Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Prime Mum-ister: New Zealand PM says she’s having a baby

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WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Friday she is expecting her first baby, and is set to become the country’s first leader to give birth while in office.


The 37-year-old, who was sworn in last October, made global headlines when she slapped down pre-election questions over whether she intended to start a family, insisting pregnancy had no bearing on a woman’s career opportunities.


Ardern was all smiles on Friday as she appeared with partner Clarke Gayford at their home to announce the “unexpected but exciting” news of their first baby.


“Clark and I are really excited to share... that in June we are looking forward to welcoming our first child,” she told reporters.


“We still have to get used to saying that out loud because we’ve been keeping that to ourselves for quite a long time.”


The charismatic leader enjoyed a rapid rise to the top ranks of politics, winning office last year just months after taking the helm of the centre-left Labour Party.


“We thought 2017 was a big year!” she tweeted. “This year we’ll join the many parents who wear two hats. I’ll be PM and a mum while Clarke will be ‘first man of fishing’ and stay at home dad.” — AFP


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