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The Slovene theatre director and author Tomaz Pandur is back home. Slovenia's prodigal son has found success in some of the worlds best theatres but many people are convinced that his 7 most creative years were in Slovenia at the beginning of the 90s. His latest play is called One hundred minutes and is based on Dostojevski's novel The Brothers Karamazof.

Six months before Poland becomes a member of the European Union the country has been taken to task for not measuring up to EU standards. The annual report of the European Commission, the EU's executive body, describes Poland as the worst prepared of the ten future members of the Union.

In Hungary the early onset of winter has already claimed 11 lives. Those most exposed to the elements and the hardships of the winter to come are of course the homeless. To help the many thousands of people without a roof over their head - telephone hotlines have been set up across the country. They are collecting reports on the whereabouts of the needy and send social workers where possible. Petra Hajdu reports.

Most foreign visitors associate the Czech capital with the city's 14th century architectural jewel - Charles Bridge. But a mile away is another, rather newer structure - the massive Nusle Bridge. Opened in 1973, it plays a crucial role in the capital's transport system: almost all north-south traffic flowing through Prague is carried across it. But as Radio Prague's Rob Cameron reports, the gargantuan bridge fell victim to Cold War politics, and unfortunately seems to have a hypnotic attraction for suicidal Czechs.

The European Commission's report on accession has messages for all of the candidate countries in Central Europe. Slovenia was assessed as the best prepared but the commission said inflation remains a concern. Hungary was told wage growth is exceeding productivity gains. Slovakia hasn't capped steel production in line with EU demands and the Commission says the Czech Republic must improve its food safety system. Katinka Barish, is chief economist at the Centre for European Reform in London.

For many West European tourists the countries of Central and Eastern Europe seem relatively cheap - especially when it comes to eating out. What many don't know is that it's even cheaper for the locals. Katerina Richterova reports.

Slovenian Radio and Television are celebrating 75 years of radio and 40 years of television. During these years the broadcaster became an integral part of Slovenia's media landscape. But now public broadcasting in Slovenia faces challenges.

In Slovakia women sacrifice much if they want a highflying job. And the wage difference between men and women in the same position can be as much as 23% in favour of men. Some of the worst discrimination is in the banking sector

According to a Budapest based Institute, former Secret police and nomenclature from communist days have gained high positions in governments across Central and Eastern Europe. The Institute for Transitional Democracy and International Security say they're concerned about the influence these people are having on politics and policies. Radio Budapest's Agi Varga talks to the Director and founder of the institute Sebestyén Gorka

The next in our series 'Bridging Europe' travels to the Austrian capital, Vienna. The 'Reichsbrücke' - or 'Imperial Bridge' - is arguably the capital's most important bridge and a major part of Vienna's landscape and history. Katy Duke takes a look at the way this bridge unites two very different Vienna's.