Envelope sent to white house tests positive for cyanide

According to the Secret Services, an envelope sent to the White House has been tested positive for cyanide. On Monday, the envelope was received at an off-site mail screening facility. In the beginning, biological testing was negative. According to the agency, additional testing which was done on Tuesday gave a positive results for cyanide. Further testing on the sample will also be conducted.

The Secret Service looks after security of President Barack Obama. According to the agency, investigation is still being carried out. Generally, suspicious letters are sent to some of the leading politicians of the country, together with the president. So far, some letters have been tested positive for hazardous substances. Many other letters include threats of physical harm and death.

Zara-owner Inditex posts 5% rise in 2014 profit

The net profit of Spanish fashion giant Inditex, which owns Zara stores, increased by 5% in 2014. On Wednesday, the company reported profit for February 2014 through January 2015, which rose to 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) from 2.4 billion euros for the previous 12-month period. The sales jumped 8% to 18.1 billion euros.

Zara sales were strong this winter with the introduction of leather skirts and tunics. In the first six weeks of the first quarter, the sales rose 13% in euro terms.

Results at the Zara owner were in line with expectations in a Reuters poll, which had predicted 2.49 billion euros net profit on sales of 18.06 billion euros.

Anti-capitalist protesters spoil inauguration of ECB’s new $1.4 billion tower

Anti-capitalist protesters spoilt the inauguration of the European Central Bank's (ECB) new headquarters in Frankfurt. More than 10,000 protesters descended on the euro area's financial capital hours before the ceremonial opening of the billion-euro ($1.4 billion) tower.

Several cars were set on fire and streets were blocked by burning stacks of tyres and rubbish bins. The protesters clashed with riot police and also set off smoke bombs and threw stones, glass and corrosive substances.

Police officers deployed water cannons to keep the demonstrators at bay in the area surrounding the building.

Grand Island’s Animal Advisory Board makes a change to Proposed Regulations on Beekeeping

On Tuesday, Animal Advisory Board of Grand Island made a change to proposed regulations on beekeeping. The regulations allow people to keep two beehives per lot within the city limits.

According to the board, people must have to place a 'bee hives present' sign on fencing surrounding the bee hives. The sign idea was brought up by Laurie Dethloff, director of Central Nebraska Humane Society. She asked the board, "Do you think it would be proactive to identify within a certain area that there are bees so that somebody who would have an allergy would be more cautious?"

Fannie, Freddie need More Bailouts

Regulators of the United States housing finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said on Wednesday that the mortgage loan companies could require more bailouts from United States taxpayers as risks are increasing because of shrinking reserves.

The two companies were bailed out by Washington in 2008 at height of the financial crisis. That time, the companies were ordered to reduce their capital buffers.

In an earlier report, Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General said that future profitability is far from assured. The Inspector General also pointed out that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could again overcome losses on their derivatives portfolios, same to those that they reported in the fourth quarter.

Premera Blue Cross suffers Cyber-Attack

Healthcare insurance provider Premera Blue Cross revealed that it faced a cyber-attack that might have exposed medical records and financial information that belong to more than 10 million customers.

According to the health insurer, the attackers might have gained access to data involving clinical information, banking account numbers, birth dates, Social Security numbers and other data. Premera said that the attack took place last year.

Pages

News in Focus

HDFC AMC Share Price Target at Rs 3,200: Motilal Oswal Research

Motilal Oswal has reiterated its BUY rating on HDFC Asset Management Company after the fund house's analyst meet, holding a target of Rs 3,200 against a current price of Rs 2,447 — an upside of abo

LG Electronics India Share Price Target at Rs 1,925: Axis Direct

Axis Direct has reiterated its BUY call on LG Electronics India with an unchanged 12-month target of Rs 1,965, roughly 19 percent above the prevailing Rs 1,646.

Raymond Realty Share Price Target at Rs 700: ICICI Direct

ICICI Direct has initiated coverage on Raymond Realty with a Buy rating and a net-asset-value-based target of Rs 700, implying roughly 23 percent upside from the prevailing Rs 568.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Share Price Target at Rs 156:Prabhudas Lilladher Research

Prabhudas Lilladher has retained its BUY rating on Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels after a management meeting, holding a sum-of-the-parts target of Rs 156 against a current price of Rs 112 — an upsid

Kirloskar Oil Engines Share Price Target at Rs 2,850: ICICI Securities

ICICI Securities has initiated coverage on Kirloskar Oil Engines with a BUY rating and a sum-of-the-parts target of Rs 2,850, implying about 28 percent upside from the current price of Rs 2,230.

Comprehensive vs Bumper-to-Bumper Car Insurance: Key Differences

Understanding different coverage options helps you choose the right car insurance.