Iran’s top leader vows to keep up attacks in his first statement since being appointed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s new supreme leader released his first statement since succeeding his late father. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that Iran would keep up its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors and use the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel. Khamenei, 56, who Israel suspects was wounded in the opening salvo of the war, did not appear on camera, as his statement was read by a state TV news anchor. The statement included a vow to avenge those killed in the war, including in a strike on a school that killed over 165 people.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine awaits White House sign-off on US drone production deal

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is awaiting White House approval for a major drone production agreement proposed by Kyiv last year. Speaking on Thursday, Zelenskyy said the deal would cover various types of drones and air defenses to protect against swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones. Countries are scrambling to modernize their air defenses after the Iran war exposed shortcomings. Russia has fired tens of thousands of Shaheds at Ukraine since it invaded its neighbor just over four years ago. Iran has responded to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes by firing the same type of drones at targets in the Middle East.

Israeli military drops charges against soldiers

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said it is dropping charges against five soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee in an encounter partially caught on camera. The decision on Thursday comes as much of the country’s attention is focused on the war with Iran. The leaked video of the abuse was aired last year by Israel’s Channel 12 and purported to show an assault in which the soldiers sodomized the Palestinian detainee from Gaza with a knife. The arrest of the soldiers in 2024 prompted anger from hard-line ultranationalists, while members of Israel’s far-right government called the investigation into the allegations an affront to their service.

Landslides in southern Ethiopia leave at least 50 people dead and 125 missing

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — An official says at least 50 people have died and 125 others are missing after landslides hit three districts in southern Ethiopia following a week of heavy rains. The landslides happened in Gamo Zone and affected the Gacho Baba District, Kamba District and Bonke District, according to Gamo Zone director of disaster response Mesfin Manuqa. Manuqa said that one person was pulled out of the mud alive during the rescue operation. The Gacho Baba District communication chief said most of those who died were found buried in the mud. It is not yet clear how many households were affected.