Entertainment
Sharjah jail sets actress free after drugs frame-up
An actress from Mumbai has been released from Sharjah jail in a welcome surprise for her family. The saga has been unfolding for nearly a month – 26 days – and Chrisann Pereira’s release comes after local media quoted her lawyer in the UAE about the confidence in their case while applying for bail.
A voluntary disclosure from the actress, arrests being made in Mumbai and help from the Indian consulate ensured a happy ending for the actress who landed in the UAE in troubled waters on April 1.
For the uninitiated, Pereira was arrested after drugs were found hidden in a trophy she carried to Sharjah airport. Pereira claims that she was conned into taking over the trophy to someone as a return favour for someone who arranged her trip on the pretext of securing an audition for a role.
She cleared the immigration but when no one came to pick up the trophy at the airport, she showed good presence of mind to voluntarily report to the airport authorities that something was amiss. When the drugs were found, she was sent to a jail in Sharjah.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, the local Crime Branch unit investigated and made two arrests on Tuesday in connection with the case. The accused were identified as Anthony Paul, a resident of Borivali in Mumbai and his accomplice, Rajesh Babhote alias Ravi, a resident of Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.
Reports suggest that Paul masterminded the plan to frame Chrisann as an act of revenge against the actress’s mother. Pereira, 27, has acted in movies such as Sadak 2 and Batla House. She wrote a thank you note to all those who helped her and brother Kevin shared it on her Instagram page.
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Lawyer Mohammed Al Redha told The National that surveillance cameras can confirm his client’s position that she came forward to inform authorities about the “suspicious package” she got.
“My client had passed immigration at the airport and was waiting for someone to take the trophy,” he said. “But when she called her mother, they felt there was something wrong and her family advised her to take it to the police. So the police will examine the cameras that will show that she went to the police and customs.”
Investigations in Mumbai mention that Paul sought revenge on four people in similar fashion, including Pereira, for various reasons – a break-up, jealousy, work-related issues, and fight over Covid-19 restrictions. In two cases, Paul and his accomplice got their victims arrested in Sharjah – Pereira and Clayton Rodrigues. Paul hatched a plot to send Chrisann to the UAE for a purported audition for an international web series.
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UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, returns to Abu Dhabi for an action-packed fight as No. 2 ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen faces No. 9 ranked Umar Nurmagomedov on August 3.
Tickets for the event, to be held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), go on sale on Tuesday via etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae.
Sandhagen (17-4, fighting out of Aurora, Colorado) returns to the UAE capital to cement his status as top contender in the bantamweight division. The Colorado native boasts wins over Rob Font, Chito Vera, and soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar. He now hopes for a convincing win over rising star Nurmagomedov to make his case for a title shot.
Nurmagomedov (17-0, fighting out of Chelyabinsk, Russia) looks to put the division on notice by taking out a top-ranked opponent and making his first Octagon appearance in Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov made his mark in the division after delivering dominant performances over Raoni Barcelos, Brian Kelleher and Sergey Morozov. Now, he sets his sights on securing the biggest win of his career by getting his hand raised against Sandhagen.
Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has unveiled plans for Aquarabia, Saudi Arabia’s groundbreaking water theme park, set to open in 2025 alongside Six Flags Qiddiya City, marking a significant milestone in entertainment and tourism development.
Aquarabia, designed to embody the essence of Saudi hospitality and adventure, will feature an array of thrilling attractions, including four world-record-breaking rides and immersive experiences tailored for families. Complementing this, Six Flags Qiddiya City promises an adrenaline-fueled experience with its twenty-eight rides and attractions, including five record-breaking coasters.
Both parks, situated within Qiddiya City, will offer visitors a seamless and exhilarating entertainment experience, supported by innovative design and sustainability initiatives. With an expected creation of 10,000 jobs and a focus on environmental conservation, these developments align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals, contributing to economic diversification and fostering local tourism.
Aquarabia and Six Flags Qiddiya City exemplify Qiddiya City’s commitment to sustainability by incorporating state-of-the-art technology for water use and waste management. These initiatives underscore Qiddiya City’s role as a master-planned destination dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences while prioritizing environmental stewardship.
The launch of Aquarabia signifies yet another milestone in Qiddiya City’s journey to becoming a global entertainment hub, offering diverse attractions that cater to the evolving needs of visitors and residents alike.
An interesting and kid-friendly version of the famous Japanese sushi has been a highlight of the cookery workshops at the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), whose 15th annual edition is running until May 12 in Expo Centre Sharjah.
Armed with rolling pins, over a dozen young chefs set about flattening bread slices after chopping off their crust; then they squirted blobs of cream cheese on each slice and spread it to make the perfect bed for a thin slice of cucumber, sprinkled zaatar to spice up the rendition before rolling and securing it with a toothpick.
Some even cut each rolled slice into smaller pieces to make it a tidy snack.
Aptly named “Divine Sushi Sandwich”, the preparation was truly divine for its nutritious quotient, ease of making and presentation. According to its creator Lamia Msallam, the sandwich made in sushi style is a safe and healthy option for young children.
After four days of sandwich making, a “Mini Sushi Cake” workshop will engage children for the next four days, followed by another new dish with the same focus on healthy eating. The Palestinian chef added that she will use the nori paper used in sushi making for the ‘cake’ but without rolling it like in traditional sushi preparations.
The 15th edition, which runs from May 1-12, has the theme “Once Upon a Hero”. The 12-day action-packed festival for young readers, artists and creatives as well as their families showcases millions of books including latest releases in children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature from across the globe.
SCRF 2024 is also offering the region’s largest platform for cultural and artistic appreciation with theatrical performances, culinary demonstrations, workshops in STEM, social media, music, and several exciting competitions, activities, animation events.
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