US-Mexico border wall: Pentagon authorizes $1bn transfer

The pentagon has authorized the transfer of 1 billion dollars to army engineers for new wall construction along the US-Mexico border.

The funds are the first under the national emergency declared by president Donald Trump to bypass congress and build the barrier he pledged during his election campaign.

Democrats have protested against the move.

The funds will be used to build about 57 miles of fencing.

President trump has called the situation at southern border a crisis.

He has insisted that a physical barrier is needed to stop criminals crossing into the US.

However, his critics say he has manufactured the border emergency.