Covid aid package: US Congress set to vote after compromise emerges

• Central bank's emergency powers key to agreement
• $600 for individuals and $300 a week welfare boost
• New record for daily Covid cases as Moderna vaccine approved

The US Congress appeared poised to vote on a $900bn coronavirus aid package on Sunday after senators struck a late-night compromise to clear one of the final hurdles: a dispute over Federal Reserve pandemic lending authorities.

The Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said late on Saturday: If things continue on this path and nothing gets in the way, we'll be able to vote tomorrow."

Congressional leaders plan to attach the coronavirus aid package - which includes $600 direct payments to individuals and a $300 a week unemployment compensation supplement - to a $1.4tn spending bill funding government programs through to September 2021.