Iran rejects Trump's ceasefire claim as "false and baseless"
Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about Iran seeking a ceasefire as "false and baseless," according to state-run Press TV.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei pushed back against Trump's remarks on social media platform Truth Social that the Iranian president "has just asked the United States of America for a ceasefire."
Trump added, "We will consider when the Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!"
France "not taking part" in U.S.-Israel military action against Iran: Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that France is not taking part in the military action launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, in response to accusations by U.S. President Donald Trump, local media reported.
"It is absolutely true that France, which was not consulted and is not part of the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel, is not taking part," Macron was quoted as saying by French news channel BFMTV.
Britain to host int'l summit on Strait of Hormuz, says PM Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday that Britain will host an international summit this week on restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a morning press conference, Starmer said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would host the meeting of international leaders as part of efforts to address the growing economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
He said Britain would not be drawn into the conflict and stressed that the best way to deal with rising living costs was to push for de-escalation and ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
U.S. launches Artemis II crewed Moon mission
NASA's Artemis II Moon mission lifted off Wednesday from the U.S. state of Florida, carrying four astronauts on the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years.
The Space Launch System rocket, with the Orion spacecraft on top, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. Eastern Time.
Textile factory fire in Cairo kills 8, injures 17
At least eight people were killed and 17 others injured when a fire broke out at a textile factory in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Egypt's state-run Dar-elhilal web portal said on Wednesday.
The blaze broke out Tuesday night in a basement housing the factory and its storage inside a 12-story building, according to a statement from the Cairo governorate. About 10 ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals, and six fire engines brought the flames under control.
A security cordon was set up to prevent fire from spreading in the residential area, Dar-elhilal added.■
