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 » Italians flock abroad in record numbers Emigration has hit a ten-year high as Italians abandon their home country for better prospects abroad, with the UK the top destination. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Police hunt for missing French students Spanish police are working together with their French counterparts to find two French students who went missing while on their way home from Zaragoza to visit their families. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » British 'sex-monster' on trial for Riviera murder A retired British widower, who allegedly used his loneliness to lure unsuspecting women to his home on the French Riviera before turning into a sex-crazed “monster”, went on trial this week for murder, attempted murder and rape. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Man calls police wanting a spot in prison Bavarian police were surprised on Sunday when an anonymous caller rang the emergency number and asked for the quickest way to get into "the slammer". READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden's opposition to get new woman leader Sweden's Moderate Party has nominated Anna Kinberg Batra to become its new leader in a move that could see her become the country's first ever female Prime Minister. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » The Local's guide to the Nobel Prizes 2014 After being nominated in October, the top scientists, activists, and writers selected by the Nobel Prize committees in Stockholm and Oslo this year, will pick up their prizes on Wednesday. Ahead of the ceremonies, here's a recap of the 13 new Nobel names you need to know about. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Nations in Geneva vow to take 100,000 Syrians Countries have more than doubled the number of Syrian refugees they are willing to resettle to over 100,000, the head of the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Another Vienna building close to collapse For the second time in as many days, a residential building in Vienna has been evacuated due to risk of collapse. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Danish Christmas: Fun, festive and flammable Brace yourselves, it’s Christmas. And Christmas in Denmark is really quite the production, as columnist Michael Booth explains.READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 01:00English-speaking mum in Kiel 00:30Isn't noise illegal at certain times of day 23:50U.S. style bagels 23:33German cellphone will work in US? 23:25Friday CSU trolls		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 05:40Thinking of moving to Switzerland 05:27Portugese bricklayers paid £1'000 per week 05:15The Battle of the Bundesplatz (aka FC Basel visits Luzern) 04:58Restaurants Open for Sunday Lunchtime Zurich 04:13Moving to Swiss - info on apartments