Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:Below is an excerpt from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new book,  "Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Life Against All Odds" published by Wellness Central, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing. The following is from Chapter Two: A Heart-Stopping Moment:

"Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Lives Against All Odds," just hit store shelves.

And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

-- 2 Kings 4:34, KJV

Mike Mertz was driving home, an hour after finishing his run as a school bus driver in Glendale, Arizona. He told me he doesn't remember why he didn't come straight home from work that day. He thinks that maybe he went for a jog. A trim fifty-nine years old, Mertz enjoyed a two- or three-mile run several days a week. Maybe he was looking for a cheaper gas station than the one on his usual route or was just trying to avoid taking his Saturn over a nasty set of new speed bumps. Whatever the reason, whatever route he wandered, it brought Mertz not to the usual entrance of his townhome complex, but the back driveway. The change in routine may have saved his life.

Corey Ash, a UPS driver, was making deliveries that Wednesday afternoon, when he heard a terrible engine noise. Thinking the sound was underneath his own hood, he pulled over. Hopping out, Ash immediately realized that it was coming from a Saturn almost directly across the street.

It was an accident scene. The small silver car was piled up against a palm tree, the engine revving at top speed. The only thing keeping it in place was a stucco wall a few feet from the tree; the car was wedged between the two. Racing over, Ash could see that the driver had his eyes closed and seemed to be unconscious. The driver's foot was wedged against the accelerator. Ignoring the chance that the car might break free and crush him, Ash reached across the slumped body and turned off the ignition. He dragged Mertz out of the car and laid him on the ground. After dialing 911, Ash started CPR the way he'd learned during an Air National Guard training exercise just two months before.

As he listened to the ambulance siren, racing up the road from Glendale Fire Station 154 barely a mile away, Ash began to pump hard on Mertz' chest. Studies show that when a bystander jumps in, the chances of survival in a cardiac arrest case increase exponentially. Even though it may not seem like you are accomplishing much, simply pushing the heart and circulating the blood can make a tremendous difference. Mertz had that going for him, but he was also fortunate to have collapsed in Glendale. Paramedics there are at the forefront of a revolution in emergency care. With a few simple measures -- going against the grain of the medical establishment -- they have found that they can radically improve the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest.

The fire engine pulled up with a screech, and a brawny firefighter named Ruben Florez jumped to the curb. As fellow firefighters scrambled down, Florez thumped an urgent rhythm on Mertz' chest, two hundred compressions over two minutes, before a medic stepped in and delivered an electric shock from the paddles of a defibrillator. Win a signed copy of Dr. Gupta's book

Then came another two hundred compressions, then shock, two hundred compressions, then shock. Finally, after six hundred thumps and three defibrillator shocks, a weak pulse returned. Mertz was back from the dead. At no point was mouth-to-mouth resuscitation performed, and at no point did Mike Mertz get a breath. Surprisingly, that may be the real reason he survived.

In reality, survival from cardiac arrest outside the hospital is rare. Until very recently, Arizona was in line with the rest of the country -- only about 2 percent of the victims pulled through without long-term damage. But in 2005, cities around Arizona began doing something new. It went against the guidelines of the American Medical Association and the teaching practices of major medical schools and hospitals. This new method didn't look like the CPR that had been taught in every YMCA, firehouse, school, and church ever since the 1970s. In short, it was a radical experiment.

The experiment sprang from two lines of thinking: animal studies aimed at modifying CPR technique and a public health effort to train more people in CPR. If your heart gives out while you're walking down the street, the number-one thing that can save your life is to have a bystander who is not only trained in CPR , but willing to help. Unfortunately, such help is rare. Published studies put the rate of bystander CPR at around 20 percent. If you dig deep, the number really has nothing to do with the lack of desire. Instead, study after study shows people are apprehensive about putting their mouth on someone else's and maybe catching an infection from someone who's on the ground dying.

Now, the reluctance can be overcome. In Seattle, which has run massive training programs and public education campaigns since the 1970s, the rate of CPR assistance from bystanders is close to 50 percent. That one fact gets much of the credit for the city's high survival rate from cardiac arrest. In recent years, a driving goal of the American Heart Association has been to encourage more members of the public to jump in and help. But how? There was simply no getting around mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Or was there?

Excerpted from "Cheating Death," by Sanjay Gupta, M.D. Copyright © 2009 by Sanjay Gupta, M.D. Used by permission of Wellness Central, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing. All rights reserved.

Response: While driving home, Mike Mertz went into cardiac arrest and crashed his car. UPS driver Corey Ash saw the accident, pulled Mertz out and began CPR. CPR without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation may have saved Mertz life. Pushing the heart and circulating the blood can make a tremendous difference.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica has confirmed that he will not be fit in time for the start of the 2012 Formula One season.

The 26-year-old Pole, winner of the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, missed the whole of this season after suffering serious injuries following a rallying crash in February.

There had been some hope that Kubica would be fit enough to start the new campaign, but he released a statement on the team's official website confirming this would not be the case.

Kubica said: "I have come to the conclusion that I am not yet certain to be ready for the 2012 season. This was a difficult decision to make, but it is the most reasonable one.

"I know that Lotus Renault need to prepare for next year, and further extending deadlines would not have been the right thing to do. On a personal level, my recovery is very encouraging and my doctors keep being impressed."

Kubica added: "I just need more time, as I want to be 100% ready before I commit to anything driving related."

Team principal Eric Boullier also released a statement, saying: "Everybody in the team is, of course, very disappointed. Robert not driving in Australia at the start of next season is not what we were all hoping for.

"However, he has taken a very mature decision, acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP. As a team and as a family, we remain 100% behind him and we'll help as much as we can."

Kubica suffered a partial amputation of his forearm and compound fractures to his right elbow, shoulder and leg in the accident in Andorra last February.

He subsequently had three operations and has undergone a lengthy period of rehabilitation but has so far not driven a car.

Kubica's decision leaves the team with a choice of three drivers to fill its two seats, Vitaly Petrov, Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean, unless they look outside their current line-up.

Response: Robert Kubica's Formula One return with Renault has been delayed. Renault had been hoping the Polish driver would be fit for the start of the 2012 season. But Kubica has not fully recovered from serious arm injuries sustained in a rally crash.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) -- Orangutans and bonobos in one of North America's leading ape research centers are spending time high in their habitats to escape Iowa floodwaters, officials said Monday.

Floodwaters encroach on the bonobo facility at the Great Ape Trust of Iowa.

Water on the grounds of the Great Ape Trust of Iowa in Des Moines has been as high as 14 feet after flooding began last week.

Research, including the future and origins of culture, language, tool use and language in ape species, was brought to a standstill, officials said.

But at no time were the apes in danger.

"The parts that house the animals all have drains, and being wet is a part of their daily routine," said Al Setka, director of communications.

Animals moved to the highest levels of their living quarters when they wanted to stay dry, the trust reported. The orangutan habitat is 30 feet high, and the bonobo one is 25 feet high, according to the trust's Web site.

"Today, we are just trying to finish cleaning out the living areas to give the apes access to all of their indoor space," Setka said Monday.

The trust's Web site said the Des Moines facility, built in a former sand quarry, will be the largest in North America when it is completed.

Response: Water has been as a high as 14 feet at Great Ape Trust of Iowa. Orangutans, bonobos spending time in upper levels of living quarters, officials say. Research at a standstill at Des Moines facility.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- She's got nerves of steel, golf talent beyond her tender years, and a precocious flair for eye-catching fashion: 11-year-old Lucy Li, the youngest qualifier in U.S. Women's Open history, looked entirely at home as she teed-off at Pinehurst No. 2.

Despite a three bad holes in North Carolina, which meant she finished her round with an eight-over-par 78, Li impressed onlookers with a composed round that saw her bounce back quickly from disappointing shots.

She left the course smiling, having followed up two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey with assured play -- including birdies at the first and fifth.

"It was great," Li told reporters Thursday. "What I was so happy about in my round, (was that) after I got doubles and triples, I was able to get it back. And I got a lot of pars after that."

Heading into the tournament, Li said her only ambition was to "have fun and play the best I can."

But the California native can also count growing experience in her time at Pinehurst, not least how to deal with the perilous course -- which hosted the men's U.S. Open last week.

"It's tough," said Li. "You miss the ball by three feet and it could be like a two- or three-shot difference.

"You could hit it three feet more right and you'd be putting this far away for birdie. Or you could be in the bunker and struggling for a bogey."

Tour pros had raised doubts about whether the child amateur -- still wearing braces and standing on a box to address the media after her opening round -- should be subjected to the pressure and expectation of such a big professional event.

"When I found out she qualified, I said, 'Well, where does she go from here? You qualify for an Open at 11, what do you do next?' " asked world No. 1 Stacy Lewis on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old added: "If it was my kid, I wouldn't let her play in the U.S. Open qualifier at 11, but that's just me."

Pressure seemed to be the least of Li's worries as she chatted with the older members of her playing group and feasted on an ice cream during the post-round press conference.

"She is so mature for her age," said 23-year-old Jessica Wallace, who played with Li and Catherine O'Donnell -- the latter also shot 78.

"There were times when I felt more immature than she is. Catherine and I had fun talking to her. She's so mature, it's like talking to another 23-year-old."

Li became officially the youngest player to qualify after securing her place at an event at Half Moon Bay Golf Club near her home in California.

She beats fellow American Lexi Thompson, who qualified for the 2007 Open aged 12, to become the youngest qualifier.

But Li is not the youngest to compete at the tournament -- Beverley Klass competed in 1967, without having to qualify, aged just 10.

While Canadian Wallace carded 74 to be on course to make the halfway cut, seven shots behind first-round leader Lewis, Li and O'Donnell were outside the projected top-60 ahead of their second rounds Friday.

And there wasn't a fairytale end for Li -- she missed the weekend rounds after carding another 78 on Friday, laced with more highs and lows as she tied for 120th in the 154-player field.

"I'm really happy with how I bounced back from the big numbers," said Li, who again had to stand on a box to reach the microphone at her press conference Friday.

"Just be patient and not care about what happened, just go to the next shot and hit it like nothing, like it's the first shot."

Her caddy Bryan Bush added: "She proved that she deserved to be here. Her play spoke for itself.

"It was never about score," he said. "She was here for the experience and the opportunity to play with the best players in the world. She proved that she can."

The weekend attention switched from one child prodigy to a former one, as Michelle Wie claimed a three-shot lead from Thompson.

The 24-year-old Wie also came to prominence at a young age but is still seeking her first major title.

She birdied the last two holes to move clear of 19-year-old Thompson, who at 16 was the youngest winner of an LPGA event until that record was taken by Lydia Ko in 2012.

New Zealand's Ko, now 17, fired 71 to move up the leaderboard and make the cut, being tied for 29th.

World No. 1 Stacy Lewis dropped from the opening-round lead to a tie for third after a 73 which left the American four shots behind compatriot Wie.

Response: Lucy Li, 11, becomes the youngest qualifier to play in U.S. Women's Open history. Li records opening eight-over-par 78, after two double-bogeys and a triple-bogey. American misses the halfway cut after carding another 78 on Friday. Former child prodigy Michelle Wie takes three-shot lead at halfway stage.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- In anticipation of more flooding next week, residents of Fargo, North Dakota, began stacking sandbags Wednesday for the second time in just over two weeks along the banks of the Red River.

A trucker relaxes April 1 on sandbag pallets in Fargo, North Dakota,  which is preparing for more flooding.

They hoped to fill 1 million, said Fargo spokeswoman Karena Lunday.

"If we get a million, that will be a total of 4 million we've made since the flood started," she said.

The first sandbag effort began about March 23. The Red River crested at nearly 41 feet at Fargo on March 28, breaking a record that had held since 1897, when the Red River reached 40.1 feet.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Tuesday, predicting that melting snow -- and possibly rain -- will start to raise river levels on the Red River south of Oslo, Minnesota, this week.

Lunday said forecasters expected the river to crest there between April 16-18, possibly reaching 35 feet on April 14.

"I don't think people are as worried as they were the last time, but the possibility of getting up to 40 feet is a concern," Lunday told CNN.

The Red River meanders along the border between North Dakota and Minnesota, so many other cities also were bracing for flooding.

Response: Fargo spokeswoman says city has goal of filling 1 million more sandbags. "I don't think people are as worried" as they were in late March, she says. National Weather Service issued flood warning due to precipitation forecast.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN)Everybody on the planet knows that Gene Roddenberry created Mr. Spock, the laconic, imperturbable extra-terrestrial First Officer for the Starship Enterprise.

But Mr. Spock doesn't belong to Roddenberry, even though he is the grand exalted progenitor of everything that was, is, and forever will be "Star Trek."

Mr. Spock belongs to Leonard Nimoy, who died Friday at age 83. And though he doesn't take Spock with him, he and Spock remain inseparable.

Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the re-booted feature film incarnation of "Trek," is excellent in the role. (Nimoy himself said so.) Quinto must know that however much he brings to the role, he will only be its custodian. Spock is Nimoy. Nimoy is Spock. It is, as Spock himself would intone, only logical.

Nimoy often insisted otherwise, especially as the show went from canceled outcast to global phenomenon. He even wrote a book with the title, "I Am Not Spock" (1977) that was bought by millions of readers who didn't buy the title for a nanosecond. By 1995, he cried "uncle" by publishing a followup autobiography, "I Am Spock." In the years before and since, he carried his character's legacy with the grace and class he exhibited in other areas of his life.

And the life of Leonard Nimoy, irrespective of Spock, was a rich and varied feast. Those two "Spock" books weren't the only things he'd published. A couple of books of poetry are also credited to him as were a collection of photographs celebrating what he termed "the feminine aspect of God."

Which reminds me. Nimoy had a hand, so to speak, in creating one of Spock's most indelible traits: The "live-long-and-prosper" split-finger salute that Nimoy had borrowed from an approximation of the Hebrew letter shin, the first letter in the word Shaddai, one of the Hebrew names for God.

Roddenberry didn't think of that. Nimoy did. And in doing so made an implausible character as much a part of our waking dreams as members of our own family.

He also directed movies, two of which were part of the "Trek" franchise: 1984's "The Search for Spock" and 1986's "The Voyage Home."

I got to meet him when the latter film opened. It was at a press conference that was part of the promotional junket in Los Angeles and Nimoy was very un-Spock-like in his jocular, freewheeling enthusiasm for the movie (which was, in fact, one of the very best, certainly the warmest, of the big-screen "Trek" iterations.)

He could not stop smiling, not even when one of the reporters asked him about a scene in the film that catches Spock in an impromptu grin. (It vanished once the movie opened in theaters.) He looked like a man who knew he was going to soon have a lot more money than he'd had a week, or a day before -- though anyone with a brain knew he wasn't going to squander any of it on trivial things. He was Nimoy and he was Spock. And they were serious men with serious thoughts.

Still, it was always nice to know Nimoy could smile, even if Spock couldn't.

Response: Gene Seymour: Gene Roddenberry may have created "Star Trek," but Leonard Nimoy and character of Spock are inseparable. He says Nimoy had many other artistic endeavors, photography, directing, poetry, but he was, in the end, Spock.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:NEW YORK (CNN) -- Defense and diplomacy were on full display when the United Nations secretary-general took to the soccer field in the first U.N. '"DiploMatch."

"It is very hard at my age to play soccer," said the 64-year-old Ban Ki-moon.

Typically, a Saturday evening soccer game with mostly middle-aged men wouldn't garner much attention, unless an ambulance is required. But the recent match played between two modest teams of U.N. ambassadors and officials, along with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, was certainly not typical.

The mood was competitive yet congenial as the dignitaries traded their suits for shorts and hit the soccer field at Chelsea Piers on a balmy New York evening April 25.

"Soccer is a sport that really can unite the people and generate enormous power and energy among people regardless of where you are coming from," Ban said. "When you follow the balls, you just forget, and you become one team, and you become one nation. This is what we aim to achieve today."

There was, of course, an underlying purpose behind the motivation to hit the pitch: support for a new charitable organization dedicated to advancing peace through the global reach and unifying power of soccer (also called football).  Watch Ban Ki-moon mix it up with diplomats on soccer field »

British U.N. Ambassador John Sawers summed up the rationale motivating the event. "Soccer's the great world game, and this is [the] United Nations, the great world organization, playing it for charity, so it's a lot of fun."

"Football for reconciliation" is the driving purpose of Play31, the organization behind the U.N. game. The group says the sport has the unique potential "to bring people together, spread joy and to create healing in post-conflict societies."

Its mission statement further explains, "By donating footballs and facilitating community gatherings, we contribute to the creation of peaceful societies where children can exercise their right to play."

Play31 and "the right to play" are derived from Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The 1989 summit sought to guarantee certain universal rights for children under 18, including "the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."

Jakob Lund, the 26-year-old founder and president of Play31, was inspired to launch his program after spending time in Sierra Leone, a nation ravaged by 11 years of civil strife.

"We use soccer as a facilitator for people meeting each other and for people simply just interacting ... and I think that is something true for football is that it can transcend borders, languages, races, everything that we see can normally divide people -- on the football field, it can unite them, and that's what is so special."

Added the enthusiastic U.N. ambassador from Paraguay, Eladio Loizaga, who contributed two goals in the first half for his team: "I mean, I didn't expect that! Two goals! I tried to put my best tonight for the children and for the event."

Radhika Coomaraswamy, special representative for children in armed conflict, said, "there is really something to do with children that really brings the United Nations together."

Ban also emphasized the plight of children as an important priority on the U.N. agenda. "This is a very small symbolic event, but though it may be small, this will, I hope, demonstrate our solidarity to those people, many young children, who are in war-torn countries, who really want some hope from the international community. I hope this will help."

But even with all the togetherness for a good cause, settling disputes on the pitch versus the halls of the United Nations had to have been a different experience for the ambassadors. Sawers explained, "these guys I spend my days from Monday to Friday negotiating with, and we have fun on weekends, so this is us having fun."

Chile's Ambassador Heraldo Muñoz, one of the team captains, elaborated. "Getting out of the U.N. and of negotiations, and speeches ... is quite good. I think it should say something about humanity that we are not only diplomats, but we are also football players and poets and writers."

The other team was led by Ambassador Christian Wenaweser of Liechtenstein. Wenaweser was quite impressed with one particular participant, expressing how he thought the secretary-general's performance was "amazing."

"He gave up his right to rest for this, and I think it's amazing. And he played well; he had good positioning, good defense. It was great," Wenaweser said.

Laughing, Ban responded to reactions about his defensive prowess. "When the ball comes to me, then I have to defend my team, so that was very, very difficult. But I think I have defended well."

The 64 year-old secretary-general played nearly the entire game, mixing it up with fellow U.N. dignitaries.

"It is very hard at my age to play soccer," Ban conceded. "It's very hard, but I feel very much a sense of full excitement and energy."

Ban's dogged defense clearly made an impact. However, the secretary-general couldn't resist his role as the world's lead diplomat, even on the football field, and changed teams at halftime.

Diplomatically, the score was not recorded, although observers said Team Lichtenstein was the victor.

Ban played defense the entire time, except when he came off for a couple breathers. When he came off in the first half, the other team quickly scored three goals.

Response: U.N. dignitaries play soccer to support group that promotes peace. The group Play31 advocates the power of sport to bring young people together. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, ever the diplomat, changed teams at halftime. The performance by Ban, 64, was "amazing," says one ambassador.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(Mashable) -- HP has announced a major new initiative and a slew of new devices that enable users to print from any device to a web-enabled printer by simply using e-mail.

The idea -- which builds off the Google Cloud Print announcement we saw back in April -- starts with giving each printer its own unique e-mail address.

That printer's owner (and their designated family, friends, and colleagues) can then print documents by sending it an email from a smartphone, from a tablet, or any other device that allows it. Called HP ePrint, the technology eliminates the need for installing drivers and enables a variety of new apps and services.

Putting Documents in the Cloud

The new printers that HP is unveiling today along with ePrint can connect directly to Google Cloud using their touchscreen interface. That means users can print Google Docs directly from the cloud without using their desktop computer, as well as scan documents directly to their Google Docs account. Other Google services like Calendar and Picasa for photos are also supported. Similarly, Box.net and Docstoc users can also retrieve and push documents to and from the cloud through new print apps.

A New Opportunity for Publishers

Another area HP is exploring with the ePrint concept is scheduled delivery. This allows users to get content printed at specific times -- for example, getting a customized daily newspaper printed out every morning that they can take with them on the train. MSNBC has signed on as a partner to pilot this concept, and HP has teamed with Yahoo to sell the ads, which, you can imagine could include a mix of contextual advertising and locally relevant promotions and coupons.

Another Platform for Developers

Beyond productivity and news, initial apps include Facebook for printing photos and events and MapQuest for printing maps and directions. HP also sees a big opportunity for providing different types of activities for parents and kids, and to that end has signed on Crayola for coloring pages and PBS for a variety of education-driven printing. As for the market size for developers here, HP says it expects to ship, "tens of millions of web-connected printers" by the end of next year. Currently, developers interested in building apps need to apply for access to HP's SDK.

Why's HP Doing This?

Beyond selling printers, HP needs to sell ink. With more and more types of documents getting digitized and smartphones replacing former functions of printers (think coupons and tickets), HP needs new ways to drive printer usage.

Web-connected printers fill this need in a few ways. First, they connect to the ever growing cloud for business users and make their lives easier. Second, the email-to-print concept clearly has the potential to drive new kinds of usage, both from business users and consumers who do things like print photos and news. Finally, there's also opportunities for developers to create sticky apps -- perhaps not on the scale we've seen in mobile, but with HP betting the future of its printers on web connectivity, you can bet we'll see some big winners emerge from the developer community.

HP will dive into these topics at apress conference this morning to kick off Internet Week New York, where I'll be moderating a panel with a number of the players involved in the new ePrint initiative. We'll try and bring you video of the discussion later on.

Disclosure: HP is a sponsor of Mashable's Internet Week New York channel.

© 2013 MASHABLE.com. All rights reserved.

Response: The idea builds off the Google Cloud Print announcement we saw in April. It works by giving each printer its own unique e-mail address. The new printers, along with ePrint, can connect directly to Google Cloud.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:So many hours of talks, so little progress.

Despite two days of intensive negotiations, Iran and six world powers "remain far apart" on Tehran's controversial nuclear program, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Saturday in Kazakhstan.

Her words dashed hopes that the deadlock might be broken after what had seemed more promising talks back in February, also in the Kazakh city of Almaty.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, acknowledged there was "some distance" between Iran and the six powers but seemed more positive in his assessment.

"Good negotiations" had taken place in this round of talks, Jalili said, which he described as "substantive, expansive and comprehensive."

But in a sign that progress was limited, no date or location has been set for new talks.

This round was just the latest in a decade-long attempt to resolve differences between Iran and the international community over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The first day of talks proved inconclusive. By the end of Saturday, despite "long and intensive discussions," the two sides were no closer on agreeing on confidence-building measures, Ashton told reporters.

"It became clear that the positions of (the world powers) and Iran remain far apart on the substance," she said.

"We therefore agreed all sides will go back to their capitals to evaluate where we stand on the process."

Ashton said she would be in touch with Jalili "very soon in order to see how to go forward."

While Ashton said these were the most detailed discussions that the two sides had had, with "a real back-and-forward between us," she also made clear that she was disappointed by the lack of progress made.

A senior U.S. administration official said Jalili directly engaged him in a 30- to 40-minute question-and-answer exchange in the middle of Saturday's plenary meeting.

"The quality of the discussion was different because there was this back and forth, this Q and A," the official said. "We just went back and forth with him."

Still, the official expressed disappointment, saying that Iran had "put forward some minimal ideas and expected great return, and quite disproportionate return."

Britain, too, took a hard line after the talks.

"The UK went to Kazakhstan ready with our partners to negotiate in good faith with Iran," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement. "Iran's current position falls far short of what is needed to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough."

When negotiators from the diplomatic bloc of six nations -- the United States, France, Britain, Germany, China and Russia -- last sat down with Iran's envoy in Almaty in February, they delivered what they characterized as a "fair and balanced offer" to defuse tensions over the Iranian nuclear program.

Instead of delivering the "concrete response" Western governments had expected, Iran announced it was making its own proposal to the negotiating parties.

'Two-way street'

Jalili said Iran had tabled a proposal based on the discussions in Almaty and a previous meeting in Moscow -- and that it is now down to the six world powers to respond and show their "willingness to take appropriate confidence-building steps in the future."

He repeated Tehran's position that Iran has the right to a peaceful nuclear program.

"Creating confidence is a two-way street," he said. Now, after many proposals put forward by Iran, it's the turn of the six world powers to respond, he said.

Jalili's comments on Iran's enrichment of uranium -- one of the most contentious issues at stake -- reaffirmed Tehran's right to pursue that track but also appeared to leave the door open to some kind of negotiation.

"Enrichment is part of the rights of the Iranian people, whether we're talking about 5% or 20% ... however, this can be an issue that can create further confidence," he said.

Jalili added that "hostile behaviors" directed toward Iran were detrimental to building confidence.

This was presumably a reference to the draconian sanctions imposed by Western governments against Tehran, which are crippling the Iranian economy. Oil exports have plummeted over the past several years, as has the value of Iran's currency.

"The purpose of any sanctions is to put pressure in order to get this process to work," said Ashton. "And I believe we should continue to work as hard as we possibly can to make sure we are successful and we reach a satisfactory resolution."

Questions fly around any plan to attack Iran

The so-called P5+1 governments are demanding that Iran come clean about its nuclear program, which they suspect includes covert development of nuclear weapons.

Iran consistently denies those charges, arguing it is enriching uranium and building nuclear reactors only for peaceful civilian energy needs.

Details of last February's offer from the six countries represented across the negotiating table from Iran have not yet been made public.

Last month, technical experts from Iran and the P5+1 countries met for more than 12 hours in Istanbul to discuss the proposal.

Iran's deputy chief negotiator said the Iranian proposal tabled Friday was based on a previous PowerPoint presentation that the Iranian delegation submitted during a round of talks in Moscow in June 2012.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran proposed a practical method to implement the Moscow plan in a smaller scale," Ali Baghery said in a statement issued to journalists Friday. The offer, he said, was aimed at establishing "a new bedrock of cooperation."

A call for 'concrete actions'

Washington has vowed it will continue to put pressure on Tehran.

"As long as Iran does not take concrete steps to address the concerns of the international community about its nuclear program, the dual-track process continues. And that pressure only will increase if Iran does not begin to take concrete steps and concrete actions," said a senior U.S. administration official in a telephone briefing to journalists this week. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Iran argues that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, development of nuclear technology is an inalienable right.

On the eve of the two-day talks in Kazakhstan, Jalili repeated this position in a speech given at a university in Almaty.

"It is the right of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy and most importantly to enrichment," Jalili said.

A report recently published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace concluded that sanctions are unlikely to force Tehran to give up its nuclear program.

The report, titled "Iran's Nuclear Odyssey," highlighted the fact that Tehran's quest for a nuclear program has been going on for more than half a century, beginning under the rule of the pro-American shah, Reza Pahlavi, and continuing under the revolutionary Islamic republic that overthrew him.

"The program's cost -- measured in lost foreign investment and oil revenue -- has been well over $100 billion," Carnegie said.

Response: "Iran's current position falls far short of what is needed," says British official. Iran has the right to enrich uranium, but negotiation may be possible, Saeed Jalili suggests. It's clear the two sides "remain far apart" on substance, EU foreign policy chief says. No date or location is agreed upon for new talks between world powers and Iran.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:Editor's note: Dr. Anthony S. Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci: Progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but "our work is just beginning."

(CNN) -- When we commemorated the first World AIDS Day on December 1, 1988, we had little to celebrate.

The number of reported AIDS cases in the United States was nearing 80,000 and rising rapidly. Untold thousands more in this country were living with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Globally, AIDS cases already had been reported from more than 135 countries. An AIDS tsunami clearly was looming, but we had few defenses at our disposal.

For those of us caring for people with AIDS, it was a dark time. We had just one anti-HIV medicine in our pharmacies, AZT, a drug that the virus rapidly defeated by mutating and developing resistance. Lacking other medicines to slow the relentless replication of HIV and its destruction of a person's immune system, we did our best to help our patients by managing to the extent possible their AIDS-related infections and complications. But the life span of most of the patients was measured in months.

Two decades later, much has changed. An unprecedented research effort has led to more than two dozen anti-HIV drugs, more than for all other viral diseases combined. Taken in proper combinations, these medications have dramatically improved the prognosis for people living with HIV by increasing their life span by at least a decade and providing the possibility of a normal life span with continued therapy.

Scientifically proven prevention approaches -- education and outreach to at-risk populations, voluntary HIV testing and counseling, condom distribution, prevention of HIV transmission from mother to baby, harm reduction approaches for drug abusers, mass-media campaigns and the screening of donated blood -- have been deployed with great success in the United States and many other countries.

Innovative programs such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as the efforts of nongovernment organizations, have reached millions of people in low- and mid-income countries worldwide with HIV-related services, at a scale unimaginable a few years ago. And gradually -- but too slowly -- we have begun addressing AIDS-related stigma in this country and abroad.

Much has been accomplished in the fight against HIV/AIDS from scientific, medical and public health standpoints. However, now is no time to rest on our accomplishments or our laurels. The statistics of the HIV/AIDS pandemic tell us that much more needs to be done.

Around the world, a staggering 2.7 million people were infected in 2007 alone. Globally, 33 million people are living with HIV infection, most of them in the developing world. In the United States, more than 1 million people are living with HIV. And 56,000 more people are infected each year in the U.S., driving HIV prevalence rates in some of our communities to levels that rival those seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Gay and bisexual men, and African-Americans in general, are disproportionately affected. The true ground zero of the HIV epidemic in the United States is in those communities.

What is the way forward? First, even in the face of a world economic crisis, the global community must scale up the delivery of proven HIV therapies and prevention services. In low- and middle-income countries, less than one-third of people in need of anti-HIV therapy are receiving it, and only one in five people at risk of HIV infection have access to prevention services.

All around the world, access to HIV services -- and medical care in general -- remains a challenge in many poor communities. The global community must sustain our commitment to investing resources for medicines, clinics, as well as training and salaries for doctors, nurses and community health care workers to provide care for HIV/AIDS and other diseases in the settings where they occur.

Here in the United States, more than one-fifth of people living with HIV are unaware of their infection and not receiving appropriate care for their own health or the prevention services that would help them avoid transmitting the virus to others. A frequent scenario is that people learn of their infection status only when they have advanced symptoms of HIV disease, when their health may by irreparably damaged.

Now is the time for the medical community and policymakers to embrace U.S. guidelines for all Americans aged 13-64 to be voluntarily  tested in routine medical care. Barriers to implementation of HIV testing guidelines, such as state, local or agency regulations that conflict with the recommendations, variability in payment coverage for the test, and concerns about the stigma and discrimination that may accompany an HIV diagnosis, must be addressed.

Meanwhile, we also must continue to invest in the next generation of treatment and prevention modalities. Encouragingly, new means of preventing HIV infection are emerging from well-designed and well-implemented clinical research trials.

One exciting concept is pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, giving preventive doses of anti-HIV drugs to individuals who are at an increased risk of HIV infection. This still-experimental strategy is based on the concept that if HIV replication can be inhibited immediately following exposure to the virus, permanent infection might be thwarted. Multiple clinical studies of PrEP are under way in the United States and in populations around the world. Ongoing research to develop microbicidal gels or creams to be applied before sex offer the hope of people being able to protect themselves from HIV infection in situations where saying no to sex or insisting on condom use is not an option.

Finally, a preventive HIV vaccine remains the greatest hope for halting the relentless spread of HIV/AIDS. We must solve the mystery of how to prompt the human body to produce a protective immune response against HIV, which natural infection with the virus seems unable to do.

Historically, it has taken decades to find effective vaccines to combat most infectious diseases. Researchers usually experienced numerous setbacks and disappointments before reaching success, yet they persevered. Finding a safe and effective HIV vaccine demands an equally intense resolve.

On this World AIDS Day, we should be proud of the many scientific advances that have been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS. But it is hardly a time for self-congratulation. Rather, we must understand that our work is just beginning. Developing HIV interventions and delivering them to the people who need them will require scientific and public health vision, and dedication from all sectors of society, in good times and bad.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci.

Response: Dr. Anthony S. Fauci: Access to HIV services, medical care a challenge in poor areas. Fauci: Preventive HIV vaccine is best hope for halting spread of HIV/AIDS. Medications improved prognosis for people living with HIV by increasing life spans. Prevention approaches, education, testing, counseling, condoms deployed.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- A flat tire saw Stéphane Peterhansel's lead in the Dakar Rally cut to seven and a half minutes by American Bobby Gordon who finished second behind stage eight winner Nani Roma.

Peterhansel suffered a puncture 30km from the end of the stage between Copiapo and Antofagasta and saw his overall lead whittled down to seven minutes 36 seconds by Gordon.

The American lost out to Roma, from Spain, by just five seconds and is still awaiting his first stage win in the 2012 rally.

Defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, from Qatar, was disrupted by technical problems and had to stop on several occasions. He now trails Peterhansel by over 45 minutes.

Pole Krzysztof Hołowczyc is third, 12 seconds behind Gordon and 7 minutes 48 secs behind the leader.

Peterhansel is a Dakar legend with three car titles and six on motorbikes, all coming before the grueling endurance event moved to South America in 2009 but he didn't enjoy his best stage on Monday.

He told the Dakar Rally's official website: "I am losing loads of time. I drove quite slowly in the rocky parts because I was scared of punctures. And despite this... I had one 30 km from the finish. It was a bad special, but that is the way it is.

"Gordon started three minutes before us, and 180 kilometres from here we had got to 30 seconds behind him. I think that when he saw us he stepped it up, leaving us in the dust.

"He can win this thing, so it is essential for him to manage this situation as well as he can."

Defending motorcycle champion Marc Coma sealed the 20th stage win of his Dakar Rally career as rival Cyril Despres got stuck in the mud.

Stage eight saw Coma, from Spain, snatch the lead from the Frenchman and build a lead of one minute and 26 seconds.

Despres spent ten minutes trying to extricate himself from a patch of mud and cut a frustrated figure at the end of the stage.

He said: "There was a torrent of mud between the inspection of the reconnaissance car two days ago and today. Therefore, it did not appear in the road book and I was the first to fall into the trap.

"There was no way I could have avoided it. I am awaiting the organisers' decision: after Ullevalseter, Gonçalves and a few others had gone through, they took a detour, otherwise there would have been 200 vehicles trapped in the mud.

"So I fail to see why I and the others should be the only ones to pay the price. But I do not think we will let this be."

Response: A flat tire sees Stéphane Peterhansel's Dakar Rally lead cut by American Bobby Gordon. Spaniard Nani Roma won the eighth stage between Copiapo and Antofagasta. Peterhansel leads Gordon by over seven minutes with Krzysztof Hołowczyc third. Defending motorcycle champion Marc Coma wins stage eight to snatch lead from Cyril Despres.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- "You've got to save your best leadership for home." These are the words of retired U.S. Army Commander Lt. General Russel L. Honore at a recent speaking event on leadership in the 21st century.

Two nights ago, I found my two most active roles in life -- family man and journalist -- intersecting in a crisis. It was 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon when my wife alerted me. I was enjoying my afternoon off, comfortable in the warmth of our home, watching the snow from a rare winter storm blanket our deck and backyard.

My wife, who is a fifth-grade school teacher in Fulton County, Georgia, received word that her school was shutting down because of the inclement weather. "Honey I've got the kids. I'm on my way home," she said after school was dismissed early, and parents were rushing to get their children.

As a journalist, I recognized that a news story was breaking before me. My wife's normal 20-minute daily commute was about to turn into an ordeal that would last nearly 24 hours. And I soon discovered that skills honed over years in the newsroom, were my best tools for assisting my wife and children.

More than three hours later, she still hadn't moved very far.

We stayed in constant contact as she inched along the 6-mile stretch of state highway leading her home.

From the news, I soon realized this was no ordinary traffic jam. My family was stuck in gridlocked traffic caused by a one-two-punch of bad weather and poor government planning.

Midnight approached and my wife told me she hadn't been able to move the car at all since 10 p.m. The half-tank of gas she started with that afternoon had dwindled, and temperatures were well-below freezing. The kids hadn't eaten. There was no restroom in sight.

I felt hopeless and helpless. I called Georgia State Patrol and explained to them that my wife and kids were stranded in a vehicle among hundreds of other vehicles. I wanted to know how my family was going to be helped. They told me, "We don't know sir. We're trying, but we are out-manned now."

Filled with adrenalin, I just couldn't sit idle with my family stranded. I called local authorities and was told the same thing. By this time, I was so angry, I couldn't think straight. I texted a friend who suggested prayer and texted me a bible verse to read, Philippians 4:1-14.

I took to social media to help me cope with the situation and people reacted with posts of support. I stayed in touch with my wife a minimum of once per hour and at times twice per hour.

On Facebook, I posted: "More than 14 and a half hours, my wife and kids remain stranded in car stuck in traffic because of snow. Situation is desperate now. Been on phone w/ State police repeatedly who agree w/ me. All prayers are welcome as I'm praying for the safe return of many of my friends in similar situations too."

My wife later told me she cried only once, around 5 a.m., not knowing when she was going to be able to get the children home. She imagined having to wait for days, maybe until the snow and ice melted. It was so, so cold and she couldn't keep the engine running all night for fear of running out of gas. That's also about when I lost it, I told her -- about 5 a.m.

At one point an act of kindness gave her hope: A truck driver knocked on the window in the middle of the night offering water and a blanket.

She huddled the girls together in the front seat to keep them warm. "I didn't let the girls see me cry," she said.

I felt so guilty about it all. Why didn't I fill up the car with gas? Why didn't I get the oil changed? How could I drop the ball on my family?

I thought about Gen. Honore, who I have come to admire even more since hearing him talk about leadership and life lessons. I decided it was time to take action.

I called the Georgia State Patrol and local authorities one more time. They could offer me very little.

I told them if police couldn't get my family , it was time for me to try. The state patrol dispatcher advised me to stay off the roads. It was now 20 hours into the ordeal.

At day-break, I told my wife, "I am coming to get you." She said she didn't think I could get to her. I said, "Don't worry about that. Against advice of the local and state authorities, I'm going to try."

I posted a message on Facebook letting folks know what I was going to do and asked for prayers. The reaction came pouring in.

I called my neighbor Kenneth Rucker, retired military and current investigator with a local district attorney's office. Taking me in his four-wheel -drive truck, Rucker expertly traversed the thick ice on bridges passing hundreds of stranded vehicles along the way.

I was laser focused on the mission: Find my wife and kids and extricate them. I trudged up an ice-covered northbound lane of highway, as Ken's pickup made a zig-zag between hundreds of stranded vehicles to get to a safe stop.

I grabbed each of my daughters, and carried them one by one across the median strip to the warmth of Ken's truck. Then I escorted my wife into Ken's vehicle. I moved my wife's car into the median and left it there not knowing or caring when the traffic would start to move.

I was leading my family home.

Response: Rick Martin is both father and CNN journalist. He was frustrated when his wife and daughters were trapped in snow-bound traffic. Using journalist training and inspiration from heroe, he took to the roads to rescue family.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- Roger Federer is undoubtedly the greatest men's tennis players of the modern era -- if not of all time -- following his epic victory over Andy Roddick in Sunday's Wimbledon final.

Reaching for the stars: Roger Federer ithe best tennis player the world has ever seen.

His star had waned somewhat in the past year, losing his No. 1 world ranking to Rafael Nadal, but his breakthrough victory at the French Open last month saw him match Pete Sampras with 14 titles at major tournaments.

With the injured Nadal absent at SW19, Federer rolled back time to march relentlessly into the final against Roddick, dropping just one set along the way as he reminded fans of the form that saw him top the rankings for a record 237 weeks.

Then on Sunday, Federer overtook Sampras' mark with 15 grand slams -- with the American in attendance to view his record finally go.

Federer still has some way to go before beating Sampras' all-time record of 286 weeks at the summit, but at the age of 27 he has plenty of time to take back his crown from Nadal, especially with the Spaniard's career seeming in the balance due to his chronic knee problems.

The Swiss is already the ATP Tour's all-time earner, with more than $48 million in prize money. He holds the record for most money earned in one season, $10 million in 2007, and is also second on the list for his $8 million the year before.

Sampras, in comparison, is second on the earnings list with $43 million up until his retirement in 2002 after a 14-year career.

He won 64 ATP Tour titles, compared to Federer's 59, but both are a long way behind the record 109 achieved by Jimmy Connors, with Ivan Lendl next on 94 and John McEnroe third with 77.

When it comes to Grand Slams, Sampras won 14 finals and lost four. Including Sunday, Federer has reached the most, appearing in 20.

Lendl, who held the world record for 270 weeks at No. 1 before being usurped by Sampras, appeared in 19 finals but could only win eight.

The great Bjorn Borg, who shares the record for most successive titles at Wimbledon with Federer -- who completed his quintet in 2007 - won 11 of his 16 Grand Slam finals.

None of those illustrious names have been able to surpass the efforts of Australian legend Rod Laver, who is the only men's player to have won all four Grand Slams twice in the same year.

He did it first as an amateur in 1962, and then again in the 1969 when he became the first -- and only -- player to achieve the feat in the open era.

Federer became the first player to reach seven consecutive Wimbledon finals with his 50th win at the All England Club in his semi-final victory against Tommy Haas on Friday, but still trails Sampras' record of seven titles at SW19.

His bid for a record sixth successive crown was thwarted in an epic final showdown last year with Nadal, who has transformed himself from a clay-court specialist into a fearsome all-round talent.

Federer, by contrast, has taken a long time to adapt to clay. He did not reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros until his seventh appearance in Paris, then was beaten in the final by Nadal for the next three years.

His triumph this year came after the Olympic champion suffered a surprise early exit, although he had earlier ended Nadal's 33-match winning streak on clay in the Madrid Open final.

The anxiously-anticipated Paris win made him just the sixth player to complete the set of major titles, the third in the modern era and the first since Andre Agassi -- who added the final piece in his jigsaw with victory at the 1999 French Open.

Federer shares the Open-era record for most U.S. Open victories with Sampras and Connors, having clinched his fifth crown in 2008 when he beat young pretender Andy Murray in the final.

He has always been generous in his praise of Sampras, who never won at Roland Garros but triumphed twice at the Australian Open and holds the record for winning eight successive Grand Slam finals.  Sampras: Federer is the greatest.

"I think his success here at Wimbledon is amazing," Federer has said of Sampras. "Winning it three times, coming back, winning it four more times and going for five, it's quite something.

"And he finished off with the U.S. Open victory, which was very special against his biggest rival Andre Agassi. I think that's what I'll remember most of him.

"I guess he had the best serve we've seen in tennis history, even though today we also have some good ones. He was also a smooth mover which he never really got credit for. There's many things that Pete did incredibly well."

Federer's career has been no less incredible, but he has claimed that he started out with no such lofty ambitions.

"I'm very proud of all the records I've achieved because I never thought I would be that successful as a kid," he said.

"I would have been happy winning a couple of tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon."

Response: Roger Federer has reached 20 Grand Slam finals the most by any male player. The Swiss spent a record 237 consecutive weeks at top of the world rankings. He shares record of five successive victories at Wimbledon with Bjorn Borg. He has equal most U.S. Open titles, with Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- The remains of Neil Armstrong were committed to the Atlantic Ocean on Friday during a ceremony aboard a U.S. Navy cruiser.

Armstrong's cremated remains were sent into the Atlantic Ocean during a burial-at-sea service aboard the USS Philippine Sea, NASA said. His wife, Carol Armstrong, participated in the ceremony.

Neil Armstrong, who died August 25 at age 82, was an aviator in the Navy before becoming the first person to walk on the moon, having flown 78 combat missions during the Korean War.

He earned his renown commanding the Apollo 11 space mission and landing on the moon on July 20, 1969, when he was 38.

Friday's ceremony came a day after hundreds of people attended a memorial service for him at Washington National Cathedral.

Neil Armstrong, a hero who shunned fame

John Glenn: Armstrong was a good friend

Response: Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on moon, died August 25 at age 82. Armstrong's wife participates in ceremony aboard USS Philippine Sea. Hundreds attended Armstrong's memorial at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:If just one thing could define emerging economies it's a young population -- and no other place reflects this more directly than in the world of tech startups.

"If you look at Vietnam or Cambodia or Myanmar, they don't suffer from the up-ended triangle that we all suffer from in the West of too many old people and too few young people," said Napoleon Biggs, a Hong Kong-based digital media specialist.

Venture capitalists and startup funds are now circling South East Asia looking for ideas to invest in.

He said groups like Rocket Internet from Germany were very good at identifying "clones," or emerging market copies of internet ideas that have originated elsewhere.

"They raise significant amounts of money and they're not embarrassed about cloning because they say it's all about execution, which it is."

Frontier markets are where these investors are seeing the greatest returns.

"They've gone into places like Myanmar with a vengeance," Biggs said. "They are bringing western business savvy and they find a local partner to make it happen."

One recurring feature of emerging market startups is that they are often aimed at solving specific problems in a country.

"In the West, the internet is often slagged off as a place where people waste their time," said Biggs. "In emerging economies, it's more likely to be specifically engineered to overcome an existing problem."

Click through the gallery above to see some of Asia's most innovative companies chosen by Napoleon Biggs, angel investor Simon Squibb, analyst Xiafeng Wang of Forrester and Ping Wong of the Hong Kong Internet Society.

Read this: The social apps taking China by storm

Read this: Can Alibaba topple the Silicon Valley giants?

Response: Startups in emerging markets are designed by and aimed at a young population. Investors are making significant outlays in startups in emerging economies. Rocket Internet has a large presence in frontier markets such as Myanmar. Emerging economies are more likely to develop ideas that overcome specific problems.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- New York eighth-grader Arvind Mahankali is the fiercest speller around. No word can foil him, as he proved Thursday when he beat out other Scripps National Spelling Bee contestants by spelling "knaidel" correctly.

"I know this. I got this," he told CNN's "Early Start" on Friday morning, recalling how he confidently steadied himself before enunciating every letter in the Yiddish word of German origin meaning dumpling. When he uttered the final letter, the audience erupted in wild applause.

The 13-year-old is feeling good even though he knows he won't be able to compete again since there's a limit on contestants beyond the eighth-grade.

Mahankali isn't the type of kid who stops at spelling domination.

"Next year I'll try to go somewhere in the Math Olympiad and the Physics Olympiad," he said.

The Bayside Hills, New York, teen, who wants to become a physicist, finished third in two previous national bees. He was eliminated after misspelling words with German roots.

"I thought that the German curse had turned into a German blessing," he said.

It didn't hurt that he studied constantly, telling CNN that he browsed through the dictionary and let his mother quiz him. "My dad collects words. I look up those words and get familiarity with those words."

Ending his Scripps career with a victory means he's "retiring on a good note," he said.

"I shall spend the summer," he said, "maybe (an) entire day, studying physics."

Pranav Sivakumar, a 13-year-old from Tower Lakes, Illinois, finished second. He missed on "cyanophycean." Then Mahankali nailed "tokonoma" and "knaidel," and the rest is history.

The annual contest offers the winner a healthy dose of classroom cred, $32,500 in cash and savings bonds, a trophy and a library of reference materials.

Contest isn't bee-all and end-all

Eleven million schoolchildren participated in preliminaries leading up to the national contest this week. Of those, 281 children made the trip to Oxon Hill, Maryland, outside Washington, for the national bee. Eleven spellers made it through to the finals.

Among them were 63 children who had been to at least one national bee before, and had to prepare for some changes in the rules for this year's events.

For the first time, participants had to demonstrate proficiency in vocabulary in addition to spelling.

Organizers also added an additional computer test for the semifinals, imposed time limits on computer-based spelling and vocabulary tests, and added a rule that resulted in automatic elimination for any participant who misspelled a word on stage in the second or third rounds.

CNN's Athena Jones and Michael Pearson contributed to this report.

Response: Arvind Mahankali correctly spells "tokonoma," then "knaidel" in Scripps National Spelling Bee. Mahankali says he thought, "I got this," when the judges told him the winning word. Prize package includes $32,500 in cash and savings bonds. It was final year to compete for Mahankali, who twice before finished third in contest.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:HANNOVER, Germany -- Germany maintained the pressure on the Czech Republic in the race for top spot in Group D with a comfortable 4-0 win against Cyprus in Hannover.

Lukas Podolski celebrates his goal as Germany cruised to a 4-0 victory over Cyprus.

Both sides have already qualified for EURO 2008 but Germany showed no sign of letting up as Bayern Munich pair Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski struck either side of half-time to build on Clemens Fritz's second-minute opener.

Thomas Hitzlsperger added the fourth in the 82nd minute as Germany claimed their eighth win in the group to move level with the Czech Republic on 26 points.

Germany were quick out of the blocks and celebrated their first goal after less than 120 seconds. Podolski's determination paid off and he pulled the ball back from the goalline for Fritz to score with a far-post header.

Klose added the second on 20 minutes, accepting a pass from the selfless Fritz in a central position and firing in from eight meters out.

Podolski was Germany's main threat, and he finally got the goal an excellent performance warranted when he turned in Klose's low cross from the right eight minutes into the second half.

The impressive Podolski turned provider for the final goal eight minutes from time, making a determined run to the goalline before squaring for Hitzlsperger, whose simple tap-in completed the scoring.

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky was among the goals for the Czech Republic as they beat neighbors Slovakia 3-1 in Prague to remain top of the group by virtue of their head-to-head with Germany.

Germany conclude their qualifying campaign at home to Wales on Wednesday while the Czech Republic travel to Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands secured their place in the finals with a narrow 1-0 win over Luxembourg in Group G.

Danny Koevermans scored the only goal for the Dutch two minutes before half time to seal their place in the finals alongside Romania -- who remain top of the group having already qualified, despite losing 1-0 to Bulgaria in Sofia.

Spain beat Sweden 3-0 with goals by Joan Capdevila, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos, while Northern Ireland maintained their slim chance of catching Sweden by beating Denmark 2-1.

David Healy scored the winning goal to set a European Championship qualifying record of 13 goals, overtaking Davor Suker's 12-goal mark.

Northern Ireland must now beat already-qualified Spain in Las Palmas on Wednesday and hope that Latvia can win in Sweden on the same night, if they are to reach the finals. E-mail to a friend

Response: Germany beat Cyprus 4-0 in Hannover as they keep pressure on the Czechs. Lukas Podolski scores and produces a superb performance for the Germans. The Czech Republic remain top of the group after defeating Slovakia 3-1.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- Pele, Diego Maradona and Franz Beckenbaeur will forever be remembered in football fans' consciousness for helping Brazil, Argentina and West Germany win the World Cup.

That trio symbolized the idea that international football -- pitting the game's very best players against one another -- was the pinnacle of a footballer's career.

But that passion for international football has cooled, especially for young English players, according to World Cup winner Patrick Vieira.

"I don't feel like in England, the young players are dreaming of playing for the national team anymore," said Vieira, who is now Manchester City's Football Development Executive.

"I think it's maybe the lack of England's Football Association power, I would say," added Vieira, who won the World Cup with France in 1998 as well as Euro 2000. "Maybe this is as well a lack of love for the national team.

"In England, I really don't understand how come so many young players from the age of 16-21 pull out of the national team for injury.

"When I grew up in France, I wanted to play for the French national team. That was my target, my dream."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has long argued that the European Champions League is the best competition in the world, surpassing even the World Cup, but Vieira insisted: "The national team is bigger than anything and I was really proud to play for France."

The former French international argued a key part of his development as a player was linked to the time he spent with the French national team, in particular learning from the example of more experienced players such as Marcel Desailly and Didier Deschamps, the current les bleus coach.

Vieira questioned whether the lack of elder statesmen within the current French international set-up had contributed to the disciplinary problems that surfaced at the World Cup in 2010 and more recently at Euro 2012.

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has not been recalled for France's upcoming friendly against Japan and World Cup qualifier against Spain even after serving a three-match ban imposed by the French Football Federation.

Nasri swore at a reporter following France's Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat by Spain after previously telling another journalist to "Shut your mouth!" in their opening match against England when he had scored.

"His non-selection is a surprise," said Vieira, who was speaking at the Leaders in Football Conference in London on Wednesday. "I'm sure he will go back to the national team."

England expects

Vieira's view that young English players were somewhat ambivalent about playing for their country might give the FA pause for thought.

On Tuesday the Football Association opened its elite football facility -- the $168-million St. George's Park complex -- which it hopes can help pave the way for the national team to win a major international tournament for the first time since 1966.

However, Vieira urged patience for the positive effects of the St George's Park initiative to trickle down.

"It doesn't guarantee success and it might take 10 to 15 years," said the former Arsenal, Inter Milan and Manchester City midfielder.

"The heart of the English player is double or triple that of the Spanish or French player. That is a good base to start with."

City have their own ambitious plans for a new training academy, which Vieira described as "unbelievable".

The project, which will boast 15 full-size and two half-size football pitches as well as accommodation for 40 youth-team players, will contain a 7,000-capacity stadium for youth team matches, a separate building for the first team and a bridge linking the Etihad Stadium to the area -- which will be known as the Etihad Campus.

"We want to bring our young players from the academy through to the first team," said Vieira. "It's important as the fans really identify with these players and this is the philosophy of the club.

"But clubs like City, Manchester United and Chelsea will also always try and sign the exceptional player," added Vieira, when asked if the English Premier League champions were no longer interested in signing players such as Atletico Madrid striker Falcao, who is expected to leave the Spanish club next summer.

In deciding how their academy should be run, City traveled round the world to look at examples of other successful academies as well as how other sports develop young talented players.

City particularly liked the way aspiring NBA players spent much of their day within an academy environment, which helps them "to learn how to behave as an individual", said Vieira.

Vieira is an ambassador for Western Union's new PASS initiative, turning every pass in this season's UEFA Europa League into funding for one day's education for young people around the world.

Response: England's young players no longer "dream" of playing for their national team, says France World Cup winner Patrick Viera. Frenchman Vieira won the World Cup in 1998 as well as Euro 2000. Manchester City's Football Development Executive described the plans for the club's own new training academy as "unbelievable".


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- At his heaviest, Brent Schmitt weighed 419 pounds. Even at  6 feet 3 inches tall, that was very overweight and he had high blood pressure.

Many people in his family -- aunts, uncles and grandparents --suffered from diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and high blood pressure.

The iReporter's life-changing moment came during an intense family discussion back in 2009 about his relatives' ailments.

It finally clicked for him: It was time for him to take a different path.

"If I didn't do something about my health, then I was concerned I'd never live long enough to get married and have children or be healthy enough to spend quality time with my future family," the Evansville, Indiana, man said.

And in 15 months, he dropped 177 pounds, more than 40 percent of his body weight.

View Brent Schmitt's iReport

Starting a family is important to this 27-year-old civil engineer and he didn't want to miss out on this opportunity, or the chance to lead a healthy life.

Schmitt jump-started the first six months of his weight loss journey back in July  2009 by reducing his food portions. He would use a smaller dinner plate than in the past and fill it with what he wanted to eat. Once he had done this, he would take half the food off his plate and just consume that portion.

As part of his diet, Schmitt avoided processed foods.

"I tried to buy fresh fruit and vegetables every three days, along with lunch meat sliced from the deli section of my local grocery store," he noted.

Schmitt focused on moving more, too. During the first six months of his weight loss plan, he made the daily choice of moving his body more than he had in the past. He would do little things like take the stairs rather than the elevator - or head to the copy machine after printing a work document, instead of letting his copies stack up.

Once he hit the six-month mark of his lifestyle change, he added more rigorous activity to his daily routine, like using the treadmill. At first, he just walked on the treadmill, but over time he picked up his pace and started to run.

In October 2010, he reached a milestone, running the Evansville half-marathon in less than two hours.

"At first I was in disbelief that I finished, and then I was relieved and proud of myself for achieving a difficult goal," he said.

He now makes a point to take the longest route possible when walking somewhere in order to get more exercise.

"It's everyday choices like these that help me lose weight," he added.

It took Schmitt about six and a half months to lose his first 100 pounds and then he shed the last 77 pounds over the next eight and a half months. He hopes to eventually reach his goal weight of 230 pounds.

Dr. Melina Jampolis, CNNHealth's Diet and Fitness expert who's a physician nutrition specialist who practices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California,  said Schmitt has shed his weight in a safe and effective manner and she salutes him for making smart choices.

"He didn't do any crazy diets or jump into a crazy exercise schedule - and he focused on proper nutrition," Jampolis said. "His story just proves that in real life, if you make small choices like these day after day, it can end with tremendous results."

Schmitt's family doctor, Dr. Michael Allen, said he was comfortable with the pace of the weight loss, since he was a young male and didn't have  major health issues, beyond his high blood pressure.  Allen noted if Schmitt hadn't dropped the pounds, he would have been on his way to bigger health problems, including diabetes or possible knee replacement surgery.

Many people who have not seen Schmitt in a long time  often do not recognize him, since his looks have dramatically changed. Many will ask him which diet plan he used or if he had bariatric surgery.

"I have to constantly reinforce the fact that it was a lifestyle change for me, and not a fad diet or surgery that caused me to lose so much weight," he added.

Schmitt credits his family and friends for supporting him through his "lifestyle change." He says on days when he felt like he was struggling, they would remind him of his progress and how proud they were of him.

"They encouraged me to keep going," he said.

Schmitt said his family members, with their various health issues, have closely watched his transformation, and he hopes his new healthy life will inspire them to make their own changes one day.

Schmitt's goal of starting his own family is on track, too. In mid-June, he became engaged and plans to marry his fiancée in November 2012.

"Life is good for me right now and the future is bright," said Schmitt. "I feel healthier, have more energy, more self-confidence and feel as though I have accomplished something really great."

Response: CNN iReporter Brent Schmitt shed 177 pounds in 15 months. Schmitt lost weight by cutting back on food portions and exercising more. A physician nutrition specialist says Schmitt lost his weight in a safe manner.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:Washington (CNN) -- Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department plans to expand a review of police tactics to update training, technology and other standards around the nation.

The aim, in part, is to produce broad national recommendations to enhance officers' safety, help them deal with new threats and also boost the use of technology such as police car and body cameras.

In the wake of complaints about police handling of protests in Ferguson, Missouri, critics likely will also push for new standards to address police crowd control tactics and the use of force. The protests followed the shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer in August.

Associations representing police officers and executives have supported the idea of a commission to review standards.

Holder, who speaks to a gathering of police officers in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Wednesday, plans to announce his support for such a commission to do the most expansive review of police tactics in 50 years.

Holder on Supreme Court's Ohio early voting decision: A 'step backward'

Holder, in prepared remarks, said the goal of the ongoing review is to "swiftly confront emerging threats, better address persistent challenges, and thoroughly examine the latest tools and technologies to enhance the safety, and the effectiveness, of law enforcement."

An ongoing review is already doing some of the work. But Holder says expanding it would "consider the profession in a comprehensive way and to provide strong, national direction on a scale not seen since President Lyndon Johnson's Commission on Law Enforcement nearly half a century ago."

Excerpts of his speech were provided by the Justice Department before delivery.

Holder's speech is also intended to mark the 20th anniversary of a landmark crime law that created the federal COPS grants program, which funds community policing in cities around the country.

Response: Goal is to produce recommendations to help police deal with new threats. Panel would also boost use of technology such as police car and body cameras. Holder to announce support for the commission in Wednesday speech. Critics will likely also want new standards for police use of force.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:LONGMONT, Colorado (CNN) -- A Colorado solar-energy company has high hopes for the economic stimulus bill that President Barack Obama will sign Tuesday in Denver.

AVA Solar CEO Pascal Noronha holds one of the solar panels his company produces.

Obama touts that the stimulus bill will help create up to a half a million so-called "green" jobs in the field of alternative energy. Colorado has a growing green energy industry.

Executives of AVA Solar, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, are among green energy industry representatives invited to the bill signing.

AVA Solar has its plant in Longmont, about 30 minutes north of Denver. The plant, set to begin production in the spring, will construct solar panels for solar power plants.

Once production is up to speed, CEO Pascal Noronha says, the plant should create enough solar panels a year to power 40,000 U.S. homes.

Noronha says AVA Solar needs two things: Government loans to expand its factory, and more government assistance to help power companies commit to building large solar power plants in the United States. iReport.com: What would you fix first?

Noronha says those two moves would help AVA Solar create 1,000 to 2,000 new jobs in its factory, plus added employment for its suppliers.

The company, founded in 2007, currently has 175 employees. Without the stimulus, Noronha said, AVA Solar is on track to create 420 new jobs by the end of this year.

AVA Solar currently operates on $175 million in U.S.-based private venture capital. In 2007 the company also received $3 million in seed money from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Noronha says Obama is on the right track in terms of the stimulus bill.

"What everybody needs is a little seed money because five years from now there's no question [that] solar has to replace the oil that we import," Noronha says. "What the government needs to do is provide the traction that is needed to get the first few projects on the ground."

"We need money from the federal government ... to facilitate production immediately," the CEO adds. "Otherwise, we will be sitting and waiting for projects in the U.S., and if we have to wait one year or two years -- when we're able to produce a solution for this country today -- that is a really good reason for the government to say, 'Here it is, let's go.' "

Noronha says his company's biggest customer base is in Germany, a country that is far ahead of the United States in embracing solar energy.

Obtaining U.S. customers is a priority, he explains.

"As a company we would very much like to have customers here in the U.S.," Noronha says. "The government needs to be able to facilitate these customers by making it possible for them to put large-scale power plants up."

Noronha is optimistic about the stimulus bill and the direction of the Obama administration.

"If you look at the vision of the president, you know he is looking out in the future and saying we've got to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," Noronha says.

"Well, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, there is only renewable energy. And there are two forms that are promising -- one is wind and the other is solar. And solar, you've got the sun's resources all over the world."

Response: Solar-panel company has high interest in stimulus bill. Creation of "green" energy jobs is among hallmarks of stimulus bill. AVA Solar of Colorado says it needs seed money to expand, hire more employees. Obtaining customers in the United States is a priority for the company.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- Max Page, the 7-year-old who played a mini Darth Vader in a Volkswagen commercial, is recovering from open heart surgery, his doctor and mother said Thursday.

Max Page: Meet the face behind the Force

"Max is out of surgery and he's doing well," said his surgeon, Dr. Vaughn Starnes at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. "Max is in the cardiac ICU and recovering very well." Max underwent the surgery to replace a pulmonary heart valve.

Max's mother, Jennifer Page, described the recovery to CNN in an e-mail as "a very frightening place. In the beginning stages it is filled with beeps, tubes and strange terminology." She asked for payers for Max to begin to wake up and to have as little pain as possible, adding that, "He hurts, can't have water and is disoriented."

Max's family waited in the lounge next door during surgery, his mother said, adding that his younger brother Els made him a special recovery pillow and offered a silent prayer by Max's side once the operation was complete.

Max is known for playing the role of a mini Darth Vader character who goes around his parents' house trying to use "the Force" on various household items without much success. He eventually tries his luck on his parents' car, and much to his surprise, it starts. Well, with a little help from the remote start fob one of his parents uses from inside the house.

Max was born with tetralogy of fallot, a congenital heart defect that in this case affected the function of his pulmonary valve, which helps the flow of blood through the heart. After a number of measures to preserve his pulmonary valve, doctor's replaced it with a porcine valve that should last 10-15 years, according to the Children's Hospital website.

Response: Max Page, 7, has surgery to correct heart problem. Doctor says he is recovering well. Max is known for donning Darth Vader costume in a car ad.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- The figure peers down silently from an upper floor of the ruins of a Scottish castle, wearing what looks like an outfit from the Middle Ages. Could this be a long-dead Scottish earl, or just a random, modern-day visitor?

The mysterious image captured by Chris Aitchison at Tantallon Castle in eastern Scotland.

The eerie image is captured in a photograph taken by tourist Christopher Aitchison in May 2008 at Tantallon Castle, which sits on a rocky outcrop along the Scottish coast, east of Edinburgh. The "person" appears to be wearing an old-style greenish ruff around the neck.

Aitchison insists he did not tamper with the image and cannot explain it.

"I was not aware of anyone, or anything, being present in my picture, only noticing the anomaly when I got home," Aitchison said. "Staff have verified that there were no sinister dummies in period costume or historical reenactments going on that day at the castle. I did not notice any nice old ladies wearing ruffs walking around the stairs!"

The picture was made public Friday by Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire who also studies the paranormal. Wiseman said he was looking for "photographic evidence for ghosts" ahead of a session on the subject at the Edinburgh International Science Festival next week.  See gallery of haunted photographs »

Wiseman solicited such photos from around the world and collated them for the conference. He said the majority of images showed mysterious-looking orbs, mists, figures and faces.

In one picture, a face appears in the side-view mirror of a parked Mercedes convertible. The photographer insists no one was around when he took the picture; skeptics say the mirror could be reflecting the headrest or be the result of digital manipulation.

Another photo of a person walking through a creek in the woods appears to show a second person wearing a hooded sweatshirt, standing on a rock nearby. Skeptics say the "figure" is an illusion created by tree branches and the rock formation in the background.

Two friends raising a drink to the camera in a third photograph are joined by a ghostly third figure in the background with a face that looks like a Halloween monster mask.

"Many of the photographs can be easily explained," said photographer Gordon Rutter, who also examined the pictures. "Orbs can be caused by the camera flash reflecting off tiny dust particles, mists can result from condensed breath in front of the lens, long exposures can create ghostly figures, and apparent faces are often people seeing patterns in random shapes."

But the "ghost" in the Scottish castle has generated the most attention. What do you think about the image?

Tantallon Castle was built in the 1350s by a nobleman and soon became the stronghold of the Douglas dynasty. For 300 years, the Douglas earls of Angus held sway at the castle as one of the most powerful families in Scotland, according to Historic Scotland, which looks after historic sites for the Scottish government.

The castle also was the scene of violence, enduring three great sieges: in 1491, 1528 and 1651. The last, by Oliver Cromwell's army, resulted in such destruction that the fortress was abandoned.

It remains the "last truly great castle" built in Scotland, with enormously thick and high stone walls enclosing large courtyards, and high stone towers.

That stonework could explain the mysterious figure in the photograph, having caused unusual shadows. It is also possible that a member of the public was standing there when the picture was taken, Wiseman said -- in which case, he hopes they will come forward.

"I think it's probably a person who's been caught in slightly odd dress," Wiseman told CNN. "We know the day it was taken ... so somebody might come forward to say, 'That was me.'"

He added, "If they can explain it, e-mail me. Or indeed, if they have photos they think are better, e-mail them to me."

A similar mystery happened five years ago at another medieval site, Hampton Court Palace, built by King Henry VIII west of London. A security camera captured a figure in period dress opening a window, peering out, then closing it again.

Palace officials insisted at the time that no one was in the room, and they were at a loss to explain the figure. It later emerged that a member of staff wearing a medieval costume was the person in the video.

Response: Photograph taken by Christopher Aitchison in May 2008 at Tantallon Castle. The "person" appears to be wearing an old-style greenish ruff around the neck. Aitchison insists he did not tamper with the image. Picture made public by a psychology professor who studies the paranormal.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:Editor's note: What's the best advice your father ever gave you? Please share in the comments section below.

(RealSimple.com) -- My father taught me the importance of making my bed every morning. When I was six years old, he showed me how to complete the task Marine Corps-style and would inspect my work on a daily basis.

Today my bed is one of the only things in my life that is consistently neat and orderly. (Sigh.) -- Mary Usen, Buffalo, New York

Real Simple: 14 Father's Day cards

How important it is to have fun. My dad was never boring: He often stood on his head to impress his three kids. And he made even mundane errands exciting.

For example, he once coaxed us to imagine a trip to the fishmonger's (with its live octopus on display) as a Jules Verne adventure. My dad taught me that life is better when you have a good time -- and bring others along for the ride. -- Monique Citron Stampleman, Larchmont, New York

Many mornings when my dad dropped me off at school, he would repeat the adage "Don't take any wooden nickels." He meant it to mean: Don't settle for less than you're worth.

I've relied on this advice countless times over the years. It has motivated me to end harmful relationships and has kept me from underestimating my abilities at work. Thanks to my father, I don't let self-doubt keep me from achieving my goals. -- Hilary Heindl, Salem, Massachusetts

While I was growing up in the late 1950s and early 60s, my dad made sure I knew that I could do anything a man could do. He showed me how to use power tools, climb on the roof to install a radio antenna, and lift a trailer onto a hitch.

He also loved to see me dressed up for dances and even bought me my first lipstick. He wanted me to recognize that I could be feminine and self-sufficient. -- Winifred Norwood, Ellsworth, Maine

Real Simple: Father's Day gift ideas

When I first entered the working world, my dad told me that it's as important to remember the assistant's name as the boss's. It's good manners, but it's also smart business: After all, if you ever need something, you won't get to the boss unless you're on good terms with the person who handles her schedule.

Having worked as an assistant myself, I know firsthand that he was right. I would make a point to go out of my way to help people who treated me kindly. -- Carolyn Juris, Astoria, New York

My father says, "If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it." And he should know: He's an incredibly industrious doctor who manages to get to know his patients well, play ball with his grandchildren, and pursue countless hobbies.

In my own life, I've discovered that I am more productive when I have more going on. -- Kim Prywes Bloomberg, Chicago, Illinois

Real Simple: 10 things my father was right about

Before I got married, my father advised me to avoid complaining about my husband to my friends. If you don't hash out problems with your spouse, he said, you might start harboring resentment toward him or cause your friends to view him negatively. Because of this sound guidance, my marriage is thriving. -- Lara Carr Winton, Pinson, Alabama

You don't have to answer the phone just because it rings. My dad always felt that if he was with a family member or a friend, that person took precedence over whoever might be calling. He taught me to focus on the people I'm with, regardless of the situation. After all, they deserve my full attention. -- Jessica Barr-Gabriel, Okotoks, Alberta

Real Simple: 7 gifts for dad

The best advice my father ever gave was passed down from his dad: Never try to solve problems at night, because they always seem worse than they do in the morning. Though I sometimes lack the self-control to follow this sage suggestion, I've learned over the years that it's true. Darkness can make even the smallest obstacle seem insurmountable. -- Laura Sinrod, New York, New York

Everything -- especially when it comes to gardening. Thanks to my dad's smarts, I know that I should check the average date for the last frost in my region before I start spring planting. I only hope that one day my backyard will be as enviable as his. -- Kristin Monaco, Washington, D.C.

Real Simple: Grill like a pro

To avoid the blues, my dad said, you should always have something to look forward to. Now when I'm in a bad mood, I find myself thinking about that "something" -- a sunny vacation spot, a trip to a café, or even a good-night hug from my boys. -- Amy Canby, Englewood, Colorado

Real Simple: 20 books for dads

Share your dad's best advice in the comment area below.

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Copyright © 2010 Time Inc. All rights reserved.

Response: People share words of wisdom from their fathers. Sinrod's father taught her to "Never try to solve problems at night.". Usen's father advised her to always make her bed in the morning.


Prompt:
Explain the text in one sentence.
 Text:(CNN) -- He used to terrorize defenses, but now former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen is tearing up the turf after clinching his first Group 1 winner.

Seven years ago Owen set up his own yard -- Manor House Stables -- and on Sunday he witnessed his first top-flight success as Brown Panther, a horse he also bred, romped to victory over a stellar field in the Irish St Leger at The Curragh.

"He's the apple of my eye as everyone knows and he was pretty spectacular out there," said Owen, who fought back tears amid the emotion of the win following a superb ride by jockey Richard Kingscote.

"Richard was a bit closer to the pace than we envisaged but he's a relentless galloper and he quickened again," added Owen. "He kept galloping and he's a superstar."

Owen was thrust with Liverpool, Manchester United and England jerseys to sign in the winners' enclosure, which was likened to a mosh pit at the music festival Glastonbury.

Brown Panther showed the sort of turn of pace with which Owen used to bedevil defenders during his playing days amid a world class field, including Ascot Gold Cup winner Leading Light, trained by Aidan O'Brien.

It proved a tough weekend for O'Brien, a day after his star horse Australia suffered a shock defeat in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown Saturday.

As such, Owen proved the star turn of Irish racing at the weekend, a fitting result following the death just two months earlier of Treble Heights, the mother of Brown Panther.

The Tom Dascombe-trained stallion had finished third at the same race at the Curragh in 2012, but this time his rivals failed to match his pace heading to the winning post as Brown Panther added to previous victories at both Ascot and Goodwood.

"The first thing to say is he [Richard] gave him a brilliant ride," said Dascombe, who hinted Brown Panther is now likely to compete at the Long Distance Cup race at British Champions Day next month at Ascot rather than return to the Melbourne Cup where he was eighth a year ago.

"I was close to pulling him out but there aren't too many Irish levers so you have to run. The horse never lets us down."

In an interview with CNN earlier this year, Owen, who also houses two of Wayne Rooney's horses at his stables, admitted that horse racing wins can only come a close second to scoring goals in his footballing heyday.

Introduced to the sport of kings by his dad Terry, Owen also revealed he still struggled with the concept of merely watching a sporting occasion from the stands.

"With football you always feel in control. On the pitch, you can always do something to make something happen. Your destiny is in your hands in many ways," he said.

Response: Ex-England striker enjoys his biggest-ever horse-racing win at Irish St Leger. Brown Panther stuns a stellar field including Aidan O'Brien-trained Leading Light. Owen describes the horse as 'the apple of my eye' and targets Ascot glory next. Trainer Tom Dascombe hails perfect ride by jockey Richard Kingscote on board.