7.29.26 Fauci’s COVID-era authority, Ukraine’s leadership fight, and apple detectives

**Lindsay Mast** (0:05)
Good morning. Questions on COVID today. What did Dr. Anthony Fauci know privately, and how did it differ from what he said publicly?

**Nick Eicher** (0:14)
Fauci is expected on Capitol Hill this morning. Hunter Baker is here to talk about that and more on Washington Wednesday. Also today, World Tour on Ukraine's effort to keep its advantage against Russia.
Later, the hunt for apple varieties, long believed to be extinct.

**David Ben-Scotter** (0:31)
We brought back some history that we thought we had lost.

**Nick Eicher** (0:35)
And World commentator Janie B. Cheaney on compassion and lost childhoods.

**Lindsay Mast** (0:46)
It's Wednesday, July 29th. This is The World and Everything In It from listener-supported World Radio.
I'm Lindsay Mast.

**Nick Eicher** (0:53)
And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.

**Lindsay Mast** (0:58)
Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.

**Kent Covington** (1:05)
Leaders from around the world gathered inside the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday to remember the late US. Senator Lindsey Graham. President Trump said the son of South Carolina was an optimist with a fighting spirit who became one of the most important men in Washington.

**Donald Trump** (1:19)
He took his duty seriously without taking himself too seriously. He was unwavering in his principles, but always willing to listen. He always wanted to listen.

**Kent Covington** (1:30)
And a short time earlier at the Capitol, US. Service members carried Graham's flag-draped casket to the center of the rotunda surrounded by Senate and cabinet leaders. Vice President JD. Vance, a former Senate colleague of Graham's, remembered him as a happy warrior who, in his words, could disagree with you without being disagreeable.

**JD Vance** (1:51)
I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a person who could fight with you on one issue, but fight for you on another issue.

**Kent Covington** (2:00)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Graham never apologized for being pro-life or for standing by his values.

**John Thune** (2:06)
It didn't matter to Lindsey whether an issue was popular or unpopular, whether he had the full support of his colleagues or whether he was standing alone.

**Kent Covington** (2:15)
Thune called Graham a dear friend and recalled traveling the world alongside him.

**John Thune** (2:19)
Rest in peace, my friend. I look forward to the days when you make us all laugh again.

**Kent Covington** (2:29)
A public service will be held this morning in South Carolina at the State House in Columbia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after attending Graham's funeral, met at the White House with President Trump. The two leaders talked about Ukraine making its own weapons amid Russia's ongoing invasion. World's Kristin Flavin reports.

**Kristin Flavin** (2:49)
Trump agreed at a NATO summit this month to allow Ukraine to build its own Patriot missile interceptors. Kyiv has been pressing for more of those for many months. In the Oval Office, they worked through the details. Zelensky called it a good meeting and added that the diplomatic push needs new life. The interceptors matter beyond Ukraine. The war with Iran has reportedly strained American stockpiles, and analysts say more patriot production would take pressure off US supply.
Zelensky also met with Lockheed Martin, which builds the interceptors, about trading technology in both directions. He says his country has a lot to share with the nations helping Ukraine.
For WORLD, I'm Kristen Flavin.

**Kent Covington** (3:33)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also met with President Trump at the White House before attending Graham's funeral.
It was the first meeting between the two leaders since the start of the Iran War. And ahead of that meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Denon, said Israel remains grateful for its deep partnership with the US.

**Danny Denon** (3:52)
We fought shoulder to shoulder against Iran and we are prepared to continue supporting the US in pursuing peace and stability in the region.

**Kent Covington** (4:02)
Afterward, Netanyahu called the meeting excellent and one of his best conversations with the president. Trump wants a deal with Tehran while Netanyahu thinks it's best to continue the fight and bring the current regime to its knees. Israel's Defense Minister says his country wants to strike Iran's oil and power plants. The White House though has said no largely over concerns about oil prices.
Mediators in recent days have cited progress toward getting U.S.-Iran peace talks back on track and President Trump said Tuesday morning.

**Donald Trump** (4:34)
This is actually a good time to make a deal for them.

**Roy Druffel** (4:37)
If they don't make a deal, then I go back and I finish the job.

**Kent Covington** (4:40)
But it's unclear where the president's threshold lies before dialing up air strikes once again. A senior US official says Iran fired ballistic missiles out of the American base in Jordan Tuesday. CENTCOM says all of the missiles were intercepted, calling it an attempted surprise attack. It is the first missile attack on American troops since Trump paused the strikes on Iran.