Federal Bank was immensely helped by the sharp rise in other income and lower interest income to approximately double its net profit for the third quarter ending December 31, 2009 to Rs 203.89 cr from Rs 102.92 cr the previous fiscal.

The net profit of the bank had a rise by 45.67% to Rs 386.32 crore for the nine month ended December 31.

There was an increase by 94% to Rs 164.81 cr from Rs 84.95 cr the previous year in the other income of the bank for the quarter while an increase by 35.11% was noted in the interest income.

It has been learnt recently that the rest of the one-day international series with South Africa would not be played by Australia batsman Michael Clarke, as he needs to provide rest to his injured thumb.

Though Clarke had an injury, still he played to score 19 and take 1-29 in Friday's first one-dayer.

It has been further learnt that when the ODI series with New Zealand begins on 1 February, he would resume back to the team.

Recently it was it formed by the European Commission that European competition law has been violated by Microsoft by including Internet Explorer with Windows.  

It was also informed by the Commission that since Windows includes Microsoft's own browser; the other browsers are prevented from competing with IE.

It should also be noted here that under the European law, IE’s inclusion is not made by the remedies put in place under the US government's landmark 2002 antitrust settlement with Windows lawful.

Recently it was it formed by the European Commission that European competition law has been violated by Microsoft by including Internet Explorer with Windows.

It was also informed by the Commission that since Windows includes Microsoft's own browser; the other browsers are prevented from competing with IE.

It should also be noted here that under the European law, IE's inclusion is not made by the remedies put in place under the US government's landmark 2002 antitrust settlement with Windows lawful.

Microsoft had agreed to separate IE from Windows and permit users to de-select IE as their chosen browser under that ruling.

A quite bigger than expected quarterly loss was posted by the world number three mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson and the company also informed regarding its plans for further cost cuts, possibly including jobs, as it braced for even weaker demand.

It was reported by President Dick Komiyama that this year will see shrinkage of global demand by at least 5 percent. It was further informed by him that market share was less of a main concern than preserving profitability.

A 262 million Euro ($346 million) pretax loss in the three months to end-December was made by Sony Ericson. A profit of 501 million was registerd a year earlier with Ericsson and Sony venture.

Friday saw South Africa tasting the nectar of success, when it grabbed on half centuries by Neil McKenzie and Jean-Paul Duminy and also by Albie Morkel, thus defeating Australia by three wickets in the opening ODI of the five-match series.

In order to scamper home with three deliveries to spare in a thrilling contest, South Africa survived a middle-order collapse while chasing 272 for victory.

Before Albie came up with a dazzling cameo, smashing 40 off just 18 balls with four fours and a six, the foundation for South Africa was set by Duminy (71) and McKenzie
(63).

An unshaken 51-run stand was shared by Albie for the eighth wicket with skipper Johan Botha (12) to seal the win.