BBC News with Jerry Smit

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to approve an expanded monitoring mission to Syria. He was speaking after the Syrian government signed a preliminary accord on the deployment of such a mission. From New York, here's Barbara Plett.

Despite the continued violence, the secretary general said a swift deployment of more observers to Syria could contribute to bringing peace. He acknowledged the risk and stressed the need for full cooperation from the Syrian government. Damascus has now signed a framework accord on the conditions governing the mission, such as freedom of movement, although the vital issue of air support hasn't been settled.

Some Security Council members like Russia want to move quickly to authorise the expanded mission. Others like the United States want to first see evidence that the government allows monitors already on the ground to do their job effectively.

The international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres says there's been a dramatic increase in the number of refugees fleeing into Mauritania from the conflict in Mali. Here's our West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy.

Mauritania has taken the largest number since Timbuktu fell into rebel hands with up to 1,500 people crossing the border each day. Although fighting has ceased, the presence of armed groups and the political uncertainty generates fear and panic among the population, according to Doctors Without Borders. The aid agency has warned the conditions within the border camp in Mauritania are below humanitarian standards due to a lack of access to water, the extreme temperatures and regular sandstorms.

The United Nations has condemned the seizure by South Sudanese forces of the Heglig oil field in the disputed border area with Sudan. Ban Ki-moon said South Sudan's action had no legal validity.

"I urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint, return to the negotiation table and resolve their differences. I call on South Sudan to immediately withdraw its forces from Heglig. This is an infringement on the sovereignty of Sudan and a clearly illegal act."

Mr Ban also criticised Khartoum and said its forces should immediately stop shelling and bombing South Sudanese territory, and withdraw from disputed areas.

A US Black Hawk helicopter has crashed in southern Afghanistan. Four soldiers are believed to have been on board. An American official said an attack could not be ruled out.

Violence and controversy have continued to surround Bahrain's Grand Prix motor race scheduled for Sunday. A car carrying members of India's Formula 1 team was caught in street battles as police and demonstrators fought each other with tear gas and petrol bombs. Protesters have threatened what they called "days of rage" to coincide with the event, which the sport's governing body, the FIA, earlier insisted would pass peacefully.

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A Tibetan rights group says that two more Tibetans have set themselves on fire in southwestern China in protest against Chinese rule. The Free Tibet group said the two young men staged the protest together in front of a monastery in Aba in the southwestern province of Sichuan. It says they were taken away by local people and their condition is not known.

After years of fierce debate, members of the European Parliament have voted to allow the United States access to personal information about passengers flying between Europe and the US. Washington says it's an important tool in combating terrorism, but opponents say it sets a dangerous precedent. Imogen Foulkes reports.

Although airlines already collect a great many details on passengers from phone and credit card numbers to meal preferences and medical conditions, now they will transfer that data to the Department of Homeland Security. Washington says the deal is crucial to combat terrorism, and in the end Europe's parliament agreed, but many MEPs said they were voting yes reluctantly. Questions remain about how the information will be used, how long the US will keep it and who else might have access to it.

The African Union has rejected an agreement between the new military leaders in Guinea-Bissau and the main opposition parties over a two-year transition period before the next elections. The chairman of the AU commission described the agreement as a vain attempt to legitimise last week's military coup and demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order.

The influential American folk rock musician Levon Helm has died of cancer at the age of 71. A drummer and frequent vocalist with a decades-spanning group, The Band, he was praised for his instrumental versatility and southern-inflected singing style. The Band had several big hits, including Rag Mama Rag and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

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