Updated 0502 GMT (1302 HKT) December 31, 2020 What you need to know UK regulators have approved Oxford/AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, clearing the way for millions more inoculations. The US reported a record number of deaths and hospitalizations as the first known case of the new Covid-19 variant in the country was discovered in Colorado. The House passed a measure to increase stimulus checks for Americans under a certain income level to $2,000. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked the effort in the Senate. Chinese regulators have approved a coronavirus vaccine developed by state-owned pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm. Our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic has