VOA慢速英语2015--国会议员与政府官员讨论伊朗核协议

US Lawmakers, Obama Officials Debate Iran Deal 国会议员与政府官员讨论伊朗核协议

Secretary of State John Kerry debated with members of the U.S. Senate Thursday in the first public hearing on the Iran nuclear deal.

Mr. Kerry met with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington. During the hearing, Senator Bob Corker said the deal falls short of ending Iran's nuclear program.

Mr. Kerry disagreed. In his words, it is "fantasy, plain and simple," to think the United States failed to wait for a better deal in negotiations¹.

Iran and six other countries -- Britain, China, France, Russia, Germany and the United States reached the agreement last week.

The U.S. Congress has until September 17 to approve or reject the deal. President Barack Obama has promised to veto a rejection².

Secretary Carter makes unannounced stop in Iraq

U.S. Defense³ Secretary Ash Carter made an unannounced visit Thursday to Baghdad, Iraq.

The American defense chief praised Iraqi counterterrorism troops, as he watched them carry out exercises at a firing range.

Mr. Carter also was to meet with top Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the country's defense minister, as well as U.S. commanders.

Earth-like planet discovered

U.S. scientists said Thursday that they had discovered a planet similar to Earth around a distant sun-like star.

The planet is about 60 percent bigger than Earth. It was discovered using NASA's Kepler space telescope. The planet circles a star that is similar in size and temperature to the sun.

Astronomer⁴ Jon Jenkins said of the discovery, “In my mind, this is the closest thing we have to another planet like Earth.”

Words in the News

hearing – n. a meeting or session at which evidence and arguments about a crime, complaint, etc., are presented to a person or group who will have to decide on what action should be taken

veto –v. to reject (a proposed law) officially : to refuse to allow (a bill) to become a law

astronomer – n. the scientific study of stars, planets, and other objects in outer space

1 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

2 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 astronomer   

n.天文学家

参考例句：

• A new star attracted the notice of the astronomer.新发现的一颗星引起了那位天文学家的注意。
• He is reputed to have been a good astronomer.他以一个优秀的天文学者闻名于世。