First US Covid vaccinations expected next week as FDA emergency approval appears close – live

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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.

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