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 » Merkel confident Renzi will deliver on reforms German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday backed Italy's Matteo Renzi to deliver on a pledge to "turbo-charge" his reforms after the European Central Bank's decision to pump billions into the moribund eurozone economy. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » War injuries could identify Cervantes' bones Researchers looking for the remains of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote", said on Friday that his war injuries could hold the key to identifying him. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Muslims pray for France as reprisals soar Muslims at over 2,000 mosques in France will gather at 1:30pm on Friday to pray for France and its future. Meanwhile, there have been more anti-Muslim incidents recorded in the last two weeks in France than in the whole of 2014. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Merkel to Greece: 'remain part of our story' German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she wanted Greece to "remain part of our story", ahead of elections this weekend which could sweep the anti-austerity Syriza party to power and determine whether the country stays in the eurozone. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » 'Frozen' hanging woman died 'climbing fence' A woman found hanging dead on a fence in Norrköping, about one hour south of Stockholm, was pierced by razor-sharp spikes, but probably ended up there 'by accident', police have concluded. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Firm ditches Pegida chief for anti-Islam views Max Hermansen, the leader of the Norway branch of the anti-Islam movement Pegida, has been taken off the pay roll by a training organization because of his controversial views. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » First woman heading Lloyd's lauds diversity As the first female head in the 325-year history of the Lloyd's of London insurance market, Inga Beale is something of a shining light at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where gender equality is a key theme this year. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Serial bigamist on trial in Vienna The trial of a Gambian man who was arrested in Austria on charges of bigamy and fraud has started. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Controversial Danish mosque praised by cops The controversial Grimhøj Mosque in Aarhus is making headlines once again, but this time the news has a distinctly more positive tone. READ »

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