A near-US$800bn stimulus bill is on its way to President Barack Obama's desk for signing having cleared its last political hurdle.

Investors sent Washington a message this week: They won’t commit to stocks until the government commits to a plan.

Wall Street managed a moderate advance in an uneven session today.

MILITANTS holding nine foreign hostages in Southern Nigeria destroyed an oil pipeline yesterday and blew up a boat in violence that has cut about 20% of crude production in Africa’s oil giant.