QUICK HITS

1 Quake shakes states:

Parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island experienced a 3.6 magnitude earthquake Sundaymorning, with the quake’s epicenter at Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. No damage or injuries were immediately reported, but “this is the strongest earthquake that we’ve recorded” in southern New England, said Paul Caruso, a geophysicist with the U. S. Geological Survey.

2 Thais defy police: Prodemocracy protesters in Thailand were confronted by riot police and sprayed by water cannons Sunday as they tried to approach Bangkok’ s Grand Palace to deliver letters about political grievances addressed to the country’s king. Prodemocracy protesters have sought to reform the country’ s monarchy with almost daily demonstrations.

3 George W. Bush congratulates Biden: On Sunday, GeorgeW. Bush, the 43rd president, congratulated Joe Biden on becoming president-elect. Bush said he had spoken with Biden and thanked the president- elect for what Bush called “the patriotic message” in Biden’s national address on Saturday night afterbeing calledthe election winner. Bush is the most prominent Republican to congratulate the Democrat so far.

4 4 Gasprices fall: The average U.S. price of regular- grade gasoline fell3 cents over the past twoweeks to$ 2.19pergallon, 50cents cheaper than ayear ago. The nation’s lowest average price is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at $ 1.72pergallon.