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 » One dead as burning ferry rescue continues Italy's coastguard said Sunday it had recovered the body of a man from water around a burning ferry in the Adriatic, confirming the first casualty of the high-seas disaster. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Hepatitis patients stage protest over drug access Several hundred hepatitis C sufferers and their supporters protested in Madrid on Saturday, complaining that public spending cuts were cutting off access to a drug that could cure the deadly liver illness. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Heavy snow in French Alps causes traffic chaos Heavy snowfall in the French Alps left some 15,000 drivers stranded overnight into Sunday, forcing many to pass the night in their cars and prompting officials to open emergency shelters. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » German-Turkish group against far-right talks A Turkish community leader in Germany warned on Sunday against proposals by mainstream politicians for "dialogue" with a far-right populist movement that has drawn thousands to anti-Islamic street protests. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden's Christmas goat survives holidays The infamous Christmas goat in Gävle has beaten off the arsonists and made it through the holiday season for the first time in years, with its spokesperson telling The Local that the goat is now set for China. 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 »

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