Czech news in brief for May 2: Saturday's top morning headlines

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will hold a brief in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday during a summit in Armenia, iDnes.cz reports. It will be their first meeting since Babiš returned to office. He did not say what they will discuss. The talks come as Babiš and coalition partners have criticized Ukraine policy, including Czech support for an artillery ammunition initiative for Ukraine.

Czechia recorded its driest March and April since nationwide records began in 1961, with just 32 millimeters of rainfall, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said Friday. That is far below the seasonal average of 83 millimeters. Meteorologists warn the lack of rain is already affecting topsoil and groundwater levels. InterSucho reported significant drought across 60 percent of the country, raising concerns for agriculture, water supplies, and wildfire risk.

A planned US tariff hike on EU car imports could hurt Czech auto suppliers, despite limited direct exports to the US, analysts say. Automotive expert Petr Knap said Czech car exports to the US make up just 0.8 percent of total output, but Czech firms supply key parts to German carmakers likely to cut US sales. That could reduce orders for Czech electronics, gearboxes, and brake systems.

Czech lawmakers will meet in an extraordinary session Wednesday to vote on disputed changes to public budget rules and the state budget process. Opposition parties have warned of a lengthy debate, saying the proposal could weaken fiscal discipline and allow hidden borrowing. MPs will also hold final talks on housing support reforms and debate measures affecting Czech Television, Czech Radio, and parliamentary obstruction rules.

Firefighters responded to a fire caused by an electric scooter battery in a building on Čenětická Street in Prague, authorities said. The blaze started in the morning in a ground-floor area after the battery ignited. The fire was extinguished with one hose, and the scooter was taken outside for thermal inspection. Fire officials warn such incidents are increasing and advise against unattended charging, especially overnight.