TASK DEFINITION: Given a text, write a compressed version of it in a single sentence.
PROBLEM: The LAT , NYT , and WP fronts carry the news that the federal government has indeed, as it first hinted over a week ago, decided to try to block the Lockheed-Northrop merger.

SOLUTION: The LAT , NYT , and WP report that the federal government has, as previously hinted, decided to block the Lockheed-Northrop merger

PROBLEM: A short time later, the Community Youth Mapping Project sent 55 young people out into the community to identify the resources they need to grow up well: caring adults, safe places to go, and positive things to do.

SOLUTION: Later the community youth mapping project sent 55 young people into the community to identify what they need to grow up into caring adults with things to do.

PROBLEM: FIXED COST - A cost that does not vary in the short term with the volume of activity. Fixed cost information is useful for cost savings by adjusting existing capacity, or by eliminating idle facilities.

SOLUTION:
FIXED COST- Cost that doesn't vary short term with volume of activity. fixed cost information is useful for savings by adjusting existing capacity.