Briefing

2 minute read
TIME

‘The most difficult time in any transition is when we think that success is in sight.’

1. AUNG SAN SUU KYI, Burmese opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy, updating President Obama on her country’s democratic reforms during his historic visit

‘Most people on public assistance don’t have a character flaw. They just have a tough life.’

2. LINDSEY GRAHAM, Republican Senator from South Carolina, criticizing Mitt Romney’s assertion that most people voted for President Obama because he gave them “gifts”

‘We recommend that no Hamas operatives…show their faces above ground in the days ahead.’

3. THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES, in a tweet from @idfspokesperson on Nov. 14, announcing the beginning of military strikes in Gaza; it is believed to be the first armed conflict that was declared via social media

‘We’re both going to have to give up some of the things that we know are a problem.’

4. HARRY REID, Senate majority leader, addressing how Republicans and Democrats have to compromise to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff, a series of spending cuts and tax increases set to take effect in the New Year

‘It’s basically fused to my skin at this point.’

5. CHRIS CHRISTIE, governor of New Jersey, poking fun at his official gubernatorial fleece–which he has worn throughout Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath–during a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live; he also thanked first responders and the Red Cross

380,000

Cruise-ship passengers who visited Boston this year–a record high, according to the Massachusetts Port Authority

12

Estimated liberals who withdrew from the 100-person assembly drafting Egypt’s new constitution, saying the Islamist-dominated group was ignoring their suggestions

90%

Percentage of middle- and high-school-age boys who said in a survey they exercise at least occasionally to build muscle

14

Collegiate teams in the Big Ten athletic conference, now that Rutgers and the University of Maryland have joined

Sources: CBS; NBC; Twitter; New York Times; Saturday Night Live

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