In other news: Home Depot buying materials provider in $18.25B deal; Robotic police dog credited with avoiding potential bloodshed

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 29, 2024

Home Depot buying supplier to professional contractors in a deal valued at about $18.25B

Home Depot is buying SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion. The home improvement retailer said Thursday that the acquisition will help speed up its growth with the contractors. SRS provides materials for those including professional roofers, landscapers and pool contractors.

Robotic police dog shot multiple times, credited with avoiding potential bloodshed

Massachusetts state police say a robotic dog helped avert a tragedy after being deployed at a Barnstable home where police were responding to an armed individual barricaded in a home. The dog named Roscoe was part of the state’s bomb squad and was shot several times and disabled during the situation on March 6. It had been sent into the residence after an unidentified suspect fired on officers. Two other robots often used for bomb disposal were also sent in. State police say that being able to use Roscoe may have prevented an officer from being involved in an exchange of gunfire.

Banksy tree mural that sprouted in London is fenced off after apparent vandalism

An environmentally themed mural by elusive street artist Banksy that appeared last week on a London street has been encased in plastic and surrounded by fencing after an apparent act of vandalism. The work quickly attracted crowds but two days later was splashed with white paint. The local authority says it is fencing off the site to protect the art and mitigate the impact of visitors but will use plastic panels to allow clear views. Works by Banksy have sold for millions of dollars, and other outdoor murals have often been stolen or removed soon after they appeared. The latest work would be harder to take down since the piece relies on a nearby tree for its impact.