US unemployment claims fall to 684,000 last week

US jobless claims fell more than expected last week as economic activity rebounded following weather-related disruptions. Another 684-thousand people filed for unemployment benefits, down from 781-thousand in the week prior. Claims are now at the lowest level since mid-March last year, when the coronavirus pandemic began.

Mastercard faces $19B class action lawsuit in UK

US credit card giant Mastercard is facing a historic 19-billion dollar class action lawsuit for allegedly overcharging UK consumers between 1992 and 2008. A two-day court hearing has kicked-off in London to determine the fate of Britain's first mass consumer claim. If the court rules against Mastercard, around 46-million people in the UK could receive a payout of up to 410 dollars.

Cineworld reports first annual loss, raises more debt

The world's second-largest cinema operator, Cineworld, has reported its first-ever annual loss due to the pandemic. The group, which shut all of its 660 movie theatres in the US and the UK in October, suffered a pre-tax loss of 3-billion dollars in 2020. The Regal Cinemas owner has also raised a further 213-million dollars in funds to bolster its finances.