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 » Abbas 'an angel of peace', claims Pope Pope Francis met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Saturday, calling him "an angel of peace," days after the Vatican said it was preparing to sign its first accord with Palestine to the anger of Israel. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » All Spanish airports to have free unlimited wifi All of Spain's 46 airports will soon have limitless free wifi, Spain's airport authority AENA announced on Thursday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Eurotunnel's Channel ferry gets green light A British appeals court on Friday said Eurotunnel could continue running ferry service MyFerryLink. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Fatalities in western Germany train crash Police say two people have been killed and at least 20 injured in a train accident in western Germany when a train hit a truck on a level crossing READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Swedish anti-Islam rally only attracts handful According to the police, counter-demonstrators dramatically outnumbered anti-Islam Pegida protesters at a rally in Uppsala in central Sweden on Saturday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norway woman makes film about own rape A Norwegian woman has turned her own experience of being raped in her sleep into a short YouTube film designed to highlight the issue. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Switzerland to host 2020 hockey championships Slovakia and Switzerland will host the ice hockey world championships in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced on Friday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Camps 'worst possible solution': Red Cross The Red Cross on Friday strongly criticised the Austrian government over its decision to set up tent camps for asylum seekers in response to the rapidly growing influx of refugees. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Let's talk about sex... the Danish way The Local's opinion columnist Jessica Alexander was a bit taken aback to hear her Danish husband reading their child a book about sex but should she have been? READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 18:08Ways to cancel a 2 year internet contract? 17:56You know it's summer when... 17:53Move to Frankfurt with Wife & Kid 17:49Graphic design jobs in Berlin 17:16Dealing with Australian and German Tax year End		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 01:15German conversation group in Bern 01:11Anyone been to Iceland? 00:55Where to buy a good quality non-stick frying pan and your recommendations please? 23:59Moving out cleaning costs ambiguous in rental contract 23:51Notice period and salary loss holidays