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Greeks wonder where their bailout money has gone - Debt problems of a different kind in the UK - France's Catholic Church appeals a de-baptism law - It's crunch time on the frozen Danube - Will gaining independence be as easy as the Scots think? - Catalonia wants more devolution from Spain - A Czech family resurrects a carnival tradition - How Carnival in Germany can be a tough gig for bands.
Without another bailout, Greece could start defaulting next month on its 360 billion euros of debt. But many Greeks say they can't bear anymore austerity. And as Stephen Beard reports from Athens, they're also ruefully wondering: What's happened to all the money the government borrowed?
If you're looking for quick cash before your pay check comes at the end of the month, payday loans can be a very handy way of getting it. It's easy, you just apply for a cash advance, and then you pay the money back when your paycheck comes in. But for many people in Britain it hasn't been that easy. Nik Martin reports on how payday loans can turn into a full-on debt spiral.
France's Catholic Church is appealing a verdict recognizing the country's first-ever de-baptism. If the ruling prevails, it may set a legal precedent - and highlight a broader European drift from the church. Lisa Bryant reports from Paris.
Europe’s big freeze is slowly coming to an end after two weeks of well-below-zero temperatures. But that doesn't mean the problems are gone: The continent’s second longest river, the Danube, remains closed to shipping. For those who depend on this crucial waterway, the past couple of weeks have been more than just really cold. Kerry Skyring reports from Vienna.
Latest polls show there's a 50/50 chance that the Scots will vote for independence in their referendum planned for 2014. Among the many arguments that Scottish nationalists are using for breaking away is Scotland's relationship with the European Union - they say Brussels will roll out the red carpet. But as Vanessa Mock reports, it might not be that straightforward.
Scotland's planned referendum is inspiring nationalist sentiment elsewhere in the EU, for instance in Catalonia. Spain’s richest region pays around 8% more of its GDP to Madrid in taxes than it gets back in public spending. And while Scotland is inspiring Catalan nationalists - Spain’s financial crisis is fueling their demands for greater devolution. From Barcelona, Tom Burridge reports.
Say the word ‘carnival’ and people usually think of the masked extravaganzas of Brazil or Venice, but the period leading up to lent is celebrated elsewhere in the world too. In the Czech Republic, a husband and wife team are trying single-handedly to resurrect the lavish Prague carnival that once attracted the likes of Mozart and Casanova. Rob Cameron reports from Prague.
For most people in Germany's Rhineland, carnival is about getting into fancy dress, singing, drinking and letting your hair down. But for the bands that play the stages at this time of year it can sometimes be a tough gig. André Leslie joined the members of a band called 'De 5 Fleje' to find out more.
