Q:
Do these sentences have the same meaning?
American has laid off 6,500 of its Missouri employees since Dec. 31 , according to Driskill .
Since October 2001 , American has laid off 6,149 flight attendants , according to George Price , a union spokesman .
A:
yes

Q:
Do these sentences have the same meaning?
A Lamar mother arrested Saturday in Colorado Springs is accused of drowning her two children in a bathtub before slitting her wrists .
A 32-year-old mother of two is suspected of drowning her children in a bathtub before slashing her wrists in an unsuccessful suicide attempt , police said .
A:
yes

Q:
Do these sentences have the same meaning?
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other top Pentagon officials downplayed Wallace 's comments .
The Defence Secretary , Donald Rumsfeld , and other top Pentagon officials played down his comments .
A:
yes

Q:
Do these sentences have the same meaning?
Shares of Microsoft rose 50 cents Friday to close at $ 28.34 a share on the Nasdaq Stock Market .
Microsoft 's stock was up 50 cents , to $ 28.34 a share in New York yesterday .
A:
yes