BBC News with Sue Montgomery

The United States has called for new sanctions on North Korea at the UN. They would for the first time target aspects of the state’s financial system. The U.S. ambassador Susan Rice said Washington had the support of China for a new draft Security Council resolution. Barbara Plett reports from the UN.

Susan Rice told reporters that the draft resolution calls for strengthening existing sanctions on North Korea as well as breaking new ground. Some of the new measures include targeting diplomats, banking activities and cash transfer she said. This will be the fourth round of UN sanctions against North Korea aimed at halting its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The draft is a response to Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test and was negotiated between the US and China, North Korea’s ally on the Security Council. Ms. Rice spoke after circulating the text to council members. A vote is expected later this week.

North Korea earlier warned that it would scrap the truce that ended the Korean War in response to increase sanctions and continuing military exercises by U.S. and South Korean forces.

The Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro has said President Hugo Chavez is going through his most difficult hours and has called on the nation to close ranks behind the ailing leader. Nicolas Maduro said Mr. Chavez who’s been receiving treatment for cancer has suffered very severe respiratory complications. Emily Buchanan reports