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 » Nutella owner and Italy's richest man, dies aged 89 Billionaire Michele Ferrero, who became Italy's richest man with a confectionary empire built on his popular Nutella spread, died on Saturday at the age of 89, Italian media said. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Spain ex-king appeals paternity suit Spain's former king Juan Carlos has lodged an appeal against a paternity suit brought by a woman claiming to be his daughter, a judicial source said on Saturday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Hebdo columnist: We are all Danish tonight French President Francois Hollande contacted Denmark's Thorning-Schmidt to express his country's "solidarity" following shootings at a free speech event which have been compared to the Charlie Hebdo attack. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Upstarts outshine vets ahead of Berlin awards The race for the Golden Bear top prize at the 65th Berlin film festival wound up in a dead heat Saturday, with break-out talents looking well placed to pip cinema heavyweights. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Police kill Copenhagen shooting suspect Danish police have confirmed that they have killed the man whom they believe opened fire on a free speech event attended by controversial Swedish artist Lars Vilks in Copenhagen on Saturday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Peeping Toms strike at Norway tanning salons As Norway mulls a ban on cancer-causing tanning salons, a new peril has emerged, with a spate of peeping toms filming customers as they soak in the artificial rays. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Tax scandal ex-HSBC chief quits lobby role HSBC's former chief executive and chairman, Stephen Green, the man at the centre of the SwissLeaks tax scandal in Britain, on Saturday stepped down from his role at finance lobby group TheCityUK. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Your next car might be made by Apple According to a report from the Financial Times, Apple may be developing a partnership to build an electric car, with some of the technology coming from an Austrian company. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » PM: 'No one should get away' with 'terror' attack In a statement released on Sunday morning, Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt unequivocally called the two shootings that rocked Copenhagen an act of terror. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 11:05Teenagers not in school 10:44Watching cricket matches live via the Internet 10:40Anlage Unterhalt - if you support parents/spouse 10:19House and apartment cleaning services 10:18Living in Germany, still employed in England		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 11:05Fribourg DIY fans - new store to explore 11:01Advise on opting out of rental lease 11:00Bonjour! 11:00Dartford Crossing - toll payment changes from October 2014 10:56Swiss buy to let questions