BackNews in Numbers | India world’s fifth-largest spender on defence
In other news, 24 CRPF personnel were killed by Naxal fighters in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh
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$55 billion
What is it? The estimated expenditure by India on military resources.
Why is it important? The amount made it the world’s fifth-largest spender on defence, ahead of one-time military heavyweights such as UK, Japan and Germany. China’s spend, at the second spot after the US, was nearly four times of India’s, a key force in Asia’s geopolitics and sharing with India both border issues and friendly trade.
Tell me more: India was the seventh-highest spender in 2015, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
24
What is it? The number of personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, the main counter-Naxal task-force, killed in the latest Naxal attack, in Chhattisgarh.
Why is it important? The toll, which might rise, makes the attack one of the deadliest by the Naxals. The encounter between 150 security personnel and 300 Naxal fighters started at noon in the notorious Sukma district.
Tell me more: The battalion was providing security cover for road construction.
60%
What is it? The share of 2,000 notices sent by the income tax department which have bounced back.
Why is it important? Following the drive against black money and demonetisation, the IT department had identified nearly 1.8 million people with suspicious cash deposits, or having bought paid for expensive goods with cash. While the goal was to sent notices to all, the large swathe of 1,200 notices, from those already sent, bouncing back reiterates the IT department’s suspicions. It shows people provided fake addresses and email IDs to escape detection.
Tell me more: The department has a special team to investigate such cases further.
750,000
What is it? The number of children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi on whom a new malaria vaccine, RTS,S, will be tested.
Why is it important? The vaccine, which prepares the immune system to fight malaria parasite, has the potential to save thousands of lives. Malaria claims 400,000 lives every year globally.
Tell me more: In India, over 1 million people contract malaria every year. 80% of malaria cases are reported in sparsely populated areas that account for less than 20% of the population, underlining the difficulty in treating them.
175kg
What is it? The possible payload weight for India’s proposed Venus mission.
Why is it important? While 175 kg suggests a modest goal, the key is the destination. After Mars mission in 2014, this is the second planet the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is looking at.
Tell me more: Isro has invited proposals for experiments that can be done as part of the mission.
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