Australian selectors face tough decisions ahead of the Ashes, balancing competition for top-order spots with injury concerns to key players. Recent domestic and international performances are playing a crucial role in shaping the final squad.

Ashfield

With the Ashes approaching, attention is focused on Australia's squad selection. Josh Hazlewood highlighted ongoing competition for top order positions, noting that while consistency is valued, healthy competition remains important. Sam Constas struggled in recent Shield matches, impacting his chances to open, while Mitch Marsh has strengthened his case with strong recent performances. Captain Pat Cummins is managing a back strain, raising questions about his fitness for the full Ashes campaign. Selectors are weighing form, fitness, and competition as they finalize the team.

Ashes selection battle intensifies amid injuries and form

45 days out, all eyes are on the Ashes, well externally at least. No, not at all, not at all, literally just taking it game by game. He's not shopping for wickets just yet, but Josh Hazlewood knows selectors are browsing the shelves for the best top order. Calls for consistency ring loud, but the instability can also be sold as healthy competition. I think pick and stick's great when it's working. I think every summer there's always one spot talked about. I feel like it's always a shootout every year. Has probably been for the opening spot with Uzi. Sam Constas failed to fire in his first Shield shootout, scores of just 4 and 14 doing little for his case to open the Ashes. He's always just going to keep learning, keep learning and he'll take all that stuff on board and yeah, that's part and parcel of being in the Australian cricket team I think. Plenty have found that out the hard way. Mitch Marsh has rode the rollercoaster for years, but the Bison could barge his way back into test contention with 457 runs in his last seven international innings. He's been out of breath last time for a while. I think he's playing probably the best cricket of his career. I think he's a lot more relaxed now. No relaxation for Captain Pat ruled out of the upcoming one day's NT20s against India to manage a back strain. Whether his body holds up to a five test campaign is anyone's guess. It's sort of a tricky one the back, it sort of wakes up different every day, but I think the timeline's there, it's just a matter of how much they want to push. Pretty hard, you'd think, for a home Ashes. Trent Simpson, 10 News.

Leaders in the U.S. state of Illinois are taking President Donald Trump to court, looking to stop the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the streets of Chicago. The White House argues that soldiers are needed to prevent so-called lawlessness.

Chicago

Chicago declares 'ICE Free Zones' amid clashes over raids

French President Emmanuel Macron has given Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu 48 hours to stabilize the government following his sudden resignation. Lecornu stepped down hours after naming his cabinet, amid criticism and growing political instability in a parliament without a clear majority.

Paris

Macron gives Lecornu two days to salvage government after resignation

Microchip maker AMD got a huge boost in the race to supply the artificial intelligence revolution. OpenAI, the company behind major AI platform ChatGPT, announced a deal for AMD to provide the AI startup with its high-performance processing chips starting next year.

Santa Clara

Rise of AI

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Gorakshep

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Former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury, and could face up to six years in jail, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

Indianapolis

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French markets tumble after PM Lecornu resigns

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Portland

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Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip overnight and on Sunday, destroying several residential buildings, witnesses said, as Palestinians hoped a U.S. plan to end the war would soon ease their suffering.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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Cairo

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Santa Teresa

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Washington

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Tokyo

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment despite U.S. pressure to stop

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El Cajon

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Sean "Diddy" Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison on two prostitution-related charges. It follows a roughly two-month-long trial where Combs was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Manhattan

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on social media another strike targeting a vessel allegedly connected to narco-trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. CBS News' Reed Cowan reports.

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Canterbury

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Breakdown