In the Middle East, tensions continue to rise as Mr Trump rides roughshod over popular opinion. With the support of New Zealand First, and the Green Party, Ms Ardern became New Zealand’s third female prime minister. In response, the Tory Government has warned the universities they could face fines for failing to uphold free speech if their student unions do not give a platform to speakers. Universities should be the sacrosanct areas for free speech and they should not be used to stifle open debate. Looking ahead to 2018, tolerance is going to be a term most tested before being discarded, if New Zealand is not careful.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 29, 2017 16:18 UTC