1 victim dies in shooting on university campus in U.S. state of Virginia

One of three victims in a shooting on the campus of Old Dominion University in the U.S. state of Virginia has died, the university's police said Thursday.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Garrett Shelton, the university's chief of police, said that there was a third victim who went to the hospital independently, noting that the two surviving victims appear to be in stable condition.

Shelton added that authorities are "very early" in the investigation.

At least 13 civilians killed in drone strike on Sudan-Chad border crossing

At least 13 civilians were killed when a drone strike hit the Adre border crossing between Sudan and Chad on Thursday, according to local volunteers and eyewitnesses.

The Coordination Council of El Geneina Emergency Rooms, a voluntary civilian group, said in a statement that a drone fired four missiles at the crossing, killing 13 people involved in the fuel trade, including five women, and injuring five others.

The strike destroyed the fuel market at the crossing, damaged several civilian vehicles, and burned large quantities of food supplies, the group said.

Iran declares week of national unity after new supreme leader's 1st message

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref said on Thursday the administration has declared the coming week as the "Week of National Unity and Solidarity for Iran," according to the official news agency IRNA.

Aref said he had made the decision on behalf of the administration and was inspired by the first message of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The message was released earlier in the day and highlighted the need to maintain unity among the Iranian people.

Aref said, as stressed by Iran's supreme leader, the people's "effective presence on the scene and maintaining national unity" are the most important props for the country's power and security.

Iran's new supreme leader urges continued closure of Hormuz Strait, vows to open new battlefronts

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday called for the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and pledged to open new fronts in his country's conflict with the United States and Israel.

He made the remarks in his first message published on his website since Sunday's announcement of his appointment as Iran's supreme leader.

"The demand of the masses of people is the continuation of the effective and regret-inducing defense. Also, the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used," Khamenei said, addressing the country's people and armed forces.

U.S. stocks tumble as oil prices surge

U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday, weighed down by a sharp rise in oil prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1.56 percent to 46,677.85. The S&P 500 dropped 1.52 percent to 6,672.62. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 1.78 percent to 22,311.98.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, led by industrials and consumer discretionary with declines of 2.52 percent and 2.21 percent, respectively. Energy and utilities were the only notable gainers, rising 0.98 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively.