Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the first ODI against England due to a sore right knee, Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed at the toss. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana received their maiden ODI caps, with Jaiswal replacing Kohli in the XI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed Kohli’s injury update. With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, India is using this series to fine-tune its squad. Rohit Sharma, struggling for form in Tests, will aim to regain rhythm in ODIs as India prepares for the marquee event.

Around 40,000 US federal workers have resigned to accept Donald Trump's severance package, which includes eight months' salary, as the deadline for opting into the deferred resignation program nears its end. This figure falls short of the administration's target of 5-10% of the 2.3 million eligible workers. The program was launched as part of Trump’s bid to reduce the size of the government. Despite the lower-than-expected turnout, a White House official anticipates an uptick in resignations as the deadline closes. The initiative has faced legal challenges from unions.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Arab nations have strongly rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and resettle its 2.1 million residents. Abbas called it a violation of international law, emphasizing Gaza as part of Palestine. Hamas warned it would escalate tensions in the region. The plan, which involves relocating Palestinians to other countries like Jordan and Egypt, has also been condemned by the UN, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. Trump’s remarks came as a fragile ceasefire continues, but his proposal has drawn widespread criticism for its potential to undermine peace efforts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifted Donald Trump a golden pager during their White House meeting, referencing Israel's September pager attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump called it a "great operation" and vowed to "take over" Gaza if necessary. Netanyahu praised Trump as Israel’s "greatest friend" and credited him for the Gaza hostage deal. The meeting focused on Israel’s military actions and future Middle East plans. The pager attack killed 39 Hezbollah operatives and injured nearly 3,000. Trump pledged economic redevelopment in Gaza, promising jobs and housing for Palestinians.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in female sports, citing Title IX protections. At the signing, Trump declared, “The war on women’s sports is over.” The order mandates federal agencies to enforce gender-based sports participation based on birth sex, with schools at risk of losing funding for noncompliance. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated it “honors the promise of Title IX.” Trump also warned the International Olympic Committee, urging changes to transgender participation ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

US President Donald Trump’s proposal for the US to take a “long-term ownership position” in Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” has faced widespread rejection. Despite Trump’s claim that “everybody loves” the idea, key US allies, including the UK, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, have rejected it, stressing that Palestinians should remain in their homeland. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump’s plan, calling it a “generous offer” for reconstruction. The Palestinian Authority rejected the idea, asserting Palestinians would not be displaced.

Ukraine’s national police chief, Ivan Vyhivskyi, has accused Russian spies of orchestrating nine attacks on recruitment offices and conscription officials this year. A blast at a Khmelnytskyi draft office on Wednesday killed one person and injured four. Authorities claim Russian intelligence recruits young men and remotely detonates explosives, with one attack injuring eight soldiers. Vyhivskyi said Russia aims to destabilize Ukraine and erode trust in security forces. Moscow has not commented on the allegations. The attacks add pressure on Ukraine’s already struggling military recruitment campaign as manpower shortages continue.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged India to engage in dialogue on all issues, including Kashmir. Speaking at a special session in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) on "Kashmir Solidarity Day," he said, "India should come out of the thinking of August 5, 2019, and fulfill promises made to the UN." India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and insists on talks only in a terror-free environment. Sharif also accused India of stockpiling weapons, saying peace was the only way forward.

An angry mob stormed the residence and memorial of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The attackers broke open the gate, vandalized the structure, and set fire to the top floor. This marks the second attack on the house since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country. Hasina, in an emotional online speech, said, “They can break this house, but they will not be successful in removing history.” Protesters claimed they aimed to erase "Mujibism" and authoritarianism from Bangladesh.

A federal judge in Maryland indefinitely blocked Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship, calling it unconstitutional. Judge Deborah Boardman ruled that the order contradicts the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to those born on US soil. A Washington judge had earlier issued a 14-day stay, with Judge John Coughenour labeling the order “blatantly unconstitutional.” Trump vowed to appeal. Opponents argue that birthright citizenship, upheld since 1868, cannot be altered by executive action. The ruling strengthens legal precedent, citing an 1898 Supreme Court case affirming citizenship rights for children of immigrants.