U.S.: 19th Best Place for Retirees
For retirees hoping to live long and prosper in their golden years, the U.S. is only the 19th best place to be, according to a new index.
Switzerland
A Modest Gun Control Proposal: Use the Whole 2nd Amendment
Both President Obama's four-part gun control plan and the NRA's proposal to put armed guards in schools have severe shortcomings. To develop a third, better alternative, one might consider looking back to the specific wording of the Second Amendment.
UBS to Pay $1.5 Billion in Fines Over Interest Rate Rigging Scandal
UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, agreed Wednesday to pay some $1.5 billion in fines to international regulators following a probe into the rigging of LIBOR, a key global interest rate. That makes UBS the second bank, after Britain's Barclays, to settle over the rate-rigging scandal.
Offshored Trillions: The Hidden Economy That's Robbing the World
Tax havens are big news in the U.S., but a recent study shows that, when it comes to offshoring cash to dodge taxes, Americans are amateurs. Globally, tax havens are used to hide an estimated $21 trillion, more than the entire U.S. GDP.
The 10 Happiest Countries in the World
Once again, 24/7 Wall St. has examined the OECD's report on life satisfaction. And once again, the United States fails to make the top 10 happiest nations in the world. Which countries do? Some may surprise you.
Swiss Bank Accounts: Why Mitt (or an Average Joe) Might Want One
Mitt Romney's Swiss bank account is back in the news, and Americans are wondering why he has money in the famous tax haven. But if "Swiss bank account" makes you think of criminals, secret agents and tax dodgers, your ideas are more fiction than fact.
Japan's Nuke Crisis Revives Call for Safer Reactors
As people in Japan's earthquake-tsunami disaster zone deal with the additional danger of radiation from damaged nuclear reactors, nations across the globe are taking the crisis as a sign that it's time to get more aggressive in their development of safer nuclear power plants.
What Investors Should Expect After Davos 2011
Reports from the ultra-elite Swiss meeting show that CEOs are far more optimistic than they've been for years. Considering their cash hoards, an M&A wave is likely. But they're unmoved by the idea that they should create societal value.
UBS to Employees: You Must Dress Like Bankers
In a bid to promote a more polished image, Swiss-banking giant UBS is giving employees a 43-page guide that advises them on how to dress to impress when dealing with clients, in extreme detail. Do: Wear jackets buttoned. Don't: Let underwear be seen.
UBS, Credit Suisse Face Tougher Capital Rules
UBS and Credit Suisse Group will have to almost double their capital holdings because Switzerland has set out to further tighten the reins on its megabanks, requiring them to hold capital well in excess of the new Basel III rules.
Geithner Backs New Finance Rules, Extended Tax Cuts, to U.S. Lawmakers
International banking regulations agreed upon in Basel, Switzerland, last week will reduce the probability of a future financial meltdown, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said before the House Financial Services Committee today.
U.S. Falls Again in Competitiveness Rankings
Is the U.S. losing its ability to compete in the global economy? While it certainly isn't out of the race, American competitiveness seems to be slipping, at least according to a new ranking by the World Economic Forum.
Swiss Refuse to Extradite Roman Polanski to the U.S.
The Swiss government blamed U.S. authorities for failing to provide confidential testimony about Polanski's sentencing procedure in 1977-1978. The Swiss government also said it took national interest into consideration.
Government Investigating HSBC Clients for Tax Evasion
At least one client received a letter from the Justice Department saying the department had reason to believe the person held accounts overseas without reporting them to the IRS. The letter did not mention HSBC.
Biz Brief: Swiss Parliament Approves Tax-Cheaters Treaty
Wealthy U.S. tax dodgers may be sitting on edge after the Swiss parliament reluctantly approved a treaty with the United States Tuesday under which Switzerland would hand over the names of thousands of suspected U.S. tax cheats to the IRS, according to an Associated Press report.
