Chicago threat

A 21-year-old man was arrested Monday, accused of threatening to kill students and staff at the University of Chicago in an apparent attempt to avenge the death of Laquan McDonald, authorities said.

Jabari Dean, 21 was arrested without incident. He is expected to appear in court later in the day.

According to a criminal complaint, Dean posted a threat on social media over the Thanksgiving weekend.

"This is my only warning. At 10 a.m. on Monday mourning (sic) I am going to the campus quad of the University of Chicago. I will be armed with a M-4 Carbine and 2 Desert Eagles all fully loaded. I will execute aproximately (sic) 16 white male students and or staff, which is the same number of time (sic) Mcdonald (sic) was killed.

"I then will die killing any number of white policemen that I can in the process. This is not a joke. I am to do my part to rid the world of the white devils. I expect you to do the same," the post read.

"Mcdonald" appears to refer to Laquan McDonald, 17, who was shot 16 times and killed last year by Officer Jason Van Dyke, who faces first-degree murder charges. Dashcam video of the shooting was recently released.

Earlier Monday, the University of Illinois at Chicago had said that one of its students had been arrested. The threat led to the closure of the University of Chicago campus.

"We are monitoring this situation closely and are concerned about the impact this has had on our campus and the University of Chicago," Michael Amiridis, chancellor of the University of Illinois at Chicago, said in a statement.

The University of Chicago said Sunday that FBI counterterrorism officials had informed the school of a threat, specifically of a shooting on "the campus quad" at 10 a.m. Monday.

"Based on the FBI's assessment of this threat and recent tragic events at other campuses across the country, we have decided in consultation with federal and local law enforcement officials, to exercise caution by canceling all classes and activities on the Hyde Park campus through midnight on Monday," the school said in a statement.

Bethany Biron 

The school asked students and nonessential staff to stay away from campus. Students in college housing were asked to stay inside.

The decision was met with some criticism online.

"Talk about complete panic. .. right now any one of us could shut down anyplace we want with a simple phone call!!" Facebook user Charles Friscia posted to the University of Chicago's Facebook article announcing the closing.

But others praised the school's decision to put safety first.

"I am extremely disappointed in the criticism of this decision without any more information than has been provided," Facebook user Elizabeth Harding wrote. "We have absolutely no idea what type of threat or the degree of danger involved. This must have been a credible threat to have involved the FBI and their ensuing recommendation."

Last week, Western Washington University canceled classes at its main campus after social media posts suggesting the lynching of a black student government leader as well as other offensive posts.

School President Bruce Shepard didn't detail the threats and said there was "no threat to general campus safety," but said a criminal investigation was underway.

Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar shortlisted

Real Madrid has been second best to Barcelona this season and the Spanish champions scored another minor victory over their rivals Monday as the FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist was announced.

After trouncing Real 4-0 in the recent El Clasico, Barca has two representatives in the running to be crowned the 2015 world footballer of the year, strikers Lionel Messi and Neymar, from Argentina and Brazil respectively.

Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo -- winner of the last two awards -- is the other contender on the three-man list.

The Portuguese forward and Messi have accounted for the last seven FIFA Ballon d'Or titles, Barcelona's talisman winning four to Ronaldo's three.

FIFA.com

But this is Neymar's first nomination for the top prize after a glittering year. He is part of a formidable front line that also includes Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez.

Barca's holy trinity were all on the mark Saturday as the Catalan side swept aside Real Sociedad 4-0 at the Nou Camp.

The three helped fire the Catalan side to its 23rd Spanish league title last season, scoring 81 goals between them, as well as assisting 39.

In all competitions that goal tally rose to 122 -- a new Spanish record -- as Barca won the European Champions League as well as the Spanish Cup.

The trio have already contributed 30 league goals this season, despite a spell on the sidelines for Messi, as Barcelona opened up a four point lead at the summit.

Though Real Madrid didn't win any silverware last season, Ronaldo scored an incredible 48 goals in 35 league matches and 60 in all competitions.

The Portuguese has pipped Messi to the previous two awards, having finished runner-up to the Argentine three times.

FIFA will announce the winner at the Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich on January 11 along with four other awards.

The women's prize is between American Carli Lloyd, who plays for Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League, Japan's Aya Miyama of Okayama Yunogo Belle, and Celia Sasic who plays for Frankfurt in Germany.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is up for the men's coach of the Year gong, having guided Barcelona to an historic treble last season.

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, who spent four years at Barca, is nominated along with Argentinian Jorge Sampaoli, who led Chile to its first ever Copa America title in 2015.

Real Madrid C.F.

In the women's category, Jill Ellis is nominated after guiding the USA to its third World Cup title in Canada. England's coach Mark Sampson and Norio Sasaki, Japan coach, are also shortlisted.

FIFA also announced the contenders for the Puskás Award that celebrates the most beautiful goal of the year.

Messi's mazy effort against Athletic Bilbao is included as is Alessandro Florenzi's spectacular effort for AS Roma against Barcelona, with Brazil striker Wendell Lira's acrobatic overhead kick for club side Goianesia rounding off the list.

Malaysia's greatest theme park

Malaysia is fast becoming the theme park capital of Southeast Asia, with 16 theme parks and water parks spread around the country, and 10 more reported to be opening in the next few years.

Tourism's on the rise here and international and local corporations have been working together on a host of ambitious new projects with an emphasis on family-friendly attractions rather than white-knuckle roller coaster rides.

The planet's first Twentieth Century Fox World is set to open at Resorts World Genting late next year, with about 25 rides and attractions based on Fox films such as "Ice Age," "Rio," "Alien vs. Predator," "Planet of the Apes" and "Night at the Museum."

Entertainment-themed concepts in the works include Ipoh Perak's Movie Animation Park, Malacca's Jurassic Park and a rumored park inspired by Malaysian cartoon characters Upin and Ipin park in Sepang Selangor.

Meanwhile, video game giant Ubisoft is planning to open a park in Kuala Lumpur by 2020.

For water fans, there's the Eco Marine Theme Park in Malacca, the Ocean Quest Marine Theme Park and Ocean Splash Water Park at Desaru Johor, Langkawi Eco Theme Park on Langkawi Island, and Splash Park at Port Dickson.

Here's our pick of the country's best theme parks that are open right now, all found on the Malaysian peninsula.

Most of the parks require at least a half-day or full day to do them justice.

Kuala Lumpur

Berjaya Times Square Theme Park

This fun theme park is inside Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall in the Golden Triangle, Kuala Lumpur's shopping and entertainment hub. At 12,360 square meters spread across three levels -- including a Fantasy Garden and Galaxy Station -- it's the country's largest indoor theme park.

The star attraction is the indoor roller coaster which loops and turns inside the mall itself.

When the rides are done, there are numerous hotels nearby and the many shopping malls of Bukit Bintang to explore.

It's a great destination for families planning a stay in Kuala Lumpur.

Admission: RM 51 ($12) for adults and RM 41 ($10) for children.

Berjaya Time Square Theme Park, 1 Jalan Imbi Level 5 & 7, Kuala Lumpur 55100 Malaysia;

KidZania Kuala Lumpur

An educational theme park for youngsters, KidZania is housed indoors at the Curve NX building in Mutiara Damansara. It's 30 to 45 minutes by taxi from the city center.

The concept is a children's city built to scale: The little ones choose an occupation -- be it police officer, construction worker or chef -- then don a uniform and get to work.

While the kids are busy, adults can pop next door to The Curve -- one of Kuala Lumpur's premiere shopping malls -- or visit IKEA or the eCurve Entertainment Center.

The Royale Bintang Hotel and Royal Chulan Hotel are a five-minute walk away.

The park gets very busy at weekends, so weekday visits are best.

Admission: RM 38 ($9) for adults and for children aged two to three years old. RM 75 ($18) for children aged between four and 17.

KidZania Kuala Lumpur, 18 Jalan PJU 7/5 Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya 47810 Malaysia;

The Royale Bintang Kuala Lumpur, 17 - 21, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 55100 Malaysia;

Johor

Legoland Malaysia

Asia's first Lego theme park, Legoland Malaysia opened in 2012 in Nusajaya, Johor -- near the border with Singapore -- and has since expanded to include a water park and a hotel.

Next year it will introduce a new ride based on Ninjago, the ninja-themed Lego play sets.

It's part of the Iskandar Development, which also includes some hotels and smaller-scale theme parks, such as attractions inspired by Hello Kitty and Angry Birds.

Most visitors come here as a standard tour package, but by car it's a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur or 30 minutes from Singapore.

It's highly recommended for families and anyone who grew up with Lego. They also have an excellent "Star Wars" display.

Admission: RM 225 ($53) for adults and RM 180 ($43). Combo tickets for both theme park and water park.

Legoland Malaysia, 7, Jalan Legoland Bandar Medini, Johor Bahru Malaysia;

Selangor

Sunway Lagoon

A 40-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur and 15 minutes from private airport Subang SkyPark, Sunway Lagoon is a multipark extravaganza, with 80 attractions spread over 360,000 square meters.

Adrenaline junkies will love the Extreme Park and scare-seekers can test their courage at the Scream Park.

For water lovers, there's the world's largest man-made surf beach and the world's largest water ride: the Vuvuzela.

The park is connected to the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall and the 5-star Sunway Resort Hotel.

Everything's within walking distance, making things easier for families.

Admission: RM 150 ($36) for adults, RM 120 ($28) for children aged 11 years and under.

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, No 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500 Malaysia;

Malacca

A'Famosa

Founded way back in 1992, A'Famosa is one of the grandaddies of the Malaysian scene.

It's home to a water park, safari park, Old West theme park, as well as plenty of sporting and recreational activities. There's also a range of hotel resorts and accommodation, and they host weddings, celebrations and business and other events.

Located in Alor Gajah, it attracts visitors from southern Malaysia and Singapore.

It's a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur or three hours from Singapore.

Admission:

Safari Wonderland: RM 74.00 ($18) for adults and RM 63.00 ($15) for children.

Water Theme Park: RM 48.00 ($11) and RM 36.00 ($9) for children.

Old West : RM 59.00 ($14) for adults and RM 48.00 ($11) for children.

A Famosa Fort, Jalan Parameswara, Alor Gajah 78000 Malaysia;

Perak

Lost World of Tambun

Located in Sunway City in Ipoh, this theme park, water park and spa is hands down the most popular in the state of Perak.

Managed by the Sunway Group, the Lost World of Tambun offers many attractions including an amusement park, water park, adventure park, petting zoo, tiger park and tin-mining experience.

One of the highlights here is Malaysia's longest man-made adventure river, measuring 660 meters long.

To get here, drive along the PLUS Highway towards Ipoh, Perak, and then exit at Tambun. From there follow the directions to the theme park.

It's a two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

There are plenty of hotels and resorts nearby to choose from including the stunning Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat and the Lost World Hotel in the park itself.

Admission: RM 47.55 ($11) for adults and RM 41.58 ($10) for children.

Lost World Tambun, No. 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1, Ipoh 31150 Malaysia;

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3 Sunway City Ipoh, Ipoh 31150 Malaysia;

Pahang

Bukit Gambang Resort City

What started out many years ago as a simple water park has now expanded into a full theme park and resort city catering to locals and international visitors alike.

The huge water park covers close to two square kilometers, and among its many attractions are a six-lane water slide, a Penguin Island, and Malaysia's largest wave pool.

Its sister attraction, Bukit Gambang Safari Park, is the country's biggest safari park and home to Malaysia's only white lions.

Nearby hotels include the Caribbean Bay Resort, Arabian Bay Resort and the Global Heritage Resort Villas.

To get here, take the East Coast Expressway, exit at Gambang then follow the signs. It's about 200 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and 340 kilometers from Singapore.

Admission: RM 70 ($17) for adults and RM 50 ($12) for children. Includes entry to both parks.

Bukit Gambang Resort City, Jalan Bukit Gambang Utama, Kuantan 26300 Malaysia;

Resorts World Genting

Resorts World Genting was Malaysia's first fully fledged theme park and has been around for 30 years.

It'll get a new lease of life when the world's first 20th Century Fox World theme park opens here in late 2016 or early 2017.

Genting Malaysia CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay has said $300 million is being invested in the project and most visitors are expected to come from Malaysia with international arrivals coming mainly from China and Southeast Asia.

Genting Highlands Theme Park, Genting Highlands Resort Theme Park Hotel, Genting Highlands 69000 Malaysia;

Penang

Escape Adventureplay

The good old-fashioned fun you'll find here doesn't require electricity or cutting-edge technology.

Kids can climb trees at Go Ape, swing through the air at Tarzan's Rope or try the human-powered go-karts called Zoom Bugs.

It's not just for kids either. As Escape declares on its website, "growing up is optional," and people of all ages can enjoy leaping through the air at Atan's Leap, climbing Gecko Tower, or racing downhill at Tubby Racer.

The park opened three years ago and offers a physically active alternative to Malaysia's other theme parks.

While out here on Penang Island, visitors can also experience the rest of the island's food, culture and heritage, including the capital George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Admission: RM 72 ($17) for "Big Kids" (13 to 60 years) and RM 50 ($12) for "Junior Kids" (4 to 12 years).

21 killed in Nigeria

At least 21 people were killed and dozens more were injured Friday in a suicide attack targeting a symbolic Shiite Muslim march passing through a village in northern Nigeria's Kano state, according to an organizer.

The bomber detonated his explosives after running into the crowd in the village of Dakasoye, south of Kano, said Muhammud Turi.

The march is an annual ritual observed by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, a major Muslim group based in northern Nigeria.

Northern Nigeria is largely Sunni-dominated but there is growing number of Shiites, most of whom were converted from the Sunni branch.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack; the Islamist terror group Boko Haram has frequently conducted attacks throughout Kano state.

Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi on target for Barcelona against Real Sociedad

Barcelona's holy trinity of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi all scored as Barcelona comfortably swept aside Real Sociedad 4-0 at the Nou Camp Saturday.

The South American attacking triumvirate was playing its first home La Liga match together since Messi suffered knee ligament damage in September.

And the diminutive Argentine had to wait in line behind the Brazil's Neymar and Uruguay's Suarez, who have scored goals aplenty in the interim, for his moment Saturday.

A fleet-footed Neymar burst in front of the Sociedad defense to open the scoring after 22 minutes before a spectacular Suarez volley doubled the advantage just before halftime.

Neymar grabbed his second at the start of the second period before laying on Messi in injury time to round off the scoring.

The result marks the second straight La Liga game in which Barca has scored four goals without conceding. The Catalans thrashed title rival Real Madrid by the same score last weekend.

FC Barcelona

Saturday's win initially put Barca seven points ahead at the top of the La Liga table. But that deficit was cut back down to four by second-placed Atletico Madrid which beat Espanyol 1-0 later Saturday.

Third-paced Real Madrid, which plays sixth-placed Eibar on Sunday, is five points further back in the standings.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Barca boss Luis Enrique was quick to praise his team and its rich vein of form.

However, he was keen to emphasize that there is much football still to be played before trophies are handed out in May and June.

"It is not a cliche, there is a long way to go and we will all drop points between now and the end of the season," Enrique said in quotes carried by the AFP news agency.

"That we are in a good moment is undoubtable and that the players are enjoying it is evident. But the players are very intelligent.

"There is no team in the world that has won a league in November or December," Enrique added.

Is China afraid of a beauty queen?

Is China afraid of a beauty queen?

That's what Canada's Miss World contestant is asking after she said she'd been barred from entering the country to take part in the beauty pageant because of her outspoken views on human rights in China.

Anastasia Lin, who was born in China and moved to Canada as a teen, told CNN that she had been unable to board her Thursday connecting flight in Hong Kong to the city of Sanya, Hainan, where the Miss World contest is already underway.

A Chinese official named Chen told her by telephone that she would not be granted a landing visa on arrival, she said.

Outspoken critic

Lin said that she had been publicly critical of China's religious policies and is a believer in Falun Gong, a spiritual group that is banned in China and which Beijing describes as a cult.

"I think people should know about it. My story is just the tip of (the) iceberg," she told CNN.

She said her father, who still lives in China, had faced harassment from security officials and had discouraged her from taking part in the Miss World contest.

"He's scared to get on the phone with me," she said. "He's so frightened."

Anastasia Lin 

The London-based organizers of Miss World didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lin said she had earlier tried to apply for a visa to attend the pageant but, unlike other contestants, was not issued an invitation letter by officials in the host city.

However, she said she decided to make the trip as, unlike elsewhere in China, citizens from 21 countries, including Canada, are eligible to get a tourist visa on arrival and stay for up to 15 days in Hainan, an island province best known for its beach resorts.

8 years old, Chrissy Turner is battling a rare form of childhood breast cancer

At just 8 years old, Chrissy Turner is battling a rare form of childhood breast cancer.

A few weeks ago, the little girl who loves Legos and dragons approached her mother and asked, "Mommy, what is this?"

Her mother, Annette, felt a lump in Chrissy's right breast and called the doctor the next morning, according to a Facebook page set up by the Centerville, Utah, family.

She was diagnosed with secretory breast carcinoma.

The medical journal Pediatric Surgery International reports that this type of cancer accounts for fewer than 1% of all breast cancers and fewer than 0.1% of all tumors in children. Expert reviews of the literature report just 34 cases total.

Generally, the prognosis is favorable; a mastectomy is required as the treatment of choice. She will then need multiple PET scans each year for five years.

Chrissy recently underwent surgery at Primary Children's Hospital in Riverton, Utah, to have the lump removed. She faces additional surgery in December, according to a GoFundMe account set up by friends of the family to help pay for her care.

Florida man kills wife… posts Facebook pic of body

A Florida man who posted a photograph of his wife's body on Facebook was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree murder.

Derek Medina of South Miami was accused of shooting his wife, Jennifer Alonso, in August 2013. After he killed her, authorities say, he posted a picture of her body on his Facebook page with a note.

Prosecutors are expected to seek a life sentence at a hearing set for January.

"No family should ever have to see their daughter killed and then exhibited world-wide on the internet like some macabre trophy to a husband's anger as was Jennifer Alfonso," Miami Dade State's Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement.

"Far, far too often this kind of domestic violence leads to injury and death. That's why we all must end all forms of domestic violence," she said.

The gruesome image stayed online and was passed around for at least five hours. Facebook was notified of the content and employees removed the picture and disabled Medina's page and that of his deceased wife, according to Facebook.

In his note, Medina accused his wife of abusing him and asked his friends for their understanding for what he did to her because of it.

"Im going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys miss you guys takecare Facebook people you will see me in the news," he purportedly wrote.

After he killed his wife, authorities say, Medina drove to see his family and then turned himself in to police. After he gave police his address, they drove to the scene, where they found the body.

The couple's young daughter was still in the house, police have said. She was not physically hurt.

Bombed hospital in mistaken for Taliban site

A U.S. airstrike that mistakenly killed 22 people at a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan last month was, in part, the result of military personnel targeting the hospital compound instead of a suspected nearby site from which Taliban fighters were firing, several administration officials told CNN Tuesday.

The October 3 mission had several technical and human errors, said the officials, who would not elaborate. A U.S. military fact-finding investigation into the incident details the mistakes and reveals that the aircraft was supposed to be targeting a nearby compound suspected of housing Taliban gunmen, not the hospital, they said.

Gen. John Campbell, the top NATO and U.S. commander in Afghanistan, will take the unusual step on Wednesday of releasing a brief summary of the investigation's conclusions. The step is unusual because this type of release of information typically does not happen until the military determines if any military personnel will be disciplined or charged with wrongdoing.

Campbell has consulted his legal staff and is expected to keep the information very brief. But an official familiar with his thinking said that although authorities are still determining any potential disciplinary action, Campbell believes the incident is serious and has garnered so much public attention it warrants this step.

It will now be up to Campbell to decide whether to take further action himself or refer the matter to various military services that oversaw the troops involved. He could also decide to take no action.

The Pentagon has already concluded the Doctors Without Borders group that ran the facility had followed all proper procedures in notifying the U.S. of the location of the hospital. The group "did everything right," a U.S. official said last month.

Hospitals, like schools and mosques, are prohibited from being attacked by the U.S. military even if there may be militants present. Doctors Without Borders has consistently said there were no Taliban fighters at the hospital on October 3 and that it was a particularly quiet night that followed several days of clashes.

Early last month, the Taliban had taken control of Kunduz and Afghan forces were battling them back. The U.S., under current rules of engagement, does not strike Taliban formations unless Afghan security forces are about to be overrun. That night, there were reports of gunfire in the area, which led to a U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship being called in. The hospital came under repeated attack even though the medical staff called U.S. military contacts urging them to stop their fire as the attack unfolded.

Doctors Without Borders has said the hospital came under attack for an hour.

What the military has not yet said is how the hospital was mistaken for the intended target and whether any military personnel involved in the operation knew or believed they were attacking a hospital, or whether they thought it was a different compound manned by the Taliban.

Personal sensors: This device could save your life

In major cities, we are surrounded by silent killers at all times.

On busy streets, in poorly-ventilated office buildings, and particularly in cars, the air we breathe is often filled with toxic fumes that cause health problems from lung disease to heart attacks.

A new innovation promises to arm citizens against such airborne menaces.

The Atmotube is a sleek, pocket-sized device with a battery of sensors embedded in its titanium shell. The design team claims it can detect 127 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), as well as poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide.

The device -- which recently completed a successful crowdfunding campaign -- takes readings every 10 seconds. The results feed to the user's smartphone, which are displayed as an air quality score and map displaying pollution levels across an area.

Vera Kozyr, CEO of parent company Not Another One, claims the technology is fast, sensitive, and accurate in all conditions.

"Atmotube senses even slight changes... and the response time is less than a second," says Kozyr. "In low levels of VOCs our air pollution sensor's accuracy is about 0.05 parts per million. We've also implemented mechanisms for compensation of temperature and humidity impact on the air quality measurements."

The entrepreneur believes the sensor could be useful for anyone but has specific targets in mind; parents who want to guarantee their children's safety, athletes that need to monitor everything entering their body, and people with health conditions that may be vulnerable to pollution.

The device will retail for $100, and be sold across the world, with varying emphases for different markets.

"In the U.S. and EU we will focus more on healthcare and partnerships with asthma, allergy and lung associations," says Kozyr. "In China, the consumers market will be our first priority as people are already aware about the air pollution problem, we also plan to partner with air purifiers and air filters producers there."

A new growth market

The Atmotube is one of several new personal sensors in a fast-moving and diverse field.

The Airbot from Carnegie Mellon's CREATE Lab will go on sale next year, together with the Waterbot for testing water quality. The Scio sensor from Consumer Physics -- already on the market -- provides a nutritional breakdown for food and drugs.

Avimanyu Basu, senior research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, believes the personal sensor market has great potential, estimating it could be worth $300 million by 2017.

"At this point commercialization is very low but there are quite a number of promising products and technologies," the analyst says. "Some are in the last phase of development and have gathered considerable funding."

Sensors for industry use are already lucrative. Industrial food safety and air quality sensor markets are both worth around $3 billion, according to Frost & Sullivan's internal research.

With the falling cost of components, Basu believes that industrial standards can be achieved with relatively low-cost, hand-held devices, while offering the performance advantage of instant readings.

Personal sensors could also have an impact beyond the user's health and safety. Mapping air quality could be of vital importance for public health policy, and dealing with war zones or the aftermath of disasters -- one company has already produced a cheap and lightweight sensor to analyze conditions in Fukushima's fallout zone.

As sensors hit the market in a range of stylized shapes and colors, they could be mistaken for any other flashy digital accessories -- but they might just save your life.

Details of Paris attack plans

The Paris terrorist attackers conducted prior surveillance of at least some of the locations they attacked and showed signs of tactical planning and military-style training, a new U.S. intelligence bulletin says.

The bulletin issued by the FBI, Homeland Security department and the National Counterterrorism Center warns U.S. law enforcement to review training to deal with active shooters, according to U.S. officials.

The bulletin, which was described to CNN and confirmed by other U.S. officials, advises local law enforcement to go over active shooter scenarios and asks for them to be on the lookout for any suspicious people doing surveillance at soft targets and similar locations.

The bulletin also said plots like Paris are more likely to happen in Europe and other locations overseas because of geography and 'societal factors.'

A cell phone recovered from a garbage bin near the scene of the Bataclan concert venue and believed to belong to one of the terrorists contained a map of the theater, the bulletin said. The phone contained encrypted applications. As CNN was first to report, the cell phone also had a text message, indicating an apparent method used to coordinate the attacks.

The attackers rented three cars in Belgium before moving to a safe house they rented in France.

The bulletin said the Paris attacks showed a greater level of use of multiple tactics by ISIS to inflict major causalities.

The multiple targets and apparent discipline showed likely prior training and familiarity with the targets to ensure the attacks would be effective.

European intelligence has assessed that some of the attackers traveled to Syria and their use of assault rifles and suicide belts appeared to indicate training, according to the U.S. officials who confirmed the bulletin contents.