Kangana Ranaut has confirmed Priyanka Chopra's engagement to Joe Jonas. The duo are pictured here in Dubai, at the press conference for Krrish 3. Razan Alzayani / The National
Kangana Ranaut has confirmed Priyanka Chopra's engagement to Joe Jonas. The duo are pictured here in Dubai, at the press conference for Krrish 3. Razan Alzayani / The National
Kangana Ranaut has confirmed Priyanka Chopra's engagement to Joe Jonas. The duo are pictured here in Dubai, at the press conference for Krrish 3. Razan Alzayani / The National
Kangana Ranaut has confirmed Priyanka Chopra's engagement to Joe Jonas. The duo are pictured here in Dubai, at the press conference for Krrish 3. Razan Alzayani / The National

Kangana confirms Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' engagement


Kumar Shyam
  • English
  • Arabic

It seems the rumours that Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are engaged are true, with Kangana Ranaut confirming her friend's news at last night's Vogue Beauty Awards in Mumbai.

"I spoke to Priyanka the other day and I congratulated her ... She seems excited and very happy. If such an event is taking place, I'd love to celebrate with her because she is lovely and she deserves all the happiness. She is a very dear friend. I get very happy and excited with weddings and engagements," Kangana told reporters at the event according to the Indian Express.

So what about her role in Bharat?

Well, yes, Quantico actress Chopra ditched Salman Khan and his much-touted movie Bharat, but that has not stopped her from signing up for a Hollywood movie. A day after Salman Khan roped in his old flame Katrina Kaif as a late replacement for Bharat, which will reportedly shoot in Abu Dhabi, Spain and parts of New Delhi and Punjab - reports have emerged that Chopra is all set to star opposite Chris Pratt in Cowboy Ninja Viking.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michelle MacLaren will direct the film in which Chopra will play the love interest of Pratt. The movie page on IMDB already has Chopra's name listed in the credits.

Based on the graphic novel by AJ Lieberman and illustrator Riley Rossmo, the Universal Studios-produced film will revolve around a counter-intelligence unit which is formed by a psychotherapist, Dr Sebastian Ghislain.

Salim Khan: 'such things happen in our industry'

Salman's father and famous writer Salim Khan has tried to dampen reports that his son was angry about Chopra stepping out of the role. Speaking to Spotboye, Salim Khan said, "It's okay whatever happened. Priyanka is not doing Bharat, let her be. Such things happen in our industry".

However, Nikhil Namit, Reel Life Productions chief executive, had tihs to say, "Priyanka told us she had to exit due to her engagement, two days ago. It was a little unprofessional of her to do it so suddenly."

Bharat director Ali Abbas Zafar had confirmed that Priyanka would not feature in Bharat and that the role would be played by Katrina Kaif.

Salman Khan also used some generous Hindi words in a tweet addressing Kaif over the development. To paraphrase, he wrote: "A beautiful and cultured girl whose name is Katrina Kaif ... Welcome to Bharat's world."

Bharat is an adaptation of Korean film An Ode to My Father and is being produced by Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Reel Life Productions. With Kaif coming in, both stars will reportedly return to Abu Dhabi after having extensively shot in the UAE together for the popular Tiger Zinda Hai.

Salman Khan, Ali Abbas and Katrina Kaif on the set of Tiger Zinda Hai at twofour54's Kizad backlot. Courtesy twofour54
Salman Khan, Ali Abbas and Katrina Kaif on the set of Tiger Zinda Hai at twofour54's Kizad backlot. Courtesy twofour54
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press

Results

International 4, United States 1

Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods (US) beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann (International) 4 and 3.

Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im (International) beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (US) 2 up.

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Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen (International) beat Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (US) 4 and 3.

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The biog

Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi

Age: 23

How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them

Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need

Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman

Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs 

Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing

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Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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