Latest news with #Maj
IOL News
21 hours ago
- IOL News
Passport queens: solo female travellers who are influencing adventure one country at a time
Maj, a travel content creator, in the colourful town of Guatapé, Colombia. Image: Instagram. Looking for your next adventure? Whether you dream of lounging on sandy beaches or scaling the highest peaks, the world of travel has never felt more accessible, thanks to the vibrant voices of social media influencers. Among them, the inspiring Zim (@Zimeee) is turning heads and igniting wanderlust with her adventurous spirit and incredible journey. Zim is a solo female traveler and photographer who has visited 70 countries. Image: Instagram. With a loyal following of 163K enthusiasts, she's your go-to guide for discovering hidden gems that will jazz up your travel itinerary. Originally from Nigeria, Zim started her journey four years ago, driven by a mission to showcase that exploring the globe can be done without emptying your pockets. "I made myself a promise to see all 195 countries of the world," she shares in one of her TikTok videos. Now on country number 70, Zim's ambition knows no boundaries or borders. Despite her dizzying travel schedule, she manages to juggle her adventures alongside a full-time job, planning each getaway around her leave days. Now that's some serious inspiration! Her content spans a delightful mix of hotels, tantalising local cuisine and unique experiences that provide travellers with hacks to make their trips feel luxurious, all while being budget-friendly. "If there's a mountain to climb or a mountain to jump off of, best believe I'll be there. All of this to say, if you like visiting pretty places, eating a lot of food, wearing really nice clothes, hiking far distances and generally just enjoying life, then you're in the right place," she says. Next, meet Maj, a solo female traveller and travel nurse, who has captivated over 382K followers on TikTok with her unique journeys across Africa and beyond. With a mission to portray the rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines and traditions found in African nations, her videos resonate with avid travellers and curious souls. Maj, a travel nurse and solo female traveler, offers curated travel tips, excursion guides, and hotel recommendations. Image: Instagram. Maj's personal journey began a few years ago when she launched her TikTok page to document her experiences as a dark-skinned female traveller. "Our experiences are very much unique to others, and that's okay. I love to travel to countries that pique my interest. I love to travel to the continent of Africa because I feel most comfortable there ... I want to reshape your view on how Africa is, there is so much to offer, so many things to do, so many cultures, languages, people, food, it's just so fascinating," she explains in one of her videos. From the bustling streets of Senegal to the breathtaking landscapes of Uganda, Maj takes her followers along for the ride, lightening the travel experience with her humour, heartfelt stories and practical advice. But her travels aren't limited to Africa. Maj also shares her adventures in Mexico, Colombia, Qatar, and Iceland, among other countries. Although she is not a full-time content creator, combining her work as a travel nurse with her passion for exploration allows her to carve out time for her journeys, creating a perfect balance between work and adventure. Maj's brave solo travels serve as a beacon of inspiration for those who may feel hesitant about exploring the world independently, particularly women of colour who may face additional cultural barriers. Meanwhile, solo travel creator Farirai Sanyika (@gophari) showcases South Africa's hidden gems. Hailing from South Africa, she embarked on her journey to unveil the breathtaking beauty that exists right on our doorstep. Phari's odyssey began after she graduated from university and found herself working in Sakunda, an opportunity that proved serendipitous. "It's really been a blessing. Had I not been there, I may have not gone deep into Mpumalanga and explored the Panorama Route, which is what inspired me," she shared in a heartfelt video. Her experience at the stunning Blyde River Canyon marked a turning point in her relationship with South Africa's natural wonders. "I remember just standing at that viewpoint after having seen an image of it on Instagram, I decided I had to go check it out. "And just taking in that natural scenic beauty and being in a place like, I had no idea this existed, it made me feel like I need to tell people more about the destinations that are really close by to us, here in South Africa, that we may be missing out on just because we don't know about them," she said in a video. Farirai Sanyika. Image: Instagram. With a growing following of 221K on TikTok, Fari has become a vibrant voice in the solo travel community. Her platform is not only a treasure trove of stunning visuals and picturesque locations but also practical advice, everything from packing tips to airport check-ins. Fari continues to break down barriers that may prevent potential travelers from exploring their own backyards. Her content resonates, reminding South Africans and global travelers alike that adventure is often just a short drive away. Lastly, Chloe Jade Travels covers travel tips, food and cultures from around the world. Jade's page is filled with exciting and colourful content that will take you to the heart of Africa and back up to the elite New York City. Her content includes local food, nature and interactions with local people. She also discusses the business side of being a travel content creator, including how she earns income through brand deals, press trips and views on her videos. One recent trip involved visiting the Aka people in the Central African Republic, focusing on their culture and welcoming nature. She also highlighted the importance of travel insurance for trips to Central African Republic due to potential healthcare limitations, political instability and theft risks. Chloe Jade mingles with the locals in Central African Republic. Image: Instagram. She also shares negative experiences, such as a challenging hike in Cameroon where things went wrong, emphasising that not all travel experiences are easy or enjoyable. The content creator, YouTuber and traveller hopes to visit every country in the world. "Now, having travelled to over 156 countries, the one thing I am certain of in life is that I want to continue to explore our incredible world. My passion is to explore the food, people and culture that make up planet Earth. "Along the way, I am lucky enough to share this with my online community and help to promote some of the most beautiful and exciting places to stay," she shared online.
Chicago Tribune
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Lake Zurich's Max Maj to play in Illinois Shrine Game and in college. Despite a late start, he's not finished.
Offensive lineman Max Maj is probably one of most inexperienced players participating in the Illinois High School Shrine Game on Saturday. Maj, who recently graduated from Lake Zurich, didn't play the sport until he was in high school. 'My parents didn't know anything about football, and they thought it was dangerous, so they didn't want me to play,' he said. 'I had played lacrosse since fourth grade, and hitting people with metal sticks didn't seem far off from football.' Maj eventually swayed his parents after Lake Zurich running backs coach Nate Boekholder, who was his physical education teacher in middle school, planted the seed. 'I remember him trying to convince a few of us to play, so I signed up for summer camp before my freshman year and have been playing ever since,' Maj said. 'I look back now and can't imagine football not being a central part of my life. My whole daily schedule revolves around it.' Indeed, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Maj became a two-year starter at tackle for the Bears, earned All-North Suburban Conference honors as a senior and will continue to play football at Michigan Tech, a Division II program. This week, he has joined about 100 other players in Bloomington for the Shrine Game at Illinois Wesleyan's Tucci Stadium. 'It's an honor to be chosen to play,' Maj said. 'I haven't had access to a football field since last fall, so it will be good to get practice in against some other top players, and the game also serves a good cause.' Maj's size has helped his cause. But he is also an exemplary team player who has made the most of his relatively brief time in the sport, according to Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz. 'He was arguably our most selfless player, someone who has an infectious personality, works hard and wants everyone around him to be good,' Planz said. 'To see him being able to continue playing is a testament to his hard work. 'I tell guys all the time that football is unique in that you can only play it for so long. There aren't any pickup games at the Y, so once it's over, it's over.' Maj is well aware and already has a career path in mind. He intends to major in construction management at Michigan Tech. 'When we moved into our house in third grade, it was a fixer-upper, and my dad did a lot of the work,' he said. 'He came here from Poland when he was 18, and remodeling was his first job, so that sparked my interest.' In such work, Maj sees parallels to football. 'If you do quality work, there's a quality product, and if you do sloppy work, you get sloppy results,' he said. Results have been important to Maj, who made enough of an impression as a freshman to participate in postseason practices. The Bears lost to Batavia in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs, but the experience had a lasting impact on Maj. 'That was a real eye-opener for me,' he said. 'The guys took me under their wing. After we lost, I remember thinking, 'We can't have that happen again.'' Maj looked inward to see how he could improve and helped Lake Zurich reach the state semifinals in each of the next two seasons. 'It inspired me to work as hard as possible to get better,' he said. 'I found a place called Tactic Sports Performance. It was the first time I thought of football as something to consider long term.' Maj has continued training in the sport even as he pursues his professional aspirations. Last week, he drove two hours each way to Wales, Wisconsin, for a bricklaying job, and he also had football commitments. 'I would wake up at 3:00 am to get my workout in by 4:30, then drive to Wisconsin for 10-hour days and get home by 8:00 pm,' he said. 'It was a tough week, but I had to get both things done. 'If you want anything in life, you have to go earn it.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two More Top Iranian Generals Killed by Israeli Strikes
Two more top Iranian generals have been killed by Israel's wave of attacks on the country's nuclear facilities and leadership, punching a deep hole in Tehran's military leadership. Iranian state media said Maj.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kirtland AFB offers sneak peek of aircraft that will be on display during Air Fiesta event
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –They're some of the most powerful technologically advanced planes and helicopters in the world flying over the skies of Albuquerque and now Kirtland Air Force base is giving a front row seat showing how airmen refuel aircraft in the middle of the sky. Story continues below New Mexico Insiders: Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down Trending: Family of 105-year-old Bataan Death March survivor shares his story Crime: New Mexico correctional officer caught by husband for bringing drugs to inmate, court docs show Community: Poll: Where is the best place to go camping in New Mexico? A routine for some in the air force going up thousands of feet and holding on for a bumpy ride to complete another mission. 'The best way I could describe it was if you've ever sat on a washing machine with an uneven load for about 30 minutes, that gives you an estimate of what we go through every day,' said Major Matthew Olivero, with Kirtland Air Force Base. Wednesday airmen at Kirtland Air Force Base let KRQE News 113 tag along on a special operations command aircraft known as the MC-130J where crews practiced the mid-air refueling of a CV-22 Osprey. 'So, it can take anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on how much fuel that they need, how bumpy the track is, or if it's just training, we might go up and down the track to get them practice,' said Maj. Olivero. A combat systems officer on the MC-130, Maj. Olivero has been flying this aircraft for nearly a decade. 'I absolutely love it. To me it's the best job in the world when you get to look out of the aircraft window and see the terrain that's right there and all the different mission sets that we do,' said Maj. Olivero. The MC-130J costs around $114 million. It's designed for transporting troops and supplies or refueling missions for special operations. In Albuquerque the aircraft is often used for special night training. 'Every day. We have sorties flying every day, Monday through Friday, day and night. But primarily, all of our operations do happen at night,' said Nicholas Holguin, pilot on the MC-130. The HH60 will be one of six different aircrafts that people will be able to get up close and person on May 31. That soon to happen up close look will come with Kirtland's Air Fiesta, something that hasn't happened in six years. 'The only thing I would say is come out to the air show and enjoy. It'll be a great time,' said Maj. Olivero. The two-day air show will start May 31-June 1. The base is expecting roughly 20,000 visitors to show up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Star
07-05-2025
- The Star
Thai police to press charges against engineers, SAO officials over collapsed Bangkok building
BANGKOK: The Metropolitan Police Bureau is preparing to file multiple charges against engineers and State Audit Office (SAO) officials held responsible for the construction of the SAO building that collapsed on March 28, according to a well-informed source. A source from the police investigative team stated that these charges are distinct from the cases being investigated by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which focus on alleged bidding collusion, the use of Thai nominees by a Chinese contractor, and a tax evasion case against a Chinese steel manufacturer. Police investigators have questioned more than 100 witnesses, including SAO officials, family members of deceased and injured workers, and representatives of companies involved in the construction. The source noted that the investigation is over 80% complete, and police have collected all necessary evidence, including samples of steel bars, cement slabs, poles, and other materials from the site. The evidence has been sent to forensic police and technical experts for analysis. According to the source, more than five individuals are expected to face charges. The suspects will be grouped into two categories: engineers and SAO officials. The engineers will be charged with failing to adhere to safety regulations, despite being certified and responsible for the project—violating Articles 227 and 238 of the Criminal Code, which relate to negligence causing death and injury. The SAO officials will be charged with malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, which covers the failure to carry out their official duties or acting inappropriately while in office. DSI spokesperson, Pol Maj Woranun Srilam, said on Tuesday that the lead investigator briefed the DSI director-general on the latest progress. The DSI is overseeing three key cases related to the building collapse: 1. Use of Thai nominees by Chinese contractor The investigation involves China Railway No.10 (CREC) (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which allegedly used Thai nominees. The DSI is awaiting written statements from four suspects before submitting the final report to public prosecutors. 2. Alleged Bidding Collusion Woranun stated that the SAO only conducted bidding for the construction work, but appointed an engineering firm to supervise the project without holding a bidding process. The DSI is collecting additional evidence on this matter. Some engineers listed as supervisors have claimed their signatures were forged, and the DSI is working with forensic police to verify these claims. 3. Tax Evasion by Steel Manufacturer Xin Ke Yuan Steel, whose steel bars were used in the SAO project, has denied the tax evasion charges and submitted a tax receipt in defence. The DSI is verifying the receipt with the Department of Business Development. - The Nation/ANN
