Why India needs to recalibrate its foreign policy after decade of pro-US shift

Ward-level politics: The feud between Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S. Ramadoss and his son Dr Anbumani Ramadoss shows no sign of resolution—and it is putting senior party leaders in impossible positions. Recently, Anbumani called for district council meetings in Dharmapuri and Salem. The respective district secretaries, G.K. Mani and R. Arul, were naturally expected to attend. But Ramadoss Sr summoned both to a news meet at his residence on the same day and attending one meant skipping the other. Perhaps the pressure was too much—within minutes of each other, both leaders were hospitalised with “cardiac issues”. Party insiders whisper that it was not infirmity but indecision that sent them to the hospital. Torn between the two doctors, it seems the veteran leaders found the only neutral ground left: a hospital bed | Illustrations by Jairaj T.G.

A bit of a stretch: International Yoga Day was expected to be an opportunity for the BJP and its allies to celebrate this Indian gift to the world. But Rashtriya Lok Dal president and BJP ally Jayant Chaudhary struck a different pose. He told party workers that only those who perform yoga well would be considered for election tickets. His logic? Ticket-seekers often “huffed and puffed” during the process, so why not test the health of their body and mind first? In short, only yogis need harbour dreams of getting tickets in the RLD.

Nope, not AAP!: While announcing new pro-business reforms, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta fielded questions from the media. But, when one reporter began with “Aap ki sarkar...,” meaning “your government”, Gupta shot back in jest: “Not AAP ki sarkar... BJP ki sarkar (BJP government, not AAP—Aam Aadmi Party—government). The pun sent the room into laughter, bringing a fresh twist to the political transition in the national capital.

Class act: Now you can not only listen to Diljit Dosanjh, but also learn about him. Canada’s Toronto Metropolitan University has introduced a new course that will look at the “cultural, musical and diasporic relevance’ of his work. “His rise illustrates the cultural influence and economic potential of Punjabi music on the world stage,” said Dr Charlie Wall Andrews, assistant professor at the university’s The Creative School. “By examining his impact, students will explore how regional sounds shape global pop culture, mobilise diasporic communities and contribute to sustainable creative economies rooted in authenticity.” This must come as balm for the singer who is facing backlash over casting Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in his film Sardaar Ji 3 | AFP

Pitch perfect: Playing one of India’s most successful cricket captains cannot be easy, but Rajkummar Rao says he is up for the challenge after it was announced that he would star in the biopic of Sourav Ganguly. Rao is nervous about the role, but also believes it is going to be fun. Ganguly, too, expressed satisfaction at the casting. “I think the right person is doing it,” he said. “I’ll help him with everything.” The film, to be directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Films, will chart the rise of the cricketer from the streets of Kolkata to the pinnacle of the sport. So let’s play! | Amey Mansabdar

A new beginning: As dramatic as any legal show on Netflix was the court battle between actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard after she accused him of sexual violence and domestic abuse. Now that the dust has settled, Heard is returning to acting after a break of three years living in Spain. She will star in Spirit of the People, a theatrical production that will be presented at the Wlliamstown Theatre Festival later this year. Directed by Katina Medina Mora, the play is half in Spanish, and according to its official description, “confronts uncomfortable truths about land and what it means to destroy it”. Depp, on the other hand, will be seen alongside Penelope Cruz and Madelyn Cline in the upcoming action-thriller Day Drinker. But considering he just called himself a “crash test dummy for #MeToo”, he might not exactly have put the past behind him | Getty Images

Diva goes desi: Beyonce did not just rock her performance in Paris during the Cowboy Carter Tour, but she also did it wearing a black bodysuit studded with 10,000 Swarovski crystals specially designed for her by Manish Malhotra. To the added excitement of her fans, husband Jay-Z made a surprise appearance and they performed ‘Crazy In Love’ together. But all eyes were on the diva as she shimmered and shimmied in her crystal bodysuit | Beyonce.com