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Top 5 at 5: Can Hostile Activism Solve the World's Woes?

Professor Peter Beattie, Political Economist & Political Psychologist, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

31-Jan-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Can Hostile Activism Solve the World's Woes?

Trust in governments, businesses, and media is collapsing, with many now justifying extreme activism—including property damage and disinformation—to force change. With political economist and political psychologist Professor Peter Beattie, we dive into what the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals about this deepening crisis, as economic despair and AI-driven job fears fuel calls for drastic action.

Other stories we covered:

• Trump’s aid freeze sparks global humanitarian crisis: US President Donald Trump’s 90-day freeze on foreign aid has halted vital funding for healthcare, education, and refugee programs worldwide. With US-funded organizations scrambling to cope, Debbie Stothard, founder of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma unpacks the dire consequences, especially for grassroots aid efforts.

• Batu Arang residents fight RM4.5b WTE incinerator: Residents of Batu Arang are protesting a massive waste-to-energy plant over fears of fire hazards, land erosion, and pollution. As Malaysia pushes forward with incinerators to tackle its mounting waste crisis, Mageswari Sangaralingam, Senior Research Officer at Sahabat Alam Malaysia weighs in on whether this is truly a sustainable solution.

• Cikgu Nazmi among world’s best teachers: Cikgu Muhammad Nazmi of SK Long Sebangang, Sarawak has been named a Top 10 finalist for the 2025 Global Teacher Prize, earning international recognition for his impact on students and communities. He shares his vision for education if he wins, while past finalist Samuel Isaiah reflects on what this honor means for Malaysian teachers.

• 'Forever chemicals' found in Europe’s mineral water: A new study has found alarmingly high levels of toxic TFA chemicals in Europe’s bottled mineral and spring water, raising serious health concerns. Hydrochemistry expert Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaharin Aris from UPM explains the dangers of these pollutants and how they’ve infiltrated even underground water sources.

Image Credit: shutterstock.com

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Alia Zefri, Juliet Jacobs, Tee Shiao Eek

Presented by: Sharaad Kuttan


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Categories:  politics,  government,  international,  environment,  corruption,  Law/Activism,  controversies,  education

Tags:  government trust,  rebellion,  foreign aid freeze,  healthcare aid,  batu arang protest,  environmental protest,  cikgu nazmi,  edelman trust barometer,  donald trump,  incinerator,  waste management,  Global Teacher Prize,  forever chemicals,  mineral water,  public health, 


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