111.   Control center said it had opted for this route rather than the Polar jet stream that passes over California and the U.S. East Coast.

112.   Control center said the balloon was at least one day behind schedule.

113.   Control center said the men were in high spirits after overcoming the various problems.

114.   Dead cattle littered the streets, the center said.

115.   Doctors amputated it and the boy is recovering in a hospital, the center said in a statement.

116.   Dzantiyev suffered a light concussion and one of his bodyguards was wounded with metal fragments from the explosive, the press center said.

117.   Elsewhere in the West, the fire center said crews had the upper hand and were close to containing most of the largest wildfires.

118.   Elson, who lists mountain climbing as one of his hobbies, would be fastened to a rope harness during the maneuver, control center said.

119.   Estelle was expected to continue gaining strength over the next day or so, until it moves over cooler waters, the center said.

120.   Estelle was expected to continuing gaining strength over the next day or so, until it moves over cooler waters, the center said.