Musings From Abroad

Jacinda is first world leader in 30 yrs to have a child in office

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby girl Thursday, the first world leader in nearly 30 years to have a child while in office

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2018

Africa News Watch

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby girl Thursday, the first world leader in nearly 30 years to have a child while in office.

In a post on her official Instagram account, Ardern said the baby arrived at 4.45 pm local time, weight 3.31 kilograms (7.3 pounds).

“Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We’re all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital,” she said in her post.

The 37-year-old prime minister, who was elected in October, announced her pregnancy in January via Instagram.

“Clarke and I are really excited that in June our team will expand from two to three, and that we’ll be joining the many parents out there who wear two hats,” Ardern said in the post.

Her partner, Clarke Gayford, hosts a fishing documentary series, but will give that up to be a stay-at-home dad.

Ardern has fielded several questions about whether she wanted children, but has told media outlets that she should not have to respond to such an inquiry.

“I totally accept that I will be asked that question because I chose to be honest about it,” Ardern said on “The AM Show,” a New Zealand radio program. “I think a lot of women face this dilemma in the workplace, no matter what their profession or job might be.”

In an interview with Radio New Zealand, she said, “I am not the first woman to multitask. I am not the first woman to work and have a baby; there are many women who have done this before.”

Ardern became her party’s youngest leader and New Zealand’s youngest in 150 years after defeating former Prime Minister Bill English in last October’s election. It marked the first victory for the Labour Party in nine years. She led the group for three months before being elected Prime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will fill in for Ardern while she is on parental leave for six weeks.

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Musings From Abroad

China supports South Africa on BRICS summit— Report

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Local media in China are reporting that the Asian giant will support South Africa to host the BRICS summit later this year.

South Africa has come under diplomatic pleasure following its continued relations with Russia, with the United States alleging recently that it aided Russia with ammunition in the ongoing Ukraine war.

South Africa is under the spotlight as it decides if it would arrest Russian President, Vladimir Putin during his expected visit for the BRICS Summit in August after the International Criminal Court placed a warrant on the European leader.

But with China now backing South Africa’s stance in the international space, particularly in hosting the BRICS summit and in relations with Putin’s expected visit, it may find some courage to rebuff the West.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping is reported to have had a phone conversation with South Africa’s Ramaphosa with assurances communicated.

Musings From Abroad

Italy, Netherlands, EU set to announce aid package for Tunisia

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has said that a fresh aid package to Tunisia would be announced by the European Union alongside her country and the Netherlands on Sunday.

Meloni, who recently ended a visit to Tunisia, will visit again on Sunday with her Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte and the EU Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen with high hopes.

“It seems to me that important steps forward are being taken,” Meloni said.

There are concerns that the delay with the loan could deepen Tunisia’s financial crisis and escalate migrants’ crisis across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in Europe.

Creditors, which are largely European, want President Kais Saied to accept the terms of financial reforms by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its loan which will unlock extra funds in bilateral aid for the country.

Creditors are also refusing to provide Tunisia with long-term budget support unless the IMF agrees to a deal that assures them of repayment of its debts. They have, however, given Tunisia smaller sums to help it purchase food and fuel.

President Saied announced last week that additional taxes would be implemented as a stopgap measure before an expected IMF loan.

Tunisia is in debt to the tune of roughly 80% of its GDP, and the IMF agreed in principle last year to a new loan of nearly $2 billion to help it overcome its severe financial crisis.