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 » 'Gays can be cured' Turin teacher tells pupils The headmaster of a Turin school on Monday opened an investigation after a religion teacher allegedly told pupils homosexuality is an "illness" which can be "cured". READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Baby held in dad's arms killed by passing van A three-month-old baby boy being held in the arms of his father was killed recently on the Spanish island of Majorca after being struck by the wing mirror of a passing van. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Baby blues: Paris birth rate hits 40-year low Parisians are having fewer babies than they have in the last 30 years according to figures released this week. Critics say authorities must provide more nursery places to stem the falling birth rate. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Siemens to house refugees in Munich office Engineering giant Siemens said on Monday it had offered its empty offices in Munich to accommodate refugees, as the country grapples with a rise in asylum seekers. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden to get hit by 30 centimetres of snow Sweden's weather agency has warned that a mighty snowfall is on the way for Sweden, with up to 30 centimetres expected on Tuesday alone. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norway's unwelcome risk for Swede guest workers Young Swedes, keen to take advantage of higher Norwegian salaries and abundant work opportunities, are being warned they run the risk of unscrupulous employers and poor work conditions. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Suspect arrested after women killed in Basel A man is suspected of shooting one woman to death in an apartment in the city of Basel before killing another woman and critically injuring a man in a nearby flat on Monday, the regional public prosecutor's office said. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Bomb threat targets Shiite mosque in Vienna On Monday evening, a bomb threat was called in from a public pay phone targeting a Shiite mosque in Mollardgasse in Vienna's 6th district. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Denmark world's fourth most prosperous nation Denmark has been ranked the world's most prosperous nation in a new international study released on Monday. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 01:35 Germany or Sweden? 00:32 Heating oil costs in Munich 23:56 English-speaking female gynecologist in Hamburg 23:47 Poker nights 23:34 Status of an old qualification		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 01:31 Where to buy Kimchi in Zurich? 00:54 Working in Lugano, Living in Milan or vice versa 00:52 Duplicate or copy of 18.44 form 00:46 How to roast Chestnuts 00:40 "PC" in contrast with "Mac"