BBC News with David Austin.

The United States is to bolster its missile defence system to counter what it calls a growing threat from North Korea. The Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said 14 additional interceptors would be deployed in Alaska along with a radar tracking station in Japan. Mr Hagel said he was determined to keep ahead of the threat presented by the increasing long-range ballistic missile capability in both North Korea and Iran.

"The American people expect us to take every necessary step to protect their security at home and US strategic interests abroad, but they expect us to do so in the most efficient and effective manner possible. By taking the steps I’ve outlined today, we will strengthen our homeland defence, maintain our commitments to our allies and partners, and make clear to the world that the United States stands firm against aggression.”

The Treasury in Washington says it will end restrictions on American citizens sending money to the opposition rebel coalition in Syria. It exempts the rebels from wide-ranging sanctions imposed shortly after the start of the mass movement attempting to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Matt Wells in Washington has more details.

The announcement on Friday from the US Treasury which controls financial sanctions lifts the ban on citizens, companies and banks sending money to the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. The sanctions law remained, but for now the US government wants to do whatever it can, short of sending arms, to aid the rebel effort. A statement from the Treasury said that the Syrian government had sacrificed all legitimacy in its violent attempts to cling to power. The US has already said it will provide medical supplies and food directly to opposition fighters.