Grant Robertson

Race on to replace Ardern as New Zealand prime minister

Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation sparked a push on Friday for New Zealand to choose its first Maori prime minister, as a small pack of candidates emerged for the top job.

Ardern, a global figurehead for progressive politics, stunned New Zealand on Thursday by announcing her abrupt exit from office, less than three years after securing a second term in a landslide election win.

New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, an icon to many, to step down

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whose empathetic handling of the nation's worst mass-shooting and health-driven response to the coronavirus pandemic led her to become an international icon but who faced mounting criticism at home, said Thursday she was leaving office.

Fighting back tears, Ardern told reporters in Napier that Feb. 7 would be her last day as prime minister.

Emergency meeting at the WHO: The worst COVID-19 strain so far?

Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa, conveyed to WHO representatives his concerns regarding COVID variant B.1.1.529, which is feared to be the worst variant of COVID identified so far.
After that, WHO decided to hold an extraordinary session, De Oliveira told Financial Times.