BBC News with Jerry Smit
The head of the United Nations observer team for Syria have arrived there to take charge of the advance deployment. The Norwegian general, Robert Mood, and his team will have the job of monitoring a poorly observed ceasefire that's now in its third week. Jim Muir reports.
Major General Mood faces a
daunting
task, and he knows it. Arriving in Damascus, he said he believed the observer team he will be heading can make a difference, but he cautioned against any expectations that they alone can achieve miracles. So far there are only 30 observers now in the country. Major General Mood said that number would double in the coming days and build up rapidly to the
full strength
of 300. Some predictions, however, have been that it may take many weeks for that to happen as it's proving a painfully slow process.
Sudan says more than 12,000 citizens from South Sudan must leave the country within a week. The governor of White Nile state, Yousif Al-Shenbali, said their presence in Sudanese territory posed a threat to security and the environment. Sudan and South Sudan have clashed over a disputed oil-rich border area in recent weeks.
Police in Mexico are investigating the death of a journalist in the eastern state of Veracruz. Regina Martinez reported on drug
trafficking
for the weekly investigative news magazine Proceso. Will Grant has the details.
Regina Martinez's body was discovered in her home after a neighbour had alerted the police. There were signs of heavy blows to her face and body, the state attorney general's office said, and it appears she was