Quotables

"98.83 percent."

The share of South Sudanese voters who chose for the region to separate from the north, according to official referendum results. South Sudan is set to become an independent country by July, though fighting among army units did break out in some border areas between north and south following the announcement of referendum results.

"Dear Egyptian rioters, Please don't damage the pyramids. We will not rebuild. . . . Thank you, The Jews."

Michael Horowitz, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

"He has less of a residency claim to Egypt than Rahm Emanuel has to Chicago."

Columnist Charles Krauthammer, arguing against a government post for Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei. The leader recently returned to Egypt after living outside the country for decades.

"I don't regard my marathon year as torture. It is more like a regular job."

Belgian runner Stefaan Engels, who ran 365 marathon races in a year, a new world record. As a child, Engels suffered from asthma.

"There is no question that Phil is capable of feeling empathy . . . but he is absolutely incapable of error."

Mike Johnston, vice president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, defending the groundhog's "prediction" of an early spring as much of the country recovered from the worst blizzard in decades.

"He's adorable, but he's also substantial."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, commenting after the Super Bowl on pop star Justin Bieber.