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 » Speed camera stolen as Italian traffic cops slept Two Rome traffic police officers, who dozed off while on duty and woke up to find their pricey speed camera had been stolen, are facing suspension. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Repsol deal to lift energy giant into big league Spanish oil firm Repsol said on Tuesday it has agreed to buy its struggling Canadian rival Talisman for $8.3 billion (€6.6 billion), a deal that extends its global reach two years after it was forced out of Argentina. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » What the web tells us about the French in 2014 From Facebook to Twitter and YouTube to Google, the web can teach us a lot about a lot of things. The Local has searched through the internet habits of the French and drawn a few conclusions about our Gallic cousins in the year of 2014. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Back of the net for Neuer's dream villa It's classy and very glassy, and took some getting past the defence of the local building committee. But Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer can now build his dream home on an exclusive Bavarian lakeside - albeit without the woman who designed it with him. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Inside Sweden’s first 'light therapy' school Umeå in northern Sweden has just a few hours of light a day during December and a high school in the city has become the first in the country to use solar power to give students light therapy during lessons. The Local’s Maddy Savage went to take a look... READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Rwandan man guilty of genocide: Norway court A Norwegian court has convicted a Rwandan man of involvement in the killings of 2,000 people during the 1994 genocide in the central African country. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Women gives birth at metro after taxi snub A woman gave birth on Tuesday to a baby boy outside a Lausanne metro station after a taxi driver refused to take her and her husband to hospital for fear of messing up the interior of his car, according to a report. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Ebola's deadly reach impacts Vienna student Austria has yet to record its first case of Ebola, but the feared virus has already had a severe impact on the lives of Africans living in Vienna. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Introducing The Local's job advice column We're teaming up with the co-founder of customized CV service NemCV to bring you tips and tricks for finding that perfect job in Denmark. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 00:25Alpine climbing - looking for partner 23:10Church tax 23:09After Work Queer Beer - everyone is invited. 23:03Putting unwanted furniture outside on the street 22:47Christmas traditions in Germany		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 01:54Cricket indoor nets 01:53Cricket In Zug / Switzerland 01:49What do Denner and Migros have in common? 01:40Indian restaurants?? 01:28New to Kusnacht ZH in 2015