WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Federal Reserve said Monday it would begin to pay interest on bank deposits for the first time and expand its refinancing operations for commercial banks to 600 billion dollars in a bid to increase liquidity.

LONDON (AFP) - World stock markets plummeted on Monday, striking four-year lows, as panic-stricken investors doubted whether a Wall Street bailout package would stem the global financial crisis.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates says that while the US Government's & #36;700 billion financial rescue package is a bitter pill to swallow, it will not spell the end of capitalism.

World stock markets suffered fresh maulings on Monday, striking four-year lows as investors doubted whether a bailout package would stem the financial crisis

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Bank of America said Monday it was ready to spend up to 8.

LONDON (AFP) - World markets suffered massive losses Monday, striking four-year lows, as panic-stricken investors doubted whether a Wall Street bailout package would stem the global financial crisis.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Bank of America said Monday it was ready to spend up to 8.

PARIS (AFP) - Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne -- two of the largest high street banks in France -- have begun talks on a possible merger, a source close to the talks said Monday.

LONDON (AFP) - Crude oil prices slumped to eight month low points below 90 dollars a barrel on Monday as worsening financial turmoil triggered fears about slowing demand for energy, traders said.

The Power and Water Corporation says attracting skilled workers to Darwin is one of the company's biggest challenges.