cancel dozens of flights due to industrial action by cabin crew. Here's a list of the 70 affected flights. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Berlin condemns Russian opposition sentences Germany labelled Russian court sentences against top opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his brother on Tuesday "another blow against outspoken civil society" in the country. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Cyber attack on Swedish Parliament's website The official website of the Swedish Parliament was taken down on Tuesday, in what officials labelled "an outside attack". 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 » Tram derails on ice in wintry Zurich Oerlikon A tram derailed and smashed into a shopping centre in Zurich on Tuesday morning amid snowy conditions in the city. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Your top stories of 2014 Which stories generated the most interest in Austria? The Local takes a look back at the most popular stories in each of the eight months of its brief existence. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Danes less fearful of a terror attack in Denmark In a decade, the number of Danes who think a terror attack will occur in Denmark has fallen significantly despite warnings from security police and jihadists. READ »

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