Daily Monsoon

On the 7th of March 2025, BBC headline reads: “Teen armed with gun overpowered by passengers onboard plane”, a report by Aleks Philips. From the article: > Police in Australia have charged a 17-year-old who got on a plane with a shotgun and ammunition.> He was filmed being wrestled to the ground by passengers and crew as the aircraft prepared to take off from Avalon Airport, near Melbourne, carrying 160 people bound for Sydney on Thursday afternoon.Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. In the video, someone onboard asked the question, “How is this possible?” That is just one of many questions we could ask.

On the 6th of March 2025, BBC Headline reads: “Sweden is 'no longer a country that cannot be trusted’”, a report by Jorn Madslien. I never thought of Sweden as an untrustworthy country. That was a clever headline as it got me to click to read the whole article. This is how the article begins:> War, cross-border conflict and geopolitical upheaval are rarely deemed good for business.> Yet that appears to have been the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on two of the aggressor's neighbours to its west – Finland and Sweden.Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. Trump has been busy. I wonder whether he has read the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and decided to do everything the book says not to do.

On the 5th of March 2025, Channel News Asia reports: “Foreigners from 63 countries, territories can use QR code clearance to enter Malaysia from next year”. “QR code clearance - which is a form of passport-free travel - allows travellers to clear immigration in around five seconds, said Malaysia Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.”Hi, my name is Terence, I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. For today, I am a technology pundit.

On the 28th February 2025, Channel News Asia has a Visual Stories article, an article told through photos, titled, “Connecting with ancestral spirits, Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe keeps 200-year-old tradition alive”, an article by Fadza Ishak.When I was young, I enjoyed reading the National Geographic. But when I say read, I mean looking at the photographs. In a world before Google, YouTube, Instagram, the National Geographic photos was the rare doorway into another world. So today’s article, with all the photos that accompany the text, brings back a big dose of nostalgia.The 200 year old tradition is the Hari Moyang or Ancestor’s Day. And today in the Daily Monsoon, I, Terence, will have a look at what Hari Moyang, a tradition practised by non-Christians, can mean for Christians.

On the 25th of February 2025, BBC Headline: “Historic visual effects studio Technicolor collapses in UK”, a report by Chris Vallance and Tom Gerken. From the article:> Technicolor, the visual effects (VFX) group which has worked on films ranging from Disney's 1940 classic Pinocchio to 2024 blockbuster Mufasa The Lion King, has collapsed into administration in the UK.Hi, my name is Terence and I’m the host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith.

On the 19th of February 2025, BBC Headline reads: “'Real life Squid Game': Kim Sae-ron's death exposes Korea's celebrity culture”, a report by Kelly Ng. From the article: > Actress Kim Sae-ron's death in an apparent suicide has renewed criticism of South Korea's entertainment industry, which churns out stars but also subjects them to immense pressure and scrutiny.> Kim - who was found dead aged 24 at her home in Seoul on Sunday - had been bombarded with negative press coverage and hate online after a drink-driving conviction in 2022. Police have not provided further details about her death.> Experts found the circumstances leading to it depressingly familiar. Other celebrities also ended up taking their lives after careers upended by cyberbullying.> As Kim was laid to rest on Wednesday, analysts say they are not optimistic her death will lead to meaningful change.Hi, my name is Terence, and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. Suicide in any form is disturbing but I think it is more troubling when it’s the young who are doing it, when they have a whole life ahead of them, and for some reason, they have decided that there is no longer any hope for them, and they just end it.

On the 14th of February 2025, BBC News headline reads, “'I felt a slimy texture brush my face': Man describes being swallowed by whale”, a report by Andrea Díaz and Ayelén Oliva.From the article: > The first thing kayaker Adrián Simancas noticed after he was eaten by a whale was the slime.> “I spent a second realising I was inside the mouth of something, that maybe it had eaten me, that it could have been an orca or a sea monster," the 23-year-old told BBC Mundo.> Adrián had started to think how he might survive inside the humpback whale "like Pinocchio" - then the creature spat him back out.Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. And I think you know where I am going with today’s topic.

On the 14th of February 2025, Channel News Asia headline reads: “Snap Insight: Trump’s reciprocal tariffs put Asia’s history of trade openness at risk”. A commentary by Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation.From the article:> Mr Trump has long argued that the global trade and economic system is unfair to the US. He has aired a variety of grievances, but one point has captured his attention – the fact that each country has a different tariff schedule.> What he is now aiming to do is to reset this structure by applying “reciprocal tariffs”. This means if Country A charges a 10 per cent tariff on incoming phone cases while the US charges only 3 per cent on the same product, the US will start to apply a reciprocal tariff of 10 per cent for Country A.Hi, my name is Terence and I am your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. And today, I want to use Deborah’s article to share my insight on Trump and tariffs.

On the 13th of February 2025, BBC Headline reads: “Trump-Putin call lowers the temperature but at Ukraine's expense”, a report by Frank Gardner.From the report:> Pete Hegseth laid out in crystal clear terms where the US stands on peace for Ukraine, in words that will no doubt be welcomed by Moscow.> No US troops for Ukraine in any future security arrangement.> No likelihood of Ukraine joining NATO.> No realistic possibility of returning to its pre-2014 borders, when Russia occupied and annexed Crimea and backed insurgents in the Donbas.> These were all clearly stated goals made by President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government and they come on top of a dire situation on the battlefield, where Russia's superior numbers are enabling it to slowly push deeper into Ukrainian territory.Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. And today, we go to Ukraine.

On the 12th of February 2025, Channel News Asia headline reads: “Truck cabin found in Japan sinkhole search for driver”.From the article:> Rescuers have been struggling to find the 74-year-old driver since the truck plunged into a chasm that appeared near Tokyo two weeks ago.Later, the report continues:> "After experts analysed photos taken with a drone ... they said there's a cabin of a truck in the photos and they can't rule out the possibility that what appears to be inside is a person," local fire department official Tomonori Nakazawa told AFP.> But rescuers could not enter the sewer pipe where the truck cabin was spotted due to water flow and high levels of hydrogen sulphide gas, he said.Hi, my name is Terence, and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. Today, we look at the tail end of a disaster that started two weeks ago.

On the 10th of February 2025, BBC Headline reads: “Trump wants to end birthright citizenship. Where do other countries stand?”, a report by Luis Barrucho.From the report:> Birthright citizenship, or jus soli (right of the soil), is not the norm globally.> The US is one of about 30 countries - mostly in the Americas - that grant automatic citizenship to anyone born within their borders.> In contrast, many countries in Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa adhere to the jus sanguinis (right of blood) principle, where children inherit their nationality from their parents, regardless of their birthplace.Hi my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current affairs to matters of faith. Today we look at citizenship and birthright.

On the 5th of February 2025, the Star Online reports from Malaysia, “New rules proposed for Muslims attending non-Muslim events, funerals or houses of worship”.From the article:> Event organisers must get the authorities’ approval and the views of Islamic authorities when inviting leaders or Muslims for festive events, funerals or events held in non-Muslim houses of worship.> These were among the updates to existing guidelines involving Muslims in such gatherings, to be finalised by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) at month’s end.Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. If some people have their way, I would need to ask permission from the authorities to make any critical comments.

On the 6th of February 2025, BBC headline: “First glimpse inside burnt scroll after 2,000 years”. A report by science editor Rebecca Morelle and Senior Science Journalist Alison Francis. A volcanic eruption 2000 years ago destroyed the town of Herculaneum. In that town, there was a house, in that house, there was a library, in that library, there was a scroll, and in that scroll... nobody knew what was in that scroll because it was burnt to a charcoal crisp, but today Rebecca and Alison excitedly report, we finally know. Or will know. Because the work is ongoing but everyone is highly optimistic that hi-tech will reveal the secrets of the scroll. Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith. Today, we join a select group of people excited to finally be able to read a 2,000 year old scroll.

On the 5th of February 2025, Channel News Asia reported, “China calls for cooperation with EU amid 'global challenges’”. This is, of course, in response to American President Trump’s tariffs and threats of tariffs on, it seems to be, every country. Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current affairs to matters of faith. I want to talk tariffs. Tariffs disrupt the global economy, and they will affect those who live in South East Asia. And I will talk about tariffs one day, just not today, because I want to disclose my position regarding China.

On the 4th of February 2025, BBC Headline: “What is USAID and why is Trump reportedly poised to close it?” A report by Sean Seddon. Hi, my name is Terence, and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith.

On the 3rd of February 2025, the past week’s heavy rainfall has led to floods and landslides in Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Many have died. Even more have been evacuated from homes submerged in water or destroyed in landslides. My name is Terence, and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect current events to matters of faith.

On the 28th of January 2025, BBC Headline: “Survivors of Auschwitz deliver warning from history as memories die out”. An article by Paul Kirby. This is the Daily Monsoon. I’m Terence, your host, as I connect the news to matters of faith. Today is International Holocaust Memorial Day. That is on everybody’s mind in Europe. Today is also Lunar New Year’s Eve and that is everybody’s mind in Asia. Let’s first talk about the Holocaust, then New Year’s Eve, then how one Christian event links the two.

On the 26th of January 2025, a personal article by Fergal Keane published in the BBC: “I Spent 30 Years Searching for Secret to Happiness -- The Answer isn’t What I Thought”. This is the Daily Monsoon. I am Terence, your host for this podcast, where I interpret the news from a Christian viewpoint. And when someone says he spent 30 years searching for happiness, and the answer isn’t what he expected, that sounds like the beginning of a Christian’s testimony.

On the 18th of January 2025, on Channel News Asia, writer Kelly Ang gives us a nice wholesome family-loving article: “No phones, no scoldings: How we keep daily family dinners sacred”. The lede reads: “It has been proven that there are plenty of benefits in sharing meals regularly with your spouse and children, but what if you simply cannot do it? Here is how mum-of-five Kelly Ang guards this custom in her household.” Hi, my name is Terence and this is the Daily Monsoon, finding God’s Truth in the News. I picked this article up for the podcast because I so strongly agree with what the writer has to say, and with the Chinese New Year holidays coming up, it is just a natural reminder for everyone of the importance of family dinners.

On the 23rd of January 2025, Channel News Asia reports, “Malaysian doctor found dead at home in Sabah was not bullied; work stress a ‘major factor’: Probe”. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad vows to improve the situation at the department where pathologist Tay Tien Yaa worked. Her family had alleged she was “mistreated (and) oppressed” by a colleague. This is the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I read the news and link it to matters of faith. I am your host Terence and today we look at the tragic case of Dr. Tay Tien Yaa who was found dead in her home on the 29th of August last year.

On the 21st of January, Sophie Lemiere, writing for The Diplomat, posed as the headline: “Should AI Convert to Islam?” Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged programmers to infuse “Islamic” values into tech. This is the Daily Monsoon. My name is Terence, and there are many angles I could take on today’s topic, but for now, I will just compare what Sophie wrote to what Mark Zuckerberg said about AI in the Joe Rogan show.

On the 21st of January 2025, we who live in the East, woke up to the news that Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. My name is Terence and this is the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I interpret the news from a Christian perspective. Trump being Trump, he will pop up in future episodes. So I thought it would be good to put on the record my political affliation, and risk all of my listeners.

On the 20th of January 2025, the headline in BBC News: “TikTok restores service in US after Trump pledge”. This is the Daily Monsoon podcast, and today, let’s talk about TikTok.

On the 15th of January 2025, the headline in the South China Morning Post: “Ham sandwich scandal exposes tensions over halal certification in Malaysia”. The article written by Hadi Azmi reports the latest update on the ham and cheese scandal that has cheesed off many Malaysians. Hi, my name is Terence, and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, where we take a look at the news and see what spiritual insights are there to be gained.

On the 16th of January 2025, BBC News headline: “Israel and Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal”. The lede: “The ceasefire will begin on Sunday 19 January and will end 15 months of fighting, the US and Qatar confirm.” This is the Daily Monsoon, and I’m your host as we look at the news and interpret it from a Christian lens.

On the 15th of January 2025, Channel News Asia has a commentary from Tricia Tok titled, “A match made in policy -- should the state play cupid”. The lede reads: “Tokyo has rolled out a government-backed dating app to help singles find marriage partners. Should governments be playing matchmaker?” Hi, my name is Terence and this is the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I reflect on what I read in the news to get a Christian perspective.

On the 14th of January 2025, David Fickling writing for Bloomberg Opinion has an article titled, “Hollywood fires will cause harm long after they burn out”. Hi, this is the Daily Monsoon, my name is Terence, and today we look past the big scary disasters seen on the news to the crisis that follows, less sensational but most lasting and often more deadly.

On 13th of January 2025, the headline in the New Straits Times reads: “Looter disguised as firefighter targets LA fire victims”. Hi, my name is Terence, I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I reflect on the news of the day.

On 10th of January 2025, a report from Koh Ewe of BBC News: “How a viral post saved a Chinese actor from Myanmar’s scam centres”. My name is Terence, and I’m your host for the Daily Monsoon, a podcast where I connect the news to the Christian faith.

BBC News has a live update on their website and as I am preparing this the headline reads “Like Armageddon: Five fires rage in Los Angeles, with whole communities destroyed”. The lede is: “The two largest fires - in Palisades and Eaton - cover more than 27,000 acres in total and are 0% contained.” 27,000 acres and 0% contained. Today’s episode of Daily Monsoon will just be a short one. I just want to put two pictures side by side to make a sobering point.

On 8th January, BBC News headline: “Facebook and Instagram get rid of fact checkers”. According to this article by Liv McMahon, Zoe Kleinman and Courtney Subramanian: > Meta is abandoning the use of independent fact checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with X-style "community notes" where commenting on the accuracy of posts is left to users. Today in the Daily Monsoon, I check the facts on this article on fact-checking.

On 6th January 2025, the Associated Press reported, “A soccer-loving nun from Brazil tops the list of world’s oldest living person at nearly 117.” Today, the Daily Monsoon takes a look at what it means to live long and prosper in the new year.

On 3rd January 2025, an article by Ilsa Chan, Channel News Asia, has the headline, “Actor and F&B Entrepreneur Ben Yeo Shutting High-End Chinese Restaurant Following Losses of S$1 million over 2 years”. While everyone is still wishing each other “Happy New Year”, the Daily Monsoon will start the year by talking about happy beginnings and sad endings.

On 30 December 2024, the headline in Kotaku reads, “Champion Magnus Carlsen Rocked The Chess World By Refusing to Take Off His Jeans”. In today’s episode of the Daily Monsoon, we will take a close look at the bad boy of the chess world.

On 2nd January 2025, Channel News Asia published a commentary by Andy Loe, titled “It’s Time to Jump Off the Tuition Treadmill”. The lede says, “Grades are important, but they’re not everything.” Hi, my name is Terence, host of the Daily Monsoon podcast. For today, let’s ask a few questions on the topic, explore and reflect on what Andy Loe has to say.

On Sunday, 29th December 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed in South Korea, killing 179 passengers and crew. Each of these lives tells a story, one which their loved ones are sharing right now. While others celebrate and wish one another a happy new year, 179 families are not in any position to wish or receive such greetings.