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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:

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:

A recently founded summer school in Ljubljana, dedicated to the study of the Balkan conflicts, re-opened its doors this week. A group of American students will spend July studying the recent conflicts across the former Yugoslavia, with lectures and visits through the region. Michael Manske of Radio Slovenia International has more.

If you walk on the streets of the Slovak capital Bratislava you can hear many people saying that Robert Fico has begun his premiership wrong-footed. On Tuesday evening his colleagues from the Socialist group in the European Parliament drafted a proposal to expel Fico's party Smer from their political club because he chose to include the extremist Slovak National Party in his ruling coalition.

Despite Poland's early knock-out from the Word Cup in Germany football remains in the limelight in Poland, the reasons being arrests of football officials on corruption charges, tax inspections in the National Football Federation and continuous speculations over the sacking of coach Pawel Janas. Michal Zajac reports from Warsaw.