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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 » Muslims in Italy react to new Charlie Hebdo With three million copies of Charlie Hebdo's latest issue sold out by Wednesday afternoon and two million more scheduled to be printed, The Local asked Muslims in Italy what they thought about the magazine's contentious cartoons. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Catalan president calls early regional election The President of Catalonia Artur Mas announced on Wednesday that voters in the region will go to the polls in 2015. Pro-independence parties will not however, join forces to win the election. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » What now for France post-terror attacks? As shell-shocked France looks for answers in the wake of its worst terror attack in decades, The Local casts an eye into the not-so-distant future to look at what may change politically and socially in the still traumatized nation. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Palestinians admit attack on Wuppertal synagogue Three Palestianian men admitted on Wednesday that they carried out an arson attack on a synagogue in North Rhine-Westphalia in June 2014. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Did Israel shun talks with ‘unfriendly’ Sweden? Sweden’s Foreign Minister cancelled a trip to Israel last week because no Israeli official was willing to meet her, it has been claimed. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » New Charlie Hebdo cartoon criticized in Norway Leading Norwegian Muslims have criticized the new cover of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which features the Muslim Prophet Muhammad crying and holding a ‘Je Suis Charlie’ sign. The decision by some Norwegian media to reproduce it has also come under fire. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Luxury watch brand to invest heavily in Geneva After issuing a veiled threat last year to leave Geneva because of high taxes, ultra-luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe has announced plans to invest 450 million francs ($442 million) on an expansion project in the canton. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Fly Niki bomb threat grounds plane A bomb alert at Rome's Fiumicino airport forced officials to evacuate a Vienna-bound flight shortly before take-off after a passenger told the captain he had explosives in his luggage, Italian media reported Wednesday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Danish Pegida organizer: No racists allowed The Pegida movement in Germany has been branded as xenophobic and racist by many, but the organizer of the first Pegida event in Denmark tells The Local that the Danish version will be a cozy affair free of "racists, Nazis and militants". READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 07:49Meet up for indecisive 20-somethings 07:34Kindergarten open short hours 07:28Salary expectations for move from US to Germany 06:43Mouthwash locked away in the store 02:17Renting in Dresden, working abroad		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 08:06Watching Asian cup 2015 online.. 07:55Bls-aed(cpr) certification! 07:50Zermatt during a snowstorm 07:48Hello from Wädenswil, Zurich 07:32Moving to CH for 1 yr; bring our aggressive cat?