Lindsey Graham eulogized, US and Saudi Arabia launch strikes in Iraq, search for missing after Japan earthquake

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Welcome back. In the news today: Lindsey Graham is eulogized as an “American original” with global reach; Jordan intercepts Iranian missiles as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia strike militias in Iraq; and rescuers search for the missing after Japan’s earthquake as the death toll rises. Also, a bow tie and a planner with a handwritten list of herbs and spices are among personal items of KFC founder Colonel Sanders being sold at an auction.

Lindsey Graham honored with memorial ceremonies in Washington

Graham’s flag-draped casket arrived for a tribute at the U.S. Capitol. Later, President Donald Trump joined foreign leaders for a funeral at Washington National Cathedral, a testament to Graham’s stature on the global stage. Read more.

What to know:

• Among those gathered were Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders of two countries fighting separate wars, a nod to Graham’s role as a foremost believer in the power of the U.S. and its military to intervene in the world’s problems. Trump called Graham “a giant of the United States Senate, a true American original who left us much too soon.”
• Graham died suddenly on July 11 of a likely aortic tear, according to preliminary findings. He had just returned from a whirlwind trip to a NATO summit in Turkey, where he celebrated his birthday, and a visit to Ukraine. He was 71.

Related coverage →

WATCH: Graham eulogized

Photos of the memorial services

Republicans line up to run to replace Graham

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Teleprompter operator accused of betting on Trump speeches is out of a job

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US and Saudi Arabia launch strikes against militias in Iraq

Jordan’s air defenses intercepted five missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday, the country’s military said, hours after the U.S. military said it had knocked down an Iranian missile barrage launched against American forces in the Middle East, shattering a brief pause in fighting. Read more.

What to know:

• The U.S. Central Command said its forces worked with Saudi Arabia’s forces to strike sites in Iraq that Tehran-backed militias have used to launch attacks in recent days. The United States and Iran had experienced a period of calm, during which neither announced attacks for about three days following weeks of escalation over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Related coverage →

Pentagon ties new casualty category for renewed US-Iran fighting to the end of ‘Operation Epic Fury’

Recent fighting with Iran further draws down key US air defense stockpiles, analysis says

Netanyahu praises first meeting with Trump since launching the Iran war

Zelenskyy has a ‘good meeting’ with Trump at the White House as he seeks more cooperation with US

Rescuers search for the missing after powerful earthquake in Japan

Soldiers and emergency workers combed through a badly damaged shopping mall and collapsed houses looking for trapped survivors Wednesday after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that killed at least 18 people and left many missing in southwestern Japan. Read more.

What to know:

• Bullet train services remained suspended and some airlines canceled flights. “There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said. “We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can.” Nearly 34,900 homes were without electricity and thousands stayed in shelters.

Related coverage →

WATCH: Aerial shots of the damage

Photos show the aftermath

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KFC founder Colonel Sanders’ personal items sell at auction

Sanders’ personal items, including a signature black bow tie, sold Tuesday night. Auctioneer Jonathan Klunk revealed a secret behind the bow tie: it was a clip-on. Sanders’ personal planner went for $30,000, the largest sale of the night. It includes a handwritten list of herbs and spices. A few years back, KFC Corp. sued to keep the contents private. But it later dropped the legal action, saying the ingredients didn’t match Sanders’ secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. “What a keepsake,” said Bill Menish, whose firm conducted the auction. He became so enthused at one point in the auction that he knocked over the camera!

This is our flagship newsletter Morning Wire. You can subscribe here and we’ll email it to you daily.