This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

The United States central bank is prepared to take further actions to support the economy if conditions get a lot worse.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave that message in a speech Friday in which he discussed possible steps.

These include buying more securities in an effort to push down longer-term interest rates and increase economic growth.

He spoke in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the Fed holds a yearly conference for central bankers and other international guests.