Latest from Channel 23
News24
18 minutes ago
- Automotive
- News24
Truck driver Nosihle Mohunu is paving the way for young women in SA
Nosihle Mohunu is a 29-year-old truck driver from KwaZulu-Natal. Nosihle is a mom of two and has support from her mother while on the road. She is excelling in the male-dominated industry after pursuing a Code 14 license. _______________________________________________________________________ It's not something you see every day. A young woman at the steer of a 22-wheeler, confidently clocking up long-haul miles, expertly squeezing the rig into tight spaces and personally handling every inspection with precision. At just 29 years old, Nosihle Mohunu is a valued truck driver, does it all with a bright smile and sometimes even a little dance because, for her, there's no better place to be than behind the wheel of one of these giants of the road. She understands the value of what she does, delivering essential goods and groceries across the country. Her passion is contagious. Her TikTok videos, filmed from the snug cab of her truck, have already won her thousands of fans. An expert on the road Mzansi took notice of Nosihle when a video went viral of her driving through her hometown, Keate's Drift in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where her mother saw her in action for the first time. Suddenly, Nosihle, who now lives in Hazelmere, KZN, was on everyone's radar. Brand collaborations rolled in but she turned most of them down. 'I don't want distractions,' she says. 'I want to stay focused on my work.' @nosihleoprintayo I must be really grateful, all thanks to Transrite for this great opportunity 🥺🥺 #femaledriver #womaninlogistics #code14 #transrite #truckdriver ♬ Good Lord - MG Trizzy Nosihle first worked as a floor manager for a company that sold sports and lifestyle products. Then, in 2021, she took a massive leap that changed her life. Inspired by the flow of trucks passing through her hometown, Nosihle decided to pursue a Code 14 truck licence. Her decision paid off because, after completing Shoprite's learnership programme and acing the practical assessment, she was offered a permanent position. It's been three years and, since then, she has racked up countless safe kilometres. On one trip alone, she travelled more than 1 200 km across borders – a testament to her discipline, focus and skill. Not an easy job But the job isn't always easy. Her days can start as early as 04:00, and careful route planning and truck inspections are part of her routine. For Nosihle, safety and precision are everything. She logs every journey and keeps detailed records. 'I always make sure to get enough rest at home, since I never want to find myself depending on energy drinks,' she says. 'Music is therapy and there is nothing I enjoy more than listening to music. It always keeps me awake.' Excelling in a male-dominated industry As a woman in a male-dominated industry and a mother to two young children, Nosihle faces unique challenges. 'Female drivers constantly face bias. But many of us are breaking those stigmas and proving what we're capable of.' She admits, 'My work demands a lot of my time and it's changed things. I don't see my children as often as I used to. But it's a positive change, I can still provide for them, even while I'm away.' Balancing motherhood with a demanding career takes strong support. 'My mother makes it possible,' she says. 'Sometimes people judge me for prioritising my career over traditional roles, even though I'm doing it to take care of my family.' Nosihle believes a new wave of women is stepping into the trucking industry. 'When I first got my Code 14 licence, many of my former colleagues, people living in informal settlements, were against the idea. They had concerns and didn't understand that for me, it was a dream come true. Once I got my job, they followed and got their licences too.' For Nosihle, it doesn't stop here. She has been celebrated during an annual internal career recognition campaign called 40 under 40 and continues to dream even bigger. 'I want to train and uplift other women, especially from small towns like mine. We belong in this industry too.' Her message to young women, especially those from overlooked communities? 'Women aren't just being hired to tick boxes anymore, we're proving ourselves as safer, more reliable drivers. If I can do it, so can you.'
News18
19 minutes ago
- Politics
- News18
‘This Is Why We're Fighting Iran': Israel Shares Video Of Strike On Children's Center
Last Updated: IDF says Iran struck children's center in south Israel and said this is why Israel is fighting Iran. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in a video released on Friday claimed that Iran struck a children's center in southern Israel. The 24-second long video shows a creche-like setup with toys scattered around as a CCTV captures the surroundings. At the 3-second mark, the video shows dust and debris signalling the time the missile may have struck the site. No children were visible during the time of the strike. It is unclear if the children's center was linked to the Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beersheba which was targeted by Iran on Thursday. This is footage from the moment an Iranian ballistic missile hit a children's center in southern the world asks why we're fighting Iran, this is your answer: — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2025 The strike in the hospital caused extensive damage to the hospital's entrance hall and several departments, including the ophthalmology unit on the third floor of the surgical building. The explosion shattered windows, hurling glass across the hospital, brought ceilings crashing down, destroyed medical equipment and left corridors in disarray. Officials at the hospital, including its director, said lives were likely saved because the part of the complex that was hit had been evacuated days earlier. Even so, dozens sustained injuries in the attack. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site and blamed Iran directly for the attack. 'We will make the tyrants in Tehran pay a heavy price," Netanyahu said in a post on X. Iranian officials, meanwhile, said the target was not the hospital itself, but a nearby Israeli command post and intelligence facility. 'In this operation, the regime's command and intelligence centre near a hospital was targeted with highly accurate and guided missiles," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement. Iran's state news agency IRNA also reported that the missile barrage had been aimed at an Israeli military site located close to the medical facility. The World Health Organisation (WHO) condemned the incident, calling attacks on medical infrastructure during the conflict 'appalling".
France 24
20 minutes ago
- Politics
- France 24
Putin can't have a veto on Ukraine's EU membership: Parliament speaker Stefanchuk
Summing up his official visit to France, Stefanchuk says: 'I came with words of gratitude to the French people for the active support that we have been receiving. But also I came with words of request, a request that we need to continue this fight together, together with our friends all over the world, including Europe and France. I came with the words that what is extremely needed now in Ukraine, is the air defence system. This issue is connected with providing Ukraine more weapons to make sure that we can withstand this attack.' Stefanchuk elaborates; 'Let's be completely honest. War is a horrible math. Ukraine today is protecting the eastern flank of NATO from Russia's assault. And we are paying a terrible price for this. We're paying with the lives of our best sons and daughters. War includes the financial component, the military component and, unfortunately, the human component. And we must understand that, in order to win this war, we need to have all these components filled in. And of course, we are going to work with our partners to make sure that if we have less financial support (from the US), we'll be asking Europe to increase its support for Ukraine.' Stefanchuk adds that he also came to France to discuss the issue of frozen Russian assets, and 'legal solutions' to unlocking the assets. Many EU governments – including France – do not want to set an international legal precedent by fully using the assets. But Stefanchuk argues that if this is not done, a different kind of precedent will be set. 'We must find the mechanism to make sure that the one who violates the law is made accountable for these violations,' he states. 'If this is not done, then in the near future, anyone who has the strength, the power, and has no conscience, will do whatever they like, knowing that their assets are guaranteed. No! We must create the precedent according to which every criminal must know that they will pay for war with their money.' We turn to Ukraine's EU accession process, which has run into Hungarian opposition, despite the European Commission saying that Ukraine has 'done its homework' in three negotiating clusters. 'Ukraine, despite the war, is fulfilling all its obligations to the European Union. We adopt the laws, we carry out reforms. We are not asking for some excuses for Ukraine, for some simplified track,' Stefanchuk asserts. 'We honestly take our path, but we are also counting on the same kind of honesty from our European partners. And we want to make sure that Hungary is not a country that is Putin's veto on Ukraine's accession to the EU. Putin is not an EU member. He has no right of veto in the EU. This, I believe, is becoming a big threat for all the countries of the European Union, for all the NATO countries, because Putin is using some countries to block the alliance decisions. So this is a huge challenge.' Stefanchuk is adamant there is 'no backtracking at all' on anti-corruption reforms, despite the country slipping slightly in Transparency International's last Corruption Perceptions Index (2024). 'The situation has changed', Stefanchuk remarks. 'The Ukraine of 2025 is a different country from the Ukraine of 2005. Today we can hold top officials accountable, demonstrating to others that the fight against corruption is irreversible in our country. For example, the ex-head of the Supreme Court received a suspicion, and a couple of ministers received this notification of suspicion. That's the first time ever in the history of Ukraine. Ukraine's President Zelensky, the prime minister, and I, we all have a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.' Many countries were deeply concerned about Israel's attack on Iran on June 13. But Stefanchuk reminds viewers that 'Iran's Shahed drones terrorise Ukrainians every night. Of course, the weaker Iran and North Korea are, and the weaker Russia is, the better it is for us. The less peaceful citizens will suffer and the less Ukrainian infrastructure will suffer, the closer we will be to our common victory.'
News18
21 minutes ago
- General
- News18
Air India Won't Fly Any Aircraft ‘Where There Is Any Doubt,' Says CEO After Ahmedabad Crash
Last Updated: An Air India flight crashed on June 12, just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The tragic accident claimed the lives of 241 passengers onboard, leaving one survivor. Days after the Ahmedabad plane crash that claimed over 270 lives, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said on Friday that the airline would not operate any flight 'where there is any doubt." Assuring safety to its employees and customers, he said, 'We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft – of any type – for service." Speaking about the tragic accident on June 12, Wilson said that the airline, owned by Tata Group, will continue to support those who have been affected. 'Around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew and those on the ground. Progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure." he said. 'This is equally true for those of our colleagues, who we will support in the same way. You may have read social media commentary on the perceived lack of visibility of Air India at the services held for our colleagues. I can assure you that we have had senior representation at each and every one. We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect." added the CEO. Air India has been taking several safety measures after a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad minutes after taking off on June 12. The incident left the nation shocked, raising severe concerns over the safety of passengers. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is currently investigating the incident. First Published: June 20, 2025, 21:30 IST
News18
23 minutes ago
- Automotive
- News18
FASTag: Can Annual Travel Pass Help You Save Money? Minimum & Maximum Recharges Explained
Last Updated: The National Highways Authority of India will start issuing the pass from August 15 for Rs 3,000. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday introduced a FASTag-based annual pass, effective from August 15. The Annual Toll Pass (ATP) will cost Rs 3,000, down from the earlier Rs 10,000, and will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 visits, whichever comes first. The policy intends to simplify toll payments, alleviate congestion, and reduce friction at toll booths across the country. What is the Validity? The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will start issuing the pass from August 15 for Rs 3,000. It will be valid for one year from the purchase date or 200 travels at National Highway and Expressway fee plazas. Once the trip limit has been surpassed, you can renew an ATP for a year. Alternatively, you can also use the FASTag, as purchasing an ATP is not mandatory to drive on the NHAI network. Those who want to continue utilising FASTag can do so. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), this scheme falls under the National Highways Fee (Amendment) Rules, 2025. Who Can Use the Annual Pass? It is designed specifically for non-commercial private vehicles, including cars, jeeps and vans. To be qualified for the facility, the vehicle must have a valid registration and a functional FASTag. This pass does not cover commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, or taxis. The annual toll pass can be activated and renewed using a dedicated link that the government will soon make accessible on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as the MoRTH and NHAI official websites. To complete the activation process, users must enter their vehicle details as well as their FASTag ID. Can An Annual Travel Pass Help You Save Money? According to the ministry, regular users can save up to Rs 7,000 per year, as the average toll payment will be reduced from Rs 50 to Rs 15 per trip. 'By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners," the minister said. Here's How Much You Can Save With the ATP: Delhi to Mumbai From Delhi to Mumbai, there are approximately 12 to 15 toll plazas, including Kherki Daula, Kishangarh, Ahmedabad Ring Road, Surat, Vapi, and Dahisar. On closed-tolling highways, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, a vehicle is only charged at the entry and exit points, indicating that it is a single trip. So, if the one-way toll charge is around Rs 1,900, the round-trip will be Rs 3,800. However, if you choose the new FASTag yearly plan, you pay only Rs 3,000 per year and get unlimited travel till you finish 200 trips. Delhi to Jaipur Between Delhi and Jaipur, there are four tolls — Ghamroj, Hilalpur, Bhandarraj and Rajadhok. And if you go twice a month, the monthly expenses are around Rs 1,288, bringing the total annual cost to Rs 15, 456. But with ATP, you only need to pay Rs 3,000 for a year of unlimited travel on this route and can save more than Rs 12,000.
