Clearing Off The Desk -- Again -- October 11, 2023

As noted earlier, I am reading Linda Porter's 1995 biography of Mary 1, the first queen of England. I'm about halfway through the book; Henry VIII had just died leaving a widow queen, Katherine Parr, and at least three who could claim rights to the throne: Henry's third child, and first son; his first daughter, Mary, and, his second daughter. 

At the time of Henry's death, Edward was nine years old and older men would rule for him until he reached majority. He died at the age of sixteen. Mary, about 31 years old was old enough to be Edward's mother and in many respects she was. He had never know his own mother, Jane Seymour, who died shortly after he was born. The third stepchild, was Elizabeth, about 13 years old, and very closer in age to her younger brother. 

And, then the intrigue begins.

Break, break.

This intrigue about the rights to the throne after Henry VIII dies is incredibly interesting, and I am reading the story at exactly the same time that it's being reported that Exxon will buy Pioneer Natural Resources for $60 billion. With the agreement, comes a $20-billion termination fee. I don't know how these things play out, but if Elizabeth Warren is able to influence the regulators to quash the deal, I assume there is no termination fee, unless, of course, the regulators allow the deal with some caveats that Exxon may not be willing to accept. 

As noted, I have no idea of how this works. And, I'm sure if it goes to court anything can happen.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that OXY is now interested and willing to pay $75 billion. Again, just rumors. 

Some say they've seen OXY's jet winging its way to Omaha, NE. 

Meanwhile, XOM's stock has fallen significantly in value today.

So, just as the throne of England was up for grabs after Henry VIII died, so it seems the Permian assets of Pioneer Natural Resources are also up for grabs.

This is just rambling comments by someone who knows not how these things work. Take it all with a grain of salt.

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API 

Pending. Amazing how really poor "google" is for real-time results, but that's another story. Twitter is so much better.

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State Rule

From Bloomberg law today:

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Synonyms

Raze.

Gaza.

Hamas.

The question: which way do the Gaza refugees flee?

I know about the geopolitics in this area but looking at the map, they have but one choice.

The big question: why now? Why did Hamas attack now. Not two months ago; not six months ago; not a year from now? Al Jezeera provides three reasons, two of which are nothing new. The third reason: normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia were but a weekend away. 

Al-Jezeera notes that it appears that Hamas has no end-games, and from the perspective of some, Hamas by showing atrocities on television has overplayed its hand.

Note: it goes without saying that US politics is such that President Biden has but one choice.

Al-Jezeera also notes that Hezbollah has not opened a second front. Hezbollah has shown a little response but this is mostly for show and the Israelis have now had time to prepare for a second front.