The people who do this are Swedish and as I have said have a great sense of humor which is not considered a typical Swedish quality but so what

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 » 17 people dead in new migrant tragedy Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Friday described migration across the Mediterranean as "one of the great European problems", following the death of 17 people on an Italy-bound boat. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » LBGT group slams 'homophobic' ad inquiry An investigation by Spanish regulators into a TV advertisement that shows two men kissing has been criticized as "homophobic" by the Catalan Gay Liberation Front (FAGC) who asked "Can anyone imagine a complaint about a kiss between a man and a woman?" READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » French film industry has power despite Hollywood French Oscar winning actress Juliette Binoche insists her country's film industry is still a force despite the dominance of Hollywood, because it is more creative, even if less commercial. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Linke politician takes reins in Thuringia Thuringia officially has a Linke (The Left) politician as minister-president after Bodo Ramelow was sworn in on Friday to lead the red-red-green coalition. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Swedish PM: New election isn't my fault Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has defended his decision to call a snap election saying that he had no alternative, while a new poll has revealed that just two percent of the public felt that a Social Democrat/Green led government was best for Sweden. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norwegian takes a step closer to a life on Mars A 20-year-old man was one of two Norwegians selected from over 200,000 people to enter the next phase of a competition to win a seat on a space mission to create a settlement on Mars in 2023, on Thursday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Swiss petrol and fuel prices hit four-year lows The price of petrol and diesel fuel for motor vehicles has dropped in Switzerland to its lowest level in four years, a new report says. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Seven found guilty in people smuggler trial Seven asylum seekers have been found guilty of smuggling people from Asia into Europe, after a lengthy and controversial trial in Wiener Neustadt. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Dane gets three years for 'insulting' Bahrain's king Just days after her sister was sentenced to prison in absentia, Zainab al-Khawaja has now also been convicted of charges in Bahrain. Their father also sits in a Bahraini jail. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 13:04US woman having a baby with a German 12:21Cameras on the Autobahn 12:02Travelling to Munich Airport from the city centre 11:58English-speaking doctors in Mannheim or Heidelberg 11:52Deaf British lady just moved to Germany		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 13:06Is this fine reasonable? 12:58Orthodontics cost in Zurich/Zug/Geneva 12:58Saucy Dressing for the Bored 12:42Chicken-meat in Kebab meat 12:36Help with a dog breeder in Germany & business advice