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Sen. Lindsey Graham’s final overseas trip took him to a highly classified Ukrainian drone production facility, where he praised the country’s military innovation just one day before his sudden death at the age of 71.

The South Carolina Republican died last night following what his office described as a brief illness. His final public appearances included meetings with top Ukrainian officials, discussions on sanctions against Russia, and a rare visit inside a secret factory producing some of Ukraine’s most effective combat drones.

According to Ukraine Pravda, Graham toured a manufacturing facility operated by Ukrainian defense company SkyFall during his visit to the country. The trip came only hours before news emerged that he had fallen ill.

While in Ukraine, Graham also held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), who was traveling with the senator, also met with the Ukrainian leader.

Just a day before his death, Graham announced that he had reached an understanding with the White House regarding legislation imposing additional sanctions on Russia, saying the Trump administration was prepared to back the measure.

During his visit to the SkyFall facility, Graham observed the production of Ukraine’s Vampire bomber drones, commonly referred to as “Baba Yaga,” which have become a key weapon in the country’s war effort.

The senator said the United States has much to gain from Ukraine’s rapid progress in unmanned aerial vehicle technology.

“I believe that it would be a huge mistake for America not to cooperate with Ukraine in the field of drones. They are ready to help us, because we were ready to support Ukraine in the most difficult times,” Graham was quoted as saying.

The Vampire drones, designed to transport explosive payloads deep behind enemy positions, have become an important part of Ukraine’s battlefield strategy.

Following Graham’s passing, President Zelensky issued a heartfelt tribute honoring the longtime senator’s support for Ukraine.

“Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and of the values that make our world safer,” Zelensky said in his statement, noting that Graham had visited Ukraine ten times during the war.

“We were in constant dialogue, which I will miss,” the Ukrainian President said, adding that “in recent weeks [Graham] worked on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including strengthening sanctions against Russia.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also mourned Graham’s death, describing him as a “true friend” and “one of the strongest voices” supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Sybiha said Graham consistently advocated for tougher sanctions on Moscow while helping ensure Ukraine received the assistance it needed to defend itself.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte likewise honored Graham’s legacy, saying the senator “was a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

Graham’s office announced that he died “from a brief and sudden illness.”

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement read.

Authorities responded Saturday to a report of a “cardiac arrest” at Graham’s Washington, D.C., residence. Images from the scene showed emergency crews transporting a person on a stretcher from the home to a waiting ambulance.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune reflected on Graham’s decades of public service, saying his “long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world,” adding that “he was a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.”

Thune added that Graham “believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause.”

{Matzav.com}

Coca-Cola is widening its lead over longtime rival PepsiCo, with investors rewarding the beverage giant’s streamlined business model while Pepsi continues to struggle under the weight of its snack division. Coca-Cola’s stock is hovering near record highs, while Pepsi shares have fallen sharply from their peak as concerns mount over slowing sales and shrinking profit margins.

Shares of Coca-Cola are trading close to the highest levels in the company’s more than century-long history as a publicly traded company. By contrast, PepsiCo’s stock has dropped nearly 30% since reaching just under $200 per share in 2023.

PepsiCo reported second-quarter earnings on Thursday that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, but the stronger-than-expected results did little to ease investor concerns after the company’s core North American beverage business posted declining sales.

Overall, PepsiCo generated net revenue of $24.2 billion during the quarter, a 6.4% increase from a year earlier. Of that total, $7.2 billion came from its North American beverage operations.

For decades, Coca-Cola and Pepsi battled for dominance through high-profile marketing campaigns, including the famous “Pepsi Challenge” and Coca-Cola’s infamous “New Coke” rollout. While many believed Coca-Cola had already won that battle years ago, investors now appear to be reinforcing that conclusion through the companies’ market valuations and financial performance.

One of the clearest differences between the two companies is profitability. Coca-Cola posted a first-quarter operating margin of 35%, an improvement from roughly 33% during the same period last year. PepsiCo’s operating margin for the first half of the year stood at approximately 16.5%—less than half of Coca-Cola’s.

“It’s becoming more obvious to the investor base that Coke has a superior business model,” Nik Modi, co-head of global consumer research at RBC Capital Markets, told Barron’s.

Much of PepsiCo’s difficulty can be traced to its large snack-food business and the way the company manages its bottling operations.

Snack products such as Lay’s potato chips, Doritos, and Cheetos accounted for 58% of PepsiCo’s revenue in 2025.

However, steep price hikes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic have weighed heavily on demand, as many shoppers have increasingly turned to lower-priced store brands in an effort to reduce grocery bills.

During the second quarter, North American snack revenue declined 2% compared to the same period last year, while overall unit sales remained essentially unchanged.

PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said higher gasoline prices have also contributed to weaker snack sales because consumers are making fewer impulse purchases at convenience stores.

“I think the consumer is worse than what we had anticipated and driven mainly by gas prices,” the exec said Thursday during a conference call with investors.

Citi analyst Filippo Falorni said the company faced “continued weakness in North America” in a note to clients on Friday. He cautioned that sluggish sales are likely to continue as inflationary pressures tied to the Iran war continue affecting the U.S. economy.

“This dynamic also creates carryover risk to numbers in 2027,” he added, “with still elevated cost inflation pressuring margins.”

Unlike PepsiCo, Coca-Cola has concentrated almost entirely on beverages, fueling growth through products such as Fairlife ultra-filtered milk and smaller, premium-priced soda cans that generate higher margins.

The company also maintains a leaner cost structure by franchising the vast majority of its bottling operations. PepsiCo, meanwhile, still owns roughly 80% of its bottling network, resulting in significantly higher operating costs that weigh on profitability.

PepsiCo’s recent struggles have also attracted pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management.

After revealing a $4 billion investment in PepsiCo last September, Elliott urged the company to simplify its business, reduce prices, and explore refranchising its North American bottling operations to more closely resemble Coca-Cola’s model.

Pepsi later reached an agreement with Elliott that calls for a broad restructuring effort. The plan includes eliminating 20% of its U.S. product lineup by early 2026, lowering prices on key brands, and closing several manufacturing facilities.

Although PepsiCo has stopped short of fully franchising its bottling business, it has begun experimenting with combining its snack and beverage distribution systems in an effort to improve efficiency.

According to RBC’s Modi, the company may ultimately have to reconsider its extensive ownership of manufacturing plants and distribution assets if it hopes to improve profitability.

“They may have to make some tough choices,” he said.

Investors continued favoring Coca-Cola on Friday, further expanding the gap between the two beverage giants.

As of 2 p.m. EDT, Coca-Cola shares were trading at $83.34, up 71 cents, or nearly 1%, from Thursday’s closing price of $82.63. The stock remains close to its 52-week high of $85.68.

PepsiCo shares, meanwhile, slipped 56 cents, or 0.4%, to $137.30, leaving the stock much closer to its 52-week low of $133.75 after closing Thursday at $137.86.

Coca-Cola is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings report on July 28, a report investors will watch closely to see whether the company can continue extending its lead over its longtime rival.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump led a wave of tributes Sunday following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, calling the longtime South Carolina Republican “one of the greatest people and Senators” he had ever known.

Graham, 71, died on Motzoei Shabbos following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. His passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the political spectrum, with lawmakers, administration officials, and longtime friends remembering his decades of public service, his unwavering commitment to America’s national security, and his steadfast support for Israel.

In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump expressed both personal grief and admiration for one of his closest political allies.

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump wrote. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”

The president’s tribute reflected a friendship that extended well beyond politics. Graham was one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate during his second administration and frequently accompanied the president on golf outings. The two also campaigned together extensively, including during Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign.

Vice President JD Vance also paid tribute, recalling both his policy disagreements and his respect for Graham’s character.

“Lindsey Graham came from humble beginnings and became one of the most powerful lawmakers in the most powerful nation on Earth. His story was a fundamentally American one,” Vance wrote.

He recounted an early clash with Graham over Ukraine funding, only to discover the following day that Graham had quietly helped advance legislation important to him.

“That was Lindsey Graham. He fought like hell for the things he believed in, and he was just as willing to go to bat for you when it counted.”

Vance also praised Graham’s personality and political instincts.

“Lindsey had the best sense of humor in the Senate. He loved the game of politics. He was constantly asking which races were up and down, and how he could help.”

Although the two did not always agree, Vance concluded, “We certainly had our disagreements. But I couldn’t help but like him. A one of a kind figure in our politics. I’ll be praying for him and his family.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Graham’s death a tremendous loss for both the country and the administration.

“America has lost a statesman,” she wrote. “President Trump and the White House have lost a friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Graham.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune remembered Graham as one of the chamber’s most influential voices on national security and foreign affairs.

“My heart is heavy this morning to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham,” Thune said.

“Lindsey’s long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world. He was a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe. He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause.”

Thune noted that Graham’s influence on the federal judiciary, America’s military, and his home state “will be felt for generations.”

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott called Graham “a true statesman.”

“America’s lost a true statesman. We don’t have many left, but he was a true statesman,” Scott said during an appearance on CNN. “But I’ve lost a friend.”

Scott also recalled that Graham warmly welcomed him when he entered the Senate in 2013.

“He was one of the first folks in the Senate to welcome me in with open arms.”

Republican senators from across the country also honored Graham’s legacy.

Sen. Ted Cruz described him as “a fearless patriot, a devoted public servant, and one of the fiercest advocates for America’s national security.”

“He loved this country deeply, and he dedicated his life to defending it,” Cruz said. “For years, I had the privilege of serving alongside Lindsey in the Senate. We fought shoulder to shoulder for conservative judges, stood together with our allies, and never wavered in confronting America’s adversaries.”

Sen. John Barrasso called Graham “my dear friend” and said he “represented South Carolina and America with pride and determination.”

“All of us in the Senate will miss his quick wit and infectious laughter. The Senate will never again see anyone quite like Senator Lindsey Graham.”

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who entered the Senate alongside Graham more than two decades ago, wrote that “it is hard to convey the loss that I feel knowing that we will no longer have his leadership in the Senate.”

Rep. Michael McCaul called Graham “a giant” in American politics and urged Congress to pass new sanctions on Russia in his memory.

“This is a loss not only for his family and friends like me, but for the entire nation,” McCaul said. “We shared a similar world view that America is strongest at home when we are strong abroad.”

He added that he would introduce House legislation mirroring Graham’s sanctions proposal and said, “Congress should pass it in his honor.”

Even political opponents praised Graham’s commitment to public service.

South Carolina Democrat James Clyburn said that although their relationship was “sometimes partisan and passionate,” it was “always pleasant and productive on behalf of the people of South Carolina.”

“For more than three decades, we served the people of the Palmetto State together in Congress,” Clyburn said. “Throughout that time, we maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political differences were significant.”

Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews likewise urged South Carolinians “to set partisanship aside and offer gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina.”

{Matzav.com}

The Ozherover Rebbe was rushed to the hospital on Sunday morning after suffering a heart attack while at his beis medrash in Bnei Brak.

The Rebbe reportedly began feeling severely unwell while in his beis medrash on Rechov Chazon Ish.

Hatzalah volunteers and Magen David Adom emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they provided him with initial medical treatment.

After undergoing a preliminary evaluation, doctors determined that the Rebbe had suffered a heart attack. He was transported by Magen David Adom ambulance to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, where he was taken for an emergency cardiac catheterization procedure.

All are asked to daven for Rav Tanchum Binyamin ben Miriam.

{Matzav.com}