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 » ArcelorMittal bids for scandal-hit steel plant ArcelorMittal has teamed up with Italy's Marcegaglia to bid for Ilva, a loss-making Italian steel plant at the centre of a major environmental scandal, the target company confirmed on Wednesday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Spain » Health minister steps down over graft probe Spain's health minister Ana Mato resigned on Wednesday after a judge ruled she had benefitted from alleged illegal dealings carried out by her former husband as part of Spain's infamous Gürtel kickbacks scandal. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in France » Foreign students worth €1.6 billion to France The tens of thousands of international students who come to France each year are giving the country’s economy a healthy boost, a new study has revealed. It's partly in thanks to all the money they shell out just to be able to afford to live here. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Germany » Saxon wurst unwelcome at Nuremberg market Nurembergers are fuming at a plan by the state of Saxony to give away free bratwurst at the world-famous Christ Child Christmas Market. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Sweden » Cash for Swedes who saw dying Dad on TV Relatives of a man whose final moments appeared in a television programme about a hospital in Sweden have each been awarded 20,000 kronor ($2,700) in compensation, after a court ruled that his privacy had been breached. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Norway » Love guru Julien Blanc cancels all Oslo dates Controversial pick-up artist, Julien Blanc, who has been barred from entering several countries, has cancelled his plans to come to Norway, it was revealed on Thursday. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Switzerland » Ronaldo goal gives Real Madrid edge over Basel Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 71st Champions League goal as Real Madrid recorded a club record-equalling 15th consecutive win by beating FC Basel 1-0 in Switzerland in the Champions League on Wednesday. READ »		Latest news from: The Local in Austria » Vienna plans 400 free Wi-Fi hotspots by 2016 The city of Vienna wants to get even more wired, with 400 new free Wi-Fi access points planned for rolling out in the next two years. READ »

Latest news from: The Local in Denmark » Copenhagen start-ups come together Copenhagen startups recently gathered for what organizers called "the largest ever tech meet-up in the history of Denmark". READ »

Latest chat from: Toytown Germany » 00:33 Where to buy a turkey in Mannheim or Heidelberg 00:31 New in Berlin (or new to this forum) 00:21 Ladies hairdresser recommendations 00:09 Meet up for indecisive 20-somethings 00:06 Life in the town of Erfurt		Latest chat from: English Forum Switzerland » 05:04 Solopreneurship - a term you knew? 05:02 How to get from Switzerland to Spain with a lot of luggage? 04:56 Relocation Services - recommandations, directory? 04:48 For Sale iphone 6 16GB ... $400,iphone 6 128GB ... $550 03:18 Dent and scratch on car