Hard Numbers: the Picasso pigeon, Trump's environmental rollbacks, Thai protesters flock to parliament, Zimbabwe's inflation plan

A two-year old female pigeon named New Kim, that will set a new world record price, is seen in Knesselare

1.9 million: After a competitive bidding war between two Chinese parties, a pigeon racing bird sold at a Belgian auction for a whopping $1.9 million, outpacing the previous sale record of $1.5 million. "You could compare it to a Picasso painting," one expert said of the novelty bird named New Kim. The pigeon racing sport, which dates back to the 1800s, involves the birds being released into the wild hundreds of miles from home. The first to return home is the winner!

100: The Trump administration has rolled back — or is still in the process of rolling back — at least 100 US environmental climate policies linked to clean air, water pollution, wildlife preservation and toxic chemicals. The New York Times has analyzed data collected by Columbia and Harvard Law Schools, revealing that under President Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency has prioritized the dissolution of Obama-era environmental protection policies.

1,000: At least 1,000 Thai protesters gathered outside the country's parliament in Bangkok as lawmakers were debating proposals to amend seven draft amendments to the constitution, a key demand of the country's dynamic pro-democracy movement. As more protesters flocked there on Tuesday, police fired teargas, sparking the most violent clashes since the youth-led anti-government movement mobilized in the summer.

471: Zimbabwe's government has released a new plan to lower its inflation rate from 471 percent to a single-digit figure. The recovery plan will be driven by investment in the mining and agricultural sectors, as well as an IMF reform program, the government says. But many observers remain skeptical of meaningful progress, because Zimbabwe's government has long been riddled in graft and the government has often printed money to cover expenses, creating an economic catastrophe.

More from GZERO Media

- YouTube

China is going all in on renewables, breaking monthly records on clean energy installation and generation. Bill McKibben tells Ian Bremmer that Beijing's bet on solar and wind gives them a competitive edge on a new episode of GZERO World.

Stephen Graham, winner of Best Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Owen Cooper, Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and Erin Doherty, Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, for "Adolescence", Best Limited or Anthology Series pose with their awards at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 14, 2025.
REUTERS/Daniel Cole

8: Netflix teen murder series "Adolescence" won eight Emmys including for best limited series. Supporting actor Owen Cooper,15, became the youngest male actor to win an Emmy.

Senior U.S. and Chinese led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang meet to discuss trade and economic issues and TikTok, in Madrid, Spain, September 14, 2025.
United States Treasury/Handout via Reuters.

In an announcement teeming with viral potential, the White House said the US and China have outlined a deal for TikTok to continue operating in the US.

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a letter from Britain's King Charles as he meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 27, 2025.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

As US President Donald Trump travels to the United Kingdom this week, there is an unnerving sense in which the ghost of Christmas past will be greeting the potential ghost of Christmas yet to come.