News Highlights: Shelling and troop build-up in Tigray, Border checks in Schengen area, 97 people drown in Mediterranean

ttempts to build bridges with pro-democracy movement; 650.000 Sudanese children at risk of severe malnutrition; Sudanese government offers contribution to solve conflict in Ethiopia; Authorities take newspaper and bar association to court; Kenya workers suffer abuses and violation of rights;  UNSC renews mandate for inspection of vessels along Libyan coast; Greek Migration minister accuses EU of using external border states as “refugee parking lots”;  Refugee and migrant population down by 50% in Greece since last year; ECJ rules against Hungarian asylum law; Czech and Austrian border guards to renew checks on border with Slovakia; Pope Francis calls for support to migrants as Italy elects far right wing government; What do the Italian elections imply for EU migration policy?; and 97 asylum seekers dead after Lebanese boat capsizes.

News Highlights: UN commission finds crimes against humanity committed in Tigray, Court appeal for transparency of EU funds in Libya, Hunger crisis deepens

In this week’s News Highlights: UN commission says crimes against humanity in Tigray committed by federal government;  Eritrea and Ethiopia start offensive against Tigray; Causes of discontinued peace talks in Ethiopia; Eritrean government calls up all reservists under 55; Next months crucial for South Sudan peace process; Alleged sexual abuse by aid workers in UN camp in South Sudan; Sudan’s ruling general will not run for election, he says; UNHCR updates guidance on protection of Somali refugees; Somali military frees strategic town in Hiran region; Italian journalist appeals to ECHR for transparency on use of EU funds by Libyan forces intercepting migrants; Migrants and refugees rescued from boats in Mediterranean; MEPs on visit to assess conflict in Ethiopia, democratic transition in Sudan; Upcoming reform of the Common European Asylum System; Greek minister calls for increased European solidarity; NGOs denounce Berlin’s admission programme for Afghans; Global hunger crisis deepens as one dies of hunger every four seconds; UN debate on the promotion of all human rights.

News Highlights: Situation in Ethiopia remains tense amidst ‘peace effort’, Thousands held in illegal detention in Libya, EU humanitarian bill adopted

This week news highlights: UNOCHA report indicates new clashes and dire humanitarian needs in Tigray; UN Secretary-General is hopeful progress towards peace is being made in Ethiopia; Debretsion states Eritrea needs to be addressed before peace negotiations can start in Ernest; ICRC prevented from aiding those in need due to lack of medical supplies in Tigray; Church reports the dire humanitarian situation in Tigray; Farmers in the Horn affected by drought need support, states FAO; UN human rights office urges Sudan authorities to stop the use of force against protestors; 12,000 migrants and refugees estimated by UN to be held in Libya, some in secret prisons; Unaccompanied minor refugees forced to share rooms with adults in the UK; Risk of discrimination and violation of human rights by UK border bill, say UN experts; Campaigners warn Greek biometric policing plan violates privacy rights, and Migrant boats to be stopped by UK military from crossing; EU adopts an annual humanitarian bill of € 1.5 billion