Hard Numbers: Super Bowl milestone, Argentina’s birth tourism, Gabrielle pummels New Zealand, Cyprus votes

Philadelphia Eagles starJalen Hurts during the warm up before the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles starJalen Hurts during the warm up before the Super Bowl.
REUTERS/Brian Snyder

2: For the first time in history, the two starting quarterbacks in the Super Bowl on Sunday were Black. It’s a historic milestone for a sport traditionally plagued by racist hypotheses about intelligence and leadership.

5,000: More than 5,000 Russian women in the late stages of pregnancy have entered Argentina in recent months in hopes of delivering there, which would give the infants automatic Argentine citizenship – and fast track citizenship for the parents. Argentine authorities are reportedly carrying out raids on shady “birth tourism” operators that provide pregnant women with fake documentation to enter the country.

18: Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been left without power as severe storm Gabrielle (hello!) pummels the north and makes its way toward Auckland, the most populous city. Authorities expect up to 18 inches of rain in some areas and nightmarish wind conditions.

52: Former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides – an independent formerly of the right-wing DISY party – reaped 52% in a runoff vote on Sunday to become Cyprus' new president. He beat independent Andreas Mavroyiannis, a former representative to the UN, whose backing by a party with communist roots could have alienated some voters. Christodoulides will have his job cut out for him in reviving stalled reunification talks with Northern Cyprus and in tackling inflation.

More from GZERO Media

- YouTube

If China, Japan, and South Korea formed a united front, what kind of leverage would they have in negotiating against US tariffs? I think they are heading in that trajectory. The question is, will it be enough to keep Syria stable and away from descending into civil war? Why does Trump want to take Greenland? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week on World In :60.

President Donald Trump, seen here on the South Lawn of the White House in February, is set to unveil his "Liberation Day" tariffs.

REUTERS/Craig Hudson

T-Day has arrived. On Wednesday afternoon, Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on US trade partners will take effect immediately after a Rose Garden announcement.

A giant screen in Beijing shows news footage about the People's Liberation Army (PLA) joint army, navy, air and rocket forces drills around Taiwan on April 1, 2025.
REUTERS/Florence Lo

Beijing conducted one of the largest and most provocative military drills ever around the island -- but why now?

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a briefing, Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 28, 2025.
Ukrinform/ABACA via Reuters Connect

Vladimir Putin insists that Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer Ukraine’s legitimate president because his government has imposed martial law and delayed elections that were due in 2024.

President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office flanked by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the day he signed executive orders for reciprocal tariffs, Feb. 13, 2025.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Details of a group chat between senior administration officials that leaked last week – the so-called Houthi PC small group – provide allies, adversaries, and watchers with revealing insights into the administration’s foreign policy blueprint. Lindsay Newman explores the takeaways.

Proud Source became a Walmart supplier in 2021. Today, its team has grown by 50%, and it's the largest employer in Mackay, ID. Walmart supports small businesses across the country, and nearly two-thirds of Walmart's product spend is on products made, grown, or assembled in America. It’s all a part of Walmart’s $350 billion investment in US manufacturing, which helps small businesses grow and supports US jobs. Learn more about Walmart’s commitment to US manufacturing.

As Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary, Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with company cofounder Bill Gates for a special episode of Tools and Weapons. They discuss Gates’ new memoir, "Source Code: My Beginnings," reflect on Microsoft’s impact over the past five decades, and explore why the next phase of the digital revolution is shaping up to be the most exciting yet. Subscribe and find new episodes monthly, wherever you listen to podcasts.