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 » Italy hails 'turning point' in battle against mafia UPDATED: Italian police on Wednesday arrested more than 160 alleged members of the 'Ndrangheta mafia in what was hailed as a historic setback for the group behind much of Europe's cocaine trade. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » UN peacekeeper from Spain killed in Lebanon A UN peacekeeper from Spain was killed on Wednesday in southern Lebanon as the Israeli military shelled border areas after a Hezbollah attack, Spain's defence ministry has said. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Who is slaying France's rugby roosters? A distraught farmer has been left scratching her head after over thirty of her famous roosters have been "murdered" in the last month. The farmers' 'coqs' are known for making appearances during French international rugby matches. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Russia may declare 1990 reunification illegal More than 25 years after the Berlin Wall's fall, Russian lawmakers are mulling a proposal to condemn West Germany's 1990 "annexation" of East Germany as Moscow's answer to Western denunciation of its seizure of Crimea. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » 'Nazi' question lands broadcaster in hot water Sweden's public broadcaster SVT was facing a backlash on social media on Wednesday after a reporter asked Crown Princess Victoria about her family's history during her visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Police seek boy, 7, abducted in Norway Police in Norway have put out an international appeal after a seven-year-old boy was abducted from a bowling alley. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » EU approves Novartis mega deals with GSK The European Union on Wednesday approved mega deals involving drugmakers Novartis of Switzerland and GlaxoSmithKline of Britain, provided they sell off assets in the vaccines and consumer health businesses. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Runaway kangaroo spotted in garden "Is someone missing their kangaroo?" asked people in the small community of Innviertler Maria Schmolln (District Braunau) on Tuesday. Update: Gustav was captured! READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Danish hopes dashed at 'cooking World Cup' Danish chef Kenneth Hansen, who started Wednesday as one of the favourites to win gold at this year's Bocuse d'Or, the ‘World Cup for chefs’, has ended the competition in disappointment, failing to scoop a single medal. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 01:51Do I have to give out private information? 23:52TÜV technical data sheets 23:51Unknown transaction on my bank statment 23:25Olive Oil to Australia 22:33Looking for tennis partner in Berlin		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 03:07Benedict Cumberbatch race terminology discussion 03:07The good times are over !!! 01:33Open University Psychology 01:32Living here, getting married at home-help please! 00:36HPV Vaccine - Gardasil - for males