The House of Representatives has clearly rejected a planned law allowing Swiss banks to hand over data of suspected tax dodgers to the United States. Discussions in parliament are continuing on Wednesday.  [...]

The Swiss government has described the systematic internet monitoring allegedly practised by the US intelligence service, NSA, as an “excessive infringement of the private sphere”, whose protection is guaranteed by the federal constitution.  [...]

City of London police have charged a former UBS trader with eight counts of conspiracy to defraud, as part of the investigation into the manipulation of the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, uncovered last year.  [...]

One hundred days after his election, Pope Francis I is enjoying a positive image and heightened popularity. Although he hasn’t been in his seat long, observers estimate that signs are showing the “pope of the poor” will become an important decision-maker.  [...]

For the past 20 years, more and more countries have been affected by desertification – and not just because of climate change. Experts say that some agricultural practices have also had disastrous effects.  [...]