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 » Hollande's camp furious over Trierweiler movie The prospect of a film adaptation of Valérie Trierweiler’s tell-all memoir, Thank You for This Moment, has sparked anger among those close to the French president. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Tour de France to return to German TV German state broadcaster ARD is to begin screening the Tour de France again, after a break of four years due to the sport's recurrent doping disgraces. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Swedes 'slack off' for two hours each work day New research has found that Swedish workers are spending more and more time each day doing something other than working, from surfing the net, to booking holidays, or chatting to friends online. 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 » Driver survives truck plunge into Swiss river A 42-year-old truck driver in the canton of Schwyz was lucky to escape serious injury after losing control of his vehicle, which plunged into the Muota River from a bridge in icy conditions on Tuesday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » School VP bans Muslim class from church trip On the last school day before Christmas holidays, a school's vice-principal canceled a planned school trip to Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, because ten of the 23 students in the class are Muslims - and he was afraid they might cause damage to the church and its crosses. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Danish mosque doubles down on Isis support In a newly-aired documentary, leaders of the Grimhøj Mosque said that they want to see Isis win, that a Danish suicide bomber is a hero and that they do not believe in democracy. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 02:45Undankbarkeit (lack of gratitude) 02:16Are we avoiding the PEGIDA topic? 00:59Seeheim-Jugenheim/Darmstadt school choices 00:47How to apply for an integration course in Munich 00:46Canteens and cafeterias in Hamburg		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 03:07Where to live if kids go to ZIS Baden 02:47Long term Unemployment 02:21Searching for International School & Flat around Winthertur; Wil and St. Gallen areas 02:18Zürich: Finding a German Reading Tutor for 8 year old with Disability 02:14Another expat in Zurich, which district should I live?