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 » Ship of Syrians stopped en route to Italy The Turkish coastguard intercepted in Mediterranean waters a ship carrying 333 mainly Syrian migrants bound for Europe, thought to be headed to Italy, the official Anatolia news agency said on Monday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » On trial: cathedral thief who hid codex in garage An electrician at the famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is in court charged with stealing a priceless 12th century Codex Calixtinus, the first guidebook for pilgrims undertaking the famous religious pilgrimage to the northern Spanish city. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » France's artificial heart man is 'alive and well' Doctors monitoring France's second patient to get a permanent artifical heart announced on Monday that he had returned home and was in good health, suggesting that artificial heart transplant patients can lead normal lives. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Bauhaus villa scammer gets probation for plot A woman who posed as a millionaire's heiress to live in a luxury villa for six days was sentenced on Monday to 14 months for the stunt. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Sweden Democrat leader breaks sick leave silence The leader of the Sweden Democrats - who has been on sick leave since last year - has broken his silence on rumours that there is an ongoing power struggle within the nationalist group. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Green warriors put bounty on wolf hunters Norwegian conservationists are offering a 100,000 kroner ($13,000) reward to anyone who can help them track down whoever is responsible for the disappearance of a rare wolf. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Swiss travel agents and retailers cut prices After the sharp rise in the value of the franc, Swiss travel companies have already begun to cut the price of their holiday packages. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Russian mobster nabbed at Vienna railway station Austrian police commandos have arrested the alleged head of an "extremely brutal" Russian organised crime gang wanted for a string of killings in the north Caucasus, authorities said Monday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Danish central bank cuts rate as euro weakens Denmark's central bank cut its deposit rate further into negative territory Monday as market players speculated the country could follow Switzerland's example and remove its currency peg against the euro. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 02:03I'm planning to purchase a house in former DDR 01:29What are outside blinds good for? 01:12Do I have to give out private information? 00:29German VAT ID for a non-German company 00:17SNB removes CHF cap on Euro, currencies tumble		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 03:41Discount Kitchen Units Alyth 03:33The good times are over !!! 03:20How to find work in Geneva 02:58When to apply Swiss kisses? And with whom? 02:52Influenza has arrived