Zelenskyy in Washington: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was welcomed to Capitol Hill this morning by both Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. They escorted him into a meeting where Zelenskyy was going to try to persuade Republicans not to block an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. He then was to meet with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson who has been opposing the aid. Zelenskyy later was headed to the White House to meet with President Biden and hold a joint news conference. Biden has proposed the $60 billion for Ukraine along with more than $40 billion in new aid for Israel. The Republicans want any new aid for Ukraine and Israel to be tied to restrictions on immigration.
Cox leaves Texas for abortion: Kate Cox, the 31-year-old Texas woman who received court permission to have an abortion only to be blocked by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Supreme Court has fled Texas to have her abortion in an undisclosed state. Cox’s doctors said the abortion was necessary to protect her health and because her fetus had an incurable genetic defect and would not survive. She had needed treatment at hospital emergency rooms four times in the past month. In Kentucky, an unnamed woman whose doctors said she must have an abortion has sued the state for the right to determine her own health care and obtain relief from Kentucky’s health care restrictions.
Houthi missile: Houthi rebels in Yemen this morning fired a missile at a Norwegian cargo ship in the Red Sea. The ship was hit. The U.S. Navy sent the destroyer USS Mason to the aid of the Norwegian vessel. The cargo ship was carrying palm oil and was headed for Italy. The Houthis have said they will fire on any ship they think is headed for Israel, which the Norwegian vessel clearly was not.
Pakistan suicide bomber: A suicide bomber drove his vehicle that was packed with explosives to a police station in northern Pakistan today and set off the explosives. Reports say at least 23 police personnel were killed and another 32 wounded. A Taliban organization in Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack. It has staged several attacks on government forces in Pakistan recently. The Taliban wants to take over Pakistan much as it did Afghanistan.
Takeover offer: Choice Hotels International today announced a takeover bid for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Patrick Pacious, president and CEO of Choice, said, “While we would have preferred to come to a negotiated agreement, the Wyndham Board’s refusal to explore a transaction has left us with no choice but to take our proposal directly to Wyndham’s shareholders.” Choice said it currently holds approximately 1.5 million shares of Wyndham common stock valued at more than $110 million. It is offering to pay Wyndham shareholders $49.50Â in cash and about a third of a share of Choice common stock for every Wyndham share.
Inflation stats: Inflation ticked down slightly in November from where it had been in October according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index rose 3.1% for the 12 months ending in November, a smaller increase than the 3.2% increase for the 12 months ending in October. The energy index fell 2.3% over the month with gasoline dropping 6%. Food went up 0.2%, in November, slightly less than the 0.3% rise in October.
