Briefing

‘The idea of safety doesn’t exist anymore … Scary is all that exists.’

1. OMAR SHAKIR, Syrian activist, as government forces ignored a rebuke from the top U.N. human-rights official and resumed shelling the city of Homs on Feb. 14

‘There’s pretty broad agreement that the time for austerity is not today.’

2. JACK LEW, White House chief of staff, speaking about Obama’s 2013 budget proposal, which calls for spending increases in transportation, education and other areas

‘We in this state stand proud for equality.’

3. CHRISTINE GREGOIRE, governor of Washington, on its becoming the seventh U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage

‘No Child Left Behind never changed how I taught. I know what my kids need.’

4. BRIDGET COLE, a fourth-grade teacher from Colorado, after the Obama Administration freed 10 states from some of the landmark education law’s toughest requirements

‘Mom, gold is good!’

5. ADELE, singer, who won six Grammy Awards, including the prestigious trifecta of Record, Song and Album of the Year

3,281

Speed, in feet per minute, of elevators to be installed in the 128-story Shanghai Tower–twice as fast as those in the Twin Towers

$503

Closing price of one share of Apple on Feb. 13, the first time the company has surpassed the $500 mark; Apple’s 2011 fourth-quarter profits increased 118% over the same period in 2010

61%

Percentage of single men in Japan, according to a government-sponsored survey, a record high in the country

70%

Rise in the New York Knicks’ TV ratings since guard Jeremy Lin took over as a starter and led the team to a winning streak

Sources: New York Times; NBC; Reuters; AP; CBS