Czech news in brief for January 29: Thursday's top afternoon headlines

Czech Foreign Minister Filip Macinka will travel to the United States next week for his first official visit since taking office. The trip focuses on strengthening trans-Atlantic ties and discussing security cooperation amid ongoing regional tensions. Macinka is scheduled to meet with high-level American officials in Washington, D.C., to reaffirm the Czech Republic’s commitment to NATO and bilateral strategic partnerships.

President Petr Pavel has shared photos from his recent vacation, highlighting his preference for active relaxation. In a social media post, the President noted that for him, "luxury" is defined by time spent on his motorcycle rather than high-end accommodations. The images show Pavel touring in southern Europe, maintaining his public image as an avid motorcycling enthusiast even while serving in the country's highest office.

A tanker truck carrying fuel crashed in the Rakovník region, causing an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 liters of diesel to leak into the surrounding environment. Emergency services and environmental specialists were deployed to the scene to prevent the spill from reaching local water sources. Cleanup operations are ongoing, and authorities are monitoring the impact on soil and groundwater quality in the affected area.

Czech police have charged 11 individuals involved in an organized group smuggling large quantities of precursors from Poland to produce methamphetamine. In a notable attempt to evade suspicion, the ringleader reportedly used his own mother as a driver for the shipments. The operation, which moved kilograms of medication used for drug manufacturing, was dismantled following a coordinated investigation by the Moravian-Silesian regional police.

As temperatures fluctuate, Czech rescuers are warning the public about the dangers of thin ice on lakes and rivers. A professional rescue team recently demonstrated essential survival steps for those who fall through ice, emphasizing the need to keep calm, spread body weight, and crawl back toward the solid edge. Residents are urged to avoid entering frozen water bodies unless the ice thickness is officially confirmed as safe.