Like much of Europe, the Czech Republic was pounded by Jan. 18's record winds that blew as hard as 212 kilometers (130 miles) per hour on the country's highest peak. Four people died after trees fell on vehicles. Five border crossings were closed, Ruzyně Airport closed one terminal and canceled 20 flights, and more than 1 million people were left without power. ČEZ reports that power supply is now back to normal across the country.

BRIBERY

Police are looking at bank statements of Deputy Prime Minister Jiří Čunek as part of a bribery investigation, Hospodářské noviny and Mladá fronta Dnes (MfD) reported Jan. 23. Čunek deposited 499,000 Kč into his account in 2002, while he was mayor of Vsetín, east Moravia. Around the same time, a real estate firm withdrew a similar amount from its account, the papers wrote. Police have asked the Senate to strip Čunek of his immunity so he can be charged.

CONSTITUTION

President Václav Klaus supports the new version of the European Union constitution, which would prevent the gradual unification of Europe, he told MfD Jan. 22. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek says he wants a new, simpler EU constitution.

HIV

The government registered more than 90 new cases of HIV in the Czech Republic in 2006, bringing the total number of registered HIV-positive citizens and foreigners with permanent residency to 920 since 1985. Of that number, 209 have developed AIDS and 123 have died.

ABOLISH