US President Donald Trump is to declare a national emergency to fund his planned border wall with Mexico.

He will sign a border security bill to avert a government shutdown ‑ but also act to bypass Congress and use military funds for the wall.

Senior Democrats have responded by accusing him of committing a "gross abuse of power" and a "lawless act".

Building the wall was a key election promise by Trump.

But as president he has so far been unable to get the necessary funding to advance it.

[Source: BBC]