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The Israel-Hamas war raging in Gaza entered its fourth month on Sunday as the army again pounded the besieged Palestinian territory and US top diplomat Antony Blinken was back in the region seeking to avoid a wider escalation.

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal on Sunday pulled out of the Australian Open with a "micro tear on a muscle" barely a week after making his comeback from a year-long injury absence, but said he remained positive.

Bangladesh election officials began counting votes Sunday after polls guaranteed to give a fifth term in office to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina closed, following a boycott led by an opposition party she branded a "terrorist organisation".

Norwegians Alexander Steen Olsen and Atle Lie McGrath took command of the slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland, with the two fastest times in a first run marked by the exit of Olympic champion Clement Noël.

Belgian politician Charles Michel has announced he will step down as European Council president after running in the European Parliament elections set for June.

A woman in her 90s trapped for five days under rubble caused by a huge earthquake in central Japan was rescued against the odds, but snow and storms were further complicating relief efforts on Sunday.

Eight people were killed Sunday in the occupied West Bank, including six Palestinians targeted by an air strike by the Israeli army, sources on both sides said.

Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final Sunday, while Grigor Dimitrov upset Holger Rune to win his first title since 2017.

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal on Sunday pulled out of the Australian Open with a "micro tear on a muscle" barely a week after making his comeback from a year-long injury absence, but said he remained positive.

The United States' top diplomat was in Jordan on Sunday as part of a Middle East tour aiming to ensure the Israel-Hamas war does not spread.

Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.

An early morning strike by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank killed six Palestinians, while an Israeli police officer died when a roadside bomb hit her vehicle Sunday, sources on both sides said.

Coco Gauff held her nerve to beat Elina Svitolina in a gruelling three-set final on Sunday to retain her Auckland Classic title in an ideal warm-up for the Australian Open.

Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.

Former world number two Paula Badosa begins her injury comeback at the Adelaide International this week in a field populated with four Grand Slam champions, all gearing up in the final countdown to the Australian Open.

Alperen Sengun scored 21 points to lead seven Houston players in double figures and the Rockets withstood a 48-point performance from Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 112-108 NBA victory over the Bucks on Saturday.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud led the Houston Texans into the NFL playoffs with a 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

A woman in her 90s trapped for five days under the rubble by a huge earthquake in central Japan was rescued against the odds, but snow and storms were expected to complicate relief efforts on Sunday.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 69 points and the Boston Celtics again kept the potent Indiana Pacers offense in check in a 118-101 NBA victory at Indianapolis on Saturday.

Israel said it had "dismantled" Hamas's military leadership in northern Gaza as its war against the Palestinian group entered its fourth month Sunday, with fears mounting that the conflict could spread into neighbouring Lebanon.

A world record crowd of more than 13,000 fans turned out on Saturday to watch Minnesota defeat Montreal in the new North American women's ice hockey league.

The picturesque Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan holds general elections on Tuesday with serious economic challenges calling into question its longstanding policy of prioritising "Gross National Happiness" over growth.

Chris Kirk fired eight birdies in a seven-under par 66 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead over Akshay Bhatia going into the final round of the US PGA Tour Sentry tournament in Kapalua, Hawaii.

"Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," the unlikely pair of films that dominated the box office and spawned countless viral memes last summer, head to Sunday's Golden Globes as the favorites to claim the rebooted gala's top movie prizes.

The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 17-10 win over a Baltimore Ravens team resting their star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green's indefinite NBA suspension in the wake of violent on-court actions is over after 12 games, the league said Saturday.

Top 14 leaders Racing 92 ran in five tries to edge Castres 34-30 on Saturday and will hope the victory will deliver a first win in the Champions Cup next weekend.

The Chicago Blackhawks placed star rookie Connor Bedard on injured reserve with a broken jaw Saturday, and coach Luke Richardson said there was no timetable for his return.

Washington's top diplomat Antony Blinken said Saturday that he wants to make sure the conflict in the Middle East "doesn't spread", as he held meetings in Turkey and Greece.

Former US Open champion Gary Woodland will return to golf competition at the Sony Open next week after undergoing surgery to remove a brain lesion in September.

Bangladesh votes Sunday in an election guaranteed to give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina her fifth term in office, after a boycott by opposition parties whose ranks have been decimated by mass arrests.

Israel kept up its bombing of Gaza on Saturday as its war on Hamas approached its fourth month, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to achieve "complete victory" over the Palestinian militants.