text: Topolánek: Čunek very likely return to cabinet next week
  Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has said it is very likely Jiří Čunek will be reinstated as deputy prime minister and minister of regional development next week. Mr Topolánek made the comments on a TV debate programme on Sunday. Mr Čunek is the leader of the second biggest party in the coalition government the Christian Democrats. He has been involved in a number of scandals and resigned over a criminal investigation into allegations he had taken bribes. Since that investigation was shelved Mr Čunek has insisted he be allowed to return to cabinet. The Greens, the smallest party in the coalition, have repeatedly expressed reservations over his possible reinstatement.
  Fire fighters called out twice as often as usual following violent gales
  Fire officers in the Czech Republic were called out twice as often as usual following winds of up to 144 KPH on Saturday. Both professional and volunteer fire-fighters made over 3,000 calls to remove fallen trees from roads, roofs and fallen high tension lines around the country, a spokesperson for the national fire brigades association said.
  A girl of 11 was killed by a falling branch, while an 80-year-old priest died after being hit by a flying sheet of metal; several others were injured and hundreds were evacuated from their homes. At one point over 900,000 people were without power, though on Sunday afternoon only 25,000 households were still without electricity.
  Hurricane-force gales of 140 KPH were also recorded on Sunday but emergency services said the situation was not as bad as the previous day. Winds were expected to die down by Sunday night.
  Alice Nellis wins Czech film award for best picture with Tajnosti
  Alice Nellis's Tajnosti, or Little Girl Blue as it is titled in English, has taken the prize for best picture at the Czech Republic's annual film awards. The Český Lev (Czech Lion) awards were also fruitful for the Svěráks – Jan Svěrák took the best director award for Vratné Lahve (Empties), while his actor father Zdeněk took best screenplay for the same picture. The Český Lev awards were held at the Grand Hall of Prague's Lucerna and were broadcast live on Czech Television.
  Bauer closing in on historic World Cup win
  The cross country skier Lukáš Bauer has taken another step towards becoming the first Czech ever to win his sport's season-long World Cup. Bauer came first in the 15 km classic at Finland's Lahti to increase his healthy points lead in the competition. The Czech could have been crowned World Cup winner on Sunday, but Rene Sommerfeldt of Germany, who is second overall, finished second in the race to keep his theoretical hopes of overtaking Bauer alive.
  Sazka Arena turns blue under O2 sponsorship deal
  Prague's Sazka Arena has been renamed the O2 Arena. Its operators say the arena, opened in time for the 2004 World Ice Hockey Championships and used today as a venue for hockey games and concerts, is the most modern building of its kind in Europe. Under a sponsorship deal set to last five years, the 02 arena is adopting the colour blue used in the mobile operator's advertisements.