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 » Italian coastguard wants to carry weapons Italy's coastguard on Friday called on the government to change its status so that its 11,000 seamen can carry weapons, amid mounting concern over the possibility of attacks by people traffickers or terrorists. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » The strange consular requests of Brits abroad The British Foreign office has released a list of the strangest requests it receives from Brits abroad, from a chef to make the perfect haggis to advice on how to treat a cat’s infected paw. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » The official guide on how to be cool in Paris Speaking backwards, hanging out in hidden bars, and picking up a seriously unhealthy addiction. These are among the habits that young Parisians told The Local were the ultimate secrets to being cool in the City of Light. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » EU court deals blow to US Iraq objector's hopes American soldier Andre Shepherd, who applied for asylum as a conscientious objector against the war in Iraq, saw a judgement by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) go against him on Thursday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Third arrest over fatal Danish terror shootings A man has been arrested for "complicity" in the Copenhagen shootings that killed two people earlier this month, with the Swedish artist Lars Vilks among the presumed targets of the attacks. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » “I am dyslexic and I write it myself': Norway PM A man who ridiculed the spelling of the 'assistant' managing Prime Minister Erna Solberg's Facebook account was knocked squarely into place when she replied that she had written the post herself, adding that she suffered from dyslexia. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Swiss train in crash ignored stop signal: SBB A collision between two Swiss trains northwest of Zurich on February 20th that injured six people was caused by a regional train (S-Bahn) that failed to respect a stop signal, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) said on Friday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » 'Put Put Putin' song a surprise YouTube hit A satirical song by an Austrian pop band about Russian leader Vladimir Putin has become a surprise hit on YouTube after gathering a fan base in Ukraine. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Third man arrested in Copenhagen shooting UPDATED: A man has been arrested for "complicity" in the Copenhagen shootings that killed two people earlier this month. READ »

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