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The days when Slovakia was viewed as Central Europe's boldest economic reformer and a close ally of the United States appear to be over. On Friday, Parliament approved the policy programme of the new government of Robert Fico - a platform that fundamentally changes the economic reforms started by the previous centre-right government. As Anca Dragu reports from Bratislava, it has been highly criticized for being too vague and lacking expertise:

The name Basowiszcza was coined in 1989 from the abbreviation containing the first letters of the organiser, the Belarusian Association of Students (BAS) which gathers young Belarusians born in Poland. Over its 17-year history the festival has been invariably held near the little village of Haradok in the Podlaskie province along the eastern borders of Poland, the home of the most numerous Belarusian minority groups living in Poland.

Maribor's soccer team has caused a minor sensation by defeating Spanish heavyweights Villareal 2:1 on their home turf. The match was the third round of the Intertoto Cup, and the second round of qualifying for the prestigious UEFA cup. Villareal is no stranger to top-level matches; last year they made it to the semi-finals of the Champion's League, where they fell to Arsenal. Michael Manske of Radio Slovenia International reports:

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:

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.

Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Jansa was in the United States last week, meeting President George W. Bush and senior US officials. Mr Jansa also met with representatives of the Slovene community during his five-day trip. This report on the visit from Radio Slovenia International's Ksenija Samardzija Matul:

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: