![Alfred Schreuder appointed Ajax head coach](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/cc/72/d9/Alfred-Schreuder-appointed-Ajax-hea-246148.jpg)
Alfred Schreuder appointed Ajax head coach
![Shaky Axelsen survives badminton nail-biter in Thailand](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/2f/84/c1/Shaky-Axelsen-survives-badminton-na-636526.jpg)
Shaky Axelsen survives badminton nail-biter in Thailand
![Russia using energy 'as weapon', says Berlin](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/5a/1a/f4/Russia-using-energy--as-weapon---sa-652251.jpg)
Russia using energy 'as weapon', says Berlin
![US mourns one million dead from Covid-19](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/d2/d3/2d/US-mourns-one-million-dead-from-Cov-646463.jpg)
US mourns one million dead from Covid-19
Economy
Global stocks, euro slump over US inflation alarm
World equities tanked Thursday and the euro hit a five-year dollar low as slowing US inflation failed to dent fears of rising global interest rates.
Sports
Howe dampens hopes of Newcastle spending spree
Eddie Howe admitted Thursday that Newcastle will not be able to spend wildly in the upcoming transfer window after securing their Premier League status.
Last news
![Top Turkey court upholds jail for opposition figure](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/8a/3f/af/Top-Turkey-court-upholds-jail-for-o-364152_small.jpg)
Top Turkey court upholds jail for opposition figure
Turkey's supreme court of appeals on Thursday upheld a prison sentence for the head of the Istanbul branch of the country's main opposition party, a party official told AFP, in a move seen as another crackdown on opponents ahead of next year's presidential election.
![Swiatek sweeps into Rome quarters, Zverev and Tsitsipas through](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/a8/0d/60/Swiatek-sweeps-into-Rome-quarters---662553_small.jpg)
Swiatek sweeps into Rome quarters, Zverev and Tsitsipas through
Iga Swiatek continued her hot streak on Thursday by seeing off Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-1 to move into the Italian Open quarter-finals.
![Suzuki seek to break contract and quit MotoGP for financial reasons](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/e3/e2/73/Suzuki-seek-to-break-contract-and-q-225322_small.jpg)
Suzuki seek to break contract and quit MotoGP for financial reasons
Suzuki announced on Thursday they want to quit MotoGP and are holding talks with the championship promoters Dorna over breaking their contract.
![England turn to Kiwi great McCullum to revive Test fortunes](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/14/d3/8c/England-turn-to-Kiwi-great-McCullum-122521_small.jpg)
England turn to Kiwi great McCullum to revive Test fortunes
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was named coach of England's Test side on Thursday, with a brief to shake the team out of its deep malaise.
![Show over for Paris' famed Lido cabaret](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/39/b6/57/Show-over-for-Paris--famed-Lido-cab-464226_small.jpg)
Show over for Paris' famed Lido cabaret
High-kicking showgirls and nightly cabaret shows at the famed Parisian Lido club on the Champs-Elysees are set to be a thing of the past after the venue's new owner confirmed mass lay-offs on Thursday.
![Crisis-hit Sri Lanka appoints new PM to replace president's brother](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/a1/93/84/Crisis-hit-Sri-Lanka-appoints-new-P-153256_small.jpg)
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka appoints new PM to replace president's brother
Sri Lanka's president swore in a new prime minister Thursday to replace his brother, who was banned from leaving the country after his supporters launched violent attacks on a protest against the nation's dire economic crisis.
![Astronomers reveal first image of black hole at Milky Way's centre](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/78/fb/cc/Astronomers-reveal-first-image-of-b-136336_small.jpg)
Astronomers reveal first image of black hole at Milky Way's centre
An international team of astronomers on Thursday unveiled the first image of a supermassive black hole at the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy -- a cosmic body known as Sagittarius A*.
![England turn to Kiwi legend McCullum to revive Test fortunes](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/14/d3/8c/England-turn-to-Kiwi-legend-McCullu-424426_small.jpg)
England turn to Kiwi legend McCullum to revive Test fortunes
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was Thursday named as the new coach of England's Test side in a bid to shake the team out of its deep malaise.
![Zverev and Tsitsipas move into Rome quarter-finals](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/4d/0c/ba/Zverev-and-Tsitsipas-move-into-Rome-121212_small.jpg)
Zverev and Tsitsipas move into Rome quarter-finals
Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas made it through to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open on Thursday, increasing the prospect of a last four clash between the pair.
North Korea fires missiles after Covid cases prompt Kim to order lockdown
North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid-19 cases Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a mask on television for the first time to order nationwide lockdowns.
![Darts champ Ted 'The Count' Hankey jailed for sex assault](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/8a/78/7f/Darts-champ-Ted--The-Count--Hankey--266586_small.jpg)
Darts champ Ted 'The Count' Hankey jailed for sex assault
Former world darts champion Ted Hankey was on Thursday jailed for two years after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a young woman.
![Beijing residents swamp supermarkets after lockdown rumours](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/55/4f/bb/Beijing-residents-swamp-supermarket-171155_small.jpg)
Beijing residents swamp supermarkets after lockdown rumours
Beijing residents rushed to supermarkets on Thursday as Chinese officials tried to curb mounting panic over a rumour the capital would be placed under stay-at-home orders.
![Rugby opens new frontier by picking US as World Cup hosts](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/7a/c6/91/Rugby-opens-new-frontier-by-picking-122255_small.jpg)
Rugby opens new frontier by picking US as World Cup hosts
The Rugby World Cup will be staged in the United States for the first time in 2031 after the game's governing body named the host nations for five men's and women's tournaments.
![No more shared medals, say Olympic heroes Tamberi and Barshim](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/8d/3f/d4/No-more-shared-medals--say-Olympic--456442_small.jpg)
No more shared medals, say Olympic heroes Tamberi and Barshim
Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim, who provided one of the emotional peaks of the Tokyo Olympics by sharing the high jump gold medal, will not repeat the gesture if they are tied again.
![UK will act unless N.Ireland Brexit deal is changed: FM Truss](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/3c/63/a9/UK-will-act-unless-N-Ireland-Brexit-165662_small.jpg)
UK will act unless N.Ireland Brexit deal is changed: FM Truss
The UK will have "no choice but to act" unless the European Union agrees to change post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Thursday.
![US funding doubts overshadow Biden's latest global Covid summit](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/5b/f6/e1/US-funding-doubts-overshadow-Biden--652253_small.jpg)
US funding doubts overshadow Biden's latest global Covid summit
President Joe Biden will address a global summit on Covid-19 Thursday, but Congress' refusal to authorize billions of dollars in funding has thrown into doubt his role as leader of ambitious plans to vaccinate the world and finally stop the pandemic.
![Global stocks slump on alarm over US inflation](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/92/02/23/Global-stocks-slump-on-alarm-over-U-465423_small.jpg)
Global stocks slump on alarm over US inflation
World equities tanked Thursday as slowing US inflation failed to dent fears of rising global interest rates and sent oil prices diving on demand concerns.
![World Rugby open new frontier with USA hosting 2031 Rugby World Cup](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/7a/c6/91/World-Rugby-open-new-frontier-with--262444_small.jpg)
World Rugby open new frontier with USA hosting 2031 Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup will be staged in the United States for the first time in 2031 after officials announced the host nations for a number of men's and women's tournaments on Thursday.
![Sindhu outplayed as India crashes out of Thailand's Uber Cup](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/a6/7a/16/Sindhu-outplayed-as-India-crashes-o-525586_small.jpg)
Sindhu outplayed as India crashes out of Thailand's Uber Cup
India crashed out of Thailand's Uber Cup on Thursday after women's badminton superstar PV Sindhu came up short against local crowd favourite Ratchanok Intanon.
North Korea fires missile after Covid cases prompt Kim to order lockdown
North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid cases Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a mask on television for the first time to order nationwide lockdowns.
![Ukrainian summits Everest 'for her people' as records tumble](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/ec/2b/b3/Ukrainian-summits-Everest--for-her--543852_small.jpg)
Ukrainian summits Everest 'for her people' as records tumble
Everest saw a clutch of records on Thursday including the most summits for a woman and the first all-Black team -- and a Ukrainian climber reached the top of the world for her war-torn country.
![UK recession risk gathers pace as economy shrinks in March](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/c1/80/36/UK-recession-risk-gathers-pace-as-e-652612_small.jpg)
UK recession risk gathers pace as economy shrinks in March
Britain's economy shrank in March on fallout from soaring inflation, increasing the prospect of the country falling into recession.
![Taiwan's Foxconn says impact from Chinese lockdowns limited](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/b9/7e/a8/Taiwan-s-Foxconn-says-impact-from-C-545548_small.jpg)
Taiwan's Foxconn says impact from Chinese lockdowns limited
Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn on Thursday said the impact on production from Covid lockdowns in China was "limited" and most of its facilities in the country were operating normally.
![Pakistan paceman Shaheen returns home ahead of West Indies series](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/85/89/43/Pakistan-paceman-Shaheen-returns-ho-383515_small.jpg)
Pakistan paceman Shaheen returns home ahead of West Indies series
Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi is returning home immediately ahead of next month's one-day international series against the West Indies, Middlesex County Cricket Club announced on Thursday.
Finland poised for NATO membership as Ukraine war crimps Russian gas
Finland on Thursday took a step towards fast-track membership of NATO, triggering a warning from the Kremlin, as the war in Ukraine throttled supplies of Russian gas to Europe.
![As Finland and Sweden eye NATO, alliance sees mutual gains](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/91/73/aa/As-Finland-and-Sweden-eye-NATO--all-005253_small.jpg)
As Finland and Sweden eye NATO, alliance sees mutual gains
With Moscow's invasion of Ukraine pushing Finland and Sweden to join NATO, the trans-Atlantic alliance could soon welcome valuable partners for deterring any future Russian aggression.
![EU says Taliban 'not listening' to Afghans with girls' school ban](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/60/3a/a3/EU-says-Taliban--not-listening--to--126822_small.jpg)
EU says Taliban 'not listening' to Afghans with girls' school ban
The Taliban shutdown of girls' education shows the hardline Islamists' are not listening to the Afghan people and poses a major hurdle to international recognition of the new regime, a top European Union official said Thursday.
!['We don't matter': Fuming at Kyiv under Russian bombs](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/64/73/61/-We-don-t-matter---Fuming-at-Kyiv-u-433451_small.jpg)
'We don't matter': Fuming at Kyiv under Russian bombs
The pudgy Ukrainian policeman taking pasta and bread to villagers trapped under bombs on the eastern front sometimes feels like he is entering enemy territory.
![US marks 1 mn Covid deaths, early epicenter New York seeks to move on](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/d2/d3/2d/US-marks-1-mn-Covid-deaths--early-e-141811_small.jpg)
US marks 1 mn Covid deaths, early epicenter New York seeks to move on
The United States has crossed the threshold of one million deaths from Covid-19, the White House said on Thursday, as cities like New York try to turn the page on the pandemic despite threats of another surge.
![Low French rainfall adds new cloud to global food market](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/38/3f/c2/Low-French-rainfall-adds-new-cloud--262551_small.jpg)
Low French rainfall adds new cloud to global food market
French farmer Robin Lachaux is worried about his wheat. In normal years, it flowers and bulks up in May thanks to regular spring rainfall, but this year hot and dry conditions risk stunting its progress.
![Russian ex-mercenary says Kremlin should stay off foreign soil](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/0b/e7/98/Russian-ex-mercenary-says-Kremlin-s-762255_small.jpg)
Russian ex-mercenary says Kremlin should stay off foreign soil
For almost half a decade former Russian soldier Marat Gabidullin was a fighter with the controversial mercenary outfit Wagner, deployed in the east of Ukraine and then in Syria, where he was badly wounded.
![How Sri Lanka's economy went into a tailspin](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/70/86/2a/How-Sri-Lanka-s-economy-went-into-a-424554_small.jpg)
How Sri Lanka's economy went into a tailspin
Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948.
![Asian, European stocks down as inflation fears churn markets](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/92/02/23/Asian--European-stocks-down-as-infl-466431_small.jpg)
Asian, European stocks down as inflation fears churn markets
Asian and European equities slumped on Thursday following Wall Street's lead, after a key US report renewed fears of inflation and a tightening of monetary policies.
![Suzuki in talks to quit MotoGP in 2022: company](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/09/a4/39/Suzuki-in-talks-to-quit-MotoGP-in-2-868258_small.jpg)
Suzuki in talks to quit MotoGP in 2022: company
Suzuki announced on Thursday they want to quit MotoGP and are holding talks with the championship promoters Dorna over breaking their contract.
![UK oil capital tackles the energy transition... up to a point](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/5c/81/0a/UK-oil-capital-tackles-the-energy-t-211136_small.jpg)
UK oil capital tackles the energy transition... up to a point
In Aberdeen, northeast Scotland, offshore wind turbines, the extension to the city's port, and hydrogen buses are clear evidence of the move to green energy.
![Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra throws down motherland's beats at Eurovision](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/c0/b2/4c/Ukraine-s-Kalush-Orchestra-throws-d-461374_small.jpg)
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra throws down motherland's beats at Eurovision
With their infectious musical fusion of roots and rhythm, Ukrainian folk hiphop band Kalush Orchestra is riding a wave of goodwill at the Eurovision Song Contest this year -- while eyeing the contest's top prize.
![Crisis-hit Sri Lanka set for new PM, unity government](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/a1/93/84/Crisis-hit-Sri-Lanka-set-for-new-PM-554551_small.jpg)
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka set for new PM, unity government
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set Thursday to name a new prime minister, hoping to assemble a unity government after weeks of anti-government protests triggered by a dire economic crisis turned violent.
![Iraq strikes deal with Iran to secure summer gas imports](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/4a/7f/32/Iraq-strikes-deal-with-Iran-to-secu-262211_small.jpg)
Iraq strikes deal with Iran to secure summer gas imports
Iraq has agreed to pay $1.6 billion in debt to Iran by June 1 to secure a steady gas supply for power generation through the summer, its electricity minister said.
![SoftBank reports record loss as tech shares tank](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/96/95/fa/SoftBank-reports-record-loss-as-tec-362333_small.jpg)
SoftBank reports record loss as tech shares tank
Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group on Thursday logged a record annual net loss after a bruising year that saw its assets hit by a US tech-share rout and a regulatory crackdown in China.