Czech news in brief for September 4: Friday's top afternoon headlines recap

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka has been duped by a group of activists who managed to conduct a fake interview with him, drawing attention to serious shortcomings in his security detail, the AFP wrote. Macinka's security guards also reportedly failed to notice mock-up weapons and fake bombs hidden in the room where the "interview" was held.

Filip Turek should resume his position as government plenipotentiary for climate change and once more sit in on meetings at the Environment Ministry, Motorist chairman and Foreign Minister Macinka told journalists today. Turek temporarily vacated his post in July as police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash between the politician's car and an ambulance in the center of Prague. "I hope that it will become clear in September who was to blame for the accident," Turek said.

Sugar taxes and the appropriate use of fluoride will be some of the many topics discussed at this year's global dentist convention, bringing over 6,000 participants to the Czech capital in the next few days, the president of the Czech Dental Chamber (ČSK) Roman Šmucler said today to kick-off the conference. As in other countries, the Czech Republic too has been debated whether to introduce a special tax on sweets and sugary drinks as a way to promote a healthier diet and combat obesity.

The massive reconstructuring plans announced by German carmaker Volkswagen - which includes the elimination of 100,000 jobs worldwide by 2030 - could affect hundreds of Czech suppliers, according to local analysts. "This will be felt mostly by smaller supplies tied to combustion engines and German demand," said Petr Knap, a strategic advisor for Volkswagen. According to XTB analyst Jiří Tyleček, the entire Volkswagen Group (which includes Škoda Auto) yearly purchases parts from more then 200 direct suppliers in Czechia.

Daily trams between the Muzeum and I.P. Pavlova stations will once more start running again from tomorrow after the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) completed the reconstruction works at the intersection between the Legerova and Vinohradská streets. The restoration of the connection for tram lines 11 and 13 is well ahead of schedule, DPP announced, and is seen as preparatory work for the reopening of tram lines in the upper part of Wenceslas Square, scheduled for June 2027.