USMC Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Denier

MARINE Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Denier, twenty-six, of Mechanicville, New York, died December 2, in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The body of Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier arrived at Albany International Airport just after 11am Monday and was escorted home to Mechanicville by a procession of fifty motorcycles, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department and Mechanicville Police Department.

The twenty-six year old India Company marine was killed December 2, by enemy fire in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the largest and most violent of the thirty-four provinces in the country.

Mary Morgan, Denier’s mother, heard from her son only a few hours before his death, in the form of a Facebook message sent Saturday night, December 1. It read: “All is well … I’ll call you in the morning.”

But Morgan did not hear from her son the next morning; instead, she heard from the Marines, informing her of her son’s death.

Denier, who was born in Troy, joined the Marines almost two years ago. He was deployed to Afghanistan Oct. 26 as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (Regional Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division Forward) of the 2nd Marine Division.

Since US and British forces began airstrikes on Afghanistan in October 2001, after the Taliban refused to hand over Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, there have been 3,215 US and coalition casualties.

According to his family, he always wanted to be a US Marine and practiced at the shooting range at Schaghticoke’s Rod and Gun Club with his friends. He was assigned to the infantry, an assignment of his choosing.

“When he found out he was being deployed, he was excited. He said he was finally going to do what he was getting paid to do,” Morgan said. “I think the military made my son a man and I am extremely proud of him.”

Attended by his company commander, platoon sergeant and his peers, a memorial service for Denier was held Sunday at Combat Outpost Hanson in Afghanistan.

Egypt's Opposition Agrees to Vote in Referendum

Egypt's opposition has announced that they will take part in Friday's constitutional referendum.

They state that they will definitely be seeking a "no" vote on it, but they no longer will boycott it.

Protests continued in the street anyways, and will likely do so through at least Friday.

The opposition also agreed that they would attend unity talks, with Morsi's government.

However, that quickly ended, after the military called the talks off.

It is unclear why they did, as they had been the primary pushers of the talks.

More US Troops to The Philippines

The US and Philippines have agreed to new terms that would see an increase of US troop strength, in the Philippines.

Officials agreed to a five year plan, that would see higher levels of US aircraft, ships, and troops come through.

China responded to the news, by ordering it's troops in the South China Sea to a higher level of readiness.

The Philippines, China, and other countries have been arguing over who owns much of the South China Sea.

Lately China has made claims to almost all of the Sea, including islands and resources which are international recognized as belonging to other nations.

Additional US troops are seen as Washington's non verbal statement of what they think on the situation.

Obama Leads World Into Recognizing Al Qaeda Backed Syrian Rebels

On Tuesday, President Obama announced that the US now recognizes the Syrian opposition council as the rightful government of Syria.

By Wednesday, over a hundred other countries followed the US's example, and did the same.

Russia, China, and Iran are the big holdouts, though Russia has discussed that a power change might be necessary.

With much of the world now recognizing them, the council has much greater legitimacy.

Before Obama's announcement, several countries had already been considering sending weapons to the rebel forces.

Some hope that the announcement will help end the war more quickly, but if anything it may make the Assad regime dig in all the more and the fighting to become more intense.

Others fear what the future Syria will look like.

While Assad's regime has been backed by such terrorist groups as Hamas and Hezbollah, the rebels are backed by Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

Both sides have also shown they are ready to use chemical weapons, which the world has warned against, but it is a distinct possibility.

Either way rebel forces have continued to make gains, all around the country, and it does seem to only be a matter of time until the war is over.

Over fifty thousand people have been killed during the twenty-one month civil war.

North Korean Rocket Launch Successful

North Korea successfully launched their rocket, on Wednesday.

They had recently announced that it might be delayed by a technical glitch and the weather, so the sudden launch caught most of the world by surprise.

Many experts had also been figuring it would take place on the 17th, as that is the anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death.

Most of the world was quick to condemn the launch, which had been warned against.

North Korea has repeatedly said the rocket launch's purpose was to put an Earth observation satellite into orbit, but the world doubted that.

The international community generally thinks it was a test of a long range missile, working towards greater weapons capabilities.

Oregon Mall Shooting Leaves 3 Dead

A shooting at an Oregon mall left three dead and one in critical condition, on Tuesday afternoon.

The shooter walked into the Clackamas Town Center, in Portland, with a rifle.

He proceeded to the food court, said "I am the shooter", and opened fire, then with his last bullet, shot and killed himself.

His clip of bullets left two dead and a teenage girl critically wounded.

Fifteen year old Kristina Shevchenko has since been upgraded to serious condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

When police arrived they searched the entire mall, to ensure that there were no other shooters.

Wednesday morning, police identified the shooter as twenty-two year old Jacob Taylor Roberts, who stole the gun from a friend.

Investigators are trying to find a motive in the shooting, but it appears totally random.

Preview: Man of Steel

For the first time in my life, I'm excited for a Superman film.

That's how good the trailer for Man of Steel is.

Of course that's being made by Christopher Nolan doesn't hurt it at all.

From the trailer we can see that Clark/Superman is figuring out just who he will be, and this movie will shape him.

"You just have to decide what kind of man you want to be when you grow up, Clark. Whoever that man is, is going to change the world."

We are also clearly looking at the beginning of a series, not a single movie.

Henry Cavill plays Clark Kent and Superman, in this latest remake.

With Russel Crowe playing Jor-El and Kevin Costner playing Jonathan Kent, this Superman has quite the father's to live up to.

Diane Lane portrays Martha Kent and Amy Adams will be playing Lois Lane, while Michael Shannon has the part of the antagonist General Zod.

Man of Steel hits theaters June 14, 2013.

Massive Gas Explosion in West Virginia

A massive gas explosion occurred in Sissonville, West Virginia, around 12:40 EST.

Four houses were destroyed in the explosion and it's resulting fire, and five others were damaged.

Amazingly there were no deaths or serious injuries, only a couple needed treatment due to smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were able to put out the fire around 14:00.

Interstate 77 is shut down, for about a mile, in both directions, as the fire was actually running across the freeway.

In the aftermath it's clear that the freeway itself was damaged by the flames and heat.

Officials are investigating the cause of the explosion.

Aldersgate Methodist Church, in Sissonville, is set to work as a shelter, over night, for those who lost their homes.

Second Preview: The Lone Ranger

The second preview for The Lone Ranger has come out, and it tells us a lot more.

Tonto, tells us that the Lone Ranger is a spirit walker, and can not be killed.

Well at least that's what Silver, yes the horse, told Tonto.

Silver also seems to climb trees, as Tonto says, "There's something very wrong with that horse."

After settling their differences, Tonto and the Lone Ranger agree to "ride for justice", something they both clearly seek.

When the Lone Ranger balks at wearing a mask, but Tonto tells him, "There comes a time when good man must wear mask."

It's rather obvious, from the trailer, that we can expect a lot of action, with a bit of humor from the movie.

The Lone Ranger is set to hit theaters July 3, 2013.

Denver Hazmat on Scene of Toxic Substance

Denver Hazmat has responded to an apartment on the 1500 block of Pearl St.

Emergency workers blocked off the area earlier Tuesday morning, causing Pearl and Colfax to be closed.

Police originally responded to the call of a toxic substance.

Two police officers have been taken to Denver Health Medical Center and are being treated for possible exposure to mercury sulfate.