82
What is it? The number of security personnel killed in 2016 in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Why is it important? A turmoil-filled year witnessed insurgency among citizens, militant-attacks on army camps, firing from Pakistani military, and avalanches, and resulting in the highest toll since 2008, when 85 of the security forces had died. This year, 15 army men have fallen prey to avalanches and snowfall-related mishaps.
Tell me more: The toll in the state used to be higher in 2005-2007, when it ranged between 122-244.
Rs 5,582.83 crore
What is it? The amount withdrawn between December 7, 2016 and January 11, 2017, from Jan Dhan accounts
Why is it important? The net withdrawal has brought down the total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts to Rs 69,027.17 crore on January 11, 2017. Deposits dropped by 7.5% from roughly a month ago. Post-demonetisation these accounts had a record-high of Rs 74,610 crore in the week ended December 7, 2016, when deposits grew at 63.5%, again, in roughly a month. At work could be the curbs on Jan Dhan account operations from mid-November, such as a deposit limit of Rs 50,000 and withdrawal limit of Rs 10,000.
Tell me more: The number of Jan Dhan accounts, meanwhile, grew at 1.2% between November 9 (255 million) and December 7 (258 million) and 3.3% between December 7 and January 11 (267 million). The number of Aadhar-seeded Jan Dhan accounts are 154 million. TheIT department has also been tracking undisclosed deposit discrepancies in Jan Dhan accounts.
Rs 4,890 crore
What is it? State-owned telecom operator, BSNL’s loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 of FY17.
Why is it important? Even as private telecom players battle it outwith an aggressive newcomer taking hits on their profitability, BSNL is seen paring its losses by 20.1% from Rs 6,121 crore in the same period a year ago. A boost in seasonal income in the fourth quarter is further expected to cut losses, bringing down the full year’s figure. In FY16, losses decreased by 52.9%.
Tell me more: Its service revenue increased by 6% and overall revenue by 7% in the nine months.
89
What is it? The number of singles titles Roger Federer has won, including the latest 2017 Australian Open.
Why is it important? In the post-1968 Open era in tennis, Federer has the third-highest singles titles, after Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94) and he is still playing. His 18th Grand Slam win could further his claim to men’s tennis’ ‘greatest of all time’ as he won on Sunday, triumphing over Spanish Rafael Nadal. While Nadal has won more matches against Federer (66%), the latter won the crucial one marking both of their comebacks from injury this year.
Tell me more: Federer, 35, last won a Grand Slam in 2012 and he returned after overcoming a knee injury and sitting out half of last year.
600,000
What is it? The number of the premium Audi cars that parent Volkswagen will be recalling in the US.
Why is it important? Volkswagen, emerging from its global scandal of diesel engine emission-result manipulation, is facing yet another recall. Faulty airbag deployment and coolant pumps leading to overheating are two reasons for the move. These were noticed in China and Israel. Earlier this week, Volkswagen’s Porsche announced a global recall of 16,429 cars for problematic fastening screws.
Tell me more: In 2016, the ambitious German parent of brands like Audi, VW and Skoda, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley among others, had to recall VW and Audi cars for fuel leaks, besides those with fudged emissions test records of their diesel engines worldwide.