1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. What charges have been brought against Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani?

3. For what reason did the U.S. Magistrate Judge deny bail to to former American Airlines mechanic Abdul Alani? Be specific.

4. a) What evidence did prosecutors present to the judge?
b) What did Abdul Alani claim was his reason for sabotaging the plane?

5. What actions did Alani take that led to his arrest? What actually occurred prior to takeoff of the Boeing 737?

6. What reason did Alani give investigators for sabotaging the airplane just before takeoff?

7. Consider two reader responses to this article:

• “Airport security will throw away your water bottle but yet.....terrorists can work on planes.”
• “Eighteen years after 9/11, we still haven’t learned anything! American citizens are being scanned and removing their shoes and personal belongings, while the terrorist is sabotaging the plane they are going to board.”

What do you think should be done to ensure Islamic terrorists (or terrorist “sympathizers”) don’t have authorized access to U.S. airplanes? (What type of screening should workers in sensitive areas be required to have before being hired?)

8. Another reader asked, “How many other airplane mechanics, TSA agents, etc. are ISIS sympathizers? They should all be screened out, fired [and put on a terrorist watchlist].”
Is this a feasible suggestion? Explain your answer.