Afghanistan Officials: IS commander killed in drone strike

Afghan officials say a senior Islamic State commander has been killed in a drone strike in the southern Helmand province. The deputy provincial governor says the commander, identified as Abdul Rauf, was killed along with four other militants when a drone-fired missile struck their car. Afghanistan’s intelligence service issued a statement saying the suspected Islamic State commander was among six people killed in the strike, which it said was carried out by Afghan forces. The Islamic State group, which controls a third of Syria and Iraq, has a small but growing presence in parts of Afghanistan, officials and tribal sources told The Associated Press last month. They said a man known as Mullah Abdul Rauf was actively recruiting fighters for the group.

Shark kills Japanese surfer in second Australia attack in 2 days

A Japanese surfer was mauled to death by a shark yesterday in the second attack off Australia’s east coast in two days, prompting authorities to close beaches. The man, who hasn’t been named by authorities, was pulled from the sea by other surfers just before 10 a.m. at Shelly Beach on the northern coast of New South Wales, police said in a statement. He lost both his legs in the attack, the Daily Mail newspaper reported, citing a local cafe owner. The incident comes just one day after a 35-year-old surfer was bitten on his back and buttocks by a shark at Seven Mile Beach, about 30 kilometers further up the coast. Beaches along a 15 kilometer stretch of coastline, from South Ballina to Lennox Head, have been closed amid concern a rogue shark responsible for both attacks is cruising the area. Officers are trying to get in touch with the dead surfer’s family through the Japanese consulate, the state police’s media unit said.