watching cnn. let s begin with the unfolding crisis in algeria. americans are among those being held by islamic extremists at the oil field. there report that is the hostages here have been freed in the operation by the algerian army. one they can dam in the strongest terms a terrorist attack on bp, personnel and facilities in algeria. they are in contact with algerian authorities and the international partners as well as with bp s security office in london. the best we have at this time indicates that citizens are among the hostages. we don t have more details to provide to you. reports of loss of life and are seeking clarity from the government of algeria. we are learning more. the state department telling us these terrorists are armed with ak-47s and some are wearing explosive vests. these are suicide vests. they have reportedly been put on the hostages there. for more on this we go to jim clancy. so many moving parts and details from the story today. what do we know?