Uber to invest in Rivian for robotaxis

EUR Radio News — 2026-03-19 16:32

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1. Uber to invest in Rivian for robotaxis
Uber has announced plans to invest up to 1.25 billion US dollars in Rivian Automotive to facilitate the launch of 50,000 robotaxis. The agreement includes an initial purchase of 10,000 fully autonomous Rivian R2 vehicles, with an option for an additional 40,000 by 2030.

2. Pentagon requests additional funding for Iran conflict
The Pentagon is seeking an additional 200 billion dollars in funding for the ongoing conflict in Iran, according to a senior administration official. This request, made to the White House, represents a significant increase in financial support for military operations in the region.

3. Russian blogger placed in psychiatric facility
A pro-Kremlin blogger who recently denounced President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine has reportedly been placed in a psychiatric facility. His social media post, which gained widespread attention, has raised concerns about the treatment of dissenting voices in Russia.

4. Europeans concerned about potential US tech influence
Concerns are growing among Europeans that former President Donald Trump could impose a “kill switch” on American tech providers, affecting services in Europe. This anxiety has led to a shift towards homegrown technology solutions, particularly following incidents involving high-profile figures losing access to essential services.

5. Iceland cautious of Brexit-like misinformation
Iceland’s foreign minister has expressed concerns about potential misinformation ahead of the country’s upcoming EU membership referendum. Scheduled for August 29, 2026, the vote follows the government’s observations of the US administration’s interactions with Denmark and the EU regarding Greenland.

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6. France and Germany are making one last effort to mediate the development of a next-generation fighter jet, known as the FCAS, which also involves Spain. A German official emphasized the urgency of reaching a resolution by mid-April due to impending federal budget decisions.

7. Peace talks regarding Ukraine are currently stalled, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming that negotiations on prisoner swaps will still proceed. The last meeting among the involved parties took place in February, and no new discussions have been scheduled as of now.

8. At the EU summit in Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has reaffirmed his decision to maintain a veto against financial aid for Ukraine. This stance comes as he faces increasing pressure at home, with polls indicating a tight race ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections in April.

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MEPs have cleared the path for the full adoption of the EU–US trade deal. The European Parliament’s trade committee agreed to eliminate EU tariffs on US goods, as outlined in the agreement reached in July 2025. This decision comes after prolonged delays due to tensions during the Trump administration.

In a separate humanitarian effort, Greece has successfully evacuated pets and their owners from the Middle East. A flight carrying dozens of cats and dogs landed in Athens on Wednesday, marking a significant achievement by the Greek government. The operation was coordinated by the interior and foreign ministries to ensure that Greek nationals could return home with their beloved animals.

Turning to the weather. In Riga, 0 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In London, 6 to 16 degrees with sunny a slightly cool ambiance awaits london on today. In Paris, 6 to 17 degrees with sunny mild temperatures are expected in paris. In Brussels, 5 to 15 degrees with partly cloudy a slightly cool ambiance awaits brussels on today. In Berlin, 5 to 14 degrees with sunny a slightly cool ambiance awaits berlin on today. In Stockholm, 3 to 8 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Madrid, 8 to 17 degrees with sunny mild temperatures are expected in madrid.

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