BackNews in numbers | Gold spot price up 12% this year
Indian soldier pulled out alive after six days buried in snow
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6
What is it? The number of days an Indian soldier was buried under 25 feet of snow before he was rescued from the Siachen glacier in the Himalayas.
Why is it important? Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, along with nine other fellow soldiers, was declared dead after an avalanche hit the region last week, and the army said the chances of finding anyone alive “was remote". He is in a coma state and “remains extremely critical".
Tell me more: As many as 869 Army personnel have died on the Siachen glacier due to climatic and environmental conditions till date since the Army launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984.
$1,195.4 an ounce
What is it? Gold spot price at 17:00 (GMT). An ounce is equivalent to 31.1 grams.
Why is it important? It’s up 12% this year. Investors are turning to gold, a safe haven, even as the stock markets in the US, Europe and Japan are getting hit by fears of economic slowdown.
Tell me more: The slowing global demand and speculation that there may be a delay in increase in US interest rates have led to this year’s gains as against last year’s decline of 10.4%.
₹ 1,985.8 crore
What is it? Combined net losses of three state-run banks—Central Bank of India, Dena Bank and Allahabad Bank—in the October-December quarter of 2015-16.
Why is it important? The losses are mainly due to provisions for bad loans. Provisions by these three banks increased to ₹ 3,674 crore cumulatively from ₹ 1,584 crore a year ago, after the Reserve Bank of India got more stringent about bad loans. The regulator asked banks to reclassify stressed assets that had not been put under the “bad loans" category for technical reasons.
Tell me more: Profit of Punjab National Bank tumbled 93% during the quarter. However, it was saved from posting losses after writing back ₹ 909 crore of provisions made for income tax. Other banks, including the country’s largest lender, the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India are yet to announce their third quarter results.
₹ 7,209 crore
What is it? The value of rabi crops lost to warm and dry winter in Karnataka.
Why is it important? This makes the state the first to declare failed winter harvest. Karnataka has lost rabi crop in over 70% of the sown area amid an unusually warm and dry winter, which has affected planting across the country. If the rabi crop turns disastrous, it would be the fourth consecutive crop failure for Indian farmers, further deepening rural distress.
Tell me more: The state government has asked for ₹ 1,417 crore from the Centre in assistance. According to the state, 1,002 farmers ended their lives due to agrarian problems between 1 April 2015 and 11 January 2016, breaking all previous records.
27 crore
What is it? The number of children to be covered under India’s deworming programme in 536 districts over the next one year.
Why is it important? India is home to the highest number of infections caused by parasitic worms with over 22 crore children aged 1-14 years at the risk of such infection. This nationwide programme extends its earlier scope of covering nine crore children in 277 districts in 11 high-burden states.
Tell me more: In September last year, the World Health Organization said India has been successful in achieving the global milestone of treating 50% of school-goers at the risk of worm infections. India’s next target is the coverage of 75% of school-going children at risk of infections by 2022.
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