Numbers: Jul. 17, 2006

200,000 Estimated number of homeless veterans in the U.S.

10% Percentage of homeless vets who fought in the current conflict in Iraq or the 1991 Gulf War. About 40% fought in Vietnam

11% Decrease in the number of fatal car crashes involving 16-year-old drivers in states that impose a restriction on young motorists, such as mandatory learner’s permits or a ban on carrying passengers

1,111 Number of people killed in crashes involving 16-year-old drivers in 2004, the most recent year for which data are available; 16-year-olds have car accidents at three times the rate of 17-year-olds

1 Age of Tai Shan, the giant panda born to much fanfare at Washington’s National Zoo on July 9, 2005

1.2 million Number of people who have visited Tai Shan since he went on public display in December

102.7 db Volume of the loudest shriek emitted by tennis player Maria Sharapova during a Wimbledon quarterfinal against fellow Russian Elena Dementieva. Sharapova won the match

100 db Typical volume of a jackhammer in use

Sources: Associated Press (2); Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; AP; Washington Post (2); Daily Mail; The Observer