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 » US plane makes emergency stop in Italy A US Airways plane made an emergency landing in Rome on Saturday after two passengers and 11 members of the crew were taken ill, Italian media reported. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Spain opposition slams 'big brother' wiretapping Spain's Socialist opposition on Saturday accused the government of acting like "Big Brother" after proposing legislation that would give top officials more power to bypass judges and authorize wiretaps or other surveillance. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Paris mayor seeks limits on city centre cars The mayor of Paris said Sunday she wanted the city's historic centre to become "semi pedestrianized" as she laid out a plan to tackle traffic and pollution in the French capital. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Merkel stands firm as ten year reign nears German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who entered politics when the Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago, is nearing a decade as leader of Europe's biggest economy, her popularity ratings still sky-high. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Swedes drawn in tough World Cup group Sweden's top women footballers have been drawn in a devilish Group D with USA, Australia and Nigeria for the 2015 World Cup in Canada, prompting coach Pia Sundhage to bemoan the 'weird' seeding system. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norway boosts Green Climate Fund payments Norway said Friday it would increase its contribution to the United Nations' Green Climate Fund, created to help poor countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Saint Gallen cops probe Islamic centre blaze Two molotov cocktails thrown into an Islamic centre started a fire in a village in the canton of Saint Gallen early Sunday morning, according to a media report. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Gazprom brokers half billion credit line Russian gas company Gazprom announced on Friday it has obtained a $480 million (€390 million) credit agreement in Vienna with UniCredit Bank. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Attendant stabbed on Copenhagen-bound train A female train attendant was seriously injured when a passenger attacked her with a knife en route to Copenhagen. A 29-year-old man was arrested by guards at the site. READ »

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