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European Union leaders recently loosened up their budget deficit rules. The EU's Growth and Stability Pact has been modified to make it easier for countries with excessive budget deficits to avoid sanctions. In Slovakia the new rules have been given a cautious welcome.

The Czech Academy of Sciences has given its highest award to a Hungarian physicist. The medal was presented to Norbert Kroo, who is also the general secretary of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. It was presented for what the Czech Academy says is his outstanding contribution to research, science policy and international scientific affairs. Radio Budapest spoke to Professor Kroo about his work...

The condition of Pope John Paul 2nd continues to be a cause of grave concern with the Vatican describing his condition as "grave." Across Central Europe believers have been preparing themselves for the worst. In Slovakia the head of the Conference of Slovak Bishops urged believers to pray and in Austria a special service was planned for St Stephens Cathedral where already on Friday dozens were lighting candles. In his native Poland, thousands of people have been streaming into churches to pray for the Pope.

But who are the leaders who have taken power after President Askar Baskayev left the country? There is acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Felix Kulov, a popular former opposition leader whom may challenge Bakiyev for the presidency if elections are held as proposed in June. Gerhard Mangott is an expert on the region. He's from the Austrian Institute for International Affairs and told Hal Rock about the two main contenders for power in Kyrgyzstan....

In the Czech Republic the government of Prime Minister Stanislav Gross narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Friday - the latest turn in a political crisis that began because of conflicting stories on how Mr Gross was able to pay for his luxury Prague apartment. The vote of no confidence was called by the main opposition Civic Democratic Party after one coalition party, the Christian Democrats, pulled out of the government over the apartment scandal.

The political crisis in the Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan has seen Slovenia playing a major mediating role. Slovenia currently holds the rotating presidency of Europe's largest security organisation, the OSCE. And it's the OSCE which has taken the lead in international efforts to ensure a peaceful transition in Kyrgyzstan since protesters forced President Askar Akayev from power just over a week ago.

Many people around the world celebrate Easter in memory of the resurrection of Christ but with some forty percent of the Czech population atheist, most Czechs celebrate the holiday to say good-bye to Winter and welcome Spring. Most customs and traditions show that Easter has very little to do with Christianity in the Czech Republic.

In Hungary, most of the old Easter customs are still observed today. For Radio Budapest, Balint Sebestyen has been looking at the origins of these Easter traditions:

In predominantly Roman Catholic Poland Holy Week and Easter is a very special time for most people, a time of religious reflection along with centuries-old traditions, which are also observed by those who are indifferent to religion. Somewhat surprisingly, it is also a real feast for music lovers.

There is a common thread through many of the Easter traditions of Central Europe, whether you're in Austria or Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Poland, or Slovakia. The main dishes on family tables are likely to include ham and of course eggs, men will chase women to either beat them with a whip or splash them with cold water and bad perfumes. But we were determined to find something exclusive to Slovakia and found "Paska" in the east of the country. The sweet kind of bread will be the basis of many meals this Easter.