The Pentagon has told Congress that it has authorised the transfer of $1 billion to begin the construction of the wall on the US-Mexico border.
This is the first money allocated through the national emergency Trump declared at the southern border in February, in order to obtain funding for his signature campaign pledge.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington:

US says it thwarted potential IS-inspired New Year's Eve attack
Swiss face painful task of identifying victims of deadly fire
Hiker killed in rare suspected mountain lion attack in Colorado
Contaminated water kills 9 and hospitalises 200 in India's Indore city
Several reported killed in Iran protests