The Local

thelocal.com'My family fled the Nazis. Why did it take 18 years to reclaim German citizenship?'Restoring German citizenship as a descendant of Nazi persecution can be a long and drawn out process. We spoke to Christian Mahne who became German after nearly two decades of trying.

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'My family fled the Nazis. Why did it take 18 years to reclaim German citizenship?'

thelocal.comDeutsche Bahn train denied entry to Zurich due to a 13-minute delayIn order to protect its own punctual timetable, Switzerland’s national rail company, SBB, has been taking a tough stance on tardy international trains – Germany’s DB foremost among them.

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Deutsche Bahn train denied entry to Zurich due to a 13-minute delay

thelocal.comSwedish security firm pays out 50,000 kronor over age discriminationA 60-year-old woman who was rejected for a job because of her age has been awarded 50,000 kronor in compensation.

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Swedish security firm pays out 50,000 kronor over age discrimination

thelocal.com'Pippi Longstocking hit differently after I moved to Sweden'When something in a culture becomes so iconic that it's ubiquitous, it can be easy to assume that its status is overblown. But even after all this time and exposure, Pippi Longstocking still lives up to the hype, writes The Local's Mandy Pipher.

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'Pippi Longstocking hit differently after I moved to Sweden'

thelocal.comOpinion: Yes, Sweden's Pippi Longstocking really is that goodWhen something in a culture becomes so iconic that it's ubiquitous, it can be easy to assume that its status is overblown. But even after all this time and exposure, Pippi Longstocking still lives up to the hype, writes The Local's Mandy Pipher.

Opinion: Yes, Sweden's Pippi Longstocking really is that good

thelocal.comSweden's Centre Party leader: 'No majority for a centrist government'Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is ending her bid to forge a centrist coalition and has handed her exploratory mandate back to the speaker of parliament.

Sweden's Centre Party leader: 'No majority for a centrist government'

thelocal.comStorms batter Europe hitting power supplies, flights and phonesStorms battered northern Europe on Sunday cutting power to more than 150,000 homes, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and silencing phone networks.

Storms batter Europe hitting power supplies, flights and phones

thelocal.comLawmakers say EU must probe social media role in protestsThe EU must urgently investigate the role of social media during protests in member states including France, European lawmakers demanded Friday, adding that Brussels should be prepared to block access "as a last resort".

Lawmakers say EU must probe social media role in protests

thelocal.comOPINION: Germany is having the wrong immigration debateBoth in politics and online, the debate around immigration tends to focus on limiting 'irregular immigration'. Social researcher Andreas Herteux argues Germany should be more concerned with the skilled workers who are leaving.

OPINION: Germany is having the wrong immigration debate

thelocal.comEU parliament approves more safeguards for travellers in EuropeThe European Parliament has given its final approval to a new set of safeguards for the 13 billion people who travel in Europe each year by plane, train, coach, bus or ferry.

EU parliament approves more safeguards for travellers in Europe

thelocal.comGermany, Austria or Switzerland: Where do residents pay the most income tax?Depending where you live between the three German-speaking countries, you can get a whole lot more (or less) take home pay out of your net salary. We compare the tax rates between 8 different cities across the DACH region.

Germany, Austria or Switzerland: Where do residents pay the most income tax?

thelocal.com'Generational rage': How young Europeans are fighting to be heardFrom blockaded schools in Rome to tent camps in Madrid and street protests in France, young people across Europe are turning their anger on a political class they say is not listening.

'Generational rage': How young Europeans are fighting to be heard

thelocal.com'Staying until there's change': Madrid housing protest camp marks one monthOne month after starting as a small camp, a sprawling warren of tents and tarpaulin in Madrid has spearheaded protests over Spain's housing crisis - a key issue in November elections.

'Staying until there's change': Madrid housing protest camp marks one month

thelocal.comQUIZ: Can you pass Sweden's most famous vocabulary test?Every year, tens of thousands of people sit högskoleprovet, the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, the results of which can be used on university applications. Take The Local's English-ified version of the Swedish vocabulary section of the autumn 2026 test.

QUIZ: Can you pass Sweden's most famous vocabulary test?

thelocal.comTen things to know about Spain's prestigious Princess of Asturias AwardsSpain's Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony has acquired international prestige and is easily the highest accolade Spain grants exceptional citizens. This quick explainer will fill you in on everything you need to know.

Ten things to know about Spain's prestigious Princess of Asturias Awards

thelocal.comOpinion: Yes, Sweden's Pippi Longstocking really is that goodWhen something in a culture becomes so iconic that it's ubiquitous, it can be easy to assume that its status is overblown. But even after all this time and exposure, Pippi Longstocking still lives up to the hype, writes The Local's Mandy Pipher.

Opinion: Yes, Sweden's Pippi Longstocking really is that good

thelocal.comSweden's Centre Party leader: 'No majority for a centrist government'Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is ending her bid to forge a centrist coalition and has handed her exploratory mandate back to the speaker of parliament.

Sweden's Centre Party leader: 'No majority for a centrist government'

thelocal.comStorms batter Europe hitting power supplies, flights and phonesStorms battered northern Europe on Sunday cutting power to more than 150,000 homes, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and silencing phone networks.

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Storms batter Europe hitting power supplies, flights and phones

thelocal.comInside Spain: How the Basque Country avoided the 'Empty Spain' problemAs Spanish city dwellers struggle with affordability and politicians call for people to move to 'Empty Spain' as a solution, we look at how the Basque Country managed to avoid the problem of poor population distribution decades ago.

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Inside Spain: How the Basque Country avoided the 'Empty Spain' problem

thelocal.comLawmakers say EU must probe social media role in protestsThe EU must urgently investigate the role of social media during protests in member states including France, European lawmakers demanded Friday, adding that Brussels should be prepared to block access "as a last resort".

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Lawmakers say EU must probe social media role in protests

thelocal.comProtests expected in Rome and Milan under heavy securitySecurity forces are deploying massively in Italy on Saturday for protests planned in eight cities including Rome and Milan after some demonstrations turned violent last weekend.

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Protests expected in Rome and Milan under heavy security

thelocal.comOPINION: Germany is having the wrong immigration debateBoth online and in politics, the debate around immigration tends to focus on limiting 'irregular immigration'. Social researcher Andreas Herteux argues Germany should be more concerned with the skilled workers who are leaving.

OPINION: Germany is having the wrong immigration debate

thelocal.comEU parliament approves more safeguards for travellers in EuropeThe European Parliament has given its final approval to a new set of safeguards for the 13 billion people who travel in Europe each year by plane, train, coach, bus or ferry.

EU parliament approves more safeguards for travellers in Europe

thelocal.comGermany, Austria or Switzerland: Where do residents pay the most income tax?Depending where you live between the three German-speaking countries, you can get a whole lot more (or less) take home pay out of your net salary. We compare the tax rates between 8 different cities across the DACH region.

Germany, Austria or Switzerland: Where do residents pay the most income tax?

thelocal.com'Generational rage': How young Europeans are fighting to be heardFrom blockaded schools in Rome to tent camps in Madrid and street protests in France, young people across Europe are turning their anger on a political class they say is not listening.

'Generational rage': How young Europeans are fighting to be heard

thelocal.comHow your Swiss commune plays a key role in your citizenship applicationA peculiar aspect of Switzerland’s citizenship procedure is that it goes through the federal, cantonal, and communal levels. But it is the third one that has the most say in whether foreigners can be naturalised.

How your Swiss commune plays a key role in your citizenship application

thelocal.com'Staying until there's change': Madrid housing protest camp marks one monthOne month after starting as a small camp, a sprawling warren of tents and tarpaulin in Madrid has spearheaded protests over Spain's housing crisis - a key issue in November elections.

'Staying until there's change': Madrid housing protest camp marks one month

thelocal.comQUIZ: Can you pass Sweden's most famous vocabulary test?Every year, tens of thousands of people sit högskoleprovet, the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, the results of which can be used on university applications. Take The Local's English-ified version of the Swedish vocabulary section of the autumn 2026 test.

QUIZ: Can you pass Sweden's most famous vocabulary test?

thelocal.comTen things to know about Spain's prestigious Princess of Asturias AwardsSpain's Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony has acquired international prestige and is easily the highest accolade Spain grants exceptional citizens. This quick explainer will fill you in on everything you need to know.

Ten things to know about Spain's prestigious Princess of Asturias Awards

thelocal.comMAPS: Routes revealed for the 2027 Tour de France racesThe full routes for the 2027 men's and women's Tour de France races were unveiled on Thursday with the men set for a finale in the Pyrenees whilst the women will end their tour atop a volcano in central France.

MAPS: Routes revealed for the 2027 Tour de France races

thelocal.comOPINION: France's far-left rioters will usher in a far-right governmentAn uneasy calm has returned to the shattered streets of French cities since the weekend - writes John Lichfield - but the explosion of violence seen on Saturday is not over.

OPINION: France's far-left rioters will usher in a far-right government

thelocal.comPODCAST 🎧: What's next for France as disorder and debt plunge country into crisis?Talking France is back with a look back at what really happened during Saturday's protests, the country's increasing debt and - on a lighter note - the best French food festivals.

PODCAST 🎧: What's next for France as disorder and debt plunge country into crisis?

thelocal.comUnrest in Europe: What's behind the protests in France, Spain and ItalyProtests and violent clashes have gripped France, Italy and Spain in recent weeks, but what's behind the unrest in each country and is it motivated by the same grievances? Our editors in each country look at the causes of the unrest and what lies ahead.

Unrest in Europe: What's behind the protests in France, Spain and Italy

thelocal.comMEPs urge EU ministers to act and bring end to seasonal clock changesSome 44 members of the European Parliament from 15 different EU countries and six political groups have called on EU transport ministers to break the deadlock and get the plan to end the seasonal changing of the clocks moving again.

MEPs urge EU ministers to act and bring end to seasonal clock changes

thelocal.comCampaign calls for Austrian citizenship at birth for children of long-term foreign residentsCurrently, being born in Austria does not guarantee Austrian citizenship. A new initiative proposes changing the law so that children of foreign nationals who have lived legally in Austria for several years are automatically granted citizenship.

Campaign calls for Austrian citizenship at birth for children of long-term foreign residents

thelocal.comProtests in France: What to expect on Saturday, October 24thA second round of protests have been called across France on Saturday, October 24th - here's what is planned and whether the country is likely to see the same level of chaos as the previous protests.

Protests in France: What to expect on Saturday, October 24th

thelocal.comFrance announces curfew in Paris and ban on protestsFrance imposed a partial curfew and banned demonstrations in parts of Paris on Monday, police said, as the government sought to restore order after some of the worst street violence in years.

France announces curfew in Paris and ban on protests

thelocal.com'I want to be with my husband': Pregnant woman forced to leave SwedenNewly married and expecting her first child, it should be the happiest year of Brenda Ramström's life. But tomorrow she's going to have to get on a flight back home to Brazil, not knowing when she'll be able to reunite with her husband in Sweden.

'I want to be with my husband': Pregnant woman forced to leave Sweden

thelocal.comSweden's speaker asks Centre Party leader to explore centrist government optionsParliamentary speaker Andreas Norlén has named Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist as the next person to lead government negotiations.

Sweden's speaker asks Centre Party leader to explore centrist government options

thelocal.comSwedish PM's friend guilty of 'negligence with classified information'Henrik Landerholm, the childhood friend who Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson appointed national security adviser, has been found guilty of 'negligence with classified information' after a court overturned his not-guilty verdict.

Swedish PM's friend guilty of 'negligence with classified information'

thelocal.comForeign SSAB workers released as Dutch lawyer slams Swedish site raidThe 20 Filipino electrical engineers who were seized by Swedish police on October 9th and held in a Migration Agency detention centre have been released, with the company's lawyer calling the decision to detain them "unlawful" and promising to seek damages.

Foreign SSAB workers released as Dutch lawyer slams Swedish site raid

thelocal.comWhat's the difference between German citizenship and residency?As a foreigner in Germany the rights you’re afforded, and the hoops you need to jump through, are determined by your residency or citizenship status. One common question that comes up is the differences between them. Here's an overview.

What's the difference between German citizenship and residency?

thelocal.comForeign Office warns Germans in France as 'war-like' protests spreadThe Federal Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory for France on Sunday, warning travellers from Germany to behave "prudently" as protests turned destructive over the weekend and spread to other countries around Europe.

Foreign Office warns Germans in France as 'war-like' protests spread

thelocal.comLATEST: Nationwide protests in France marred by looting, fires and violencePolice and protesters clashed violently in Paris and other French cities Saturday on the sidelines of nationwide marches against soaring inflation, with one demonstrator's hand blown off, multiple blazes set and looters breaking into dozens of stores to strip them bare.

LATEST: Nationwide protests in France marred by looting, fires and violence

thelocal.comFIFA upholds punishment for anti-Muslim chants at Spain matchThe FIFA Appeal Committee has rejected a Spanish appeal against punishment for racist chants during a friendly against Egypt in March, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Friday.

FIFA upholds punishment for anti-Muslim chants at Spain match

thelocal.comInside Spain: Could the 'Spanish Joe Rogan' decide the election?In this week’s edition we look at how one of Spain’s most popular YouTubers is expected to interview all Spanish election candidates at length, and why many believe he could tip the balance just like Joe Rogan did when helping Trump reach power.

Inside Spain: Could the 'Spanish Joe Rogan' decide the election?

thelocal.comBritish travellers warned to avoid scam websites offering Etias visa waiverThe rollout of the EU's new Etias visa waiver has been delayed, but fake websites offering the service are catching out British travellers.

British travellers warned to avoid scam websites offering Etias visa waiver

thelocal.comDid Chinese cars squeal on Norway's military?Chinese-made cars filmed sensitive information during a Norwegian military exercise, including access codes at secure sites and officials' comings and goings, raising concerns about the risks posed by connected vehicles.

Did Chinese cars squeal on Norway's military?