News in Numbers: $2.1 bn is estimated worth of gold in colonial-era mines
In other news, Johnson & Johnson will pay $30 billion to acquire Switzerland's Actelion, Europe's largest biotech company
$2.1 billion
What is it? Estimated worth of gold deposits in colonial-era mines.
Why is it important? They were left untouched for 15 years. India is planning to revive them. It could ease India’s appetite for importing gold, both jewellery and bullion, as it is the world’s second largest importer. In FY2012, gold imports accounted for 35% of the current account deficit. Even though buying from abroad subsided in the first nine months of 2016, and again in December, 2016, it weighs down on India’s fiscal deficit the most, after crude oil import.
Tell me more: It has started with exploration of the reserves at Karnataka’s Kolar Gold Fields. India, on average spends $30 billion a year to import gold.
$30 billion
What is it? The amount Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will pay to take over Switzerland’s Actelion, Europe’s largest biotech company.
Why is it important? Pharma M&As are few and far between in Europe unlike the US market, and the Actelion acquisition is the continent’s biggest deal in 13 years. Johnson & Johnson will be paying $280 a share to access Actelion’s highly-specialised drugs for rare diseases which command a large margin.
Tell me more: The deal is less than 10% of J&J’s market but analysts feel the price is still high as it does not include Actelion’s R&D.
29
What is it? Grand Slam finals appearances of Serena Williams (including the upcoming 2017 Australian Open final).
Why is it important? Williams has won 79% of her Grand Slam single finals, with 22 titles in 28 finals, tying with Steffi Graf’s record. But a win in the 29th final will let her create history. It will also create deja vu as she will go up against her sister, Venus Williams, who she last played in 2009 Wimbledon finals and won.
Tell me more: Venus will be looking for an eighth Grand Slam win in a major final since her 2009 Wimbledon appearance. Serena has won 16 times and Venus 11 when playing each other in the pro circuit.
$1 trillion
What is it? The boost to global exports given by the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), to come into play in two weeks.
Why is it important? Global trade relations are poised for flux, with Trump-led US administration’s protectionist measures like withdrawing from or renegotiating trade agreements likely to increase. The TFA stands to gain poorer member nations by simplifying customs requirements, making goods transport across borders easier. This would be in sharp contrast to Trump’s intent of closing off US to outside commerce to a large extent.
Tell me more: It is WTO’s biggest accord. Three more countries are slated to ratify it for it to take effect. It could lead to 2.7% trade expansion each year till 2030.
2 minutes 30 seconds
What is it? The time to midnight, symbolic of apocalypse or total destruction of the world, on the ‘Doomsday Clock’, reset on Thursday.
Why is it important? Built in 1945, two years after the Manhattan Project that led to US’ atomic weapons, the clock, reset annually, shows how vulnerable the planet and humanity is in that year. The symbolic countdown to apocalypse, this year, is the closest to midnight in 64 years. This was last seen in 1953, at the start of the Cold War nuclear arms race between US and Russia. It is not just nuclear threats this year, but climate change, cavalier words of world leaders, fake news attacking trusted sources of information are all to blame.
Tell me more: This indication of whether the planet is safer or not for each year is done by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in consultation with its board of sponsors, which includes 15 Nobel laureates.
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