In the World

SWITZERLAND

Voters uphold tax breaks for the rich

Swiss voters on Sunday decided to hold onto a 152-year-old tax break for rich foreigners, such as four- time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel and Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, that's in force in Geneva and other wealthy areas, a measure the government says helps the country's economy.

Fifty-nine percent voted against the the Socialist Party-sponsored initiative that would have abolished the the regime known as the forfait allowing foreigners to duck income and wealth taxes by negotiating lump-sum payments with Swiss cantons, or states.

Six of the nation's 26 cantons have abolished the forfait since 2008.

Four of Switzerland's five governing parties opposed abolishing the tax break, originally created in 1862 to encourage British expatriates to contribute to local services. - Bloomberg
EGYPT

Mubarak protests

Clashes broke out between security forces and protesters after a court cleared former president Hosni Mubarak, 86, of complicity in the deaths of civilians during the 2011 uprising that toppled him. Saturday's dismissal of charges, after Mubarak's initial conviction and life sentence were overturned in January 2013, sparked an anti-government rally in Tahrir Square. The protest was largely quashed by police in confrontations that killed two and wounded nine, some critically, according to the Health Ministry. - Bloomberg
COLOMBIA

Rebels free general

Marxist rebels released Gen. Ruben Alzate and two aides, ending a crisis that led President Juan Manuel Santos to suspend peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Santos announced the release on Twitter, without providing details. - Bloomberg