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 » Vatican and Italy unite against tax evaders The Vatican said on Wednesday it had signed an agreement to share financial information with Italy in a bid to stamp out tax evasion within the once-secretive city state. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Spanish Civil War ends, Franco moves to power April 1st 1939 brought about the end of the nearly three-year, bloody civil war that even entangled Nazi Germany, and also ushered in the reign of dictator Francisco Franco. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Three dead after French Alps avalanche UPDATED: Three people were killed and several were injured in a massive avalanche that hit the French Alps on Wednesday afternoon. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Berlin refugee groups speak out against arson Pro-refugee organizations in Berlin spoke out on Wednesday in defiance of an arson attack on an art installation and gathering-place in the early hours of Tuesday morning. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Crackdown on illegal streaming in Sweden Users of illegal movie and television series streaming sites in Sweden including Popcorn Time are set to be tracked by a Danish lawfirm representing "major Hollywood companies" and could face fines of around 2000 SEK ($231). READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norway pirate film sold in 100 countries The Norwegian pirate blockbuster ‘Captain Sabertooth and the Treasure of Lama Rama’ has now been sold to more than 100 countries, raising hopes that it will justify its production cost in international sales. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Transocean's CEO best paid despite firm's woes Steve Newman, president and CEO of Transocean, was the best paid executive in Switzerland last year with compensation of 14.2 million francs ($14.7 million), despite having to quit the company this year in the wake of massive losses, a new report says. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Exhibition: The Myth of Galicia A new exhibition featuring the art and culture of Galicia -- including parts of Ukraine -- has been opened in Vienna. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Retired Danish women ‘happiest of the happy’ It’s a known fact that the Danes are the happiest people in Europe or even on Earth, according to some studies. But among all those happy Danes there is a small group that stands out as particularly happy, and that is retired Danish women, according to Danmarks Radio. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 23:57Prozesskostenhilfe, help please 23:45Unexpected Grundsteuer bill 23:36Munich Curry Night 23:28Expert charging for travel costs 23:22German behavior on trains		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 04:44Expat life, culture clash and cognitive biases 01:31Doterra 00:24Giving notice period for vacating house 23:37Buying Furniture in Switzerland 23:30Any template to quit sunrise contract due to leaving the country?