The euro hits the streets

The euro. It's alive!

In just under seven hours' time Britain, Denmark and Sweden will be in a select club of three, as the only countries not to take part in the historic changeover to the single currency.

From midnight, 300m people in 12 countries across Europe will be adopting euro notes and coins as their official currency.

Pedro Solbes, the European Commissioner responsible for economic and monetary affairs, talks to PM about whether the new currency's launch will be problem-free.

And later in the programme we hear from two staunch pro- and anti-euro figures, Janet Bush from the No Campaign and Eddie Izzard, one of the currency's greatest fans.

Tensions on sub-continent

PM also examines the other major story of the day - the continuing diplomatic and military brinkmanship between India and Pakistan.

Despite Pakistani moves the calm the situation by detaining the two leaders of militant Kashmiri separatist groups, skirmishes overnight left two Indian soldiers dead.

We spoke to two senior retired military officers from both sides: General Hamid Gul, Former Head of Intelligence Services in Pakistan, and Lieutenant General Satish Nambiar, recently retired from the Indian army.

Mark Tully, is one of the most experienced correspondents in India; he reported for the BBC from Delhi for 30 years until 1994. He was also awarded a knighthood in the New Year honours list.

We spoke to him about his award and he gave us his view of the present crisis in the Indian sub-continent.

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To listen to the interviews, click on the links above.