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 » Charred ferry searched for dead passengers The inquiry in to the fate of the burned-out Norman Atlantic ferry which was towed into the southern Italian port of Brindisi Friday, has begun with the prosecutor fearing that more bodies may be found onboard. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Real Madrid streak threatened by buoyant Valencia La Liga leaders Real Madrid face one of their toughest tests since embarking on a 22-game winning streak back in September when they start 2015 with a trip to Valencia on Sunday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Sartre's 'Non to Nobel prize came too late' A letter sent by French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre in 1964 declining the Nobel Prize for Literature came too late to avert one of the biggest debacles in its history, Swedish media reported Saturday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Worries over rising costs at Stuttgart project As the controversial Stuttgart train station rebuild languishes far from finished in the face of ever-rising costs, the Green and Left joined forces on Friday to demand a new cost-benefit analysis. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Swedish sick pay stats 'misleading': expert Sickness is in decline in Sweden with nine out of ten reporting no days off work at all in 2013, exploding the myth of the sick Swedes, according to a rehab expert. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Hearty Norwegians hit the gym at Christmas Norwegians have a reputation for being fitness freaks - and many plan to keep up their good habits over Christmas, a new survey shows, with one in five planning to hit the gym. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Mother arrested over deaths of two tots A woman has been arrested after the bodies of her two toddlers were found in a house in Flaach, in the canton of Zurich, on New Year’s Day. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Beating wife 'normal' says Vienna man Police arrested an abusive and violent husband in Vienna's eighth district on Friday, after his wife complained that she had been regularly beaten by him. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » VIDEO: Ad campaign preps Danes for elections The ruling Social Democrats and main opposition party Venstre are both out with new ad campaigns, but the PM's party denies it is gearing up for an election. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 10:04German paraglider in Australia nearly dies 10:03German word for a particular type of bacon 09:38Men with beards 09:20Registration in Berlin (Anmeldung) 09:19The current weather in Munich		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 10:05Hello from NZ 10:02Greetings from Russia, looking 4 friends 09:58Zürich: Finding a German Reading Tutor for 8 year old with Disability 09:46Anabaptists, Mennonite and Amish communities 09:41Comet C/2014 Q2 - Lovejoy