Although Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, al-Qaeda, the Islamist terror group he founded, endures in many forms around the world, according to the Telegraph, a UK based News Company. Recent events in Syria and Iraq show the continued threat that off shoot group ISIS represents.Along with ISIS and al-Qaeda, Nigerian based terror group Boko Haram has been surfacing with their continued attacks and just recent alliance with ISIS, according to CNN. The following information gathered from various news sources, including CNN, Reuters, NBC, The Telegraph UK and CBC News, show just the basics of each terror group and the damage they have already done. ISIS - Meaning of name: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Establish Date: Declared Caliphate on June 29, 2014. Member Count: 70,000 +. Number of Victims: Unknown, but constantly growing. Major regions of influence: Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Notable Events: Child soldiers, organ trafficking, hostile hostage videos.Boko Haram - Meaning of name: Western education is forbidden. Establish Date: 2002. Member Count: 7,000 - 10,000. Number of Victims: More than 11,000 since 2009. Major regions of influence: Northeastern Nigeria and Chad. Notable Events: Schoolgirl Abduction in Chibok, and Baga attack.al-Qaeda - Meaning of name: The Base. Establish Date: 1988. Member Count: 14,000 in the Middle East. Number of Victims: More than 5,000 recorded. Major regions of influence: Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula, India, Somalia and Syria. Notable Events: 1993 World Trade Center Bomb and the Sept. 11 attack.Uploaded March 12, 2015

In response to student surveys regarding the format of the upcoming Brigham Young University-Hawaii Service Association elections, the current BYUHSA presidency has launched a new election system. During a Q&A session on March 5, current President Marc Gardner, said, “We’re going with a hybrid system.” This year’s BYUHSA Presidential elections will be in two parts, he said. First, all applicants will be screened and interviewed. From there the top two to four contestants will go on to campaign and be voted on by the student body. A campaigning event will be held in the Aloha Center during elections where candidates will have booths. This will give students the opportunity to meet their future leader. In the last six months, the BYUHSA Presidency has been creating, distributing, and evaluating a survey, asking students how they would want the next election to be run, said Gardner. A total of 627 students took the survey, reported Vice President Sery Kone. The surveys found 29 percent of students wanted to elect the president by strictly voting for them, 11 percent felt the presidency should just be appointed, 54 percent wanted to see both strategies implemented. Gardner said, “We want to see students more involved in the process...we’re trying to give power to the students to be leaders within themselves.” According to BYUHSA, about 500 students vote in each election. Gardner said he hopes the new change in the election process will produce greater student turnout on voting day. Once the president is elected, two vice presidents will be appointed for their roles, he said. Unlike the president, the vice presidents are not elected into office. Gardner said BYUHSA decided to appoint the vice presidents rather than elect them because the vice president positions are tough and require candidates to have enough experience to accomplish what needs to be done. Appointing them helps ensure the best qualified candidates are selected for the position.If you’re interested in running for BYUHSA president, applications are available at the front desk of the Aloha Center. Some qualifications to run are: • Maintain good honor code standing • 3.0 GPA each semester • Must be an enrolled student • Extensive leadership experience

To ease the process of adoption, LDS Family Services has partnered with Adoption.com, one of the world’s largest online adoption agencies, says lds.org. LDS Family Services has agreed to pay the fees from adoption.com for members who meet the qualifying criteria. Members from around the world said they are feeling more optimistic about adoption.In June of last year, the church announced it would no longer operate a full-scale adoption agency, according to Deseret News. But the announcement made on March 2 offered much hope to families looking for a trusted and reliable agency to help them through the adoption process. “The Church has agreed to help them to transition to Adoption.com, the world’s largest adoption-related web site, where their exposure to women who might want to place a baby for adoption will be multiples of what we’ve ever been able to give them,” said David McConkie, adoption group manager for LDS Family Services.Elder Jerry Harris, the BYU-Hawaii Counseling Services director, who has more than 20 years of experience working with family services, said, “This will be greatly beneficial to all the LDS families out there looking to adopt. Adoption.com is one of the biggest online matching systems for adoptions around the world, and I think our LDS families will be a premium match for women looking to put their children up for adoption.”In a Church News interview, McConkie said a profile listing for couples hoping to adopt normally costs $199 a month. But the Church has offered to cover the cost for eligible adoptive parents through February 2016. To be eligible, families must submit a bishop’s recommend, be sealed in the temple, and be available to conduct and pass a home inspection and study. Once those are complete, Family Services and Adoption.com can move forward with a couple’s profile and listing. Harris said, “Adoption is expensive and a lengthy process. So to have these fees paid can be a huge help to these families. It will open doors for people who would not have been able to use these resources.”Harris continued, “This indicates how much the church wants to help couples who are desiring to adopt. It’s great to see all this coming together. What a blessing for the children and families alike. The church is focused on families and this is one more testament of that and is landmark for the church.”Uploaded March 11, 2015

Whether you’re graduating soon, looking for a career, or still trying to figure out your major, the Career Fair offered students opportunities to check out their options and make some networking connections. “I’m not really sure what jobs are out there,” said Alison Reece, a sophomore in hospitality and tourism management from Utah. “Coming to the Career Fair gives me a good focus on my studies and that way I can have an end goal or idea of what I want to do with my major. I think the school should have more career fairs to give us more of an opportunity to see what’s out there and more employers could come.”Reece wandered through the Ballroom, stopping at booths with other students interested in the various fields and futures they are pursuing. Most booths touted big banners, Famous Amos cookies, and free pens to get students’ attention, but it was the recruiters and experts who had the most to offer students with their advice for the future. Matt Alex, Willamette University recruiter and admission counselor, told students about graduate schools, “I always say it’s all about their career goals – if a student’s career goals will be aided by going straight into grad school, then great. Let’s do it. If they want to explore for a while? Figure it out, then work for a little while.” Alex said more schooling is an investment in time and money for students and their wallets: “While undergrad is generally something still for everybody and is good for career investment, grad school is a big investment, and you want to be sure it’s going to aid you in your career pursuits.” As a plug for Willamette University, he added, “We don’t require work experience, so it’s totally fine if a student wants to come right from undergrad.” He continued, “We really want good students academically, obviously. We want students who have been involved in some aspect. We do want to see students with team experience, leadership experience, maybe an internship, and something that’s going to show they are going to be working well on a team. Our students are going to be working with real clients on real projects and we want to know they can handle it.” Employers also flocked to the Ballroom to recruit and inform students about their opportunities outside of academics. Places like the National Security Agency and Starwood Hotels and Resorts gave students an opportunity to chat, pass out business cards, and take home information for future job opportunities. The State of Hawaii was represented with a booth covered in pamphlets, stickers, and pens, but it was its environmental conservation volunteer program that caught the eye of Ike Smith, an undeclared freshman from Singapore. “Can people just sign up to volunteer for helping out?” he asked. The representative behind the booth smile and passed Smith a flier. “Yes. We send kids out with employees into the field to get experience in the ocean and on the land cleaning and preserving it. Sometimes you’ll be in an office but not much.” Opportunities like the Career Fair give students a chance to find experience, volunteer work, internships, jobs, or just see what the world has to offer.Uploaded March 11, 2015

South Korean-based company Samsung released two new phones during the Mobile World Congress in Spain, according to CNET. The two phones, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge bare a similar resemblance – both run Android 5.0 Lollipop, but the Galaxy S6 Edge brings something unique to the mobile phone world. The S6 Edge’s display cascades slightly over the edge around the long sides of the phone, which allows users to see who is calling them if the phone is face-down through color-coding contacts. “The new phones look awesome. I’m sure Samsung is giving other competitors a run for their money with this unveiling,” said Jeffrey Whiting, a sophomore from Arizona studying exercise and sport science. Samsung plans on using the “edges” for a variety of new features. However, one feature that has been talked a lot about is called “People Edge,” according to Android Authority, an online website devoted to all things Android. People Edge allows you to access five of your favorite contacts from the edge and allows you to call, message, or receive notifications from them without unlocking the phone, Android Authority continued.“I think the Edge brings something unique to the table. It may not be what we need, but people will learn to adjust to it,” said Ethan Secrist, a junior from Idaho studying political science. Additionally, the devices both hold an array of features under the surface. The spec sheets read 64-bit, octa-core Exynos 7420 processors lining up alongside 16-megapixel, OIS-enhanced rear-mounted cameras, and a 5.1 inch, 2k display, according to Samsung. Samsung boasted it would have the “fastest, brightest camera on the market” and showed how it was able to illuminate a night scene, according to ABC News. On top of the already mentioned features, both the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge are outfitted with wireless charging, according to ABC News. Samsung says the devices can get enough charge for four hours of everyday use.“Wireless charging is something that Samsung is probably going to lead in. I’m impressed with all the features. Technology never ceases to amaze,” said Lauren Anderson, a sophomore from Arizona who is undeclared. Although a variety of new features were revealed, Samsung also removed some key features that set Samsung phones apart of the rest of the mobile phone world. According to CNET, the S6 and S6 Edge lack a removable battery and additional storage via microSD. The two also lack the waterproofing that the S5 came with. Both phones are Samsung’s newest mobile innovations featuring a gorilla glass build with metal borders, as opposed to the plastic build previous Samsung Galaxy phones used. Both devices will be available on April 10 in 20 countries. Uploaded March 11, 2015

Students at BYU-Hawaii said they appreciate the cultural and ethnic diversity of the student body because it changes their outlook on life and their way of thinking for the better.“It really changes the dynamic of the whole university,” said Dallen Kay, a sophomore majoring in communications from Oregon. “Just today I interacted with people from six different countries. And that’s just in passing. In the classroom is where I am so amazed at the different ideologies and cultural mix.”BYUH’s website states, “Its small campus is a unique laboratory of intercultural leadership development, where a diverse population of 2,500 students representing over 70 countries live, study, and work together.” BYUH is ranked No. 15 in the nation for ethnic diversity, with a student body composition high above the national average, according to collegefactual.com. Tucker Grimshaw, an English 101 instructor from San Diego, Calif., said, “I love teaching students from all over the world… The classroom becomes a vibrant and sacred place because we are actually learning from everyone in the room.” Grimshaw added poignantly, “The students inspire me.” Rachel Leota, a freshman political science major from Australia, reflected on her experiences at home and how the classroom has always been a multicultural experience for her. The diversity at BYUH, “helps me see how different people learn and also how their individual culture affects their education,” added Leota. Kai Hughes, a junior majoring in international cultural studies from American Samoa, said, “It’s really a blessing to be around people who share the same culture as me and with the same goals of furthering our education.” Jeffrey Huang, a senior in international business management from Arizona, said, “I knew nothing about Pacific Rim cultures before coming here, and now I have learned so much regarding values and traditions. Even my perspective on my own culture has changed.”The College Board of Education outlined the benefits of a diverse student population, which include, “promoting cross-racial understanding, breaking down racial stereotypes, and promoting livelier and more enlightening classroom discussion.” Additionally, “a student’s diversity experience overall (including but not limited to racial and ethnic diversity) is associated with higher learning such as enhanced critical thinking skills, more involvement in community service, and a greater likelihood for retention and graduation.”Besides the ethnic diversity of BYUH, the university website reported most students, “speak two or more languages, including a number who have completed missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brought together, they contribute to a vibrant campus community, where warmth and the spirit of aloha prevail.” The prime event embracing the cultural diversity on campus will light up the Cannon Activities Center at 9 p.m. on March 27 and 28. BYUHSA clubs will be highlighting their way of dance, song, and cultural presentation.Uploaded March 11, 2015

A family heirloom engagement ring was lost and found within a day because of the integrity of BYU-Hawaii students and the network of Facebook.The owner of the ring, recently engaged Gabriela Rodier, a junior from California studying exercise and sports science, said it was lost around noon on Feb. 25. “The ring is two sizes too big on me, and we hadn’t gotten it sized since we are far away from everything. I was in the GCB bathroom and took it off to wash my hands. I guess I walked away from it. I went to my next class and mentioned something about being engaged. I looked down at my hand mid-sentence, realized my ring was gone, and took off to find it. I didn’t even finish my sentence.”Rodier said she had thought it slipped off on the way to class, so she and fellow students retraced her steps and combed through grass areas with their hands. She said she went to the library to find her fiancé, Daniel Garity, a freshman from Oklahoma studying social work. Rodier said, “He was really good to me. He was like, ‘It’s okay. It’s fine. If we don’t find it, I’ll give you a lifetime supply of ring pops.’” Garity shared his perspective of the library meeting: “She came to me and looked super scared. I didn’t know what was happening, and she said she couldn’t find the ring. I was really worried that my mom would find out. It was my mother’s ring. She gave it to me to give to Gabby, and because of that, the ring had a lot more significance.”He added they had thought about making it a tradition to give their future son the ring when the time comes for him to propose. Rodier and Garity said they immediately reported it to Security, and told everyone about it as they searched. Rodier said, “So many teachers and people we didn’t even know helped look. In my next class, Brother Carter told me I could go look, and then they all prayed for me. Pictures of the ring on Facebook started going around, and it was just amazing how much people wanted to help.”Rodier said, “I was devastated. It’s the most precious possession I’ve ever owned. It’s the most expensive, sentimental, romantic thing I’ve ever had in my entire life, and I lost it within a month of being engaged. I was thinking my future mother-in-law is going to hate me. I thought I was never going to see it again, so I was pretty torn up. I have never lived in a place where you could lose something so precious and have it returned to you.”Lucky for Rodier and Garity, BYU-Hawaii is a place where something precious can be returned. Diane Fotu, a sophomore from Tonga studying elementary education, saw the ring on the counter of the GCB bathroom and picked it up, thinking someone must be missing it. In the evening, she showed it to Tonga Sablan, a senior from Washington studying international cultural studies.Sablan said, “I took a picture of it and put it on Facebook asking whose it was and when and where they lost it. I posted it, and an hour later I checked back with a lot of comments.” He said he was tagged in Garity’s Facebook post, and commented saying Diane Fotu had the ring. In a joking manner, Sablan said to Garity, “I better get an invite, or be in either one of your lines.”When Garity heard about the news around 11 p.m., he said he busted into his fiancée’s house and told her. Rodier said, “It was like getting engaged again. I was so happy. I needed to hug everyone. I couldn’t believe it.” The following morning, Rodier said she met up with Fotu to get the ring, bringing boxes of chocolate in appreciation. Fotu said, “When she gave me the box of chocolates, she told me I could have sold it for a couple hundred bucks, but that thought didn’t even occur to me. My parents taught me better.”Charles Teriipaia, a shift supervisor for BYUH Security, said, “This is the first lost engagement ring we’ve had. I think it is commendable of the students to turn it in. We tried to help, but it really is all about the integrity of the students. There are a lot of good students out there.”Reflecting on the experience, Rodier said, “I wanted to thank everyone, not even just the people who helped find the ring, but just everyone that makes this campus a place that you can lose something that is worth that much money and have hope that it would be returned, and actually have it be returned. I think that is such a great blessing.” Uploaded March 11, 2015

Twitter has taken a new approach to handling cyber-bullying by expanding features to target hacking and impersonations. According to Buzzfeed, Twitter is polling users asking if any have ever experienced abuse on any social network, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. According to CNET, Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter, released a statement in early February saying, the company hasn't been good "at dealing with abuse and trolls on the platform ... for years. It’s not a secret and the rest of the world talks about it every day. We lose core user after core user by not addressing simple trolling issues that they face every day.” Costolo made it clear that Twitter struggles with controlling the issues of abuse and the company is well aware of it. Gabby Sabalones, a senior majoring in international cultural studies from Indiana, explained her thoughts on cyber-bullying: “I just found out recently that this has become a problem. I think it is sad. Something about the Internet is that it makes it so you think that nobody knows who you are; it takes away your face and so somehow in our minds it takes away responsibility too. The things people say on comments on YouTube is horrible because they are real people.”Other students find it interesting as to why Twitter is starting to attempt to take control of the situation. Cambria Graves, a sophomore majoring in international cultural studies from Colorado, said, “I don’t know if [Twitter] can do anything about it because people are mean in general but, I think it is something important to know because it is their site that people are posting these things on. I don’t know if they can do anything about it, but just knowing what is going on and the extent of the bullying is important.” Shenia Jacobo, a senior majoring in international cultural studies from Arizona, agrees with Graves. Jacobo said, “You can’t have social media without cyber-bullying. It only makes sense though, because people bully and say hurtful things against each other on Twitter and other social media [sites]. By Twitter doing this, they are taking the issue and trying to figure out how they can work it out and be a part of the solution. I am sure they are well aware that their users abuse each other.” Uploaded March 10, 2015

No more “New music Tuesday,” a day in the United States dedicated to the release of albums from artists, says the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. IFPI made the decision to make a switch to “New music Friday,” after conducting a public poll. It will make "New music Friday" official starting the Summer of 2015.The CEO of IFPI, Frances Moore, explained in an official statement this decision has been made “because it is what our consumers want. They want music when it’s available on the Internet - not when it’s ready to be released in their country.” Moore also suggested, “Global release day is about celebrating new music. By creating a single day for new releases across the world, it’s an opportunity to re-awaken the excitement and anticipation of new music everywhere.”Moore also believes “the global release day narrows the gap on piracy by making it less likely that consumers will go to pirate sites when they can get new releases in their country.”New music Tuesday has been an American custom since April of 1989, according to Billboard. The new global release date is now set for Friday so that all countries can release their music at the same time. Hailey Page, a junior majoring in exercise science from California, said, “I think it would be cool for us to hear music from people all around the world. It is kind of cool to know that if I am really bored on Friday I can check it out from different places.”Others students do not necessarily feel like this change will make a big difference. Wealthia Apao, a junior majoring in piano performance from the Philippines, said, “Overall, I think it is a good decision. I don’t think it is really a big deal if music is released on a certain day.” Graceanne Warburton, a sophomore majoring in history from Nevada agreed. Warburton said, “It doesn’t really affect me whether or not it is released on Tuesday or Friday. Music is still music. Not that much of a delay because everything is so instant.”Uploaded March 10, 2015