The Local

OPINION: Local elections will show if France still has the will to resist the far-right As France prepares for key local elections, John Lichfield looks at what the results can tell us about the strength of the 'republican front', the pact that voters can make to keep out the far right.

OPINION: Local elections will show if France still has the will to resist the far-right

LATEST: Swiss police appeal for witnesses after 'deliberate' bus fire kills six A bus caught fire in western Switzerland on Tuesday killing at least six people and injuring five others in what police said may have been a deliberate act.

LATEST: Swiss police appeal for witnesses after 'deliberate' bus fire kills six

PODCAST: Why French local elections really matter and Macron walks Middle East tightrope The Talking France podcast is back after a two-week break looking at everything surrounding the upcoming French local elections, the rising petrol prices in the country, and why so many Americans are moving to Montpellier.

PODCAST: Why French local elections really matter and Macron walks Middle East tightrope

EU countries urged to lower energy taxes to reduce consumer bills EU's energy chief Dan Jorgensen called on member states to help consumers and businesses by lowering taxes on energy where possible, as war in the Middle East saw oil and gas prices surge.

EU countries urged to lower energy taxes to reduce consumer bills

Sweden's Eurovision entry in hot water after Israel comments Felicia, the pop star who will represent Sweden in Eurovision in Vienna in May, is in hot water after saying that she didn't think Israel should be in the competition.

Sweden's Eurovision entry in hot water after Israel comments

Why are Easyjet flights from Basel up to '1,682 percent' more expensive? In Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe, it is known as a ‘budget’ or ‘low-cost’ airline, but travellers booking tickets on easyJet out of Basel’s EuroAirport for April and May are paying exorbitantly high prices.

Why are Easyjet flights from Basel up to '1,682 percent' more expensive?

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 Volkswagen said Tuesday that it would cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as its profit slid to its lowest level since 2016.

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030

Sweden developing state-issued alternative to BankID Both Swedish citizens and registered foreign residents of Sweden will be eligible for the planned government-issued electronic identification and verification service, which is currently being developed by the Swedish Police Agency.

Sweden developing state-issued alternative to BankID

No injuries reported after explosion hits US embassy in Oslo The US embassy in Oslo was hit by an explosion in the early hours of Sunday, but no one was injured, police in the Norwegian capital said, adding that the cause of the blast was not immediately known.

No injuries reported after explosion hits US embassy in Oslo

Inside Spain: Sánchez didn’t kill the 'British expat dream', Brexit did In this week's edition we look at how recent articles in the British press claiming Spain is directly targeting UK retirees and dashing their hopes of owning a Spanish holiday home have failed to focus on the elephant in the room.

Inside Spain: Sánchez didn’t kill the 'British expat dream', Brexit did

Which countries in Europe impose language tests for residency permits? Certain countries across Europe demand foreign citizens pass a language test to qualify for certain residency permits. But how does each country compare and what level of language do they require?

Which countries in Europe impose language tests for residency permits?

Inside France: Middle East, Municipal elections and cross-Channel sporting banter From the ghost of Jacques Chirac to the local election hustings, via a bit of Communist history and some cross-Channel banter, Inside France is our weekly look at the latest news and talking points from France.

Inside France: Middle East, Municipal elections and cross-Channel sporting banter

No, the Pompidou Centre isn't being turned into migrant housing The French cybercrime authorities are investigating after the website of a Paris mayoral election candidate was spoofed, and false claims published that he intended to turn the Pompidou Centre into 'housing for migrants'.

No, the Pompidou Centre isn't being turned into migrant housing

LISTED: The cities in Spain where you can still buy a home for under €200K Property prices in Spain have risen so much over the last few years that it's no longer a country with bargain homes really. However, the data shows that there are plenty of cities - even on the coast - where you can buy for under €200,000.

LISTED: The cities in Spain where you can still buy a home for under €200K

Sweden Democrat leader calls for freeze on teen deportations Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson has called for the country’s controversial ‘teen deportations’ to be suspended with immediate effect until a solution has been found.

Sweden Democrat leader calls for freeze on teen deportations

Pollution exposure in Europe linked to mental health problems Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious.

Pollution exposure in Europe linked to mental health problems

Sweden to hand out first new repatriation grants Sweden’s Migration Agency has for the first time approved applications for the government’s controversial 350,000 kronor “repatriation grant” – money handed out to refugees who wish to return to their home countries, a scheme criticised by the government’s own inquiry.

Sweden to hand out first new repatriation grants

Does Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations? Few positions are more central on Sweden’s political right than the one Fredrik Kopsch holds as chief economist at Timbro. But as he launches a new book on deportations, Utvisad, which calls for an amnesty for integrated foreigners, he says his liberal views feel increasingly at out of place.

Does Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations?

Why are so many EU citizens planning to leave Germany? For the first time in 15 years, more EU citizens are leaving Germany than arriving. A new government study explains why.

Why are so many EU citizens planning to leave Germany?

Swedish games boss warns 'retroactive' citizenship reforms 'not good for industry' Pushing through citizenship reforms without transitional rules will make Sweden less attractive to international talent, the acting head of the Swedish Games Industry Association has warned.

Swedish games boss warns 'retroactive' citizenship reforms 'not good for industry'

OPINION: Why Macron will not 'do a Chirac' over this Gulf war As the US launches strikes against Iran, Emmanuel Macron's reaction has been very different to his predecessor Jacques Chirac, who refused to join the British and American invasion of Iraq in 2003 - John Lichfield examines why.

OPINION: Why Macron will not 'do a Chirac' over this Gulf war

'They're terrible': Trump threatens to cut all trade with Spain over Nato and Iran US President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to sever all trade with Spain after it refused to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran, while also lashing out at Britain for not cooperating more.

'They're terrible': Trump threatens to cut all trade with Spain over Nato and Iran

SKARS-GUIDE: Who's who in Sweden's Skarsgård acting dynasty? Alongside Abba and Ikea, Oscar nominee Stellan Skarsgård and his many children are some of Sweden's most famous international exports. But who are they and what have you seen them in?

SKARS-GUIDE: Who's who in Sweden's Skarsgård acting dynasty?

Moderate youth leader confident of solution for Sweden's teen deportations Douglas Thor, leader of the Moderate Party’s youth wing, raised the issue of unfair deportations long before it became a top political issue. He isn’t seeking credit – he wants a solution for those affected.

Moderate youth leader confident of solution for Sweden's teen deportations

Six in ten foreign doctoral students still in Sweden three years after graduating Six out of ten foreign doctoral students stay in Sweden at least three years after graduating, but they struggle to compete with their Swedish peers on the job market.

Six in ten foreign doctoral students still in Sweden three years after graduating

Where are the US military bases in Spain and why are they there? Spain's reluctance to allow the US to launch attacks on Iran from American military bases on Spanish soil has reawakened interest in the purpose of these installations, their location and their history.

Where are the US military bases in Spain and why are they there?

More jobs are set to be cut in Switzerland in 2026 Over 2,000 more employees will lose their jobs, as yet another Swiss company announces a wave of redundancies.

More jobs are set to be cut in Switzerland in 2026

Inflation to hit eurozone as war in the Middle East disrupts energy flows In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.

Inflation to hit eurozone as war in the Middle East disrupts energy flows

Iran Ambassador to Spain says they can attack any US base in Europe 'if necessary' Speaking in Madrid, Iran's Ambassador to Spain Reza Zabib claimed that Iran does not want war but "has the capacity" to react to aggression, even suggesting that any US military base in Europe could be a target.

Iran Ambassador to Spain says they can attack any US base in Europe 'if necessary'

Number of unemployed graduates rise in Sweden as companies want blue-collar workers The number of graduates registered with Sweden's Public Employment Service as unemployed is rising, while companies are facing a shortage of blue-collar workers.

Number of unemployed graduates rise in Sweden as companies want blue-collar workers