Latest news with #Hagar
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police reminds drivers to move over for first responders
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas State Police is reminding drivers that moving over for first responders is a state law. The Arkansas Move Over Law requires drivers to move over not only for emergency vehicles but also for vehicles operated by the Arkansas Department of Transportation, utility vehicles, tow trucks, and other authorized vehicles displaying flashing, revolving, or rotating lights in blue, red, amber, white, or green, according to ASP officials. ASP: Teen dead, 3 teens injured after high-speed pursuit involving Arkansas State Police ends in crash Officials added that when approaching an authorized vehicle that is stopped or parked on a street, road, highway, or shoulder, drivers must move to the farthest lane or position themselves as far away from the authorized vehicle as possible. They should remain in that lane until they have safely passed the authorized vehicle while exercising caution. If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, the driver should reduce their speed according to the conditions of the street, road, or highway where the authorized vehicle is stopped or parked. Officials said anyone who violates the law may face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, possible jail time and risk losing their driver's license. ASP Col. Mike Hagar said moving over is more than a courtesy. 'When you see flashing lights, move over or slow down,' Hagar said. 'This is the law and a responsibility we all share.' Arkansas State Police arrests man in Eudora after nationwide alert Late Wednesday morning, two ASP troopers were hit while they were making a traffic stop on Interstate 430. The troopers were treated and released, and the driver of the vehicle that hit the patrol car was not injured. 'This incident highlights the critical importance of the Move Over Law. The collision occurred during a routine traffic stop, a scenario where law enforcement officers are especially vulnerable,' Hagar said at the time. 'Compliance with the Move Over Law is essential to prevent such accidents and protect emergency workers on Arkansas roads.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The water of Hajj: A simple illustrated guide to Zamzam
The Hajj pilgrimage began on Wednesday. Some 1.8 million Muslims from across the globe are expected to gather in the Saudi holy city of Mecca for the annual gathering that will conclude on June 8. Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey. Throughout the sacred pilgrimage, pilgrims drink from Zamzam, a wellspring believed to have been flowing for more than 4,000 years, nourishing them to this day. But where does this water come from, and why does it hold such deep significance? Zamzam water comes from a well, located within the Grand Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram), some 21 metres (69 feet) east of the Kaaba. The Zamzam well is beneath the Mataf area, which is the white marble-tiled space surrounding the Kaaba where pilgrims perform Tawaf. In 1962, King Saud commissioned the expansion of the Mataf area to better accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. As part of this project, the opening of the Zamzam well was lowered and enclosed in a basement approximately 2.7 metres (9 feet) deep beneath the Mataf. In 2003, the basement entrances were closed, and drinking fountains were relocated to the sides of the Mataf to allow for further expansion. Today, pilgrims access Zamzam water through dispensers and fountains spread throughout the Grand Mosque. Zamzam water is deeply connected to the origins of Mecca and the story of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), his wife Hagar (Hajar), and their son Ishmael (Ismail). According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Abraham left Hagar and baby Ishmael in the desert valley of Mecca by God's command as a test of faith. When their provisions ran out, Hagar ran back and forth seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water. God responded to her faith and struggle with a miracle: water began to gush from the ground near baby Ishmael's feet – this became the Zamzam well. This spring saved their lives and led to the settlement of Mecca, which today has a population of about 2.2 million. During Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims re-enact Hagar's search for water by walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in the ritual of Sa'i and drink Zamzam water following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who praised its purity and healing qualities. According to Islamic tradition, when the Zamzam spring miraculously gushed forth near baby Ishmael's feet, Hagar tried to contain the water, fearing it would run out. She is said to have exclaimed 'Zamzam', which is often understood to mean 'stop! stop!' or 'hold! hold!' as she tried to stop the water from flowing away by gathering it around the spring. Zamzam water comes from a natural underground source beneath the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The well draws water from an aquifer, a layer of rock and sand that holds water, which is refilled by rainwater that seeps in from the surrounding Ibrahim Valley (Wadi Ibrahim) and nearby hills. The Zamzam well is about 31 metres (101 feet) deep and was originally hand-dug. Water enters the well through loose sand and gravel in the top part, and also from cracks in the solid rock below. Today, electric pumps bring the water up instead of the old rope-and-bucket method. The well itself is now closed to the public, but the water is available through fountains and dispensers around the Grand Mosque. The Zamzam well is considered to have flowed uninterrupted for more than 4,000 years. The continuous flow of water and its central role in Hajj and Umrah have been well-documented for centuries. According to the General Authority for the Care & Management of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, extraction and consumption of Zamzam vary by season: On regular days: Water supply: At least 950,400 litres (251,000 US gallons) daily Consumption: About 700,000 litres (185,000 US gallons) daily During peak seasons (Hajj and Ramadan): Water supply: Up to 1.6 million litres (423,000 US gallons) daily Consumption: Can reach 2 million litres (528,000 US gallons) daily due to the surge in pilgrims According to the Saudi visa office, Mecca is expecting to welcome 15 million Umrah pilgrims in 2025. To manage this demand, the Zamzam well is monitored in real time using digital sensors that track water level, pH (potential of hydrogen; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid), temperature, and conductivity. Additional monitoring wells across Wadi Ibrahim help assess how the entire aquifer responds to water use and rainfall. The Zamzam Studies and Research Centre (ZSRC) estimates how much water can be safely extracted and advises the Grand Mosque authority on sustainable pumping levels. Each year, the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) issues a pumping schedule, with peak demand during Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah and the lowest in Muharram. If water levels fall below a set threshold, pumping is paused to allow the well to recover, ensuring a stable, long-term supply. Zamzam water is clear and odourless, but it has a distinct taste due to its rich mineral content. It is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.9 and 8.0, higher than regular drinking water. A study by King Saud University found no biological contamination or algae in Zamzam water, which are common in other wells and can affect taste and safety. The minerals in Zamzam water offer several health benefits: Fluoride: Helps prevent tooth decay, especially important in hot climates. Calcium and magnesium: Present in higher amounts. Calcium is in an ionic form, making it easier for the body to absorb. Sodium and potassium: Support hydration, nerve function and muscle health. Overall, the total mineral count for Zamzam is 835mg/litre compared with Riyadh's tap water at 350mg/litre. The Saudi government prohibits the sale of Zamzam water for commercial purposes and strictly regulates its distribution to ensure it is provided as a sacred gift to pilgrims and not exploited for profit. Pilgrims returning from Hajj or Umrah often bring back a 5-litre bottle of Zamzam water to share with family and friends back home. Because Zamzam water is considered a special gift, airlines typically do not include it in the regular luggage allowance, so pilgrims often carry it separately or follow specific guidelines when transporting it home. Saudi authorities have established a sophisticated, multistage system to store and distribute Zamzam water, ensuring it remains clean, safe and easily accessible. Electric pumps transport Zamzam water 5km (3 miles) south to the King Abdullah Zamzam Water Project in Kudai. There, the water is purified and then bottled. After treatment, the water is stored in two main reservoirs: Kudai reservoir: holds 10,000 cubic metres (10 million litres) King Abdulaziz Sabeel reservoir in Madinah: holds 16,000 cubic metres (16 million litres)
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Health
- Al Jazeera
The water of Hajj: A simple illustrated guide to Zamzam
The Hajj pilgrimage began on Wednesday. Some 1.8 million Muslims from across the globe are expected to gather in the Saudi holy city of Mecca for the annual gathering that will conclude on June 8. Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey. Throughout the sacred pilgrimage, pilgrims drink from Zamzam, a wellspring believed to have been flowing for more than 4,000 years, nourishing them to this day. But where does this water come from, and why does it hold such deep significance? Zamzam water comes from a well, located within the Grand Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram), some 21 metres (69 feet) east of the Kaaba. The Zamzam well is beneath the Mataf area, which is the white marble-tiled space surrounding the Kaaba where pilgrims perform 1962, King Saud commissioned the expansion of the Mataf area to better accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. As part of this project, the opening of the Zamzam well was lowered and enclosed in a basement approximately 2.7 metres (9 feet) deep beneath the Mataf. In 2003, the basement entrances were closed, and drinking fountains were relocated to the sides of the Mataf to allow for further expansion. Today, pilgrims access Zamzam water through dispensers and fountains spread throughout the Grand Mosque. Zamzam water is deeply connected to the origins of Mecca and the story of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), his wife Hagar (Hajar), and their son Ishmael (Ismail). According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Abraham left Hagar and baby Ishmael in the desert valley of Mecca by God's command as a test of faith. When their provisions ran out, Hagar ran back and forth seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water. God responded to her faith and struggle with a miracle: water began to gush from the ground near baby Ishmael's feet – this became the Zamzam well. This spring saved their lives and led to the settlement of Mecca, which today has a population of about 2.2 million. During Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims re-enact Hagar's search for water by walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in the ritual of Sa'i and drink Zamzam water following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who praised its purity and healing qualities. According to Islamic tradition, when the Zamzam spring miraculously gushed forth near baby Ishmael's feet, Hagar tried to contain the water, fearing it would run out. She is said to have exclaimed 'Zamzam', which is often understood to mean 'stop! stop!' or 'hold! hold!' as she tried to stop the water from flowing away by gathering it around the spring. Zamzam water comes from a natural underground source beneath the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The well draws water from an aquifer, a layer of rock and sand that holds water, which is refilled by rainwater that seeps in from the surrounding Ibrahim Valley (Wadi Ibrahim) and nearby hills. The Zamzam well is about 31 metres (101 feet) deep and was originally hand-dug. Water enters the well through loose sand and gravel in the top part, and also from cracks in the solid rock below. Today, electric pumps bring the water up instead of the old rope-and-bucket method. The well itself is now closed to the public, but the water is available through fountains and dispensers around the Grand Zamzam well is considered to have flowed uninterrupted for more than 4,000 years. The continuous flow of water and its central role in Hajj and Umrah have been well-documented for centuries. According to the General Authority for the Care & Management of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, extraction and consumption of Zamzam vary by season: According to the Saudi visa office, Mecca is expecting to welcome 15 million Umrah pilgrims in 2025. To manage this demand, the Zamzam well is monitored in real time using digital sensors that track water level, pH (potential of hydrogen; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid), temperature, and conductivity. Additional monitoring wells across Wadi Ibrahim help assess how the entire aquifer responds to water use and rainfall. The Zamzam Studies and Research Centre (ZSRC) estimates how much water can be safely extracted and advises the Grand Mosque authority on sustainable pumping levels. Each year, the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) issues a pumping schedule, with peak demand during Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah and the lowest in Muharram. If water levels fall below a set threshold, pumping is paused to allow the well to recover, ensuring a stable, long-term water is clear and odourless, but it has a distinct taste due to its rich mineral content. It is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.9 and 8.0, higher than regular drinking water. A study by King Saud University found no biological contamination or algae in Zamzam water, which are common in other wells and can affect taste and safety. The minerals in Zamzam water offer several health benefits: Overall, the total mineral count for Zamzam is 835mg/litre compared with Riyadh's tap water at 350mg/ Saudi government prohibits the sale of Zamzam water for commercial purposes and strictly regulates its distribution to ensure it is provided as a sacred gift to pilgrims and not exploited for returning from Hajj or Umrah often bring back a 5-litre bottle of Zamzam water to share with family and friends back home. Because Zamzam water is considered a special gift, airlines typically do not include it in the regular luggage allowance, so pilgrims often carry it separately or follow specific guidelines when transporting it home. Shipping Zamzam water through Saudi airports is simple and convenient—just follow the guidelines and use the designated containers for a smooth and hassle-free journey.#Makkah_And_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You#Ease_And_Tranquility — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) March 28, 2025Saudi authorities have established a sophisticated, multistage system to store and distribute Zamzam water, ensuring it remains clean, safe and easily accessible. Electric pumps transport Zamzam water 5km (3 miles) south to the King Abdullah Zamzam Water Project in Kudai. There, the water is purified and then bottled. After treatment, the water is stored in two main reservoirs:
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary Band Drama Continues as One Ex-Frontman Kicks Off Residency and the Other Announces Tour Dates
Van Halen, the band, may have effectively ended for good when guitar legend Eddie Van Halen died from a stroke after battling cancer in October 2020, but the drama surrounding the band and its former members continues. Van Halen's second frontman, Sammy Hagar, is set to kick off his Best of Both Worlds Las Vegas residency on Friday, May 9 at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. The tour takes its name from the 2004 Van Halen greatest hits compilation that featured the band's hits recorded with both Hagar and original frontman David Lee Roth. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Hagar's residency follows his performance at Stagecoach, the country version of Coachella, on April 27, and former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth's return to the concert stage on May 3, his first show in five years. Earlier this week, Roth announced a slate of tour dates that kick off July 22 in Paso Robles, Calif. and run through Sept. 14 in Napa, Calif. In between those dates, he makes stops in Tampa, Atlantic City, St. Louis, Cincinnati and other cities. Both singers perform Van Halen songs in their current sets, with Roth sticking to the songs he sang in the band, while Hagar generally follows the same plan, although he did perform 'Panama,' a song co-written and originally sung by Roth in his set at Stagecoach. Just prior to his Stagecoach performance, Hagar announced that he'd written a new song, 'Encore, Thank You, Goodnight,' with Eddie Van Halen in a dream. Related: Hagar's current band also features former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, who was replaced in Van Halen in 2006 by Eddie Van Halen's teenage son just prior to their 2007 reunion with Roth. Meanwhile, former Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen, who turned 72 on May 8, isn't playing with any of his former bandmates, and has a serious beef with Hagar, so much so that he didn't even mention his name in his recently published memoir, Brothers. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Hagar claimed that the bad blood with Alex Van Halen stems from his Cabo Wabo cantina and tequila business that the Van Halen brothers were once partners in but turned it over to Hagar when it was losing money. Hagar ended up making millions on it. Wolfgang Van Halen is continuing his career fronting his band Mammoth VH and they recently released a new single and video 'The End,' as the Van Halen drama continues. Read More:
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘80s Hard-Rock Legend Joins the Go-Go's in Vegas
The virtual lovefest between and the Go-Go's singer continued Thursday, May 15, but this time the rest of Carlisle's band got involved. A post on the former Van Halen frontman's Instagram account shows the veteran hard rocker surrounded by all five members of the iconic '80s all female band (bassist Kathy Valentine, Carlisle, drummer Gina Schock, and guitarists Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey) as Hagar tries to round up the gang for a photo. 'The first shot, Go-Go's only,' Hagar is heard saying in the clip. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 In the next slide of the carousel, Hagar announces, 'Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here with the Go-Go's and guess what, we got the beat!' he said, referencing the band's signature 1981 hit. 'oh my goodness, we almost went back to the 80s before the show 😁 @officialgogos absolutely rocked tonight. So much fun. #girlsgirlsgirls they still got it!' Hagar captioned the was visiting the band backstage at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, where the band performed on May 15. However, he didn't make it up to the stage to perform with the band, unlike Green Day frontman , who joined the band onstage during their set on April 11, the opening weekend at Coachella. That followed Carlisle's visit to see Hagar at his Best of All Worlds Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM earlier in the week. He wraps up his residency with shows May 16 and 17. The Go-Go's and Hagar have been circling in the same orbit recently. The band known for such hits as 'Our Lips Are Sealed' and 'Vacation' performed at Coachella on April 11 and 18, while Hagar played Stagecoach, the country version of Coachella, the following weekend, at the same location in Indio, Calif.
