Jubilant Foodworks Ltd (JFL), which operates fast-food chains - Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts, on Thursday reported an over twofold jump in its consolidated net profit of Rs 194.6 crore in the September quarter of FY26. The company has reported a net profit of Rs 66.53 crore during the July-September period a year ago, according to a regulatory filing by JFL, part of Jubilant Bhartia Group. Revenue from the operation of JFL rose 19.7 per cent to Rs 2,340.15 crore in the September quarter of FY26. The same was Rs 1,954.71 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total expenses of JFL were Rs 2,200 crore, up 16.05 per cent in the second quarter of FY26 on a year-to-year basis. Its total income, which includes other income, grew 18.66 per cent to Rs 2,355.38 crore during the quarter. In the first half (H1) of FY26, the total consolidated income of JFL was Rs 4,634.77 crore, up 17.77 per cent. JFL is the leading QSR chain operator with franchise rights for three global brands, Domino's, Popeyes and Dunkin', and two own-brands, Hong's Kitchen, an Indo-Chinese QSR brand in India, and a CAFÉ brand - COFFY in Turkey. Shares of Jubilant Foodworks settled at Rs 573.75 apiece on the BSE, down 1.89 per cent. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 November,2025 10:54 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended the membership of Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, with immediate effect on Thursday. The action, taken via an official letter dated November 13, 2025, follows the institution's intense scrutiny amid the terror probe into the deadly Red Fort car blast in Delhi on November 10. Citing its bylaws, the AIU stated that the decision was based on "media reports," indicating that the university "does not appear to be in good standing". The university was thrust into the national spotlight after it was revealed that Dr. Umar Un Nabi, the primary suspect in the November 10 blast, was associated with this college along with other accused Dr Muzammil Ganaie, and Dr Shaheen Sayeed. As a result of the suspension, Al-Falah University is now prohibited from using the AIU name or logo in any of its activities and has been instructed to remove the logo from its official website forthwith. “Further, it is informed that Al-Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana, is not authorised to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the university’s official website forthwith,” the letter said. Earlier in the day, the Bengaluru-based National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) issued a show cause notice to the Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology, Fatehpu,r for falsely claiming and publicising that the colleges run by the University are NAAC accredited. Al-Falah University, a private institution located about 27 km from the Haryana-Delhi border, on Raga Road, District Faridabad, Dhauj, has come under national spotlight over the past few days owing to shocking developments that include a massive recovery of explosives and the blast near the iconic Red Fort in Delhi that left 12 people dead, dozens injured and shook the nation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 November,2025 08:24 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAt least eight people were charred to death in a horrific accident on Thursday evening at the Navale Bridge in Pune after two trucks caught fire following a crash, trapping a private car between them. The death toll may rise as rescue operations continue, sources said. Fire tenders rushed to the spot immediately after the accident and managed to bring the blaze under control. However, eyewitnesses said that several passengers were trapped inside the burning vehicles before the fire brigade arrived. The incident caused a massive traffic jam on the busy highway stretch, with commuters stranded for hours. A car was trapped between the two containers, and all the passengers in the car were charred to death. The passengers travelling in a tempo traveller were injured in the accident. This is the second major accident near Navale Bridge in just two weeks. Earlier, a truck carrying tiles had lost control and crashed into three vehicles, leaving two drivers injured and causing heavy damage to the vehicles involved. Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of Thursday’s crash and whether brake failure or speeding was responsible for the tragedy.
13 November,2025 07:46 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the ‘bhoomipujan’ of several projects and announced on Thursday that development works costing over Rs 20,000 crore have been sanctioned for the upcoming Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027. According to the PTI, CM Fadnavis performed the ‘bhoomipujan’ for projects worth Rs 5,757 crore, assuring that all works would be conducted transparently and there would be no shortage of funds for the Kumbh, which occurs once every 12 years. He added that the projects are designed to last at least 25 years and will significantly improve infrastructure in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. “This Kumbh is special as it falls during ‘Trikhand Yog’ after 75 years and will continue for 28 months, from October 31, 2026 to July 24, 2028. While the Prayagraj Kumbh spans 15,000 hectares along the Ganga, Nashik has just 500 acres for the festivities,” CM Fadnavis said, as per the PTI. The projects include Rs 2,270 crore works by the Public Works Department and Rs 3,338 crore by the Nashik Municipal Corporation. The state’s largest Zilla Parishad building was also inaugurated, with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and state Kumbh Minister Girish Mahajan in attendance. LIVE | 'सिंहस्थ कुंभमेळा 2027'साठी विविध विकास कामांचे भूमिपूजन🕒 दु. ३.१३ वा. | १३-११-२०२५📍नाशिक.#Maharashtra #Nashik #KumbhaMela https://t.co/nTHaWDR5sN — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 13, 2025 CM Fadnavis also announced a ‘Digital Kumbh’ initiative to promote the Mela online. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be employed to manage crowds and maintain law and order, while digital platforms will provide information to devotees, as per the PTI. During his visit, the CM reviewed the Rs 99.14 crore Ramkal Path project, which focuses on renovating and conserving historical structures such as Ramkund, Seeta Gumpha, Lord Kalaram Temple, and Ram Laxman Gumpha, while improving basic amenities for visitors. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said that the Simhastha Kumbh Mela will not only be a religious celebration but also highlight India on the global spiritual map. The government has prepared both short-term and long-term development plans, focusing on roads, water supply, drainage, sanitation, transport, security, and accommodation for sadhus and devotees. “The Kumbh Mela is a chance to transform Nashik. These works will make the city cleaner, modern, and beautiful, with special attention on cleanliness and water purification around Ramkund and the Godavari river,” Shinde said. A 1,400-acre ‘Sadhugram’ will be established to accommodate sadhus and seers from across the country with all necessary facilities. Shinde emphasised that the Kumbh is a matter of Maharashtra’s prestige and urged all departments to treat it as their responsibility. CM Fadnavis and Shinde later offered prayers at the Lord Kalaram Temple. (with PTI inputs)
13 November,2025 06:10 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentThe Central government on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that the Air India crash investigation is being conducted by Indian authorities in accordance with the mandate laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), news agency ANI reported. Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta said that the crash involved foreign nationals, and therefore, the probe has to follow international protocols that are applied in air crash investigations across the world. “The investigation is being carried out as per international standards and the ICAO framework,” Mehta told the bench, according to news agency ANI. The court was hearing petitions filed by Pushkarraj Sabharwal, father of late Captain Sumit Sabharwal — the pilot of the Air India flight that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12 — and by non-governmental organisation Safety Matters Foundation. Both had sought an independent, court-monitored probe into the tragedy that killed 260 people. After hearing the Centre’s submissions, the Supreme Court asked the petitioners to file their counter-replies to the government’s affidavit once it is submitted in writing, ANI reported. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the crash required a judicially supervised inquiry, citing that the government’s own aviation safety rules mandate an independent investigation for accidents of such magnitude. “An accident of this seriousness requires a court-ordered inquiry to ensure transparency and accountability,” said Bhushan. Sankaranarayanan, while agreeing with the Centre that there exists an international framework for such investigations, alleged that it was not being followed properly in the Air India crash investigation. The bench, while taking note of the submissions, clarified that the preliminary report of the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was not meant to fix responsibility but only to establish the technical cause of the crash. “It is not to apportion responsibility. It is to clarify the cause and then give reasoning for the crash,” Justice Bagchi observed during the hearing. The court also noted that the Centre had not yet filed its written response to the petitions and directed it to do so soon. The petitioners were allowed to file counter-replies thereafter. The matter will be listed for hearing on a later date, which will be confirmed once the Supreme Court’s written order is uploaded on its official website. (With ANI inputs)
13 November,2025 05:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndia and Nepal signed an agreement on Thursday to strengthen the movement of rail-based freight between the two neighbouring countries. The pact will facilitate railway freight movement between Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), including bulk cargo under an expanded definition. This liberalisation extends to key transit corridors- Kolkata-Jogbani, Kolkata–Nautanwa (Sunauli), and Visakhapatnam–Nautanwa (Sunauli), thereby strengthening multimodal trade connectivity between the two countries and Nepal’s trade with third countries Both countries exchanged a Letter of Exchange amending the Protocol to the Treaty of Transit between India and Nepal, in the presence of India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his Nepal counterpart Anil Kumar Sinha. The Letter of Exchange enables direct rail connectivity along the Jogbani–Biratnagar rail link for both containerised and bulk cargo, facilitating transport from the ports of Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to the Nepal Customs Yard cargo station located in Morang District, near Biratnagar in Nepal. This rail link, constructed with grant assistance from the Government of India, was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal on 1 June 2023. The meeting also welcomed ongoing bilateral initiatives to enhance cross-border connectivity and trade facilitation, including the development of Integrated Check Posts and other infrastructure. India remains Nepal’s largest trade and investment partner, accounting for a significant share of its external trade. These new measures are expected to further consolidate economic and commercial linkages between the two countries and beyond. The agreement comes close on the heels of India-Nepal agreements signed on Oct 29 to incorporate two joint venture entities for the development of high-capacity cross-border power transmission lines between the two countries. The joint venture and shareholders’ agreements were signed here between Powergrid, a Maharatna Central public sector enterprise of India, and the Nepal Electricity Authority in the presence of Union Power Minister Manohar Lal and Nepal’s Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal Kulman Ghising. The agreements provide for the incorporation of two joint venture entities - one in India and one in Nepal - for setting up cross-border power transmission infrastructure. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 November,2025 05:51 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAs the people of Bihar await with eargerly for Friday's assembly election results, both Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar and opposition chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav are also on the edge of their seats. Friday's results will decide whether Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar, the state's longest-serving CM, will get a record fifth term or if there will be a change in the government. Bihar registered a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent in the elections to the 243-member assembly, which were held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes for the much-anticipated elections in Bihar will begin at 8 am, and the trends and results will likely start trickling in an hour . A total of 46 counting centres have been enumerated by the Election Commission across 38 districts in the state that will decide the future of Bihar for the next five years. As per the Election Commission’s date, a total of 7.45 crore voters were eligible to decide the electoral fate of 2,616 candidates. According to a statement issued by the EC on Wednesday, the EVMs and VVPATs used in the elections have been sealed inside the strongrooms under a double-lock system. "Under the presence of central observers and agents deputed by candidates, the entire process will be videographed," the poll body stated. As per reports, two-tier security has been ensured at the counting centres to make sure that the process is conducted smoothly. "While the inner tier has been assigned to central armed paramilitary forces (CAPFs), state police have been deployed at the outer rung. Also, 24/7 CCTV surveillance and other security provisions have been put in place," the EC statement further said. A control room has been set up within every strong room campus, which will be staffed with senior district officials. All the district election officers and returning officers of the assembly constituencies concerned have been directed to frequently inspect the strong rooms. While the exit polls on Wednesday and Thursday have been nearly unanimous in predicting a clean sweep for the NDA, of which the JD(U) is a part, the picture will be clear only on Friday. Yadav has rubbished the predictions and claimed that the Mahagathbandhan would form the government with a thumping majority. (With inputs from PTI)
13 November,2025 05:06 PM IST | Patna | mid-day online correspondentThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a Junior Engineer of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Najafgarh Zone, while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a complainant, the agency said on Thursday. According to the CBI, a case was registered on November 11 against three MCD officials -- R.C. Sharma, Executive Engineer; Navin Kaul, Assistant Engineer; and Ajay Babbarwal, Junior Engineer -- all posted in the Najafgarh Zone. The trio had allegedly demanded an undue advantage of Rs 25.42 lakh from a contractor to clear pending bills worth around Rs three crore. Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught Ajay Babbarwal, the Junior Engineer, red-handed while accepting Rs 10 lakh as part of the demanded bribe. The agency subsequently carried out searches at multiple premises linked to the accused officials, leading to the recovery of large amounts of cash, jewellery, and property-related documents. “CBI conducted searches at the premises of accused persons, which led to recovery of a large amount of cash, Jewellery and documents related to property,” the CBI said in its press note. The CBI further said that investigations are continuing to unearth the full extent of the corruption network. Reiterating its commitment to fight corruption, the agency urged citizens to report any instances of bribery or demands for illegal gratification by public servants. “Citizens who come across instances of corruption or are subjected to demands for bribes by public officials are encouraged to report such matters,” it said. Similarly, the CBI on Wednesday said it has arrested a Bank Manager of a Private Bank in Mumbai for his active role in facilitating the opening of mule accounts, the agency said on Wednesday. Arrested on November 11, the accused's name is Nitesh Rai, Bank Manager, Axis Bank. According to the investigation, it has revealed that the arrested bank official, in collusion with cybercriminals, accepted illegal gratification and “by abusing his official position had processed the account opening forms and thereby created channels for the movement and layering of cybercrime proceeds”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 November,2025 04:45 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSShiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Thursday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of protecting Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar, who is at the centre of the now-scrapped Rs 300-crore controversial Pune land deal, reported the PTI. Danve alleged that the government was making every possible effort to shield the Pawar father-son duo and demanded that no leniency be shown towards Parth, insisting that a criminal case be registered against him. According to Danve, after the land deal controversy erupted, Ajit Pawar — who heads the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction — had even offered to step out of the government. “I heard that during a meeting at ‘Varsha’ (the Chief Minister’s official residence in Mumbai), Ajit Pawar angrily offered to withdraw from the government and provide outside support,” Danve claimed, according to the PTI. The deal in question concerns the sale of 40 acres of government land in Pune’s upmarket Mundhwa area for Rs 300 crore to Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Pawar is a majority partner. The transaction has come under scrutiny for alleged irregularities and lack of necessary clearances. The Opposition has claimed that the land’s actual market value was around Rs 1,800 crore, as per the PTI. Facing criticism, Ajit Pawar announced last week that the sale deed executed by Parth’s company had been scrapped, asserting that his son was unaware the land purchased by the firm belonged to the government. Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Danve alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was already aware of the land deal and intended to use it against its ally, the NCP, at a later stage. “The BJP knew about this case earlier and was preparing the file. If anything goes wrong, Parth Pawar can be arrested in a minute. It is a criminal mentality to use such tactics to control political figures,” he said, the news agency reported. Danve further claimed that the government was leaving “no stone unturned” to save Ajit and Parth Pawar. “Parth Pawar should not be treated leniently. He is not a child. He has even contested Lok Sabha elections. He should be treated as a criminal, and a case should be registered against him,” the former Leader of Opposition in the state legislative council said, reported the PTI. He also alleged that CM Fadnavis was personally intervening in the case to protect Parth. “Parth Pawar cannot be saved without the direct intervention of the Chief Minister,” Danve asserted. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further highlighted a contradiction between the stance of the state revenue department and that of Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule regarding the payment of stamp duty related to the land deal. Bawankule had said on Wednesday that he would seek clarification over a notice demanding a double stamp duty payment of Rs 42 crore from Amadea Enterprises, even though the land sale was being cancelled. The Joint Inspector General of Registration issued a notice to the firm last Friday, directing it to pay the double stamp duty before the cancellation deed could be processed. “Action is warranted due to unpaid stamp duty. Officials maintain that the duty must be paid even to cancel the transaction,” Danve said, describing the revenue minister’s stance as “completely wrong”, as per the PTI. He also called for the inclusion of the district collector and revenue department officials in the ongoing inquiry. (with PTI inputs)
13 November,2025 04:17 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentWith leopard sightings and attacks on the rise in Junnar, a special awareness campaign on human-leopard conflict was jointly organised by the Vanyajeev Nisarg Sanvardhan Rescue Team, Junnar, and the Word for Nature Foundation. Held during the ongoing sugarcane harvesting season — when leopards often seek shelter in dense fields — the drive aimed to educate sugarcane workers and locals on identifying leopard activity, staying alert, and working safely in high-risk areas. Wildlife experts Aakash Mali (Founder), Deepak Mali (Vice-President), Hemant Ghadge, and Word for Nature President Shubham Pandey guided workers through practical demonstrations and shared their field experiences. Team members Anup Shelar, Shubham Jadhav, Chirag Soni, Kalyani Zharote, Pranit Aadhav, and Kiran Pujari also participated actively. Speaking to mid-day, Shubham Pandey said, “This is not the first time we have held awareness sessions, but the situation this year is far more alarming. We are receiving distress calls every day from Junnar villages — earlier it was not so frequent. Fear has spread across the region; some families are planning to leave their homes, while young men are looking for work elsewhere instead of harvesting sugarcane.” He added, “We have been convincing them to stay calm and not abandon their villages. The trend of leopard behaviour has also changed — earlier, attacks used to occur only at night, but now leopards are seen even during the day. They no longer prefer dogs as prey, as dogs fight or flee. Humans, especially children and the elderly, have become easier targets. The most vulnerable are sugarcane cutters who work deep inside the fields.” Wildlife rescuers Aakash and Deepak Mali interacted closely with the workers, explaining how to read signs such as pugmarks, claw marks, or leopard calls and how to respond safely if they encounter a wild animal. They stressed that panic, shouting, or running can trigger an attack, while calm and alert behaviour often prevents it. The campaign spread the message of “Human-leopard Coexistence” — urging people to see wildlife as part of the natural balance rather than a threat. Villagers participated enthusiastically and demanded more such sessions across Junnar and Shirur talukas. Meanwhile, the Forest Department has stepped up safety initiatives. Since October 2024, the Junnar Forest Division has distributed over 3,300 spiked neck bands to sugarcane workers. These light protective collars are designed to prevent fatal injuries during leopard attacks, which usually target the neck. Assistant Conservator of Forests Smita Rajhans said, “Most fatal cases occur when leopards grab the neck. The spiked bands have saved several lives and are now an important part of our safety strategy. People’s safety remains our top priority.” The campaign gained new urgency after the tragic death of five-year-old Rohan Bombe in Pimparkhed village on 2 November. His killing by a leopard triggered widespread protests and demands for stronger preventive measures. In response, the Forest Department has intensified night patrols, installed additional camera traps, and expanded awareness drives to ensure that safety and coexistence go hand in hand in Maharashtra’s leopard country.
13 November,2025 03:39 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalA court in UP's Pratapgarh has convicted a 60-year-old man for raping a seven-year-old girl and sentenced him to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment, a case lawyer said on Thursday. Additional Sessions Judge (POCSO Act) Parul Verma also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict Hari Prasad Maurya on Wednesday, the lawyer saidGovernment lawyer Devendra Tripathi said the survivor's father stated in his complaint that on the night of June 2, 2023, his seven-year-old daughter was playing with some children when Maurya, who was under the influence of alcohol, lured her into the house and raped her. The police registered a case against Maurya under sections for rape and the POCSO Act, and filed the chargesheet in court. "After hearing the arguments of the counsel during the trial, the court, based on the evidence, sentenced the convict to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 on Wednesday," the lawyer said. The court also ordered that the fine amount be given to the victim for her medical and mental trauma compensation, he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 November,2025 03:17 PM IST | Pratapgarh (UP | PTIADVERTISEMENT
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