Monday, May. 07, 2001

Numbers

By Melissa August, Anthee Carassava, Ellin Martens, Benjamin Nugent, Joseph Pierro, Sora Song, Heather Tesoriero and Josh Tyrangiel

140 Number of inspections initially planned for this year by the organization entrusted with verifying a 1997 international treaty banning chemical weapons

60-80 Actual number the group will carry out because the U.S., Russia and other countries have not paid their dues

6.5 Percentage increase in prize money for women's singles at this year's Wimbledon tennis championships

4.7 Percentage increase in men's prize

$53,625 Difference in prize money between the sexes. Advantage: men

$199 million Amount lost by the U.S. Postal Service in the past fiscal year

5 Days of delivery the USPS is now considering in order to save money

.5 Number of seasons Bette Midler's sitcom Bette lasted

$1 million Amount Midler will be paid by Simon & Schuster for Canceled, a book about the failed show

Sources: New York Times (1 and 2), Wall Street Journal and Inside.com