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 » Hashish stash sinks after EU patrol high sea drama It's a tale to make any self-respecting pothead weep. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Ten Spanish museums you need to know about While millions of tourists flock to Spain every year to visit amazing galleries like the Prado and the Reina Sofia, the country is also home a wealth of other lesser-known museums you may not know. Here are ten of the best. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Ten random ways France leads the world We all know France tops the global rankings for tourism and wine production but the country is also a world leader in many other slightly more obscure ways that are nevertheless worth cheering for or blushing at. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Bundestag passes debt-free budget for 2015 Germany signed off Friday on its 2015 draft budget, which foresees a balanced bottom line for the country's public finances for the first time since 1969. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » UN criticises Sweden's 'prison' children The way Sweden treats children living in detention centres has been strongly criticised by the United Nations Committee against Torture, which also suggested some young offenders had experienced violence by police officers. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Norway's police to clock response time from 2015 Police in Norway from next year will measure their response time to emergencies across the country, it was announced on Friday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Refugee agency raises alarm on Nigeria attacks Up to 50 people were killed in an attack carried out by suspected Boko Haram Islamists in a northeast Nigeria border town this week, a Geneva-based United Nations agency said on Friday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Hijack alert sees Turkish plane's jet escort A Turkish Airlines pilot's mistaken activation of a hijack alarm triggered a high-octane security deployment at Vienna airport on Friday, Austrian police said. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » PM's husband: Cameron unwelcome selfie guest Stephen Kinnock says that his wife Helle Thorning-Schmidt's infamous selfie with Barack Obama was hijacked by British PM David Cameron. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 00:36 Legality of landlord increasing the rent by 40% 00:09 Notary services that are U.S. authorized 23:33 Recommendations for new Smart TV? 23:33 How to deal with open windows in the workplace 23:28 TT noisy Christmas Party 2014 - Munich		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 02:40 Which button to press to make a Swiss tumble dryer tumble? 02:33 Rush hour traffic Basel-Baden 02:13 SIGG dorrex dehydrator - Why is it popular here? 01:57 Grain free dog food (near Zurich) 01:53 Fuel efficient car for highway driving