The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump's attempt to send the National Guard to the state of Illinois, dealing a setback to the administration.
The court denied the Trump administration's request in a 6-3 vote.
At this preliminary stage, the government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois, the court said in an order published on its website.
The dispute dates back to Oct 4, when Trump called 300 members of the Illinois National Guard into active federal service in Illinois, particularly in and around Chicago, in order to protect federal officers and assets. The following day, members of the Texas National Guard were also federalized and sent to Chicago, according to the court.
On Oct 9, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a temporary restraining order barring the federalization and deployment of the National Guard in Illinois.
On Oct 16, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit modified the district court's order, allowing the administration to federalize the National Guard but not to deploy its members.
The Trump administration then appealed to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court blocks Trump from sending National Guard to Illinois
Giant panda cubs have been filmed enjoying their leisurely life in their enclosures, with one pair seen sharing a friendly hug while another trio were caught frolicking around at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The two heartwarming scenes were captured at the base’s Star Giant Panda Nursery House and were recently released on the iPanda multimedia platform, which offers an up-close look at the daily lives and activities of the beloved pandas.
In one scene, two fluffy baby pandas are seen cozily embracing each other, with their interwoven black and white fur resembling a traditional Bagua diagram which is most commonly associated with Chinese feng shui.
In another clip, two more energetic panda cubs are seen messing around in the open space between some wooden logs in their enclosure. The pair appear to be engaged in a good-natured play-fight which sends one of them tumbling over, before a third panda arrives on the scene and muscles its way in on the act, creating a very lively atmosphere.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a world-renowned institution for the ex-situ conservation of giant pandas, scientific research and breeding, public education and tourism.
The base is famous for its work in protecting and breeding giant pandas, red pandas and other endangered wild animal species exclusive to China.
Giant panda cubs seen enjoying boisterous playtime
