The International Monetary Fund has slashed its forecast for the global economic recovery, warning of "multiple challenges" including new variants of Covid-19, high inflation and ongoing disruption to global supply chains. Petya Koeva Brooks, Deputy Director of the IMF's Research Department, discusses the risks and policy challenges as the pandemic enters its third year.

A German court has found a Syrian former army colonel guilty of crimes against humanity, handing him a life sentence. It was a landmark trial to examine state-sponsored torture during the Syrian civil war.

Indian news portal The Wire has alleged authorities likey spied on journalists, politicians and business leaders, among others. The revelations come as part of a global investigation into the use of specialized phone spying software Pegasus by governments around the world.

The EU has said it could withdraw financial aid from Burkina Faso and hit coup leaders with sanctions if "constitutional order" is not restored.

The Pharaohs of Egypt claimed the enormous scalp of the Ivory Coast as they won their last 16 clash on spot kicks 5-4 in Douala on Wednesday evening. Eric Bailly missed the crucial spot kick for the Elephants while star man, Mohamed Salah converted to send his team through. The second game was almost a carbon-copy with no goals scored over 120 minutes between Mali and Equatorial Guinea. But it was the Northern Thunder who won 6-5 on penalties after Mali's, Falaye Sacko had his effort saved.

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.⁣