- Report: FDA will issue emergency use authorization for Pfizer vaccine tonight
- Indoor dining banned in New York City
- States targeted in election fraud lawsuit condemn ‘bogus claims’
- Sign up to receive First Thing – our daily briefing by email
8.07pm GMT
The White House chief of staff threatened to fire Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, unless the FDA approves a coronavirus by Friday, the Washington Post reported.
According to the Post Mark Meadows told Stephen to submit his resignation if the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was not approved by the end of the day. The newspaper cited people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
7.53pm GMT
The Senate has passed a temporary government-wide funding bill, averting a government shutdown at midnight and buying time for negotiations over Covid-19 relief.
The stop-gap measure, which is expected to be signed by Donald Trump at some point today, will keep the government running until December 18.
An emerging $900 billion aid package from a bipartisan group of lawmakers hit a rough patch after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell swung against the effort, but negotiations are ongoing and pressure remains intense.
More Stories
Stress may be getting to your skin, but it’s not a one-way street
Snag a Vaccine Appointment, Then Face the Next Hurdle: How to Get There?
UK Covid news: Boris Johnson cancels trip to India as pressure grows for it to be added to travel red list