Briefing

THE WEEK

THE U.S. MADE A DEAL WITH IRAN

Kobe Bryant

Signed two-year, $48.5 million contract with the L.A. Lakers

GOOD WEEK

BAD WEEK

Shaquille O’Neal

Slipped and fell on the set of Inside the NBA

‘We understand that many passengers would prefer that voice calls not be made on airplanes . I feel that way myself.’

TOM WHEELER, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, which announced that it may consider lifting its ban on in-flight calls

$112,015

Selling price for a 50-year-old Superman comic book that features President John F. Kennedy in disguise as Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent

1 MILLION

Number of Xbox One units sold during the console’s first 24 hours of availability, matching the massive debut of PlayStation 4

‘I’m not going to stand here in some triumphal moment and suggest to you that this is an end unto itself.’

JOHN KERRY, U.S. Secretary of State, suggesting that the deal to temporarily halt Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions is merely groundwork for further negotiations

‘These tactics have … even been used to block common sense.’

PRESIDENT OBAMA, after U.S. Senate Democrats approved a voting reform that would allow filibusters intended to block the appointment of the President’s judicial and executive nominees to be broken by a simple majority (51 votes) as opposed to a supermajority (60 votes)

‘I AM THE PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS.’

XIOMARA CASTRO, leftist candidate in Honduras’ presidential election, in a tweet claiming victory over conservative opponent Juan Orlando Hernández, who also claimed victory; as of press time, the election was too close to call

Approximate length, in feet (9 m), of a newly discovered 100-million-year-old dinosaur, Siats meekerorum, that was likely the top predator of its time

‘I don’t know who will win, but I do know who should find this most ironic if she loses.’

SARAH SILVERMAN, at the American Music Awards, presenting the Favorite Soul/R&B Album contenders: Justin Timberlake, “a white kid from The Mickey Mouse Club”; Robin Thicke, “son of the dad from Growing Pains”; and Rihanna, “a strong, soulful Caribbean woman of color.” Timberlake won

Sources: Wall Street Journal; Washington Post (2); Reuters; AP