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How a massive all-granite, hand-carved Hindu temple ended up on Hawaii’s lush Kauai Island

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

KAPAA, Hawaii (AP) — It is the only all-granite, hand-carved Hindu temple in the West built without power tools or electricity, and it’s nestled on one of the smaller islands in Hawaii surrounded by lush gardens and forests.On the island of Kauai, the presence of the Iraivan Temple — a white granite edifice with gold-leafed domes, modeled after millennia-old temples in South India — is unexpected and stunning. Less than 1% of Hawaii’s 1.4 million residents are Hindus and on Kauai, the number of Hindus may not even exceed 50, according to some estimates.But that hasn’t deterred the two dozen monks living at the Kauai Aadheenam campus from being good neighbors and stewards of their faith tradition, drawing pilgrims and seekers from around the globe. In this all-male temple-monastery complex, the monks study and practice Shaivism, a major tradition within Hinduism, which holds Lord Shiva as the supreme being.One of the order’s monks, who has spent decades supervising the te...

Niagara Falls man facing 1st-degree murder charge following shooting at Aurora home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

A man from Niagara Falls is facing a first-degree murder charge following a fatal shooting at a home in York Region earlier this year.York Regional Police were called to a house on Stubbs Lane, near Wellington and Leslie streets, in Aurora around 12:15 p.m. on June 12.Officers found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the woman was rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.A police spokesperson told CityNews at the time that a suspect entered the home and shot occupants inside, noting that the shooting appeared to be targeted.The deceased victim was identified as 38-year old Mohammad-Saeid Boubash.On November 15, investigators charged 37-year-old Michael Magee, of Niagara Falls, with first-degree murder.The investigation is ongoing.

Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler is putting some of his guitars up for auction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler will sell off a collection of guitars he considers “old friends” at a Christie’s auction in London next year.The musician whose distinctive finger-picking style drove hits for the British rockers including “Sultans of Swing” and “Money for Nothing,” is putting 120 guitars and amps up for sale in London on Jan. 31, the auction house said Tuesday.Estimated sale prices range from 300 pounds ($375) for an electric-acoustic mandolin to 500,000 pounds ($625,000) for a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard with a cherry red sunburst finish. A 1983 Les Paul that Knopfler played on Dire Straits’ landmark album “Brothers in Arms” and onstage that year at Live Aid has an estimated price of 10,000 to 15,00 pounds.Knopfler said the collection was the product of his 60-year “love affair” with guitars, but it was time to relinquish “some of these treasured six-string companions.”“You can be sure I’ll be sad to see them go but we’ve had wonderful times toge...

The Rolling Stones announce 2024 North American Tour in support of ‘Hackney Diamonds’ album

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Last month, The Rolling Stones released “Hackney Diamonds,” their first album of original material in 18 years.Tuesday, the legendary English band announced they’re taking it on the road.Starting on April 28 in Houston and concluding in Santa Clara, California, on July 17, the Stones will make their way across the U.S. and Canada.The tour hits 16 major cities, including New Orleans, Las Vegas, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles and Vancouver, British Columbia.Fans can expect to experience the Stones’ most popular hits as well as new tracks from “Hackney Diamonds,” the band’s “best new work in decades,” as The Associated Press’ Jocelyn Noveck wrote in her review of the album. She argues the 12-song collection is “tight, focused, full of heart and swagger.”The Stones last performed across the U.S. in 2021 for their No Filter tour, marking the first time the band had toured without drummer Charlie Watts since 19...

George Weston reports Q3 profit down from year ago on one-time charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

TORONTO — George Weston Ltd. reported its third-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago as it was hit by one-time charges driven by its stake in Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust.The company says its net earnings available to common shareholders from continuing operations totalled $610 million or $4.41 per diluted share for the quarter ended Oct. 7, down from $889 million or $6.14 per diluted share a year earlier.George Weston says the decrease was due to the unfavourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items, primarily driven by a fair value adjustment on investment properties.Revenue totalled $18.41 billion for the quarter, up from $17.52 billion in the same quarter last year.On an adjusted basis, George Weston says it earned $3.36 per diluted share from continuing operations in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of $3.12 per diluted share a year earlier.George Weston owns a majority stake in Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and a large stake in Choice Propert...

Evanston approves Northwestern football stadium rebuild

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — The Evanston City Council has voted to move forward with the controversial rezoning and rebuilding of Northwestern's Ryan Field.The mayor of Evanston ended up becoming the deciding vote to approve the new stadium project.The project is estimated to cost $800 million.Northwestern offered up a benefits package to Evanston that is worth around $175 million over 15 years.The money is expected to be paid out annually and will go towards things like the Good Neighbor Fund, racial equity programs and financial aid for Evanston students looking to attend Northwestern University. Sony to bring immersive indoor theme park to Oakbrook Center After Monday night's vote, the school released a statement saying: This decision marks a pivotal moment for Northwestern and the city of Evanston. We're embarking on a journey that promises not just a state of the art stadium, but also a beacon of cultural and economic vitality. This project is a testament to our shared vision of progres...

92-year-old man in custody after shooting woman inside South Side home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A 92-year-old man was taken into custody after he shot a woman on the city's South Side.The shooting happened around 10 p.m. Monday in the 5800 block of South Aberdeen in the Englewood neighborhood. Police said the 42-year-old woman was inside a residence when she was shot in the right arm by the 92-year-old man.The woman was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital in good condition.According to police, the man was taken into custody and multiple firearms were recovered on the scene. Glendale Heights officer kills wife in apparent murder-suicide Area One Detectives are investigating.

Gas prices could hit lowest Thanksgiving level in years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

(The Hill) - The national average of gas prices could drop to the lowest level around Thanksgiving in years, according to new estimates. On Monday, AAA reported that the average national price of gas was about $3.31 per gallon — nearly a 10 percent decrease from last year’s average of $3.67 per gallon during the same period. The national average for gas prices has fallen or remained flat for about 60 consecutive days, according to a AAA press release last week. As of Monday, there are 11 states that have a below $3 a gallon average: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. AAA cited a lower demand for gas coupled with lower oil prices as reason for the decline. “Drivers this Thanksgiving can expect cheaper gas prices,” Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, said in a statement last week.A new analysis from Gasbuddy, an organization that tracks gas prices, predicted that an addi...

4 injured, gunman killed in Ohio Walmart shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WDTN) -- Four people were wounded and one person, the gunman, was killed in a shooting at an Ohio Walmart store Monday, police confirmed.The male shooter reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His name, a motive for the attack and other details weren't immediately released.Beavercreek Police did not immediately release any information on the victims' injuries. “The conditions of the victims right now is unknown," but all were taken to hospitals for treatment, police Capt. Scott Molnar said at a news conference. Man accused of violently attacking security guard to be examined for competency Molnar said a man reportedly entered the Walmart in Beavercreek, a town of about 50,000 in the Dayton metropolitan area, and opened fire around 8:35 p.m. "This has been an incredibly tragic incident," Molnar said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims, responding officers and everyone who was here this evening." ...

'We are attorneys, not statisticians.' Travis County DA reviewing conviction data after KXAN reporting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:44 GMT

Investigative Summary: The Travis County district attorney publicized a sharp increase in the conviction rate for violent, sexual and weapons-related offenses, but KXAN investigators found the formula used to calculate these statistics left some experts with questions. After KXAN’s reporting, the district attorney said his office is re-evaluating the method and trying to find the best way to present its data. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Flanked by supporters and other top county leaders, José Garza announced his re-election campaign for Travis County District Attorney with a strong message: “Across the street, they can play politics with our public safety, but here in this community, together, we choose to act.”As Garza called out the Texas Legislature for targeting prosecutors’ offices, he highlighted data on the successes of his office – particularly noting an increase in wins for cases of violence and family violence. “Over the last four years, we have increased the conviction rat...