THE Federal Opposition has again called for a delay in the introduction of emissions trading to reduce uncertainty faced by business amid the global economic crisis.

THE Government is set to review all its spending commitments as the global financial crisis starts to bite.

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd today announced the Government would guarantee all deposits being held in Australian financial institutions for the next three years.

AGED pensions should be increased to help struggling pensioners and provide an immediate economic stimulus at a time of global financial turmoil, a study says.

THE Federal Government is set to review all its spending commitments as the global financial crisis starts to bite.

THE International Monetary Fund said today it was ready to lend to countries in need of capital in the financial crisis.

A TOP Chinese official criticised rich nations for the problems in the global financial system today and called on them to "shoulder the responsibility" of preventing more fallout.

THE G7 rich countries all agree the world financial meltdown requires "a serious global response", US President George W Bush said today.

VIETNAM has given the go-ahead for Australia's ANZ bank to set up a wholly owned subsidiary based in Hanoi, an official statement said today.

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says the US government is planning to invest directly in US banks to prevent them from failing, expanding the focus of the government's $US700 billion ($1 trillion) rescue plan.