QUES: The new 25-member Governing Council 's first move was to scrap holidays honoring Saddam and his party and to create a public holiday marking the day of his downfall .

Its first decisions were to scrap all holidays honoring Saddam and his outlawed Baath Party and to create a new public holiday marking the day of his downfall .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: yes

QUES: The two Democrats on the five-member FCC held a press conference to sway opinion against Powell and the two other Republicans on the panel .

The two Democrats on the five-member FCC panel held a news conference to sway opinion against Powell .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: no

QUES: The Bank of England starts its two-day meeting on Wednesday , but was expected to leave British interest rates steady .

The Bank of England starts a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday and is expected to leave British interest rates steady at 3.75 percent on Thursday .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS:
no