Numbers: Feb. 28, 2005

57% Increase in the percentage of annual deaths in South Africa from 1997 to 2003, attributed mostly to AIDS

77 to 100 Ratio of male-to-female deaths in the 25-to-29 age group in 2003, a reversal of the 1997 ratio in which 149 men died for every 100 women

157,281 Number of illegal immigrants deported from the U.S. in 2004, a 45% increase since 2001

71% Proportion of last year's deportees returned to Mexico, the most common destination

6 min. 21 sec. Amount of time a typical half-hour local-TV-news broadcast devotes to sports and weather

38 sec. Amount of time a typical half-hour local newscast devotes to U.S. foreign policy, including the war in Iraq

$452,800 Winning bid for a maple desk owned by John F. Kennedy and monogrammed with his initials, the most expensive family item auctioned last week

$39,000 Winning bid for a Kennedy-owned needlework panel of a spaniel. The presale estimate topped out at $125

Sources: New York Times (2); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; USA Today; Lear Center Local News Archive (2); Sotheby's (2)