AP美联社一分钟新闻 2009-03-19（在线收听）

1.The Federal Reserve says it’s opening a new front in its battle to lift the country out of recession. It announced today that it will buy up to 300 billion dollars in long term Treasury securities over the next six months.

2.The head of financially strapped AIG told Congress he’s heard the rage over executive bonuses and has called on employees to voluntarily return at least half of the money. However he says the bonuses could be defended as a legal obligation of the company.

3.The Pope is set to meet with representatives of Cameroon's sizable Muslim minority Thursday. Today he spoke to the country’s 31 bishops and spent time with the president.

4.North Carolina coach Roy Williams says there's a huge probability point guard Ty Lawson won’t play in the Tar Heel's NCAA tournament opener. Lawson also missed the ACC tournament last week and the Heels were upset without him.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1.strapped: adj.

having little or no money at the moment

2.upset: vt.

to defeat an opponent who is considered to be much better than you