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 » Sicily bridge collapses within days of opening In a further embarrassment to Italy over its public works, a €13 million viaduct in Sicily collapsed within ten days of opening. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » New Year's rave finally calls it a day The party, held in the Benagéber aerodome near Valencia, had been going since New Year’s Eve but was finally shut down on Monday after numerous requests by police. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Trierweiler's tell-all book to be made into movie Valérie Trierweiler’s sizzling memoir is set to be turned into a film after France’s former "First Lady" gave the green light for a fictionalized adaptation of her tell-all bestseller. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » German inflation lowest since October 2009 Inflation in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, slowed to just 0.2 percent in December, its lowest level in more than five years, and averaged 0.9 percent for the whole of 2014, according to new figures released on Monday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Smålanders best Swedes at staying together Worried about being single or keeping your marriage alive? Research suggests you're less likely to end up divorced if you live in Småland in southern Sweden than anywhere else in the country. 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 » Art dealer held for Gold Coast villa murder The canton of Zurich’s upscale Gold Coast area is buzzing over the arrest of an art dealer’s son for the alleged killing of a 23-year-old man in a villa where the suspect lived in the municipality of Küsnacht. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Graz man impersonates cops in his Porsche A German traveling on the Inntalautobahn in his Porsche Cayenne called the police when he was trailed by another Porsche Cayenne with a blue flashing light. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Denmark world's best country for business Denmark may not be known for its weather, but its business climate sure is getting a lot of recognition as of late. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 02:31German word for a particular type of bacon 02:22Taking my Daughter out of Germany 02:05Company strategy with minimum wage 00:16Are we avoiding the PEGIDA topic? 23:54Putzfrau stole money while cleaning		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 03:55Pension Second Pillar contributions 02:27Mediocre (and that's being generous) Swiss advertising 02:03Moving to switzerland soon! Kamusta? 01:54Smelly leather - what to do? 01:46Swiss people, what to know (by a Swiss)