The automotive industry faced a significant setback as Stellantis announced a $26 billion write-down due to a shift in its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, while Amazon's Alexa app received criticism for a poor redesign, and the future of The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos's ownership came under scrutiny. Meanwhile, the US health secretary appointed a controversial autism committee, and lawmakers considered the future of the International Space Station.
Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Jeep and Dodge, revealed the financial hit as it adjusted to the evolving landscape of EV adoption, according to Ars Technica. The move reflected a broader trend of reevaluating the pace of electrification, particularly in the United States, where initial ambitious plans for EV adoption and charging infrastructure expansion are being rethought.
The Alexa app's recent redesign also drew criticism. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a senior reviewer, noted that the changes made the shopping list feature "mostly unusable," leading her to switch to Apple's Reminders app, as reported by The Verge.
The Washington Post, under the ownership of Jeff Bezos since 2013, faced a decline, with over 300 journalists losing their jobs and more than 300,000 readers canceling their subscriptions, according to The Verge. The article questioned the motivations behind Bezos's actions, suggesting a potential negative impact on the publication's reputation.
In other news, US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed a new Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), sparking concern among autism advocates. The new panel includes individuals who believe vaccines cause autism, raising fears that the group could promote pseudoscientific treatments, as reported by Wired. The IACC is responsible for recommending autism research funding and providing guidance on services for the autism community.
Finally, lawmakers considered the future of the International Space Station. The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee approved a NASA authorization bill, which included policy guidelines to give lawmakers a voice in the space agency's strategic direction, according to Ars Technica. The bill, which must pass the House, Senate, and receive presidential approval, addressed the long-term plans for the ISS.
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