The Local Europe Edition

This week on Europe Edition, James, Ben and the team look at Europe's weirdest Christmas traditions with our wandering Euro-expert Alex Macbeth.Also, are French schools proving that strict discipline isn't the key to success? Ben McPartland gives us the lowdown.Is the EU about to ban Germany's beloved döner kebab? Jörg Luyken gets to the truth, and explains the German love affair with this iconic fast food.And James Savage explains why IKEA furniture is the best way to learn Swedish.Presenters: James Savage and Ben McPartland.

On this week's edition:The global far right has a weird obsession with Sweden's supposed failures. James, who has written about this, explains why.Also, Ben McPartland explains why Brits anxious about Brexit are being told to bide their time.And Fiona Govan explains how a gang rape at Pamplona's famous bull-running festival has made Spaniards stand up for a woman's right to be believed.Presenters: James Savage and Emma Löfgren

This week on The Local Europe Edition podcast:As a mafia godfather responsible for 150 deaths was buried this week, we look at how organized crime continues to plague Italy.Also:Could 60,000 euros be enough to persuade you to move to a Swiss mountain village. And what's the catch?And:Is the German political crisis as bad as people – particularly some foreign journalists – claim?Presented by James Savage and Emma Löfgren.With: Caroline Bishop, Shelley Pascual and Jessica Phelan.

Our podcast this week looks at why Jamaica is all the rage in Germany, why Sweden is deporting its most talented workers, and why the F-word is in favour in France.With James Savage, Emma Löfgren, Ben McPartland, Catherine Edwards and Jörg Luyken.Warning: This episode contains some bad language!

Our podcast this week takes aim at fake news, and look at how Sweden is gearing up to battle it ahead of elections next year.AlsoGender battles: We look at why moves to make the French language less sexist are upsetting traditionalists.And24 hour party cities: We speak to the Night Mayor of Amsterdam, Mirik Milan, about why nightlife is discriminated against.With James Savage, Emma Löfgren and Ben McPartland.

In this week's episode, Lee Roden looks at what the future might hold for Catalonia. Also, we ask whether all hope is lost for Berlin's calamitous new airport, and why Sweden can't ban begging.

The Local's journalists look at the stories Europe needs to know about.This week: Austrian wunderkind Sebastian Kurz looks set to join forces with an ex-Nazi party – so how right-wing is he? Is northern Italy really following Catalonia's lead? And after the Harvey Weinstein sex allegations, how France is planning to deal with men who assault women.Presenters: James Savage and Emma Löfgren.With: Paul O'Mahony, Jessica Phelan and Evie Burrows-Taylor.

The Local's correspondents across Europe give the lowdown on the continent's burning issues. This week: the French are on strike – again. More Brits are trying to escape Brexit. And a new survey reveals the most intimate secrets of the Germans – and shows them to be a very liberated bunch. With James Savage, Emma Löfgren, Ben McPartland, Alex Macbeth and Shelley Pascual.