Is there a difference between Google Maps & Google Local?
if not why Google continues calling Google Maps, Google Local?
its also on the " Whats New " page and its also here:
google.com/intl/en/options/

(maybe its only for the US? cause im getting Google Maps each time i type local.google.com)

plus ;
the difference between Google Maps and Google Local is : (according to Google)

Local
Find local businesses and get directions

Maps
View maps and get directions

any explanations?

Local and Maps used to be different products, but they've merged. To see how they used to be, you can look at the corresponding Yahoo products:

maps.yahoo.com
local.yahoo.com

Some news:
The merging: news.com.com/Google+adds+mappi ...
Google Local becomes Google Maps: news.com.com/Google+Local+beco ...

so why Google continues in keeping Local on its Options page?
google.com/intl/en/options/

(it does get an update every once in a while, isnt it?)

>> so why Google continues in keeping Local on its Options page? <<

Most likely because people who are looking to search local businesses won't look for "Maps". I think they should have stuck with Local as the merge name.

<<the company decided to rename it Google Maps to avoid confusion because so many people were still referring to it by that name, said John Hanke, director of Local, Earth and Maps at Google>>