ॲप-आधारित टॅक्सी कंपन्यांवर कारवाई करण्याचे मंत्री प्रताप सरनाईक यांचे आदेश
Rob Key clarifies why Joe Root replaced Ben Stokes, not Harry Brook for interim role
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Rob Key has clarified the decision to appoint Joe Root as interim Test captain in place of Ben Stokes, stating that Harry Brook’s disciplinary record was not the main reason behind the call.
The decision comes ahead of the second Test at The Oval, where regular skipper Ben Stokes is unavailable, prompting discussions over England’s leadership options for the crucial match.
‘Not the main reason’ behind Brook snub
Rob Key admitted that Harry Brook’s past disciplinary incidents were part of the discussions, but insisted they were not the main factor behind the decision.
“I think that would be one of them, yeah,” Key said when asked about Brook’s previous off-field incident, before adding, “That’s not the main reason, that’s for sure.”
He further clarified that the ECB considered multiple factors before finalising Joe Root for the interim role.
Key explained that the demands of Test captaincy and Brook’s workload across formats played a major role in the decision. “I just don’t feel that it is the right time,” Key told the BBC. “The Test captaincy is a massive job, even on an interim basis.”
He also highlighted Root’s reliability and experience, saying England are fortunate to have a player who consistently delivers under pressure. “English cricket is incredibly fortunate to have Joe Root,” Key said. “Every time you’re 10 for 2, Joe Root is the man that gets England out of a hole.”
Brook’s workload a key concern for ECB
Brook, who currently serves as England’s white-ball captain and Test vice-captain, is one of the busiest multi-format players in the squad. ECB officials believe his heavy workload across formats requires careful management to avoid burnout and maintain long-term performance. Key acknowledged that Brook was given the captaincy responsibility earlier than expected due to his rapid rise in international cricket.
Previous incident also considered
Key confirmed that Brook’s past disciplinary issue in New Zealand, where he was fined following a late-night incident, was discussed within the ECB review process.
However, he stressed again that it was not the deciding factor in handing the role to Joe Root.
Joe Root, who has previously led England in Test cricket, was praised for his calm leadership and willingness to step in whenever required. “He doesn’t question anything when you ask him to do something,” Key said, underlining his importance to the team setup.
Brook remains key to England setup
Despite being overlooked for the interim Test captaincy, Harry Brook will continue as Test vice-captain and white-ball skipper.
ECB confirmed that Brook remains central to England’s plans across formats, with a packed international schedule ahead involving multiple series.
Samco launches global investing; Prime Litmus fund, ADIA stake sale
Samco launches global investing via GIFT City
Domestic brokerage Samco Securities has announced the launch of a global investing platform to enable domestic investors to invest in US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds after receiving a broker-dealer licence from the International Financial Services Centres Authority in GIFT City. The brokerage will offer access to international equities through its trading app under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, joining a growing list of domestic financial firms seeking to tap rising investor interest in overseas markets. This comes amid increasing demand for portfolio diversification among Indian investors, driven by concerns around geopolitical uncertainty, rupee depreciation and concentration risks associated with investing solely in domestic markets.
Prime Litmus launches ₹1,000 cr real estate fund
Prime Litmus Investment Management has launched Real Estate Opportunities Fund, a category-II alternative investment fund that aims to raise up to ₹1,000 crore, including a base corpus of ₹750 crore and a green shoe option of ₹250 crore. Prime Litmus Investment Management is a joint venture between Prime Research and Advisory, a subsidiary of Prime Securities, and Litmus Global Services.
ADIA arm pares 2.3% stake in Lenskart
An investment vehicle of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has sold a 2.3 per cent stake in eyewear retailer Lenskart through a block deal to mop up ₹1,960 crore domestic mutual funds and institutional investors lapped up the shares. Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust, an ADIA-controlled investment vehicle, offloaded 40 million shares at ₹490 apiece, according to exchange data.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents vision of developed Chhattisgarh at NITI Aayog meeting
At the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented a new vision for a Naxalism-free Bastar. He said the region, long affected by violence, will emerge as a model of economic revival, employment, education, tourism, and agriculture-led development.
At the meeting held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the CM outlined a comprehensive plan to double tribal family incomes, drive a dairy revolution, expand irrigation across 32,000 hectares, develop tourism as a major industry, and boost investment in AI and semiconductors. He said these efforts are aimed at transforming Chhattisgarh into a developed state in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
He added that the government aims to raise Bastar families’ monthly income to Rs 30,000 within three years, from current levels where nearly 85 per cent earn less than Rs 15,000 per month. To strengthen rural livelihoods, it is promoting agriculture, animal husbandry, forest produce, small industries, and welfare schemes.
He added that the “Dairy Model” is being rapidly implemented, with tribal families to receive milch cows and buffaloes. The initiative aims to create sustainable village incomes, generate jobs for women and youth, and boost dairy centres, milk collection, transport, and local markets.
He said two major irrigation projects worth over Rs 2,000 crore are being launched, expanding irrigation coverage to 32,000 hectares. Year-round water availability in the Indravati region is expected to improve farm productivity and enable cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and other cash crops alongside paddy.
He also said digital health profiles are being created for nearly 36 lakh people in Bastar to strengthen healthcare services. The initiative will maintain secure medical records, improve access to timely information for doctors, and particularly benefit rural communities, women, and senior citizens.
The Chief Minister said nearly 200 security camps in Bastar are being transformed into “Seva Dera” centres, providing villagers access to 371 Central and State Government schemes at one location, including ration services, pensions, Ayushman cards, banking, healthcare, and education.
Highlighting tourism as a major source of employment, he said the government is developing Chitrakote and the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sirpur as world-class destinations. Bastar is expanding water sports, adventure sports, and jungle safaris, while Sirpur is set to get a Global Meditation Centre, museum facilities, and a developed Mahanadi riverfront.
The Chief Minister said that the Chhattisgarh Government is accelerating investment, good governance, and technology-driven development. A total of 435 reforms have been implemented in the state, and the single-window system has been strengthened to create a more investment-friendly environment. He also informed that two modern semiconductor units are being established in the state.
He said that a new development model is being created in Bastar through education, healthcare, skill development, and digital technology. Education Cities are being developed in Abujhmad and Jagargunda at a cost of Rs 100 crore. In addition, better educational opportunities are being provided through 341 PM SHRI Schools, 5,857 smart classrooms, and bilingual books in 16 local languages.
Chief Minister informed that more than 33 lakh farmers have been connected to digital services under the AgriStack scheme. Government services have been made more transparent and accessible through the Digital Dwar platform and the Atal Monitoring Portal.
The CM said that under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, industry, investment, and exports in Chhattisgarh have gained new momentum. New industries are being established in sectors such as sports goods, semiconductors, electronics, bio-ethanol, garments, and textiles, creating additional employment opportunities. Green industries are also being promoted for environmental conservation and CM Startup and NIPUN Missions to drive employment.
He informed that the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) scheme is helping local products from the state gain access to national and international markets. Up to February 2026 in the financial year 2025–26, exports worth Rs 761.76 crore were recorded, with aromatic rice contributing the largest share. This is leading to increased incomes for farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of various states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, its members, and senior officials.
FISA 702 reauthorization: Who are the 17 Republicans who voted against it – check full list
The US House on Thursday refused to renew an extension through July 2 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provisions. This came amid a row over President Donald Trump‘s decision to make Bill Pulte the Director of National Intelligence, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard.
As DNI, Pulte would be in charge of the spy agencies. He is slated to take up the post on June 19. The extension to FISA that the Trump administration sought failed on a 198 to 218 vote. Now, the legal provisions granting broad authority to monitor phone, email and other communications to or from foreign persons are set to lapse on Friday now that there’s no Congressional approval.
Also Read | Trump pushes Bill Pulte to cut intel workforce, says ‘too many people’
The vote was regarding Section 702 of FISA and the US House notes the aim was to ‘amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.’
Among those who voted ‘no’ or against the FISA extension are 19 Republicans. Here’s the full list.
Full list of Republicans who voted against FISA
The Republicans who voted against the FISA extension are as follows –
- Lauren Boebert of Colorado
- Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma
- Tim Burchett of Tennessee
- Eric Burlison of Missouri
- Kat Cammack of Florida
- Michael Cloud of Texas
- Andrew S. Clyde of Georgia
- Elijah Crane of Arizona
- Warren Davidson of Ohio
- Troy Downing of Montana
- Russ Fulcher of Idaho
- Paul A. Gosar, also of Arizona
- Harriet M. Hageman of Wyoming
- Mike Kennedy of Utah
- Thomas Massie of Kentucky
- John W. Rose, also of Tennessee
- Chip Roy from Texas
- Michael A. Rulli also from Ohio
- Keith Self, also of Texas
While 19 Republicans voted ‘nay’ 190 voted yes. Among Democrats, seven voted to extend FISA, while 199 voted against it.
Prior to the vote, House Democrats had said in a statement “The apparent motivation for his elevation is the demonstrated willingness of Bill Pulte to search government databases for alleged dirt on President Trump’s chosen political enemies.” Pulte has been a long-time Trump loyalist and was formerly director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. During this time, he’s known to have launched investigations into perceived political adversaries of Trump.
Now, despite this lapse, intelligence agencies can continue the program to monitor communications until March 2027. This is because the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has approved yearlong certifications of warrantless surveillance tactics and procedures. However, without the renewed statute, communications providers may stop cooperating with the government.
This can lead to gaps in data as the Trump administration would have to go to court to compel compliance.
(With Bloomberg inputs)
