MUMBAI: Bajaj Finserv reported consolidated profit after tax of Rs 2,229 crore for the December quarter, flat compared with Rs 2,231 crore a year earlier, as higher provisions and one-time charges offset underlying growth across its businesses. Excluding these exceptional items, consolidated profit after tax rose 32% year-on-year to Rs 2,936 crore .Bajaj Finance, the group’s largest business, reported a decline in reported profit after tax to Rs 3,978 crore from Rs 4,246 crore in the year-ago quarter, reflecting higher provisioning. Excluding the impact of accelerated expected credit loss provisions and the one-time labour code charge, profit after tax rose 23% to Rs 5,227 crore. Its mortgage arm, Bajaj Housing Finance, reported a 21% rise in profit after tax to Rs 665 crore.Bajaj General Insurance reported profit after tax of Rs 399 crore, marginally lower than Rs 400 crore a year earlier. Excluding the one-time labour code charge, profit after tax increased 8% to Rs 430 crore. Gross written premium rose 12% to Rs 7,389 crore, while the combined ratio improved to 97.9% from 101.1%.Bajaj Life Insurance reported a loss of Rs 31 crore for the quarter, compared with a profit of Rs 222 crore a year ago. Excluding the one-time labour code charge, profit after tax stood at Rs 12 crore. Operating metrics improved, with the value of new business rising 59% year-on-year to Rs 405 crore.During the quarter, the group took an accelerated ECL provision of Rs 1,406 crore and a one-time charge of Rs 379 crore towards the implementation of new labour codes, which together reduced consolidated profit after tax by Rs 707 crore.In January, Bajaj Finserv completed the acquisition of Allianz SE’s 23% stake in its general and life insurance subsidiaries, raising its holding to 75.01% in both companies. The transaction will be reflected in the financials from the acquisition date.
Video: Chevron’s Oil Deals in Venezuela Could Worsen Pollution in Mississippi
new video loaded: Chevron’s Oil Deals in Venezuela Could Worsen Pollution in Mississippi
By Hiroko Tabuchi, Melanie Bencosme, Christina Shaman, Micah Green and June Kim
February 4, 2026
Who was Elyse Donalson? A look into her life and career
Elyse Donalson, best known for her role in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers and her appearances on acclaimed television dramas, built a career that spanned more than two decades in Hollywood.
She passed away unexpectedly at her Studio City home at the age of 78 leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a life rooted in both Texas and Los Angeles.
Born Mary Elise Donalson on October 5, 1947, in Victoria, Texas, she grew up in a family where her father managed the family lumberyard and her mother worked as a church secretary and bookkeeper.
After graduating from Victoria High School in 1965, she attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), where she acted in plays and met her future husband, Joe Houde.
The couple eventually moved to Los Angeles, where Donalson pursued her passion for acting.
Her Hollywood journey began in the early 1980s, when she took acting classes and landed her first role in 1983 on CBS’s fantasy series Wizards and Warriors.
From there, she appeared in more than two dozen television series including Doogie Howser, M.D., Anything But Love, Chicago Hope, The Practice, and Beverly Hills, 90210.
She became a familiar face in guest roles across popular shows of the era.
Donalson’s film work included her memorable appearance in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), where she played a sanitarium patient in a chilling scene opposite Paul Rudd’s Tommy Doyle.
On television, she portrayed a nun in St. Elsewhere (1986), a judge in Matlock (1988), a nurse in Quantum Leap (1989), and an elderly woman in The X-Files (2000).
Fans of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman may remember her as Mrs. Marley in the 1993 Christmas episode Mike’s Dream: A Christmas Tale.
Beyond acting, Donalson was a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA and balanced her career by working at law firms in Los Angeles.
She was known for her love of animals and movies.
She is survived by her sister Harriette Meyer (who shared news of her sister’s death to The Hollywood Reporter), nieces Kellie and Kate, her brother-in-law Jimmie, great-nieces Madison, Macy, and Piper and her great-nephew Clay.
Donalson’s journey from Texas to Hollywood reflects the determination of an actress who carved out her place in the industry while remaining deeply connected to her family and personal passions.
What’s going on with the price of gold?
Gold has fallen from recent highs but there are several reasons investors are still finding refuge in the precious metal.
Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles
Women in Iran can now formally obtain a licence to ride a motorcycle, local media reported Wednesday, ending years of legal ambiguity surrounding two-wheelers.
The law previously did not explicitly prohibit women from riding motorbikes and scooters, but in practice, authorities refused to issue licences.
Due to the legal grey area, women have been held legally responsible for accidents even when victims.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref signed a resolution on Tuesday aimed at clarifying the traffic code, which was approved by Iran’s cabinet in late January, the country’s Ilna news agency reported.
The resolution obliges traffic police to “provide practical training to female applicants, organise an exam under the direct supervision of the police, and issue motorcycle driver’s licences to women”, Ilna said.
The change follows a wave of protests across Iran that were initially sparked by economic grievances but which grew last month into nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 deaths occurred during the unrest, insisting that most were members of the security forces and bystanders.
Since Iran’s 1979 revolution, women have faced a number of societal restrictions, with dress codes posing a challenge for those riding motorcycles.
Women must cover their hair with a headscarf in public and wear modest, loose-fitting clothing, but in recent years, many have defied those rules, with the number of women on motorbikes rising sharply in recent months.
This trend accelerated after the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman arrested for allegedly violating the dress code.
Her death sparked protests across Iran by women demanding greater freedoms.
Kate confirms she and Prince William welcomed new puppy
The Princess of Wales made a fuss of English cocker spaniel Barney – the same breed as the Wales’s dog Orla – as she revealed that she and Prince William have welcomed a new puppy.
During a tour of a Welsh woollen mill, Kate was asked how old her family’s dogs are. The princess replied: “So we’ve got a little puppy, he’s only eight months, and Orla’s five.”
Kate and William have had Orla since 2020, after their first dog together Lupo, also a cocker spaniel – which they were given as a wedding present from Kate’s brother James Middleton – died unexpectedly.
Orla gave birth to four puppies last year.
Karachi Kings, Islamabad United announce direct signings ahead of PSL 11 | The Express Tribune
Karachi Kings’ players celebrate dismissal of Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan in PSL X clash on Thursday. PHOTO: PCB
Karachi Kings and Islamabad United have announced high-profile direct signings ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, as franchises begin shaping their squads under the league’s new auction-based player recruitment system.
Former champions Karachi Kings confirmed the signing of England all-rounder Moeen Ali for the upcoming HBL PSL 11, which is scheduled to begin on 26 March. The franchise announced the move via its official social media channels.
“We’re excited to announce England’s explosive force, Moeen Ali, joining the #KingsSquad for PKR 6.44 crore in the HBL PSL,” the franchise said.
Born in Birmingham, Moeen brings vast experience of global T20 cricket and has been a regular fixture in franchise leagues around the world. The England international previously featured in the Pakistan Super League for Multan Sultans, playing nine matches between 2019 and 2021.
Moeen has also been a consistent presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having appeared in every edition since 2018 across three franchises, underlining his value as a proven T20 all-rounder.
Meanwhile, three-time champions Islamabad United confirmed the direct signing of New Zealand batter Devon Conway for PSL 11, also announcing the deal through social media. The left-hander was secured for a reported PKR 63 million, making him one of the most expensive direct signings of the season.
“The fourth fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in T20I cricket joins Islamabad United. Devon Conway it is,” the franchise said, welcoming the Kiwi star to the HBL PSL 11.
Conway, who is part of New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad, will be making his PSL debut this season. The top-order batter has represented New Zealand in 32 Tests, 43 One-Day Internationals and 66 T20 Internationals.
In T20Is, Conway has scored 1,739 runs at an average of 35.48 and a strike rate of 128.81. Overall, he has featured in 229 T20 matches, amassing 7,033 runs, including two centuries, and is regarded as one of the most consistent batters on the global T20 circuit.
Conway has previously played in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, but PSL 11 will mark his first appearance in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
Under the revised rules for PSL 11, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million, with an additional PKR 55 million reserved specifically for direct signings. The season represents a major shift in the league’s history, with the traditional draft system replaced by an auction format for the first time.
The early signings of Moeen Ali and Devon Conway highlight the growing appeal of the Pakistan Super League, as franchises invest heavily in international stars ahead of what is set to be a landmark PSL 11 season.
Kaley Cuoco reveals ‘obsession’ ahead of upcoming movie
Kaley Cuoco just revealed that she is “obsessed” with true crime.
The Vanished actress explained that her role in the upcoming four-part mystery drama was tailor-made for her particular taste in “whodunnit” stories.
“Anyone that knows me knows I’m obsessed with true crime,” Kaley told People Magazine, adding, “I’ve watched so many of these documentaries about all this stuff. This could happen. I’ve watched way crazier s**t happen.”
The 40-year-old portrays the character of a woman whose boyfriend unexpectedly vanishes as they’re travelling by train across France.
Kaley explained that due to her true-crime obsession she was bound to be gripped by the script.
“When I would read it, I kept thinking to myself, ‘Oh my God, what if this happened to you? What if you thought you were with someone that you loved, and then he’s lying to you the whole time, but in another country?'” the former Big Bang Theory star stated.
“It all just made me question a lot of things and be like, ‘What would you do?'” she added.
Elsewhere, Kaley Cuoco also shared her method for unwinding at the end of a workday, particularly when on location.
“A large glass of wine right when I get home. I don’t care what time it is. A large glass of wine, and then turning on my sitcoms – Seinfeld – turning on my shows. That always makes me feel like I’m at home,” she revealed, concluding the conversation.
Ellen Pompeo details emotional chat with Eric Dane after ALS diagnosis
Ellen Pompeo has opened up about how she reached out to her Grey’s Anatomy castmate, Eric Dane, after he was recently diagnosed with ALS.
The TV star’s conversation with her former co-star was revealed via her pre-recorded message at the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala, which was held on January 24.
“As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, ‘I’m here if you want to speak,’” she said in a video message which was played in her absence. “And my phone rang 30 seconds later.”
Ellen, 56, further shared that she told Eric to hit her up with “whatever you need, however I can help. I love you.”
“I’m really proud of you. I love you so much and I am honored to get to speak about you today,” she continued.
She further reflected on his arrival to Grey’s Anatomy, adding, “I remember when he came in as McSteamy and us having instant electric chemistry, and I immediately just fell in love with him.”
Eric Dane, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in April 2025, was also unable to attend the Cures & Care Gala “due to the physical realities of ALS,” as his appearance was cancelled ahead of the event because he was not “well enough to attend.”
Him and Ellen Pompeo appeared on the long-running ABC medical drama together after he joined the show during its second season, with his character’s onscreen death resulting in his exit during season eight.
T20 World Cup: ICC seeks ‘backchannel talks’ after Pakistan boycott India match
- ICC tasks Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja to hold talks.
- ICC official seen as neutral figure who can talk to all sides.
- Pakistan will be boycotting Feb 15 match against India.
LAHORE: In the aftermath of Pakistan’s announcement against playing their T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked its Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja to hold back-channel negotiations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), NDTV reported on Wednesday.
Khwaja, who represents the Singapore Cricket Association and is seen within the ICC as a neutral figure who can talk to all sides, has been asked to convince Pakistan to play their T20 World Cup 2026 group match against India on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, reported Firstpost.
The report comes as the Pakistani government, on Sunday, announced that it would participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 but would boycott the match against arch-rival India.
Geo News has previously reported that Pakistan had decided to boycott the February 15 match to show solidarity with Bangladesh, whom the ICC kicked out of the tournament.
The ICC had rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to move their matches to a venue outside India. The BCB had sought the change following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on the instructions of the Indian cricket board, a move that sparked widespread outrage in Bangladesh.
The cricketing body then replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament, stating that it was not feasible to revise the schedule so close to the February 7 — start of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, multiple other factors influenced Pakistan’s decision to boycott the match, including ICC’s perceived biased stance towards Bangladesh playing a central role, with government sources noting that the Pakistani team was instructed not to take the field against India on February 15 as “a form of protest”.
The sources said that ICC chief Jay Shah’s partial decisions had effectively turned the International Cricket Council into an extension of the Indian cricket board.
They further said that these biased decisions have undermined the principles of fairness and equality, accusing the ICC of applying different standards to different countries on its platform.
Since then, the ICC, in its statement, has expressed hope that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would work towards a “mutually acceptable resolution”.
While recognising the prerogative of national governments, the ICC publicly urged the PCB to reconsider, arguing that the decision harms the sport and its global fanbase.
The council encouraged the Pakistani board to pursue a mutually acceptable solution that protects the interests of all stakeholders in the game, saying that the boycott decision was not “in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan”.
Losses to broadcasters
It is pertinent to know that Indian broadcasters are facing prospective losses in billions owing to Pakistan’s announcement of boycotting its match against India.
Green Shirts are in Group A along with India, Namibia, Netherlands and USA, and are playing all their matches in Sri Lanka, which is a co-host of the tournament along with India.
Pakistan will play their first match against Netherlands on February 7, the opening day of the T20 World Cup, and then take on USA on February 10, and Namibia on February 18.
The India-Pakistan fixture is the most commercially lucrative game, which bankrolls the tournament, drives broadcast valuations, sponsorship deals and advertising premiums.
In commercial terms, the overall value of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is around $500 million, approximately INR45,000 crore when broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket sales and downstream commercial activity are taken into account.
As per a report, advertising slots during an India-Pakistan T20 match command between INR25 lakh and INR40 lakh for a 10-second spot, significantly higher than even knockout matches involving India against other top teams.
The most immediate financial impact would be felt by the official broadcast rights holder. Advertising revenue from the India-Pakistan match alone is estimated at around INR300 crore, the Indian publication cited industry projections as suggesting.
According to reports, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would face an estimated immediate loss of around INR200 crore.