Stats & Stripes 1/14

11,091—Number of athletes expected at the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan. 

52—Number of places around the world the New York Times recommends people go in 2020. No. 1 on their list? Washington, D.C. 

24—The minimum number of lives the Australian bushfires have claimed according to CNN. Recovery costs are estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Thousands of homes have been damaged and more than a half-million animals have died. 

14—Days until the end of the quarter. 

5%—The percent of the Sussex royals’ expenses paid for by the UK taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant. Harry and Meghan, the Sussexes, have announced as part of their departure from their roles as “senior” members of the royal family that they will no longer accept money from the Sovereign Grant. 

The announcement surely caused a rift in the royal family, but one that was a long time coming, indicated not only by the Sussexes battle with the press, but their decision to move off of the property owned by Harry’s brother, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and their choice to not spend the holidays with his family at the Queen’s estate in Sandringham, but rather with Meghan’s mother in Canada. It is reported that the Sussexes are likely to reside primarily in Canada from now on. 

3rd place—The Varsity Poms finished 3rd place at their first competition, the Northwest Jaguar Invitational Saturday, Jan. 11. Blake’s drumline won “Best Drumline.” Way to go, Bengals! 

1.24—Date of the 12th annual MCPS Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) fair at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building III, in Rockville. The fair will be held from 6-8 PM and on-site admissions will take place from 3:30-8 PM. Scholarship information, FAFSA assistance, panel sessions, and more will be available at this event. Students in grades 8-12 are eligible to attend.