Authorities in Providence, Rhode Island, are still searching for the person who killed two people and wounded nine others on the Brown University campus. A person of interest questioned by police was released after evidence review. The investigation remains ongoing. The victims were identified as Ella Cook of Birmingham, Alabama, and Muhammad Aziz Umurzakov of Uzbekistan. (Story URL)
Federal officials say four members of a far-left anti-government group have been charged with planning New Year’s Eve bombings across Southern California. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X that the Justice Department and FBI “prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot.” Court papers name the defendants as Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai. (Story URL)
iRobot, maker of the Roomba vacuum, will merge with Santrum Hong Kong Co. and Shenzhen Picea Robotics Co. under a court-supervised bankruptcy process. Officials said the restructuring will stabilize operations, reduce debt, and support ongoing innovation. A planned Amazon buyout was canceled in January 2024 due to regulatory challenges. (Story URL)
Brian Walshe was found guilty Monday of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Ana Walshe, who vanished nearly three years ago. He likely faces life in prison without parole. Prosecutors said Walshe killed and dismembered his wife after she was last seen early Jan. 1, 2023. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Ana’s family believes “justice had been served.” (Story URL)
The United States recorded its highest number of executions in about 15 years. As of Monday, 46 executions had taken place in 2025, with two more scheduled before year’s end. The last time the total reached that level was in 2010. The 2025 figure nearly doubled last year’s total of 24. The increase was driven by Florida, where the governor ordered a record number of executions. (Story URL)
