Numbers

5 million Number of people infected with HIV in 2003, the most ever in a single year

25% Percentage of new infections that occurred in Asia, where the epidemic is spreading fastest

46.7% Percentage of U.S. adults who read a work of literature for pleasure in 2002, down from 54% 10 years earlier

36.8% Increase in the sale of religious books in 2002, compared with 2001

150 million Number of toy bracelets, rings and necklaces recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission because they contained dangerous levels of lead, the largest government recall ever issued

700,000 Number of vending machines in the U.S. that dispense toy jewelry

19 Number of contributors who raised at least $100,000 for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2000 and were made U.S. ambassadors by President Bush

5 Number of those ambassadors who used to be baseball executives

Sources: UNAIDS; New York Times (2); Mother Jones