1. Explosives stolen from military site

    French authorities are investigating the theft of roughly* 200 detonators* plus grenades* and plastic explosives* from a military site in southeastern France, officials said on July 7.

    The thefts at the Miramas site, operated by a combination of military services west of Marseille, apparently happened overnight from July 4 to 6.

    The break-in comes as France has strengthened its security measures after two deadly attacks by extremists this year.

    2. 2 killed when F-16, small plane collide

    An F-16 fighter jet smashed into a small plane on July 7 over South Carolina, killing two people and raining down* plane parts and debris over marshes* and rice fields.

    The two people aboard the smaller Cessna were killed, and the plane was completely destroyed, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Peter Knudson said. The pilot of the F-16 ejected* and “is apparently uninjured,” he said.

    A press release from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter said the pilot, Maj. Aaron Johnson from the 55th Fighter Squadron, was taken to Joint Base Charleston’s medical clinic for observation.

    3. Suspected US drone kills IS figure

    A drone* strike as part of a U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants killed a senior figure from the hard-line* group in its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said on July 8.

    The strike killed an Uzbek leader of the group involved in security as he sat in a car outside a downtown hotel, the observatory said.

    Islamic State has attracted foreign fighters from across the world to fight in its self-declared caliphate* across parts of Syria and Iraq.

    4. Priced-out Londoners live on boats

    Rocketing housing costs in Britain’s capital have fueled a surge in Londoners seeking cheaper accommodations on boats.

    The picturesque* lifestyle of sleeping in a colorfully painted narrow boat or barge can seem tempting.

    “It’s become more common for people to do it who don’t know what they are getting into or even because they have no choice,” said education worker Jim Bryden, 39, who has lived aboard the “Violet Mae” with his girlfriend, dog and cat for two years.

    5. Greece reaches deal with creditors

    After months of acrimony*, Greece finally reached a bailout* agreement with its European creditors on Monday that will, if implemented*, secure the country’s place in the eurozone and avoid financial collapse.

    The terms of the deal, however, will be painful both for Greeks and their radical left-led government, which since its election in January had vowed to stand up to the creditors* and reject the budget cuts they have been demanding.

    Before it can get 85 billion euros (US$95.07 billion) in bailout cash and support for its banks to reopen, the Greek Government will have to pass a raft of austerity* measures.

    6. Mexico: Top drug lord escapes

    Top Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, has escaped from a maximum security prison for the second time, Mexican officials said as they launched a manhunt* on Sunday.

    Guzman was last seen about 9 p.m. on Saturday in the shower area of the Altiplano prison, 90 kilometers outside of Mexico City, according to a statement from the National Security Commission. He went to the shower area but after some time was lost by security camera surveillance. Upon checking his cell, authorities found it empty.(SD-Agencies)