Monday, Dec. 01, 2003

Numbers

9.3% Increase in the number of Arabs cited for offenses in Dearborn, Mich., since 9/11, mostly for housing and zoning infractions

6.7% Decrease in the number of charges against other Dearborn residents

43 million Americans without health insurance--15.2% of the population

54.5% Portion of this group that is 18 to 34 years old

52.6% Portion that is black or nonwhite Hispanic

$13 million Cost to the city of Seattle resulting from riots during the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting

$8.5 million Amount set aside in the $87.5 billion Iraq-aid package to help Miami plan security during international trade talks held there last week

1.4 million U.S. college students studying at least one foreign language, the most in any year since 1972

10,596 Students learning Arabic, up from 5,505 in 1998

88 Weeks of study believed necessary to become proficient in Arabic

Sources: Associated Press; the New York Times; the Honolulu Advertiser