Jae Koo: From The Torch Podcast Network, This is The Chimes Weekly.
I’m Jae Koo, here to start off your week with major headlines and what’s coming up.
It’s Monday, September 22nd.
On September 17, Israel launched a massive ground offense into Gaza City, backed by air and artillery strikes that hit more than 150 targets. An evacuation corridor for Palestinians was opened within the heavy bombardments. According to Reuters, at least 63 people were killed across Gaza, with most of those deaths in Gaza City and the death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 65,000 since the war began nearly two years ago.
A drone strike on a mosque in El Fasher, Sudan, killed 78 people, a senior medical source told the BBC. About 20 others were injured, and recovery of bodies from the rubble is still ongoing. The attack happened during morning prayers on Friday in the city, which has been the site of heavy fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces. The strike comes as the RSF renews its offensive on El Fasher, the last major army stronghold in Darfur and home to more than 300,000 trapped civilians. Analysts warn the city could soon fall, cementing RSF control over western Sudan and deepening ethnic violence already documented by the UN.
For Christians, these tragedies remind us to pray for those caught in war, regardless of faith or nation. This morning, pray for love and peace.
On September 14, A federal travel ban citing security concerns blocked international students from 19 countries from entering the U.S. According to the LA Times, the ban blocks those students from obtaining visas and prevents them from starting classes at universities this fall. The policy impacts students across the country, including Biola.
Reported crime on the Los Angeles Metro has surged with the pause of its tap-to-exit policy, with incidents up 116% at Union Station and 67% at the North Hollywood station, according to Fox 11. The tap-to-exit policy hoped to curb crimes and drug use on the Metro; however, it was struck down due to other safety concerns proposed by the fire department. The crime spike raises concerns for commuters in the LA area including students from across LA county.
However, improvements to the LA Metro are being made with a recent opening of an A Line extension to Pomona, expanding service east to improve commuting options. The Metro extended service to Pomona on Friday, adding four new stations. Commuting throughout LA county using public transit is becoming more accessible.            
For all of the Los Angeles Dodgers fans out there, September 18 was a bittersweet day with the announcement that pitcher Clayton Kershaw will be retiring after the 2025 season. Kershaw had his final regular-season home start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants, the end of his 18 season run with the Dodgers. The results were unavailable at recording time. Kershaw is an 11-time All-Star and hit 3,000 strikeouts in July.
The U.S. has seen a tremendous increase in the price of coffee after rising temperatures in Brazil and flooding in Vietnam has destroyed coffee crops in two of the world’s top exporting countries. Additionally, an increase in tariffs on Brazil to 50% has added to the price increase. The effects leave American coffee shops looking elsewhere to source their beans, and college students caffeine deprived. Bring back $4 coffees.
That’s all for last week’s headlines. Now, let’s dive into what’s happening this week at Biola.
Tomorrow evening, Biola is hosting a traveling exhibit called “Heading Home: Glimpses of New Jerusalem.” The exhibit is a multimedia experience documenting a four-thousand-mile pilgrimage of Christians, including President Barry Corey and his wife.
A film screening and artist panel will be held tomorrow for the event at 6:30 p.m. in Cavalry Chapel. At 8 p.m., there will be a dessert reception and gallery viewing at the Green Art Gallery, and at 9:10 p.m., there will be an Afterdark chapel featuring Kieren Dodds, the photographer of the exhibit.
The exhibit itself is currently open to the public at the Green Gallery. It will be open until this Thursday.
Also this Thursday, Campus Engagement is hosting its Fiesta Latina event on Metzger Lawn at 7 p.m. This event celebrates Hispanic and Latin American cultures with booths filled with food, entertainment, and opportunities to learn about different cultures. This event is part of Biola's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is currently ongoing until October 15. 
The Conservatory of Music will be hosting a performance in the Lansing Recital Hall this Friday at 7:30 p.m. featuring guest pianists Giorgi Latso and Anna Fedorva-Latso, otherwise known as “The Latsos”. The Latsos are an American husband-wife team initially formed in the city of Vienna in 2013. They are internationally recognized, and have performed in Europe, Russia, the Americas and Asia. This is a paid event, and tickets can be purchased on Biola's event page.
A piano masterclass will also be hosted this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. also in the Lansing Recital Hall. The masterclass is free for all to attend.
And that’s all for this week. 
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To read stories from The Chimes, see our show notes, or head over to our website at ChimesNewspaper.com.
The Chimes Weekly is a production of The Chimes Media Group and The Torch Podcast Network. 
This episode was produced by Jae Koo with headlines written by Marc Aguilera, Matthew Garcia, Reagan Glidewell and Jason Lee. This episode was engineered by Jason Lee. Our theme music is from Warner Chappell Productions. Our managing producer is Reagan Glidewell, and Thomas Rakhola is our Editor-in-chief.
I’m Jae Koo, and we’ll see you all next week.