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 » Bra shop offers best prices for biggest busts The bigger the breast size, the bigger the discount. That’s the special offer an Italian lingerie chain gave to women to mark its 50th anniversary. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Spain's 'high-society scammer' breaks silence A 20-year-old student who infiltrated the inner circles of Spanish business and politics before being accused of a string of deception charges has claimed that he was arrested because he "knew too much". READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » How French women have changed in last 30 years Less need to get married and less desire to fulfil their partner's sexual needs. These are just two ways women in France have changed in the last 30 years, according to a new report. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Thieves tunnel into jewellery display case A jewellery shop owner opened up on Monday to find that thieves had tunnelled into his store from the basement of the shopping complex and made off with his diamond display. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » 'Racist' Black Pete party scrapped in Sweden A Dutch club in Stockholm that was planning a festive party featuring Santa alongside a servant with a black painted face has shelved the idea following numerous complaints of racism. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Brann v Mjøndalen: Police triple security Wednesday's crunch soccer match between Brann and Mjøndalen has been deemed a 'high risk' clash by the Norwegian Football Association and police, media reports said on Monday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » ‘Sex boxes’ eyed to control Basel prostitues Basel could be ready to follow in the footsteps of Zurich by establishing “sex boxes”, a drive-in zone for clients to meet prostitutes. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Pharrell Williams as Emperor Franz Joseph Karl Lagerfeld will stage Chanel’s latest Métiers d’art collection in Salzburg next week, and his accompanying film stars Pharrell Williams and British model Cara Delevingne as reincarnations of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elisabeth, popularly known as Sisi. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Remember books? Danish school kids do Despite a plethora of new media forms competing for their attention, Danish kids read more books today than they did 14 years ago. READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 02:45 Vodafone "Rentnertarif" contract 00:55 Einzugsermachtigung for apartment rent 00:44 Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm 00:27 Arts groups and places to meet other creatives 00:03 Need a car ride - Fulda to London, one-way		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 04:07 Kanton Polizei...totally rubbish!! 03:53 Gurlitt collection of 'Nazi Art' bequeathed to Bern museum 03:16 Swiss only average in English 03:03 Carrying swiss army knife in pocket 02:06 Bad garage / Bad insurance experience