Brands
Broadcasting body blasts Trump as US pulls plug on Voice of America
MUMBAI: In a move that has sent shockwaves through international media circles, the US administration yesterday effectively turned off the tap for its global broadcasting entities, leaving hundreds of Voice of America (VoA) staff high and dry on administrative leave.
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has condemned the 15 March decision, warning that silencing these influential voices could embolden dictators and deprive millions worldwide of trustworthy information in an era awash with fake news.
“At a time when the world is looking to the US to be a global player for peace and freedom, cutting funding for US international media – one of the main instruments underpinning this goal – seems the wrong direction to take,” fumed AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick.
For over 80 years, organisations like VoA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty have served as America’s informational arsenal, piercing through censorship and state propaganda in the world’s most restrictive regimes.
These broadcasters have been the ears and eyes for countless people living under the thumb of authoritarian rule.
The AIB warns this budgetary bombshell could trigger a domino effect of devastating consequences:
* Authoritarian regimes may feel emboldened to tighten their grip on local media
* Millions who rely on American broadcasts for unvarnished news may be left in the dark
* America’s self-proclaimed commitment to press freedom risks appearing hollow on the global stage
The timing couldn’t be worse, with disinformation campaigns running rampant across social media platforms and state-sponsored propaganda machines working overtime in numerous countries.
The AIB is demanding an immediate U-turn on the decision, urging the US administration to restore funding and allow journalists to continue their critical work without political meddling.
Brands
Devyani International Ltd plans three-subsidiary merger to streamline operations
QSR operator moves to streamline structure and unlock operational synergies
Devyani International is tightening its corporate kitchen. The quick-service restaurant operator has approved a scheme to merge three subsidiaries—Sky Gate Hospitality, Blackvelvet Hospitality and Say Chefs Eatery—into the parent company in a bid to simplify its structure and sharpen operational efficiency.
The decision was cleared at a board meeting on March 10 and disclosed in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges. The merger will take effect from April 1, 2025, subject to statutory approvals.
All three transferor companies are direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, meaning no fresh shares will be issued and the shareholding pattern of Devyani International will remain unchanged once the scheme is completed.
The subsidiaries together operate more than 100 outlets—including dine-in restaurants and cloud kitchens, spread across over 40 cities such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Devyani International, the largest franchisee of Yum Brands in India, said the consolidation is aimed at generating operational synergies, optimising resource utilisation and reducing layers within the corporate structure.
Financially, the move brings together businesses of varying scale. As of March 31, 2025, Devyani International reported a net worth of Rs 10,381.02 million and turnover of Rs 33,493.33 million. Sky Gate Hospitality posted a net worth of Rs 761.14 million with turnover of Rs 2,657.57 million, while Blackvelvet Hospitality and Say Chefs Eatery reported smaller operations and negative net worth.
The merger will consolidate these operations under a single corporate umbrella as the company sharpens its focus on scale and efficiency.
Devyani International currently runs more than 2,000 outlets across over 280 cities in India, Nigeria, Nepal and Thailand. Its portfolio includes franchise rights for brands such as Pizza Hut, KFC, Costa Coffee, Tea Live, New York Fries and Sanook Kitchen, alongside its own food brands.
With the paperwork underway and approvals pending, Devyani is essentially clearing the corporate clutter—turning three subsidiaries into one tighter, leaner operation. In the QSR world, even the back office needs a spring clean.
