US President Donald Trump has threatened again to declare a national emergency to fund a border wall without Congress's approval.

"I have the absolute right to declare a national emergency," he told reporters as he headed to an event at the border.

He also said Mexico would "indirectly" pay for the wall - contradicting an earlier campaign memo.

The government has been in partial shutdown for 20 days, leaving about 800,000 federal employees without pay.

President Trump refuses to sign legislation to fund and reopen the government if it does not include $5.7bn (£4.5bn) for a physical barrier along the US-Mexico border.

But budget talks have come to a standstill as Democrats - who control the House of Representatives - refuse to give him the money.

Republican leaders insist the party stands behind the president, although some Republican lawmakers have spoken out in favour of ending the shutdown.

bbc.com

BDST: 1036 HRS, JAN 11, 2019
RS