US Army: Specialist Kerry M. G. Danyluk

Specialist Kerry M. G. Danyluk, twenty-seven of Cuero, Texas, died on April 15 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Germany.

He was wounded in combat on April 12, in Pul-e-Alam, Logar province, Afghanistan.

It was his second deployment.

Danyluk was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York.

His decorations include: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge.

Among his completed courses were: Master Driver Training Course, Ranger Assessment Selection Program, Airborne School, Combatives Level I.

Review: Transcendence

Earlier today, I went to see the movie Transcendence, which hit theaters on Friday, April 18. The movie stars Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, and Paul Bettany, among others in a terrific cast list. It was directed by Wally Pfister who was the cinematographer for all the Christopher Nolan directed Batman films. Because of this, I was expecting great things from the film. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The pacing of Transcendence was extremely slow. Sure, they condensed some things and made some leaps in time saying on the screen "Two Years Later" and such, but, of the things that were shown, it seemed to drag on and on. Since the speed of the movie seemed to move like molasses, this reviewer must confess he dozed off at a few points. Whenever a movie makes me doze off, that is never good.

In addition to the lackluster pacing, I felt the special effects would be immensely more due to the subject matter. Watching the previews, they show some good action scenes and special effects. I felt they showed what they did to entice the viewer to come see the movie. Turns out, what I saw in the previews was all I was going to get. They blew their entire load in the trailer leaving nothing else. I was extremely disappointed.

After I've now ragged on about the movie, I will now tell the positives I saw. First and foremost, the idea/subject of the movie was very good. Second, I did like the sets, scenery, and colors used as they really helped define certain moods and themes of scenes. Finally, I really enjoyed the great cast. It was nice to see some big names coming together for the film.

In conclusion, Transcendence was a great idea very poorly executed. The lackluster pacing and special effects seemed to really drag the movie down. However, there were a few bright spots but they weren't bright enough for redemption.

Overall, I would give Transcendence a solid C.

Bouteflika Wins 4th Term in Algeria

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika looks to have won a fourth term, in Algeria.

Bouteflika took over eighty percent of Thursday's vote, despite his health being a major concern.

He suffered a stroke last year, and has been out of the public eye, since then.

His appearance at a polling station was the first, since the stroke.

Despite his health issues, many see him as a symbol of stability, in the country.

Less than fifty-two percent of registered voters came out for the vote, suggesting that many found the election a foregone conclusion.

Ali Benflis, who came in second with twelve percent of the vote, contested it's legality, making accusations of fraud.

However, both national and international observers said there were no irregularities noticed.

3 Pro Russia Separatists Killed in Attack on Ukraine Military Base in Mariupol

Three pro Russian separatists were killed when a least one hundred of them attacked a Ukrainian base in Mariupol.

They made their attack throwing grenades and gasoline bombs, while firing from various guns.

Another thirteen were injured and sixty-three arrested when the base's troops swiftly responded to the attack.

There is no word of any injuries amongst the soldiers.

Meanwhile, in Donetsk, separatists there ordered the city's Jews to register with the separatists.

In other news, Ukraine's government claims to have arrested ten Russian citizens, all of whom have intelligence backgrounds.

The government is investigating each of them for being Russian spies.

Russia has not issued comments regarding the arrests of their citizens.

Pro Russia Separatists in Donetsk Order Ukraine's Jews to Register

Jews in Donetsk, Ukraine were ordered to register with the pro Russian separatists, who have taken over much of the city.

Per a pamphlet put out, by the People's Republic of Donetsk, all those of Jewish decent over the age of sixteen must register with the "Commissioner for Nationalities" and pay for their right to remain in the city.

At registration, "ID and passport are required to register your Jewish religion, religious documents of family members, as well as documents establishing the rights to all real estate property that belongs to you, including vehicles."

Those who do not do so will "have their citizenship revoked, face deportation and see their assets confiscated".

The new from Donetsk reminds many of the beginning of Nazi rule, in Germany, back in the 1930s.

It has been received by a huge outcry of condemnation from the world, except Russia, which has remained silent about it.

Officials in Donetsk had confirmed that this was new policy, but later backed away from that claim.

300 Still Missing After Ferry Sinks Off South Korea

Hope is running out for passengers who were aboard a ferry that sank off of South Korea, on Wednesday.

Nearly five hundred people were on the ship when it began sinking.

So far only one hundred and seventy-nine have been rescued and six people have been confirmed dead.

Worries are that few if any more survivors will be found, due to the cold temperatures of the water.

It is still unclear what caused the ferry to sink.

Ukraine Retakes Airbase From Unmarked Russian Speaking Militia

On Tuesday, Ukraine sent in promised troops to end occupations of buildings by protesters and unmarked militias, in the eastern part of the country.

The unmarked, Russian speaking militias joined protesters in seizing mostly police stations, over the past week.

Ukrainian troops began their operation by ending the siege around one of their air bases, in Kramatorsk.

During the siege, militia forces had not entered the base, but had fired shots in the air when airplanes came near.

The government has been slow about responding to the threats, worried about the nearly fifty thousand Russian forces just across the border.

They fear that committing their troops could lead to a Russian invasion, which Russia has said would be to "ensure peace" in their smaller neighbor.

Ferry Sinks Off South Korea

A ferry carrying nearly five hundred people sank between two South Korean islands, on Wednesday.

Thirty-four ships and eighteen helicopters responded to help with rescue efforts.

One person has been confirmed dead and only about one hundred and fifty have so far been rescued.

Officials said that the rest of those who had been aboard are in the water, awaiting rescue.

It is believed that the ferry, which was headed to Jeje island, ran aground.

A full investigation is set to begin, once rescue efforts are concluded.

Turchynov Orders Troops Into Eastern Ukraine Despite Russia's Threats

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov announced that he has no choice but to send troops into the eastern part of Ukraine.

He stated that a "large scale anti terrorist operation" was the only way to ensure the safety of the country.

Turchynov made the announcement a day after Russian speaking gunmen and protesters attacked and seized several police stations in eastern Ukraine.

The announcement also followed the deaths of three Ukrainian officers after their vehicle was attacked by pro Russian militiamen, near Slovyansk, Sunday morning.

Ukraine and several western countries accuse Russia of instigating the violence and occupations of government buildings, as an excuse to invade.

As many as fifty thousand Russian troops are encamped within hours of the border.

Russia called the sending of Ukraine's troops "criminal" and reissued their declaration of their right to defend those of Russian ethnicity, in eastern Ukraine.

Much the same reasoning was used as their reasoning for taking over Crimea, in March.

Their invasion of Ukrainian territory has been declared illegal by the international community, but no actions can really be made to force them out.

Russian Speaking Gunmen Seize Police Stations in Eastern Ukraine and Raise Russia's Flag

The situation in eastern Ukraine took a major turn for the worse, on Saturday.

Protesters in Donetsk and gunmen in Slovanysk and Krasny Liman seized police stations, adding to the government buildings they are occupying.

According to witnesses, the unmarked gunmen in Slovanysk and Krasny Liman spoke Russian and quickly raised Russian flags over the buildings.

It is believed that they may be the same Russian special forces who covertly led the invasion of Crimea, pretending to be militias.

Tensions had been lessening, over the past few days while negotiations seemed to be moving forward.

However, Saturday's hostile actions have put an end to negotiations and brought the promise of a swift and harsh response from the Ukrainian government.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov promised that there would be "zero tolerance for armed terrorists".

He also stated that shots were fired in Kramatorsk, where police defended their station from gunmen.

The Ukrainian government and western governments have blamed Russia for causing much of the current troubles.

Russia has maintained a presence of as many as fifty thousand troops, along the border, which has caused fears they may invade.

The international community condemned and declared Russia's takeover of Crime to be illegal, however no way of making them leave has been found.