Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
THE iconic British postal service, Royal Mail, is on the verge of being sold to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the deal is close to being finalised and could be officially announced within the next two weeks, the BBC reported.
To secure the acquisition, Kretinsky has reportedly made several significant concessions. He has pledged to preserve Royal Mail’s universal postal service, ensuring letters are delivered six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, and parcels from Monday to Friday. He has also committed to protecting the company’s pension surplus, keeping the Royal Mail name, headquarters, and tax residency in the UK for at least five years, and avoiding compulsory redundancies until at least 2025.
According to the report, talks are ongoing about potentially extending these guarantees to address concerns and solidify trust in the deal.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents a significant portion of Royal Mail employees, has been actively engaging with Kretinsky’s advisors.
While some union members remain cautious, the CWU has described the meetings as "honest and constructive" and confirmed that discussions will continue in the coming days.
The acquisition still requires approval under the National Security and Investment Act. However, government officials had already scrutinised Kretinsky’s background during a previous review when he became Royal Mail’s largest shareholder.
Daniel Kretinsky. (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds addressed concerns about the billionaire’s alleged ties to Russia, dismissing them in Parliament and referring to Kretinsky as a "legitimate business figure" suitable for owning the company.
The £3.6 billion offer has been recommended to shareholders by the board of International Distribution Services (IDS), Royal Mail’s parent company. Shareholder support is expected to be sufficient for the deal to proceed.
This acquisition marks a critical turning point for Royal Mail, with both the government and unions keeping a close watch to ensure the company’s commitments to employees and customers remain intact under its prospective new ownership.
Who is Daniel Kretinsky?
A billionaire with interests in football clubs, media outlets, supermarkets and now the potential new owner of Royal Mail, Kretinsky retains a stubbornly low profile internationally.
The 48-year-old made his fortune in the energy industry, where he controls one of Central Europe's largest groups, EPH.
But in recent years he has also become a major player in France's media scene and amassed a fortune estimated by Forbes magazine at more than $9 billion (£7.2bn).
The deal is likely to push the reclusive billionaire further into the spotlight in Britain, where he already owned a stake in the postal service as well as 27 per cent of Premier League football club West Ham.
His move into football brought scrutiny from British tabloids, which labelled him the "Czech Sphinx" and detailed his purchase of a London home for £65 million ($85m) in 2015.
The newspapers also chronicled his relationship with Anna Kellnerova, a Czech showjumper 20 years his junior. The pair have since split up.
Kretinsky has otherwise kept his private life out of the headlines, though he has offered some insights into his business strategy.
He told Forbes in an interview last year that Britain, France and Germany were the most important countries for his company -- and he appreciated questions would be asked about him.
Kretinsky was born in the eastern Czech city of Brno and raised during the slow collapse of communism. He is known in his homeland for his energy interests, as well as ownership of football institution Sparta Prague.
His stepfather is a prominent art photographer and his mother served on the country's constitutional court between 2004 and 2014.
Colleagues and collaborators portray him as an extremely intelligent businessman and hard worker who often sends mails to staff in the early hours of the morning.
The Salt Path author Raynor Winn calls media claims “highly misleading”
Allegations published in The Observer raise doubts about key memoir details
PSPA charity ends relationship with Winn and her husband Moth
Winn pulls out of Saltlines tour but is still scheduled for literary events
Author rejects claims as legal advice sought
Raynor Winn, the author of the best-selling memoir The Salt Path, has strongly denied accusations that parts of her book are fabricated, describing recent media coverage as “highly misleading” and confirming that she and her husband are taking legal advice.
The controversy, now widely referred to as The Salt Path scandal, follows an Observer report that disputes aspects of the memoir’s central narrative, including the timeline and medical diagnosis that prompted the journey at the heart of the book.
Winn has previously said that the story is based on detailed notes taken during a 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path, undertaken after the couple lost their farm and Moth, her husband, was diagnosed with the neurological condition Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).
Memoir defended as a “true story”
In a statement to Sky News, Winn said: “The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives. This is the true story of our journey.”
She added that, due to legal advice, the couple would not be making further public comment at this time.
PSPA severs ties over unanswered questions
In response to the media coverage, the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association (PSPA), which supports individuals affected by CBD and similar conditions, confirmed it had “terminated” its relationship with Raynor and Moth.
In a message to its supporters, the charity said: “Many questions currently remain unanswered,” referencing the uncertainty raised by The Salt Path scandal and the need for clarity.
Tour appearances cancelled
Winn had been due to appear throughout the summer as part of Saltlines, a spoken-word and music collaboration with the Gigspanner Big Band. However, the band announced via social media that she would no longer take part in the tour.
Despite this, she remains listed for several upcoming events including literary festivals, creative writing courses, and author Q&As.
A publishing success and a film adaptation
Since its publication in 2018, The Salt Path has sold over a million copies worldwide and spent almost two years on The Sunday Times bestseller list. It is described by publisher Penguin as “an unflinchingly honest, inspiring and life-affirming true story.”
The memoir is the first in a planned series of four books centred on nature, walking, and overcoming adversity. The fourth instalment is due to be released in October 2025.
In 2023, a film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs was shot across various UK coastal regions and released earlier this year.
Film companies respond to controversy
The producers of the film, Number 9 Films and Shadowplay Features, issued a statement distancing the production from the allegations. “The allegations made in The Observer relate to the book and are a matter for the author Raynor Winn,” they said. “We have passed any correspondence relating to the article to Raynor and her agent.”
They added that no claims had been raised at the time of optioning or during production and that standard due diligence was undertaken before adapting the memoir.
Actor Jason Isaacs, who plays Moth in the film, previously told Sky News he had spoken with the couple before filming and described them as “humble” and uninterested in seeking the spotlight. He also called the film “a true, beautiful, real-life love story” and hoped it would encourage empathy toward homeless people.
Publisher contacted for comment
Sky News has contacted Penguin, which published The Salt Path as well as two of Winn’s follow-up works, for comment regarding the allegations now being described as part of The Salt Path scandal.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Red Bull Racing's British team principal and CEO Christian Horner. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)
CHRISTIAN HORNER is to leave his role as Red Bull team principal with immediate effect after 20 years, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday (9).
He oversaw a period of dominance by the team with eight world titles won and the drivers' championship claimed eight times, with Max Verstappen winning the past four titles, and six constructors' crowns.
However, Horner's fortunes have dipped in the past 18 months after being accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.
Although Horner, whose wife in former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell stood by him during the testing time, was cleared twice, there have been rumblings of discontent within the team, several high-profile departures, and their form has tailed off.
"Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (July 9, 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing," read the statement from Red Bull.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments, paid the departing team chief a fulsome tribute.
"We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," he said in a statement.
"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.
"Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history."
Horner's departure comes amid speculation that Verstappen may be tempted to jump ship to Mercedes.
Although the 27-year-old Dutchman won the title last year, he only stood on the top step of the podium twice in the final 14 races.
Other key figures responsible for Red Bull's dominance have left in the past year-and-a-half.
Legendary designer Adrian Newey signed for Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley joined Sauber, who are beginning to show signs of his influence with Nico Hulkenberg claiming his first ever podium finish in last Sunday's British Grand Prix.
Verstappen by contrast finished a disappointing fifth, having started on pole.
He is clearly unhappy with the car, saying during the race "this car is just so difficult to drive", which only further served to ferment the talks of a departure.
Verstappen is languishing 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri at the halfway point of the campaign.
Red Bull are fourth in the constructors' standings, 288 points behind leaders McLaren with Ferrari and Mercedes also ahead of them in the standings.
(AFP)
Keep ReadingShow less
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Investigators are focusing on fuel control switches in the Air India crash.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
A preliminary report is expected by Friday, around 30 days after the crash.
A PRELIMINARY report into the Air India crash that killed 241 people in June is expected by Friday, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
One of the sources said investigators have narrowed their focus to the movement of the aircraft’s fuel control switches.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, after it began losing altitude at around 650 feet. Of the 242 people on board, 241 died, along with others on the ground.
Investigators are examining the movement of the engine fuel control switches after analysing data from the plane’s flight and voice recorders, one of the sources said. The probe has also included a Boeing simulation of the aircraft’s final moments.
The same source said the investigation has not raised any immediate concerns about mechanical failure, and no bulletin has been issued to airlines recommending changes to 787 operations.
Boeing declined to comment.
The Air Current aviation publication was the first to report that investigators were focusing on the fuel switches, which are responsible for powering the aircraft’s two engines.
It is not yet clear what specific actions involving the fuel switches are being examined.
According to the Air Current, information from the black boxes does not confirm or rule out whether the actions that led to the loss of thrust were improper, inadvertent or intentional.
US aviation safety expert John Cox said the fuel switches cannot be moved accidentally. “You can’t bump them and they move,” he said. He added that if a switch is shut off, the impact on engine power would be almost immediate.
Most air crashes result from a combination of factors. Reuters had earlier reported that investigators were focusing at least in part on engine thrust.
Although the report by Indian investigators could be released on Friday, the three sources cautioned that the timeline could change. It is also unclear how much detail will be included in the report, which is expected roughly 30 days after the June 12 crash.
The sources requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is leading the investigation under international rules, did not respond to a request for comment outside regular working hours.
Information release
The investigation has faced criticism over limited information being made public. It took nearly two weeks to retrieve and analyse the flight recorder data. The government held only one press conference and did not take questions.
India has now reversed an earlier decision, first reported by Reuters, to block a UN aviation expert from participating in the probe. Two senior sources said a specialist from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been granted observer status, following a request by the agency.
ICAO declined to comment, stating that public discussions about “cooperative arrangements” would require approval from the state involved.
The crash comes as the Tata Group works to rebuild Air India’s reputation and overhaul its fleet after taking over the airline from the government in 2022.
India is pushing to expand its aviation sector, with the government aiming to turn the country into a job-creating global hub like Dubai, which currently handles a large share of India’s international air traffic.
A parliamentary panel is also set to review civil aviation safety and has called several industry and government officials to testify on Wednesday. The agenda will include questions about the recent crash.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Johnny Depp attends the "Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness" Screening at the Red Sea International Film Festival
Johnny Depp says Warner Bros. asked him to resign from Fantastic Beasts in 2020, but he felt they wanted him to retire.
The actor had just lost a libel case against The Sun, which referred to him as a “wife-beater.”
Depp was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen in The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).
He has now returned to directing after 20 years with his new film Modì, releasing on 11 July in the UK.
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has opened up about being removed from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, saying he felt the studio’s request for his resignation was effectively a push into retirement. Depp made the comments in a recent interview while promoting his new directorial project Modì: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.
In 2020, shortly after losing a high-profile libel case against The Sun over claims of domestic abuse during his marriage to Amber Heard, Depp was asked to step down from the Harry Potter spin-off series. Speaking about the moment, Depp said, “It literally stopped in a millisecond, like, while I was doing the movie. They said, ‘We’d like you to resign.’ But what was really in my head was, they wanted me to retire.”
Depp returns to directing with Modì after more than two decadesGetty Images
Depp on his forced exit from Fantastic Beasts
Depp had filmed only one scene for the third instalment, The Secrets of Dumbledore, before Warner Bros. asked him to leave. He announced his exit via Instagram, saying he had “respected and agreed” to the request. However, in hindsight, Depp revealed his private reaction was far less diplomatic: “F--- you. There’s far too many of me to kill. If you think you can hurt me more than I’ve already been hurt, you’re gravely mistaken.”
He went on to describe how the fallout from the court case affected his career, saying he had been “shunned, dumped, booted, deep-sixed, cancelled, however you want to define it.”
Depp says being pushed out felt like “they wanted me to retire”Getty Images
Mads Mikkelsen on stepping into Depp’s role
After Depp’s departure, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen was cast as Gellert Grindelwald. Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2022, Mikkelsen admitted replacing Depp was “intimidating,” calling him “an amazing actor.” He said he made a conscious choice not to imitate Depp’s portrayal, as doing so would have been “creative suicide.”
Mikkelsen added that while Depp’s fans were kind, they were also “stubborn,” and he understood their emotional investment in the original casting.
Depp was originally dropped following the 2020 verdict that The Sun’s “wife-beater” headline was “substantially true.” But in 2022, he won a separate US defamation case against Heard over a Washington Post op-ed, with a jury awarding him over £8 million (₹84 crore) in damages. Heard received £1.6 million (₹16.8 crore) in her countersuit.
Reflecting on the legal process, Depp said he felt compelled to fight back publicly: “If I don’t try to represent the truth, it will be like I’ve actually committed the acts I’m accused of. And my kids will have to live with that.”
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp watch as the jury leaves the courtroomGetty Images
What’s next for Johnny Depp?
While Depp has kept a relatively low profile in Hollywood since 2020, he’s slowly returning to creative work. He made his live-action comeback in the French film Jeanne du Barry (2023), where he played Louis XV. Now, Modì, his first directorial venture in over two decades, is set to hit UK cinemas on 11 July.
The biographical drama follows Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani over a turbulent 48-hour period in World War I-era Paris. It stars Riccardo Scamarcio, Al Pacino, and Antonia Desplat.
Following Modì, Depp is expected to return to acting in Day Drinker, a Lionsgate action-comedy alongside Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline. In the film, Depp plays a mysterious yacht guest with ties to a dangerous criminal underworld.
Keep ReadingShow less
Lewis clarifies legal rights for online and in-store purchases
Martin Lewis flags incorrect return rights information on 30 retail websites
Retailers include New Look, The Range, and Selfridges
Lewis clarifies legal rights for online and in-store purchases
Trading Standards to be alerted following MoneySavingExpert.com investigation
Martin Lewis highlights return rights confusion
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to UK consumers after uncovering misleading returns information on the websites of 30 major retailers, including New Look, The Range, and Selfridges.
Speaking on ITV1's Good Morning Britain, Lewis explained that several retailers are presenting incorrect information about return rights for online shoppers — in some cases, underplaying the legal protections customers are entitled to.
In a tweet posted after the segment aired, Lewis wrote: “30 retailers including Selfridges, New Look and The Range are publishing misleading (worse) return rights information on their websites than you legally have. Find which stores to be cautious with, and what your rights are.”
Legal rights for online shoppers
During his TV appearance, Martin Lewis clarified that consumers who shop online — as opposed to in-store — benefit from legal protections under the Consumer Contracts Regulations.
“If you buy something online, unless it is personalised or perishable, you have an absolute right to change your mind,” he said. “You have 14 days after delivery — important it’s after delivery, not after order — in which to tell the retailer you're returning it. Then you have another 14 days to send it back. That gives you up to 28 days.”
He also stressed the distinction between online and in-store shopping: “If you buy something in-store, you have no legal right to return it unless it’s faulty. Some shops do allow returns as part of their policy, and if they publish that, it becomes part of the contract. But legally, there is no obligation unless the item is defective.”
Incorrect wording found on retailer websites
Lewis and his team at MoneySavingExpert.com identified numerous cases where retailers had not correctly stated consumers’ legal rights on their websites.
One such example involved New Look, where the website stated: “You can return sale items within 14 days.” Lewis responded: “No! You can notify them within 14 days and you’ve got another 14 days to send it back.”
He also flagged a misleading policy by home and garden retailer The Range, which read: “You need to return your item to us at our Range marketplace partner within 14 days of receiving it.” Lewis explained: “No. You have 14 days from receiving it to notify that you’re returning it and a further 14 days to complete the return.”
He went on to say: “We found 30 examples. What’s really frustrating is that two of those — Monsoon and New Look — had the same issue back in 2018 when we last reviewed this. We notified them then, and they still have it wrong now. So we’re taking our evidence to Trading Standards.”
Retailers respond
In response to the findings, a spokesperson for New Look said: “We thank MoneySavingExpert.com for bringing this to our attention. While our current policies comply with statutory return rights, we have updated the wording on our website to ensure greater clarity for our customers. Customers have 14 days to notify us that they’ve changed their mind on items bought online in our sale, and a further 14 days to make the return.”
Consumers are encouraged to review their rights when shopping online and refer to trusted sources like the Money Saving Expert website for accurate advice. The full list of the 30 retailers identified can be found there.
The Daily Express has also contacted The Range and other retailers mentioned in the investigation for further comment.