美联社新闻一分钟 2008-05-01

（单词翻译）

1. The Fed is hoping to give the economy a boost. This afternoon, it lowered a key interest rate. Officials thought this will encourage more borrowing amongst consumers which may then lift the sagging¹ economy.

2. State police in New Mexico have removed four children from an apocalyptic² church whose leader claims to be the Messiah. Officials say the children were taken because of allegations there may have been inappropriate contact between them and the leader of the church.

3. A celebrity³ hangout in Hollywood has been damaged by fire. It took about 180 firefighters to extinguish the blaze at the Basque Nightclub and Restaurant. That’s the same place Linsey Lohan celebrated⁴ her 21st birthday and where Kanye West partied just last week.

4. President Bush stood among giants today, the New York Giants that is. The reigning⁵ NFL champions visited the White House to receive the official congratulations from the commander in chief.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. apocalyptic : adj.

Apocalyptic means relating to or involving predictions about future disasters and the destruction of the world.

2. hangout : n. informal

If a place is a hangout for a particular group of people, they spend a lot of time there because they can relax and meet other people there.

3. reigning campion: n.

The reigning champion is the most recent winner of a contest or competition at the time you are talking about.