Problem: Wwo sentences:
As you know , East Africa has been an area of terrorist threats and indeed terrorist attacks in the past . "
" East Africa has been an area of terrorist threats and indeed terrorist attacks in the past , " said State Department spokesman Philip Reeker .
Do they have the same meaning?

Answer: yes

Problem: Wwo sentences:
The broader Standard & Poor 's 500 Index .SPX gained 3 points , or 0.39 percent , at 924 .
The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index < .IXIC > rose 6 points , or 0.41 percent , to 1,498 .
Do they have the same meaning?

Answer: yes

Problem: Wwo sentences:
On a planet that takes nearly 165 years to orbit the sun , spring can last more than 40 years .
Because it takes Neptune 165 years to orbit the Sun its seasons will last for decades .
Do they have the same meaning?

Answer: yes

Problem: Wwo sentences:
Shares of the company , the second-largest U.S. coal producer behind Peabody Energy Corp. BTU.N , were up more than 3 percent in afternoon trade .
Shares of the company , the second-largest U.S. coal producer behind Peabody Energy Corp. ( BTU ) , were up more than 3 percent at midday .
Do they have the same meaning?

Answer:
yes