Israel and Greece sign a multi-billion-dollar weapons deal, the largest between the countries

● AP • 31 August 2026 • 11:33 AM

Israel has signed a major weapons deal with Greece, marking their largest agreement to date. The deal, coined Achilles Shield, is valued at nearly $3.5 billion and includes a multi-layered air defense system for Greece.

UAE intercepts incoming Iranian drone, and other news from the Middle East

● AP • 31 August 2026 • 11:24 AM

An Iranian drone was intercepted early Monday over the United Arab Emirates territorial waters, the Defense Ministry said.

U.S., Venezuela strike oil deal. And, the staggering hidden toll of U.S. heat deaths

● NPR • 31 August 2026 • 11:24 AM

The U.S. and Venezuela have entered into an oil deal. And, NPR spent two years tracking heat-related deaths and found that people in the U.S. are dying from heat more than the official counts show.