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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.

On October 16, 1978, Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope and assumed the name of Pope John Paul II. He was the first non-Italian Pope in 456 years and the first Polish Pope in history. In 1978 few if anyone realised they were seeing the beginning of a twenty-six year long papacy that was to transform the Church, inspire a revolution leading to the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the establishment of dialogue between Christians and Jews. This boy from a small town of Wadowice, southern Poland, gripped the hearts of millions of people

The sound of waves on the beach evokes in many of us fond memories of our last summer holidays. But we hardly need reminding of the potential destructive power of the oceans. Even in landlocked Slovakia, December 26 and the Tsunami catastrophe in Southeast Asia brought this message home. Many Slovak tourists were present when the wave struck, but luckily none of them were hurt.

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....

Central European political and religious leaders attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in Rome on Friday. Thousands of ordinary believers made the pilgrimage to Rome as well; especially high numbers from Poland.

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...

A two-day seminar on the 17th century Slovenian natural historian and polymath Janez Vajkard Valvasor was held this week in Ljubljana. Valvasor was a remarkable character, army commander, nobleman, member of the Royal Geographical Society in London, and publisher of the monumental work - the Glory of the Duchy of Carniola.

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.

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.