Latest news with #familyreunion
Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'Worth 3 months' salary': Some UAE residents postpone trips back home amid rising ticket prices
For Maria D., a Filipina residing in Al Muraqqabat, summer vacation this year was supposed to be a long-awaited reunion with her extended family in the Philippines. But as travel expenses soared, she is now considering cancelling the trip. 'The air tickets for me, my husband, and my two children exceed Dh16,000, and that's just for the round trip,' said Maria, who works as a personnel assistant in Business Bay. 'Then you add baggage costs, gifts for relatives, clothes shopping, and domestic travel; it's way beyond my budget.' Every summer, Maria travels with her husband and two children. She said this year the total cost has increased to nearly Dh30,000. 'Even after we land, we have to pay for taxis or private vans to visit family in different towns. Food costs, family dinners, small contributions to birthday parties, all of it adds up.' Maria has now decided to postpone the trip. 'It breaks my heart because we haven't been home in two years. I feel that it's not just a financially good decision right now.' 'Vacation cost me 3 salaries' Prakash R., an Indian expat living in Al Nahda and working in a logistics firm, had initially planned a four-week trip to Kochi in Kerala with his wife, two children, and elderly parents. He said that after calculating expenses, he realised the vacation would easily cost him 3 months' salary. 'The airfare alone is about Dh13,500 for all of us. Then come the gifts for family members; that's a must when we go home. Shopping, domestic travel, and a few family functions were also lined up,' he said. 'When I calculated, it summed up to beyond Dh40,000. Even staying in our hometown isn't cheap anymore. You hire or rent a car, you are invited to lunches and dinners or we have to invite relatives, and the children want to visit tourist spots or amusement parks. I just couldn't justify the expenses,' he said. Postponing to December For Rania (name changed), an Egyptian expat and school teacher in Sharjah, summer breaks usually mean traveling back to Alexandria to spend time with her parents and siblings. But this year, she's skipping the trip for the first time in nearly the last 4 years. 'It's sad, but we had to make a practical decision. Airfare comes up to Dh10,000 for the five of us. Add to that gifts, shopping before travel, and the endless local trips we take once we are there, weddings, cousins' graduations, and dinners. It easily crosses Dh22,000.' Her children were initially disappointed, but she says they have now made other plans. 'We'll have a simple holiday here.' 'Residents delaying travel till October' According to Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, many UAE residents are choosing to postpone their travel plans due to the surge in airfare and overall expenses. 'Earlier, summer vacations were planned months in advance. But now, more clients are calling us to say they will skip July-August and instead fly in October or December for a shorter break,' said Subair. He also mentioned that travel within India has become expensive. 'A one-week trip for a family of four — with flights, domestic travel, accommodation, and food, will cost more than Rs150,000 (around Dh6,500). That's without counting things like car rentals, gifting, and gatherings. Once you include everything, from airport pickups to dinners with extended family, the costs increase.' Subair added that many residents are making decisions to avoid overspending during a time when prices are high across the board. 'They are either staying back or choosing short staycations within the UAE instead.'
Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Chase Chrisley celebrates Julie and Todd Chrisley's prison release as his 'best' birthday gift
Chase Chrisley received the one birthday present he wanted for his big day – having his parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, close by. Todd and Julie of "Chrisley Knows Best" fame were released from prison on Wednesday, following a pardon issued by President Donald Trump. The pair had been serving sentences in separate federal institutions after each being convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022. To honor his 29th birthday, Chase shared an Instagram post about his parents moving back to Nashville after they each served more than two years behind bars. The oldest of Todd and Julie's three children together, Chase reposted a Fox News post on his Instagram stories. The social share alerted readers to the couple's future plans in Tennessee following the presidential pardon. "Best birthday gift I could ask for," Chase wrote to his one million followers. Todd and Julie were convicted of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans, as well as tax evasion, and sentenced to 12 and seven years, respectively. Their sentences were later reduced. On Wednesday, both Todd and Julie were released from their respective prisons, his in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie served time at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. "I am grateful to God and extremely grateful to President Trump and his entire administration," the couple's son, Chase, said in a statement to the New York Post. "I'm beyond thankful to finally have my parents back home and my family together again!" Savannah Chrisley has been advocating for their release since the pair went to prison in January 2023 and reached out to Trump for a pardon earlier this year after their conviction was upheld by a three-judge panel last summer. WATCH: TODD CHRISLEY SPEAKS OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME FOLLOWING PRISON RELEASE Faith, family and fitness were the pillars that carried Chrisley through incarceration, Todd Chrisley said during his first press conference following his release. He credited speaking with his children – Savannah, Chase and Grayson – as a saving grace. He also kept in touch with his wife of 30 years, Julie, through daily emails. "I talked to my daughter every day. To Chase, to Grayson. And I was able to email with Julie every day," Chrisley shared. "So I think that for me, I haven't had the same effects that so many people leaving the prison system have had. So I'm grateful for that." The reality stars were initially indicted in August 2019, and a new indictment was later filed. They were found guilty in June 2022 of not only bank fraud and tax evasion, but also conspiring to defraud the IRS. Todd and Julie did see a minor court victory in 2019 when the Georgia Department of Revenue cleared the couple of a $2 million state tax evasion charge stemming from a two-year investigation of nearly eight years of returns beginning in 2008. In the original filing, both Chrisleys were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, five counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of tax fraud. Julie Chrisley was also charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. Prosecutors found the couple guilty of submitting fake documents to banks when applying for loans. Savannah posted a video on her Instagram on Tuesday saying she got the call from the president that he was signing pardon papers for her parents while she was walking into Sam's Club. "So, both of my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow, and I still don't believe it's real!" she exclaimed.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Chrisley family going through ‘big adjustment' after Todd, Julie released from prison
Savannah Chrisley has a sense of relief since she welcomed her parents home from prison. In her first interview since her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were released from federal prison, the 27-year-old reality star opened up about the emotional roller coaster of reuniting with her family since they've been separated for more than two years. "Oh my gosh, it has been amazing. It's still just kind of ... it doesn't feel real," Savannah shared with People earlier this week. "We were going to bed last night. We're like, 'Is this real?' And then, I wake up this morning and my mom's walking into my bedroom, and I'm like, it's absolutely insane!" TODD CHRISLEY OPENS UP ABOUT LIFE BEHIND BARS AND HIS FIRST MOMENTS OUT OF PRISON Savannah continued to offer a glimpse into what life looks like for the famous family as they adjust to a new normal. "We are just so grateful and ready to kind of start getting back to normal life, obviously, the best we can," she said. "Everything's a whirlwind right now, and it's kind of hard to live a normal life with how things are right now, but we'll get there." While Savannah said her parents are "doing great" since being pardoned by President Donald Trump, she admitted it's been a "big adjustment" for her family. "It's obviously an adjustment. ... I think they're kind of just in shock right now," she explained. "It's just a big adjustment when you're in prison for 2½ years, and then you go back to so-called normal life. I can't imagine. "I just think it's a lot for them, but they're enjoying it. We're all spending time together," she added. "And, obviously, when they're ready to talk about their feelings and emotions, I know that they will articulate it well, like they always do." On Friday, "Chrisley Knows Best" patriarch Todd spoke out during a news conference in his home city of Nashville and gave a glimpse of what his time behind prison bars looked like. WATCH: TODD AND JULIE CHRISLEY'S DAUGHTER SAVANNAH GETS EMOTIONAL AWAITING PARENTS' PRISON RELEASE AFTER TRUMP PARDON LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I call it the BOP glow," Chrisley joked about his appearance to Fox News Digital, referring to the Bureau of Prisons. "I'll actually have more access to better products now that I'm out. "I had nothing to do other than to read and to work out. I worked out every morning at 10:45 until 12 with my buddies there. … I read and my walk with Christ became deeper." He also spoke about reuniting with his family, explaining to Fox News Digital, "I don't even know that I felt like it was real at that moment. And I woke up the first morning, and I was looking around, and I'm like, 'This is really real. I'm home.' So, I was grateful for our family to be all back in the same room, to be together, to share a meal together, to pray together and to know that we're still in the fight together." JULIE CHRISLEY IS 'DOING WELL,' FOCUSING ON FAMILY AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM PRISON This marked the first time Chrisley has spoken to the media since he and his wife were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. Julie was absent from the Chrisley family news conference Friday. The Chrisleys' lawyer, Alex Little, shared an update with Fox News Digital on how she's doing after being released from prison on Wednesday. WATCH: THE CHRISLEY FAMILY LAWYER SAYS JULIE CHRISLEY IS DOING WELL "I saw Julie yesterday. I think she's doing well," Little shared. "I mean, you have to remember this is a family, and a family that's been separated for more than two years." TRUMP PARDONS TODD, JULIE CHRISLEY: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT REALITY TV STARS Todd additionally shared at the news conference that his wife wanted to focus on spending time with her family after returning home from prison. "Julie, who is a wonderful, decent, God-fearing woman – and that I am blessed to have been married to and been with for over 30 years now – an excellent mother," he said. "She's at home with [daughter] Chloe right now, and Chloe will not let her go." Chloe is the biological daughter of Todd's estranged son, Kyle. Chloe was adopted by the Chrisleys, and they were granted full custody of their granddaughter after Kyle's addiction came into the spotlight. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Meanwhile, faith, family and fitness were the pillars that carried Todd through incarceration, he said. He credited speaking with his children — Savannah, Chase and Grayson — as a saving grace. He also kept in touch with his wife through daily emails. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Todd and Julie were initially indicted in August 2019, and a new indictment was later filed. They were found guilty in June 2022 of bank fraud, tax evasion andconspiring to defraud the IRS. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Julie was sentenced to seven years.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Todd and Julie Chrisley's son doesn't look the same as he runs errands with a mystery woman... after his parents' prison release
Grayson Chrisley kept is casual as he and a female friend made a Target run on Thursday in Nashville. The 19-year-old was one of several family members gathered at sister Savannah's home to welcomed their parents Todd and Julie who were released from prison after being pardoned by President Donald Trump. The University of Alabama Student wore a white billed cap over his dark blonde mullet, which is gaining popularity among some male college students in the south. A closer look at the hat revealed it was a MAGA hat, which Grayson has been seen wearing before and after his parents' pardon. The former reality star wore a watermelon toned T-shirt over a pair of black shorts and white sneakers. He accessorized with a gold chain and a dog tag necklace. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. His female companion looked adorable in a white tennis dress with a black collar, and white sneakers. Upon learning of his parents' release Grayson took so social media on Thursday writing an effusive thank you to Trump. 'I can't even find the right words….. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU President Trump for restoring my family and bringing my parents home. Thank you God, Thank you Savannah, Thank you Mrs Alice Johnson, thank you again President Trump 45/47.' he wrote. Alice Johnson is a criminal justice reform advocate who was released from a life-sentence in prison with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union and the advocacy of Kim Kardashian. His sister, Savannah, 27, had campaigned for Trump during the 2024 presidential election and cozied up to members of the Trump family. She appeared on Lara Trump's podcast The Right View alerting her 156,000 followers to each episode in which she participated. Todd and Julie Christie were convicted of 12 federal crimes, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States linked to some $30 million in fraudulent bank loans over a decade to fund their lavish lifestyle. Todd, 56, was originally sentenced to 12 year behind bars, and Julie, 52, to seven. Both received reductions in their sentences in September 2023 due to good behavior. A closer look at the hat revealed it was a MAGA hat. The teen has been wearing hats supporting President Donald Trump before and after the pardon of Todd and Julie Chrisley While they were behind bars, Savannah had custody of Grayson, and her sister Chloe, 12. In the weeks leading up to his parents' release, Grayson shared a photo of himself, Savannah and another woman golfing at Mar-a-Lago. Another snap featured him and a couple of friends wearing red MAGA hats while enjoying a beach vacation. Savannah continued showing her support, wearing a red MAGA hat when she picked up her dad from the federal prison in Pensacola, FL where he had been serving time.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sir David Jason reveals how his long lost daughter discovered his identify and says despite being 'astonished' to discover he had a secret child its become a true 'happy ever after' story
Sir David Jason has recalled how his long lost daughter Abi Harris discovered the Only Fools And Horses icon was her biological father. The actor, 84, learned of his secret child after 52-years in 2023 following a brief relationship with actress Jennifer Hill during a stage production of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk in 1970. Speaking on Gyles Brandreth's Rosebud podcast he said: '[Me and Jennifer] parted our ways and we drifted apart and she got involved with someone else and married him and that was it,' 'And then many many years later her daughter was talking about about where she came from and Jenny Hill said "That chap you call dad is not your father"'. 'She said: "What do you mean he's not my father?" and she replied "I think you'll find your father is David Jason, because we had a fling together when we did these shows" and that's [how she found out] she said'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Sir David then agreed with Gyles that despite the shock for everyone involved the reunion became a true 'happy ever after' with Abi welcomed into his family. Opening up on the extraordinary moment in his life and how he wishes he knew Abi sooner, David said in his 2024 memoir This Time Next Year that there is 'the pang of sadness for those missing years, all that lost time'. Explaining that he received the 'most astonishing' letter from the secret daughter he never knew he had, David recalled sitting down in his kitchen and how his hands shook as he started reading it. David said he felt 'wonder and amazement, through anxiety and heartache, to fear and outright panic', when he knew the possibility that he had a second daughter. In the letter, Abi wanted David to take an anonymous paternity test because she was uncertain - but insisted she didn't want any financial support. He penned: 'You will be unsurprised to learn that my hands were shaking by now. What had I just read? I had to go back and read the whole thing again. And then I had to read it again. And then again after that. 'I have to say it really hadn't crossed my mind that Abi Harris was my daughter – that my relationship with Jennifer Hill while we were in that production of Under Milk Wood in 1970 could have produced a child without me knowing about it. 'At no point in the nearly fifty years that had gone by since then had that thought had cause to enter my head.' David credits his wife Gill Hinchcliffe, whom he shares a daughter Sophie with, for being 'so supportive and understanding' about it all, despite the shock they were both in. When he met Abi for the first time, David said they both felt an 'inevitable sense of distance' due to the lost time they had. David added that it was 'such a complicated thing to process, for us both', after their first encounter. When he found out about Abi, he also discovered he had a 10-year-old grandson, Abi's son Charlie. Abi said while she had no idea who her father was - she had her suspicions after hearing about Jason's relationship with her mother. Her belief grew stronger after realising she shared the same shaped nose as him, and her parentage has now been confirmed. She had previously thought her father was Geoffrey Davion, who was married to her mother, until his death in 1996. Since the surprise discovery was made, Abi and Charlie have been to visit him and spent a period over Christmas with him and his family at his home in Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire. She also seems to have inherited some of his famed acting ability, having appeared in an episode of Doctor Who and remarkably a revival performance of Under Milk Wood in 2008 where Sir David and her mother also took part. Friends who saw the legendary actor and Abi stood next to each other remarked on their similar facial profiles, and as the years went past, she worked up the courage to find out the truth.
