"Amazon Scraps $1.4 Billion iRobot Deal Amid EU Veto Threat"

Amazon has terminated its planned acquisition of iRobot, citing a lack of regulatory approval, leading to a 15% drop in iRobot's shares and the announcement of a 31% staff layoff. iRobot's CEO will step down, and the company will focus on margin improvements, reduce R&D spending, and pause work on non-floorcare products. Amazon will pay iRobot a $94 million breakup fee, and both companies expressed disappointment over the failed deal. Regulatory scrutiny of large tech companies, including Amazon, has been increasing globally, with the European Union and the UK's antitrust agency delaying or halting several deals.