VOA慢速英语2015 国际足联主席称腐败丑闻给体育带来耻辱

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FIFA President: Charges Bring Shame to Sport 国际足联主席称腐败丑闻给体育带来耻辱

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said corruption¹ scandals within the world soccer organization have brought "shame and humiliation²" on the sport.

Mr. Blatter spoke³ Thursday at the opening of the FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland. He was speaking publicly for the first time since U.S. and Swiss officials announced major corruption investigations⁴ of the organization.

Meanwhile, two major European football associations called on Mr. Blatter to resign, ahead of the organization’s presidential elections planned for Friday. UK Prime Minister David Cameron also supported calls for Sepp Blatter to step down.

Major FIFA sponsors like Visa and Coca-Cola are calling for FIFA to make major changes within the organization. The United Nations is also reviewing its partnerships⁵ with FIFA following allegations of widespread corruption, a U.N. spokesman said Thursday.

Seven high-ranking current and former FIFA officials were arrested Wednesday.

Iranian FM expresses hope for nuclear deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Thursday he his hopeful Iran and a group of world powers can reach a final agreement on his country's nuclear program "within a reasonable period of time."

But during a visit to Greece, Zarif also said an agreement will not happen if there are "excessive demands."

Iran and the group that includes Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany have given themselves until June 30 to form a final deal curbing⁶ Iran's nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief.  The two sides agreed to a framework in April, but still need to work out details such as how quickly to lift the sanctions that have hurt Iran's economy.

President Obama hosts Twitter chat on climate change

Just a week after entering the Twitter world with his new handle, @POTUS, U.S. President Barack Obama was on Twitter Thursday answering questions on climate change.

The president was in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, touring the National Hurricane Center. Mr. Obama spoke about the link between deadly storms and climate change.

During his Twitter question-and-answer session Thursday, the president was asked by one user why he called climate change a national security issue during his State of the Union address in January.

Words in the News:

humiliation – n. the act of making (someone) feel very ashamed or foolish

corruption – n. dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people

sponsor – n. an organization that pays the cost of an activity or event (such as a radio or television program, sports event, concert, etc.) in return for the right to advertise during the activity or event

reasonable – adj. fair and sensible