Latest news with #Cleopatra
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Cleopatra joins Pas
KUALA LUMPUR: Social media influencer Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharuddin, who stood as an independent candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat during the last general election, has submitted her application to join Pas. The Islamist party's Muslimat wing said Nur Fathiah, better known as Cleopatra among her followers, handed over her membership application form at its office here yesterday. In a Facebook post, the wing said that Cleopatra said her decision to join Pas was made for the sake of her children's future. "Apart from being known as an activist actively involved in charitable work and as the founder of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Hetero Action Women Alliance (HAWA), which champions women's and community rights, Cleopatra also plays a role as a social media influencer, making her an important voice in advocating social issues and community development." Cleopatra contested the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent in the 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022, which saw a 10-cornered fight — the highest number of candidates in that election. However, she lost the contest at the seat, which was retained by incumbent P. Prabakaran of PKR. Meanwhile, Pas Muslimat chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh said the council welcomes Cleopatra's membership and encourages the participation of all women in the party. She said the wing has long been committed to caring for the welfare of the underprivileged, including the poor, persons with disabilities, the elderly, single mothers, and orphans. "Cleopatra's entry into Pas is seen as a strategic step towards strengthening the role of women in Malaysian politics and championing the well-being of society," she said.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
From influencer to Islamist: Cleopatra joins PAS to ‘secure children's future', vows commitment to party's spiritual training
KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 – Influencer Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharuddin, better known as Cleopatra, has officially joined the Islamist party PAS yesterday, citing the need to provide a better future for her children. PAS' Muslimat Wing posted on Facebook that the former independent candidate for Batu submitted her application to wing chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh 'Cleopatra said her decision to join PAS was driven by her hopes for her children's future,' the wing said. 'A single mother, she had previously expressed a desire to get to know PAS better and had voiced her willingness to undergo the party's spiritual and ideological 'tarbiyyah',' it added, using the Arabic word that roughly translates to 'training' or 'education'. Nuridah said the wing has long remained committed to championing the welfare of vulnerable groups such as the poor, persons with disabilities, the elderly, single mothers, and orphans. 'Cleopatra's entry into PAS is seen as a strategic move to strengthen women's political engagement in Malaysia and to further the cause of community welfare,' it said. A single mother and entrepreneur, Nur Fathiah also founded women's and community rights group called Hetero Action Women Alliance (Hawa). She ran in the 15th general election in the crowded Batu parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur and garnered only 628 votes in the 10-candidate contest. Pakatan Harapan's P. Prabakaran won by a 22,241-vote majority. Earlier last year, she was forced to deny her wedding to deputy inspector-general of police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Zinin in Thailand, after a purported marriage certificate went public. She first went under the media spotlight in 2019 after her little-known firm Cleo International Sdn Bhd led a delegation with local e-sports powerhouse Orange E-Sports to meet then youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful seaside resort with crystal-clear waters has 'cheap all-inclusives'
A gorgeous seaside resort is already a hit thanks to its beautiful beaches and crystalline waters, but it's also one of the best spots for bargain all-inclusive breaks according to insiders A gorgeous coastal region famed for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters and bustling resorts has also been named one of the cheapest for luxury all-inclusive breaks. Turkey 's breathtaking Dalaman region is hardly a hidden gem, but it's well worth having on your radar if you're after a glamorous getaway. That's because despite its popularity, you can still nab tempting bargains. While Dalaman doesn't necessarily have the cheapest all-inclusives overall, it does boast some of the cheapest luxury packages in Turkey. According to research by the experts at TravelSupermarket, it's one of the world's best destinations for cheap 5* all-inclusive breaks, with a week coming in at an average of £826 per person, landing it in third place in the rankings behind two Tunisian hotspots. (In fact it takes the bronze medal in the rankings for a second year running). "Turkey's Dalaman Area continues to offer remarkable value for luxury seekers," explained Steph Marinkovic, Head of Editorial at TravelSupermarket. "This stunning region combines breathtaking natural beauty with world-class 5-star resorts. "The famous Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz is just one highlight of this picturesque coastline dotted with pine-clad mountains and historic sites. The all-inclusive resorts here excel in both service and amenities, offering everything from private beaches and infinity pools to delicious Turkish cuisine and spa facilities." One particularly popular spot in the region is the resort of Marmaris, where you'll find heaps of hotels, bars, shops and those sandy beaches that are the stuff of Instagram dreams. Icmeler Beach and the main public beach tend to be some of the busier spots, so if you're after a bit of hustle and bustle, as well as somewhere with plenty of amenities, shops and restaurants, head to those areas. For those who love to go off the beaten track a little bit, then Sedir Island (also known as Cleopatra's island) is a must-visit. Known for its breathtaking shores made from eye-catching shells, it boasts a fascinating history with ties to - you guessed it - Cleopatra. One happy tourist took to Tripadvisor to praise the gorgeous island as a must-visit. They wrote: "A miraculous island in the bays of Marmaris and Gokova. The sand on this island is truly a miracle. At one time, Caesar had thousands of ships of sand brought to this island from the Red Sea. For Cleopatra. They lived on this island for a while, secretly from everyone. That's why it is also called Cleopatra Island. Caesar proposed to Cleopatra here." Dalaman wasn't the only popular Turkish spot to make the rankings; the bustling resort of Bodrum also featured in the top 10, taking the fifth spot with a week's all-inclusive break coming in at around £950 per person. You can check out the full list of the top 10 best destination for the cheapest 5* all-inclusive breaks below: Hammamet, Tunisia Sousse, Tunisia Dalaman, Turkey Kefalonia, Greece Bodrum, Turkey Cape Verde Rhodes, Greece Algarve, Portugal Egypt Dominican Republic
Mint
26-05-2025
- Mint
8 undiscovered beaches around the world that feel like paradise on Earth
8 undiscovered beaches around the world that feel like paradise on Earth| In Photos 8 Photos . Updated: 26 May 2025, 11:41 AM IST Share Via These hidden beach gems are worth discovering if you are looking for a summer escape away from the crowded tourist hotspots. 1/8Cleopatra Sidi Heneish on Egypt's North Coast offers a serene beachfront escape, rumoured to be where Cleopatra once bathed. (Forbes ) 2/8The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island offers a refined escape with 13 miles of dune-lined beaches, a Four-Star spa, and upscale dining by chef Okan Kizilbayir. (Forbes ) 3/87Pines Resort Sardinia, nestled on the island's northern coast, features 75 rooms and four secluded coves hidden in lush shrubland. (Forbes ) 4/8Baoase Luxury Resort in Curaçao offers a secluded beach ideal for snorkelling, jet-skiing, and sunset boat charters. (Forbes ) 5/8Montenegro, with its dramatic scenery and medieval towers reminiscent of nearby Croatia, remains refreshingly under the radar, especially its resorts like The Chedi Luštica Bay. (Forbes ) 6/8Nestled beside a 10-million-year-old rainforest, The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia graces the serene, white-sand shores of Datai Bay along the Andaman Sea. (Forbes ) 7/8At the junction of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, D Maris Bay in Marmaris, Turkey, offers a diverse beach experience with six unique stretches of sand. (Forbes )
Irish Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cleopatra's tomb 'found' as archaeologists make 'significant discovery'
An archaeologist on a quest to find the elusive tomb of Cleopatra VII believes she has "found" the ancient Queen's final resting place. Kathleen Martinez, who has been searching for the tomb for nearly two decades, thinks she has discovered a statue that could depict the face of the queen who ruled from 51 to 30 BC. The white marble statue, consisting only of a head, bears the likeness of a woman with a petite nose, full lips and hair braided around the head. In addition to this, Martinez and her team unearthed 337 coins bearing Cleopatra's image, as well as a variety of pottery, oil lamps, figurines and other artefacts at the Temple of Taposiris Magna. Martinez has long maintained the belief that the queen's tomb is hidden somewhere within the temple's ruins, which are situated above a 4,281-foot-long tunnel 43 feet underground, reports the Express. She theorises that Cleopatra's body was transported from the palace through the tunnel and buried at a secret location. However, some archaeologists have claimed the statue represents another Royal woman. Critics of Martinez have also disputed her theory about the queen's burial, asserting that Cleopatra was entombed in the city of Alexandria, not 25 miles outside of it. This is yet another "significant finding," according to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced that recent discoveries at Taposiris Magna are crucial in deepening our understanding of the architectural, cultural, and ceremonial practices of the time. In addition to a potential statue of Cleopatra, Martinez and her team also unearthed a limestone bust of a king, adorned with the Nemes - the traditional headwear of the pharaohs. The dig was led by Martinez, who worked alongside a team of Egyptian and Dominican archaeologists from the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña. According to an official release, the researchers found foundation deposits beneath the southern wall of the temple's outer enclosure. While the female statue is considered the most significant discovery, some experts have questioned whether it truly represents Cleopatra, as suggested by Martinez. Some have pointed out differences in facial features between the statue and the ancient Queen, suggesting that it may instead depict a princess. However, this isn't the only artifact bearing a resemblance to Cleopatra. Martinez and her team also discovered over 300 coins, many featuring her image. Other notable discoveries include a scarab-shaped amulet inscribed with 'The justice of Ra has shone,' a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor, and ancient burial sites. The researchers uncovered a large cemetery consisting of 20 burial chambers, and a tomb with three chambers beneath the Taposiris Magna lighthouse. In 2022, Martinez dug up a tunnel that has an uncanny resemblance to the famed Tunnel of Eupalinos on Samos Island, renowned as a major engineering triumph from the Classical era. Speaking to Heritage Key, Martinez said: "If there's a one per cent chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her. This is the first time that any archaeologist has found tunnels, passages underground [and] inside the enclosure walls of the temple, so we have changed forever what they know about the architecture." Martinez proposes that following Mark Antony's suicide after his defeat by Caesar Augustus, also known by the name Octavian, Cleopatra meticulously prepared for their combined burial at this site, resonating with the famous saga. Additionally, the team unveiled remains of a fourth-century BC Greek temple that was razed between the second century BC and the start of the AD period. Reportedly connected to a complex labyrinth of subterranean passageways stretching from Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean, this temple adds to the historical enigma. Study of broken pottery pieces collected during the dig verified the construction date of the Taposiris Magna temple to the 1st century BC. The temple's moniker, "great tomb of Osiris," suggests its devotion to the deity Osiris and his queen - goddess Isis - with whom Cleopatra was believed to emulate. Today, Taposiris Magna is in ruins due to the Egyptian coastline being battered by earthquakes over the centuries, causing parts of the temple to collapse and sink into the sea. The site has been subject to multiple excavations, with the first dig initiated by Napoleon in the early 19th century. Martinez began her investigation of the site in 2005, convinced that Cleopatra may have been buried there following her suicide in 30 BC. She suggests Cleopatra's death was a ceremonial act - part of a ritual apotheosis, or the shedding of her mortal body to ascend to the status of a goddess. If this were true, she would have been entombed in a temple, most likely a temple dedicated to Iris. Over the past two decades, Martinez has discovered numerous findings that enhance experts' understanding of the Ptolemaic era, including skeletal remains, but the ancient queen's tomb continues to evade her.
