What we’re watching Wednesday

Good morning! Here are some of the stories we’re following this a.m.

Congress

• The bipartisan budget deal that cleared the filibuster threshold in the Senate Tuesday is [expected to be passed late afternoon](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bipartisan-budget-agreement-nears-final-passage Wednesday. The bill would then move on to President Obama for his signature.

  Ukraine

• Ukraine’s prime minister Mykola Azarov hailed a financial aid and natural gas deal with Russia, saying the agreement will prevent the country’s economic collapse.

Syria

• Syrian government aircraft continue their airstrikes on Aleppo for the fourth straight day. The attacks are reportedly targeting opposition forces in several neighborhoods. In the first three days of the strikes, the Associated Press reports, have killed more than 100 people according to activists.

Philippines

• Secretary of State John Kerry visited Tacloban, one of the hardest hit areas by Typhoon Haiyan. Kerry said the damage was “devastation that is unlike anything that I’ve seen.” The typhoon struck the country in early November.

Mega Millions

• Two winning tickets were sold for the Mega Millions jackpot, with a prize estimated at $645 million, were sold in San Jose, Calif. and Atlanta.