NEW YORK (AP) — When Random House Publisher Andrew Ward met recently with staff ed

Novavax’s closely watched COVID-19 vaccine is on track for full approval after additional discussions with the Food and Drug Administration, the company said Wednesday. The news sent company shares soaring more than 21% in morning trading and appeared to resolve concerns that Trump administration officials might be holding up a decision on the shot. Novavax makes the nation’s only traditional protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. It is still being sold under emergency use authorization — unlike mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna that have earned full FDA approval for certain age groups. The FDA recently asked Novavax to develop a plan for collecting additional clinical data from those who have gotten the shot, the company said in a statement.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul and other areas Wednesday, prompting widespread panic and scores of injuries in the Turkish city of 16 million people, though there were no immediate reports of serious damage. More than 150 people were hospitalized with injuries sustained while trying to jump from buildings, said the governor’s office in Istanbul, where residents are on tenterhooks because the city is considered at high risk for a major quake. The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (about 6 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicenter about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara.

Sec. Scott Bessent: “I wish to be clear: America first does not mean America alone. To the contrary, it is a call for deeper collaboration and mutual respect among trade partners.”

Hamas is preparing to present a new ceasefire initiative for Gaza, according to a report by the Saudi-owned outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, as its delegation arrives in Cairo for renewed discussions.
The report outlines a proposed deal under which all remaining hostages in Gaza would be released at once in return for a negotiated number of Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, the plan reportedly includes a complete halt to military actions, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to positions previously held under the last ceasefire, and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.
The report indicates that Hamas intends to push for a five-year cessation of hostilities, backed by international assurances.

Washington — President Donald Trump stated this week that he has “no intention” of removing Federal Reserve

Roughly 150 Gaza’s have left gaza today with most of those heading for France.

U.S. troops have withdrawn from al-Shaddadi Base in western Syria, relocating to Iraq with a convoy of around 300 trucks.