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The biggest and most prominent sports event in Hungary this year, the European Swimming Championship is well underway on Budapest's Margaret Island. More than a thousand competitors gathered in the Hungarian capital to show their skills in a brand new swimming pool that is named after Tamas Szechy, the most successful Hungarian swimming coach. Sandor Laczko of Radio Budapest spoke to the director of the European Swimming Federation LEN, Laszlo Szakadati about the event:

Parliament has abolished the institution of the Vetting Court and Public Interest Ombudsman passing supervison over the vetting process to the Institute of National Remembrance. The new vetting law is to embrace wider groups of persons engaged in public life. Also greater access to the files of communist secret services is to be granted.

Imagine waking up one morning to find that your life in the last six months has been turned upside down. You're all alone because you've been neglecting your friends and family and you're about to be fired from work because you had called in sick too many times. This is what some people suffering from mental illnesses have to face and in Hungary, many of them face the battle alone. Kevin Jackson is a US citizen who is bipolar. Now in Hungary, he has found a clever way to attract attention and bring awareness to the plights of people who are suffering

Artists from more than two dozen countries gathered for the 15th international art meeting Poaart for Peace 2006 meeting. The artists contribute their pieces to an auction, whose proceeds this year were destined for Sudan, and specifically its devastated Darfur region.

Slovakia's new government is hoping to give young scientists cause for celebration. It has decided to double funding for science and research to reach 0.8 percent of the GDP by 2010. Priority is to be given to scientists under 35, who are hoping to finance their research projects through state grants. Anca Dragu explored whether the new cabinet's plan really works in reality:

Since the Czech Republic joined the European Union two years ago, many Czechs have taken advantage of the chance to work in those states with free labour markets. Perhaps more surprisingly, more and more citizens of other countries in the EU are now choosing to work here in the Czech Republic. Figures just released show a large increase in their numbers in the last twelve months. Dita Asiedu reports:

Hungary's Parliament this week passed legislation bringing in higher education tuition fees. From next year it could cost students hundreds of euros each year. Understandably students are upset and are threatening demonstrations. But the rectors and deans at universities support the move. Although the bill has already passed through Parliament negotiations continue between the Education Minister Istvan Hiller and student representatives on how to help students who can't afford the fees. Gyorgyi Jakobi reports:

Twin brothers now hold the two jobs in Poland - those of president and prime minister. This is indeed 'a world-unique double act', as one news agency put it. But is there any other country in which identical twins have pursued independent political careers for three decades? Michal Kubicki of Radio Polonia reports:

A team of U.S. military experts arrives in the Czech Republic next week to examine potential sites for a new missile defence base. The United States is said to be considering either the Czech Republic, Poland or Hungary for the new facility, but a Polish newspaper reports that Washington has already reached agreement with Warsaw. Rob Cameron has the following report.

Slovakia managed to beat Thailand 5-0 in the Fed Cup World Group playoffs - the premier team competition in women's tennis. That result means Slovakia is now among the best 16 teams in the world. Anca Dragu reports on Slovakia's tennis vistory: