The National Times - News around the clock from Sydney, Australia and around the world

A new convoy of 17 aid trucks entered war-torn Gaza on Sunday as Israel stepped up strikes on the Palestinian enclave which is suffering a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the war sparked by Hamas's bloody attack.

The right-wing populist Swiss People's Party, which campaigned against mass migration and "woke madness", comfortably topped Switzerland's general election on Sunday, according to projections after the polls closed.

The United States warned Iran or its allies against any "escalation" in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas, two top US officials said Sunday, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region.

Thick fog stopped play in the Cricket World Cup clash between India and New Zealand at Dharamsala in the shadows of the Himalayas on Sunday.

An aid convoy carrying desperately needed fuel entered Gaza on Sunday as Israel intensified strikes on the Palestinian enclave suffering a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the war sparked by Hamas's bloody attack.

The United States warned against any "escalation" in the Middle East in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region.

Scores of people rushed to Deir el-Balah hospital to identify bodies on Sunday after Israel stepped up its air strikes on Gaza, as the territory's Hamas rulers said 4,651 people have now been killed since the start of the war.

England's players will use the heartbreaking 16-15 Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa to grow just as they have done in adversity in the past, said head coach Steve Borthwick on Sunday.

Rising star Ben Shelton said he planned to celebrate his first ATP Tour title with a cheeseburger and credited his "more subdued" approach for his Japan Open victory on Sunday.

The widely unpopular Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is facing growing anger on the streets of the occupied West Bank as Israel wages its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Daryl Mitchell hit a sparkling century to guide New Zealand to 273 all out against India in Sunday's top-of-the-table World Cup clash between two unbeaten teams.

South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi is the subject of an investigation by his own team management and could be cited by England over an alleged racial slur aimed at Tom Curry during the Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Stephan El Shaarawy shot Roma to within touching distance of Serie A's Champions League places with the late winner in Sunday's 1-0 success over 10-man Monza.

Argentines voted Sunday in a presidential election dominated by fury over decades of economic decline and record inflation that has propelled libertarian outsider Javier Milei to the front of a tight race.

A 17-truck aid convoy entered Gaza from Egypt on Sunday as Israel intensified strikes on the Palestinian enclave facing a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the war sparked by Hamas's bloody attack.

Russian missile strikes killed at least six postal workers and wounded 17 others Saturday when they hit a mail depot in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, officials said.

Once effectively banned, Chinese science fiction has exploded into the mainstream, embraced by the government and public alike –- inviting scrutiny of a genre that has become known for its expanding diversity and relative freedom.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed Sunday to stamp out anti-Semitism at the opening of a new synagogue, amid a spike in anti-Jewish incidents in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Swiss political system relies on consensus among the main parties, with power kept as close to the people as possible, including through regular single-issue votes.

Argentines began voting Sunday in a presidential election dominated by fury over decades of economic decline and record inflation that has propelled political outsider Javier Milei to the front of a tight race.

Bundesliga top goal scorer Serhou Guirassy "will not be available for a few weeks" due to a hamstring injury, the striker's club Stuttgart announced on Sunday.

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq will channel the spirit of record-setting compatriot Saeed Anwar and his country's winning relationship with Chennai on Monday in an effort to revive the team's World Cup campaign.

A land renowned for cheese, chocolate and banks, Switzerland, nestled in the heart of Europe, held its general election on Sunday.

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said Sunday that his team are looking forward to renewing a "passionate" rivalry with Pakistan which has often reflected the stormy political relationship between the two neighbours.

As the final votes were being cast Sunday in Switzerland's general elections, right-wing populists look set to sweep the polls following a campaign fuelled by anti-mass migration rhetoric and pledges to combat "woke madness".

Springboks prop Ox Nche was called "the most destructive loosehead in the world" and "a human wrecking ball" on Sunday after the last-gasp Rugby World Cup semi-final victory over England.

Israel heavily bombarded Gaza overnight after warning it would intensify strikes ahead of a ground invasion, as the war sparked by Hamas's bloody attack entered its third week on Sunday.

Reigning champions England have lost three of their opening four World Cup matches, with Saturday's 229-run thrashing by South Africa in Mumbai their heaviest one-day international defeat.

Collin Morikawa said he had refound "the golf I miss playing" after ending a two-year title drought with a resounding victory at the US PGA Tour's Zozo Championship in Japan on Sunday.

After South Africa edged England to set up a historic Rugby World Cup final with New Zealand, Jacques Nienaber's coaching staff and players have plenty to think about before the battle for a record fourth title.

Collin Morikawa stormed to victory by six strokes at the US PGA Tour's Zozo Championship in Japan on Sunday to end a two-year title drought.

Beijing and Manila traded blame on Sunday for two collisions between Chinese vessels and Philippine boats on a resupply mission to Filipino troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea.