The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell to a seasonally adjusted 340,000 last week, driving down the four-week average to its lowest level in five years. The drop is a positive sign ahead of Friday's report on February job growth.

Republicans pushed legislation through the House on Wednesday to prevent a government shutdown this month while easing the short-term impact of $85 billion in spending cuts at the same time previewing a longer-term plan to erase federal deficits without raising taxes.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer received a $1.1 million bonus for her first five-and-half months running the Internet company.

New research shows that both consumers and physicians overwhelmingly choose and trust over-the-counter medicines.