2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup

This always promised to be a special FIFA World Cup™. Hosted by a nation that has come to represent the very best of football, edition number 20 of the beautiful game's greatest spectacle was never likely to be just like the others. And we were not disappointed. Brazil 2014 proved extraordinary in all sorts of ways, with packed stadiums and passionate crowds treated to thrills, upsets and a record number of goals.

It also witnessed Germany reclaim in style a Trophy they had won three times before and, in the process, become the first European team to triumph in the Americas. Joachim Low's side were worthy and impressive winners, although for the third World Cup in succession it required extra time to decide the Final, with Mario Gotze this time assuming the role that Andres Iniesta had occupied in 2010.

The substitute's brilliant 113th-minute winner also maintained Europe's grip on the World Cup, with the continent having now produced a record three consecutive champions. It was a goal that very nearly lifted the roof off Rio de Janeiro's iconic, incomparable Maracana, and which provided a fittingly inspiring conclusion to a truly unforgettable tournament.

who:Brazil, Germany  Mario Gotze
what:German reclaim in style a Trophy they had won three times before and, in the process, become the first European team to triumph in the Americas.

how:Brazil 2014 extraordinary in all sorts of ways
why:It promised to be a special FIFA World Cup
when:2014
where:Brazil

 spectacle景象

reclaim試圖取回

succession連續

assume就任

substitute替代者

 consecutive連續不斷的

fittingly適切地；適合地

 source:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=germans-reign-as-brazil-thrills-the-world-2404806.html#c_comments_2404806

The presidents of Russia and Ukraine held key talks yesterday with little hopes for a breakthrough in resolving the raging conflict pitting Kiev against pro-Moscow separatist rebels.

Hours before the crunch talks, Kiev ratcheted up tensions by releasing footage purporting to show 10 Russian soldiers captured on its territory who a Moscow military source said had crossed into Ukraine “by accident.”

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Minsk for a meeting with top EU officials and the leaders of Kazakhstan and Belarus, in a bid to defuse tensions that some fear could trigger all-out war between Kiev and its former Soviet master, Moscow.

US National Security Adviser Susan Rice accused Russia of “military incursions” into Ukraine using artillery, air defense systems, tanks and troops, which she said represented a “significant escalation” in the conflict.

“Repeated Russian incursions into Ukraine unacceptable. Dangerous and inflammatory,” she wrote on Twitter.

Kiev’s security service said paratroopers from Russia’s 98th airborne division were captured about 50km southeast of the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk.

Ukrainian media yesterday aired footage purporting to show the captured Russian paratroopers confessing to entering Ukraine in armored convoys.

“We traveled here in columns, not along the roads, but across the fields,” says one of the men who identifies himself as corporal Ivan Milchakov from the 331st Parachute Regiment based in central Russia. “I didn’t even see when we crossed the border.”

Kiev has long accused Moscow of stoking the separatist insurgency raging in its east, but this is the first time Ukrainian authorities have claimed to have captured soldiers from Russia’s regular army.

“Officially, they are at exercises in various corners of Russia. In reality, they are participating in military aggression against Ukraine,” Ukrainian Minister of Defense Valeriy Geletey said on Facebook.

Who: The presidents of Russia and Ukraine  Kiev

When :no given

what :

why:10 Russian soldiers captured on its territory

where:Minsk

how: with little hopes for a breakthrough in resolving the raging conflict pitting Kiev against pro-Moscow separatist rebels.

breakthrough 關鍵問題的解決

pitting   圈套

crunc talks  緊縮會談

ratcheted up 加深;加大

trigger  觸發

incursions  侵略

airborne  (軍)空降的

paratroopers  (軍) 傘兵

source:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/08/27/2003598361