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BBC News
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Leeds have third Longstaff bid rejected
Newcastle United have rejected a third bid from Leeds United for 27-year-old English midfielder Sean Longstaff. (Northern Echo, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
Time Out Dubai
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- Time Out Dubai
Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup final in Dubai: Chelsea vs PSG on Sunday July 13
Following a month of upsets, great goals and outstanding football, it all comes down to two worthy finalists. The FIFA Club World Cup is an expanded 32-team tournament featuring continental champions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania. In 2025, it is being played in the United States, so football fans living in Dubai will need to be wary of the difference in time zones when making plans. There have been some shocks along the way with Saudi club Al Hilal knocking out Manchester City and Brazilian side Fluminense defeating Italian giants Inter. The final will be held on Sunday July 13 at 11pm GST and sees English giants Chelsea take on the reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Below, we let you know which teams qualified for the tournament and where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai. What is the FIFA Club World Cup? In short, this is the club version of the quadrennial international knockout competition that makes football beloved across the globe. It means that instead of the likes of Spain and France, you'll see Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Previous editions of the Club World Cup have just featured the previous year's winners of every continental competition – such as the UEFA Champions League – but in 2025 the tournament will expand to 32 teams. The expansion has meant that qualification is slightly more complicated with four slots set aside for Asia, Africa and North America, six slots for South America, 12 slots for Europe and a slot each for Oceania and the tournament hosts. How Chelsea and PSG reached the final Chelsea have had an impressive tournament, facing teams from the USA, Brazil, Tunisia and Portugal during their run to the final. Comfortable wins against LAFC and ES Tunis in the group stage came either side of a humbling defeat at the hands of Flamengo. The English club then swept aside Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense en route to Sunday's final. PSG have continued their sensational form which saw them come into the tournament as favourites. The French and European champions have won 4-0 three times so far, brushing aside Atletico Madrid, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and, perhaps most impressively, Real Madrid. A routine 2-0 win against Seattle Sounders secured their place in the knockout rounds, following a surprise defeat in the group stage to Botafogo. In the quarter final, they were comfortable 2-0 winners over Bayern Munich despite getting two men sent off. So, who is actually playing in the FIFA Club World Cup? The official FIFA Club World Cup groups (Credit: FIFA) The FIFA Club World Cup will have Emirati representation in the form of the 2024 Asian Champions League winners Al Ain of Abu Dhabi. Saudi club Al-Hilal, who have the likes of João Cancelo and Sergej Milinković-Savić in their team, qualify as 2021 Asian champions. The two GCC regional sides will be joined by 2022 Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and the best-ranked remaining Asian club Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea. Africa will be represented by Egyptian club Al Ahly – who won the African Champions League in 2021, 2023 and 2024 – and the 2022 champions Wydad Casablanca. Espérance de Tunis of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa take up the remaining two slots as the next best-ranked clubs in Africa. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City qualify as recent UEFA Champions League winners and the remaining European slots are taken up by the best-ranked eligible teams from the past four years. (Credit: VOX) These nine clubs, coincidentally, include the most recent UEFA Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale. The other European clubs are Bayern Munich, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid and Reb Bull Salzburg. South America will be represented by the four most recent Copa Libertadores winners – Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo – who all hail from Brazil. Argentinian giants River Plate and Boca Juniors take up the remaining two slots. North America will be represented by three recent winners of the CONCACAF Champions League – Monterrey and Pachuca of Mexico plus Seattle Sounders – and play-off winner Los Angeles FC. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami take up the host slot. Auckland City, an amateur team from New Zealand, will represent Oceania having won the last four editions of the OFC Champions League. Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai As a result of the tournament being held in the United States, kick-off times for viewers in the UAE will be a little later than usual. Matches will be broadcast live on DAZN across Dubai – but if you want to enjoy the action while out and about, check out our list below. 71 Sports Bar This bar is a go-to venue for any sport-lover in Dubai, particularly if you've got a big group. Somewhere to take the whole gang, you've got the option of the pool table if the match isn't going to plan. Open 9am – midnight. Trump International Golf Club Dubai, DAMAC Hills. (04 245 3988). Barasti Head to Barasti to watch the UEFA Champions League final in Dubai (Credit: Barasti) Barasti is a fail-safe option if you're looking for a lively spot to watch the match. High tables and lounging areas face the humongous screen that sits up front and centre outside, while smaller screens are dotted around inside if you can't find space. Open daily 9am-3am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, (04 318 1313). Bedrock (Credit: Bedrock) Bedrock is a modern sports bar with a fun twist. You'll be able to watch the FIFA Club World Cup on their 20 TV screens across the bar. Happy days. What's more, you'll also find darts boards and a golf simulator to blow off some steam should your team lose. Win-win. Open daily noon-2am. Pier 7 in Marina Promenade, Dubai Belgian Café (Credit: Belgian Cafe) Celebrate all things from Belgium here with special drinks and bites offers available throughout the season. Giant screens will show the FIFA Club World Cup action throughout the summer and you can expect a lively atmosphere. No minimum spend. Grand Millennium Dubai, Barsha Heights, (04 423 4100). Brighton Rock (Credit: Brighton Rock) This lively spot in JBR offers classic British fare. Usually broadcasts a wide variety of sports with the Club World Cup taking prime spot during the summer. Special deals include a daily happy hour until 8pm and daily two-for-one deals. Mon – Thu (2pm – 3am), Fri – Sat (noon – 3am), Sun (noon – 1am). Hilton Dubai The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residences (058 552 7017). Brooklyn Bar Dubai Credit: Brooklyn Bar Dubai There are loads of screens so you'll always have a good view, the draught hops list is decent and there are top deals on all the time. You'll find a daily happy hour until 9pm and daily deals on food. Open daily noon – 3am. Elite Byblos Hotel, Al Barsha, @brooklydubai (04 455 4800). Chalco's Cantina Credit: Chalco's Catina Located in the heart of Dubai Marina, this Mexican restaurant will have multiple big screens showing all the action. Football fans can tuck into buckets of hops from Dhs125, short measures for Dhs25 and a selection of Mexican bites for only Dhs35. Marina Gate, Dubai Marina, (052 112 8923). CLAW BBQ (Credit: Supplied) With a seven-hour happy hour, both CLAW locations in Dubai (JBR and the Palm) have become havens for football fans. For those who want a break from the action, there's pinball, air hockey, pool, a Bucking Bronco and more. Open Mon-Thu, noon-2am, Fri noon-3am, Sat 8am-3am, Sun 8am-2am. Pavilion at the Beach, Dubai Marina (04 577 4357). Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah (04 230 0054). Coterie Social With 19 high definition screens, this modern venue is worth considering as a place to watch the FIFA Club World Cup. The food is modern British comfort food. Think fish and chips, savoury pies, sticky toffee pudding and more. You'll also find UK-style mixed drinks here. Open 8am-2am. Level 2, IBN Battuta Mall (04 570 8072). Courtyard Elevate your match day further with delicious bites from the Courtyard's a la carte menu, featuring an array of modern Mediterranean dishes accompanied by refreshing sips. With its stylish décor and vibrant surroundings, Vida Creek Harbour provides the perfect setting to not just watch the game but to experience it in style. Vida Creek Harbour. (04 428 8888). Ernst Biergarten & Wirtshaus (Credit: Ernst) Any fan of hops will know all about Ernst. Located at 25hours Hotel One Central, two large screens will show the FIFA Club World Cup. Open noon – 1am. 25 Hours Hotel One Central, Trade Center Street (04 2102 51). Fibber Magee's Screens are dotted everywhere around this much-loved Irish pub, making it a perfect venue to watch the FIFA Club World Cup. If you're expecting to be able to enjoy the football in a quiet setting look elsewhere – because Fibbers seems to be a perennial home to a lively, Irish atmosphere. You'll find a six-hour happy hour between 2pm and 8pm with drinks starting from Dhs25, a Sunday to Friday happy hour between 1pm and 7pm as well as a Sunday roast from Dhs99. Open daily 8am-3am. Saeed Tower One, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 2400). Open Mun-Thu 9am-2am, Fri-Sat 9am-3am. Social Hotel, Barsha Heights. (04 332 2400) garden on 8 Credit: Garden on 8 With loads of screens (and two huge ones) dotted around the terrace area, you needn't look further for a top place to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai. The food menu offers classic pub fare – think burgers, pizzas, and some of the best chips about. Count us in. Open noon-2am. Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City (04 427 1000). Goose Island Tap House Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai (Credit: Goose Island Tap House) Goose Island is not just a sports bar for those who like to watch sport, it's also a popular choice for fans who want some friendly competition of their own as they eagerly await kick off. There are now two Goose Island venues in Dubai and they're both well worth checking out. Happy hour is between noon and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, extending until 8pm on weekdays at both venues. Open Sun-Wed noon-2am, Thu-Sat noon-3am. FIVE Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Village Circle, (04 455 9989). Open Mon – Thu noon – 2am, Fri – Sat 10am – 3am, Sun 10am – 2am. FIVE LUXE, JBR, (04 275 9999). H Bar H Bar, located in The H Dubai Hotel, is a top spot to catch the football. Boasting an all-day drinks promotion where guests can avail tasty discounts on hops, plus a happy hour until 7pm for those that want to get warmed up early, H Bar will be sure to keep you refreshed from kick-off to the final whistle. With the match playing on all three big screens in the bar, you won't miss a second of the action. Open 12.30pm-2am. Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre. (04 501 8620). Huddle Sports Bar & Grill Credit: The Huddle Bar This sports bar in Bur Dubai will be screening the big games during the tournament on massive screens. Expect deals on drinks and bites. Grab a pint and a bite to eat during the FIFA Club World Cup. Open daily until 3am. Huddle Sports Bar & Grill, Citymax Hotel, Kuwait Street (050 100 7065). ICON Bar & Lounge (Credit: Icon Sports Bar) This British-style bar is one of the most chilled-out spots in town to watch sport – and the FIFA Club World Cup is no different. What's more, the menu's stacked with bar bites and drink specials. Open daily noon-3am. Radisson Blu Media City, Dubai Media City ( 04 366 9111). Logs & Embers Jam-packed with plenty of screens showing the action from stateside, this American smokehouse looks to combine sport with slow-cooked meat and seafood. Open Mon-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri 11am-1am, Sat – Sun 10am-1am. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah (052 109 6802). McCafferty's No matter which location of McCafferty's Irish bar you visit (they have one in JVC and another in Al Furjan) you can watch the tournament on the giant LED screens on the terraces. Whether moving about the venue or staying inside, HD TVs streaming the games are dotted throughout so you won't miss a thing. Craving Irish comfort food? Pick one of the belly-busting items on the menu. Open daily 10 am-2am. Circle Mall, JVC. (058 599 3623). Open Sun-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-2am. Jebel Ali Village, Al Furjan. (04 422 1491). Open Mon-Thu 11am-1am, Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 9am-2am. Pyramids Wafi, Oud Metha. (058 507 3623). McGettigan's Credit: McGettigan's There aren't many better places to watch sport in Dubai than at one of the city's McGettigan's branches. With screens dotted around every bar, these staple Irish pubs will be showing the football. You'll find a happy hour offering between Sunday and Friday at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the Factory on The Palm until 8pm. Open Mon – Thu noon – 2am, Fri noon – 3am, Sat – Sun 10am-3am. Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster J, JLT (04 356 0470). Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Dubai World Trade Centre (04 262 0407). Open Mon-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sun noon-2am. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah (04 230 0062). Open Mon-Thu noon-2am, Fri 12pm-3am, Sat 10am-3am, Sun 10am-2am. Souk Madinat Jumeirah (04 447 0219). Open Mon-Fri 12.30pm-3am, Fri-Sat 10am-3am. The Walk, JBR (04 318 2580). Open Mon – Wed 4pm – 1am, Thu and Sun noon-1am, Fri-Sat noon – 2am. Dubai Science Park, Al Barsha South. (04 567 1400) McGettigan's Factory Credit: McGettigan's McGettigan's Factory at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah has special group and individual packages throughout the tournament. Get unlimited drinks for two hours and front-row views for a minimum of 10 guests at Dhs199 per person or grab an individual package at Dhs219 for a solo trip. Bites include an Irish spice bag, steak sandwich and creamy shellfish risotto. Various packages. Sun Jun 15 – Sun Jul 15. Mon – Thu (4pm – 2am), Fri (noon – 2am) Sat – Sun (noon – 2am). McGettigan's Factory, Palm Jumeirah. (04 230 0063) @mcgettigansfactorythepalm. Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen With 12 screens, two levels, live music and a Friday brunch, Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen is a top venue to watch football in Dubai. It's an affordable spot where you can sit back and enjoy the Premier League in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Happy hour is every day between noon and 7pm with drinks starting from Dhs29. Open daily 10am-3am. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (058 599 4659). Nell Gwynne If you're after affordable pints and a chilled-out spot to watch football, Nell Gwynne could be the place for you. In Dubai Marina, it's a prime location with a price list that's not overbearing. There are deals on hops buckets costing Dhs136 daily from 1pm and a happy hour from noon until 8pm every day. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3am, Sat-Sun 9am-3am. Marina Byblos Hotel, Al Hubob Sreet, Dubai Marina (04 448 8222). Nelson's If a traditional pub vibe is what you are after while watching the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai then Nelson's at Media Rotana could work for you. With a wide array of hops on tap, it's a winner. Open Sat-Wed noon-2am, Thu and Fri noon-3am. Rotana Media, Barsha Heights, (04 435 0000). Offside Want to see kick-off on a 200-inch screen? Check out Offside in Dubai Marina. There is an additional eight screens and it's good for groups with lots of long tables and plenty of things to do before the games begin. Open noon-3am. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR. (056 522 0219). Origins Don't miss out on the action with these fantastic opportunities to watch the Club World Cup in style at Vida Hotels and Resorts. Gather your friends, embrace the football fever, and enjoy every moment of the action in a very pretty setting. Deals include combo offers starting from just Dhs35 on drinks and bites. Vida Emirates Hills (04 872 8888). Phileas Fogg Happy hour anyone? Credit: Phileas Fogg's At Phileas Fogg you can watch the FIFA Club World Cup with a gorgeous golf course as your backdrop. If you want company, head over to the 33,000 sq ft space complete with a restaurant, pub, garden and a covered amphitheatre that can host up to 1,000 people. You will not be short of an atmosphere. Open Mon-Thu 11am-2am Fri-Sun 8am-3am. Montgomerie Golf Academy, Emirates Hills, (04 572 4477). Seven Sports Bar If you haven't been to Seven Sports Bar at NH Collection The Palm yet, now could be your time. With 13 big screens and spacious seating, it's as good a venue as any to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai. Open noon-2am. NH Collection Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (056 687 6319). The Blacksmith Where to celebrate watch the FIFA Club World Cup: The best treats, deals and things to do (Credit: Supplied) This Southern-style smokehouse is packed with big screens and will be putting on some not-to-be-missed drinks deals. Happy hour runs from 2pm until 8pm and again from 10pm until 1am with grape priced from as little as Dhs28. Open daily 2pm-2am. Wyndham Dubai Marina. info@ (04 4078 873). The Irish Village (Credit: The Irish Village) A favourite among sports-lovers in Dubai, this popular Irish pub is a cracking place to watch football. Having operated at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium for more than 20 years, it's a Dubai institution – and its Studio City venue is just as good. Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud (04 282 4750). Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Studio One, Dubai Studio City (04 241 8444). The Nine Gastropub (Credit: The Nine) There's a whole host of big screens, extended happy hours during all events, and more. Throughout the season the Friday, Saturday and Sunday kick-offs will all be covered with classic British food including a traditional Sunday roast and a lovely fry-up on Saturdays. Happy hour is every day between 4pm and 7pm with three beverages priced from Dhs129. 11.30am – 1am daily. Wafi, Sheikh Rashid Rd, Umm Hurair 2. The Stables (Credit: The Stables) With one large screen and multiple LED screens placed throughout this British gastropub, you won't miss a single moment. It serves up classic British fare from hearty pies and fish and chips. noon – 3am (Sun – Thu). noon – 3.30am (Fri – Sat). The Stables Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 1. @thestablesdubai (054 417 7028) The Underground Pub Credit: The Underground Pub The Underground Pub will be showing the big game on HD screens. Expect drinks deals and tasty bar bites throughout the tournament. Open daily noon-3am, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection (04 399 500). UBK – Urban Bar & Kitchen Credit: UBK Expect regular special promotions throughout the season with new additions to the menu and drinks deals aplenty. With multiple screens, plenty of space and a lively vibe, it's set to be a fun place to be when it all kicks off. noon – 2am. Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, JLT, @ubkdubai (04 438 0000). Other things to do in Dubai Dubai's 10 best sports bars, with great beverages and banging food Catch all the big games at these brilliant sports bars in Dubai Dubai happy hours: Best bar deals, offers and discounts Cheap drinks every night of the week? You've come to the right place Dubai ladies' night list: absolutely brilliant deals, offers and discounts Grab your girls for a fabulous Friday night
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Bobby Vylan tells fans to stop IDF chants at first UK gig since Glastonbury
The frontman of Bob Vylan warned his fans to stop chanting against the Israeli military during their first UK gig since Glastonbury, saying that they could get him in 'trouble'. Bobby Vylan, the singer of the punk duo, told fans at a sold-out surprise gig in London on Wednesday night they had to be careful after police launched an investigation into the group following comments he made at Glastonbury. During their livestreamed set on the West Holts Stage at the Somerset festival on June 28, Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. The group issued a statement last week claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up'. At the intimate concert at The 100 Club on Wednesday night, some fans started to repeat the Glastonbury chant of 'death, death to the IDF'. Vylan responded by saying 'you are going to get me in trouble, apparently every other chant is fine but yous (sic) will get me in trouble' before leading the crowd in chants of 'Free, free Palestine'. The 34-year-old added: 'I am pretty tired. It's been a busy week, been a busy couple of days do you know what I mean? Just putting out fires you know? 'We never ever could have imagined that we would create a conversation that needed to be created and needed to be had. 'It kind of feels like we have completed punk rock just a little bit. We set the game on the hardest level and just went f****** let's just go all in, shall we? He added: 'What is happening over there is an absolute mess, it is f****** criminal what is happening to these people, they are now being concentrated into camps. 'They have been trying to silence us, they thought that this would shut us up, but the album is back in the charts. 'We just want to see the liberation of the Palestinian people. That's it. I don't think it's too crazy a thing to ask. I don't think it's a violent thing to ask, right? The liberation of the Palestinian people from a tyrannical f****** oppressor. That's all we want. 'But until then – free, free Palestine. 'Each and every single time, they will not f****** silence us.' The duo ended the gig by holding the Palestinian flag as frontman Vylan said: 'We are a loving band, we love you lot for being here with us. We love the Palestinian people. 'Their strength, their resilience, their ability to keep on going in the face of it all is a beautiful and inspiring thing. So as hard as this week may have been for us, it has been nothing in comparison to what the Palestinian people are going through right now. 'That is where the attention should be. That is where the focus should be. That is where these politicians and media outlets should be focusing their attention right now, not on the words or the actions of a f****** punk band. It is ridiculous and it only speaks to the ridiculous state of this country right now.' The small venue was packed with fans, with many wearing Palestinian pins, keffiyehs or carrying Palestinian flags as they echoed the group's chants of 'free, free Palestine'. Following their Glastonbury set, it emerged that the group were already being investigated by the Met Police regarding alleged comments made at a gig in London in May, with a video showing Vylan appearing to say: 'Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF.' Since then they have reportedly been dropped by their agency, United Talent Agency (UTA), which appears to have removed the group from their website, and have also been pulled from a number of concerts – including their US tour after having their visas revoked. Despite the criticism the group has seen support from fans – new and old – who have flooded Bobby Vylan's comment section on social media. The group have also re-entered the charts, with their album Humble As The Sun climbing to number one in the UK Hip Hop and R&B album charts. Footage from a performance in Athens, Greece, last week saw Vylan tell the audience: 'We are not generally hateful people, but we do hate war, and we do hate injustice, and I think a lot of people out there hate it too.' He added: 'We will continue to fly that beautiful Palestinian flag, and nobody anywhere in the world will tell us that we are not allowed to. They are not the only Glastonbury performers being investigated by Avon and Somerset Police, with the Irish rap trio Kneecap's set also being looked into. The group, made up of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, JJ O Dochartaigh and Naoise O Caireallain, performed after Bob Vylan on the West Holts Stage and led crowds in chants of 'F*** Keir Starmer', after the Prime Minister claimed their appearance at the festival was 'not appropriate'. O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June charged with a terror offence and will return next month. Bob Vylan, who formed in 2017, are known for addressing political issues in their albums including racism, masculinity and class. The group are expected to perform at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August.
Al Bawaba
14 minutes ago
- Al Bawaba
LG Oled Evo M5, the Only True Wireless Oled Tv With G5's Excellence in Picture Quality
LG Electronics (LG) has announced the global rollout of its newest wireless OLED TV series, the LG OLED evo M5 – a TV that combines LG's advanced True Wireless technology with the industry-leading OLED picture quality of the G5 ** to reimagine the TV experience in a clutter-free M5 sets a new gold standard for premium wireless home entertainment. LG's True Wireless technology eliminates the cable connection between the TV and external devices, thanks to LG's proprietary Zero Connect Box, a visually lossless wireless video and audio transmission solution. Delivering ultra-smooth content with low input lag up to 4K 144Hz****, the M5 boasts performance on par with a wired M5 offers next-level wireless technology for competitive gamers demanding ultra-responsive performance. Building on the legacy of LG's OLED evo series, the M series is the only wireless TV compatible with both NVIDIA G-SYNC® and AMD FreeSync™ Premium to deliver a tear-free, stutter-free gaming experience even during fast-paced action up to 4K 144Hz. Certified by Intertek for Qualified Gaming Performance, the M5 features an ultra-fast response time of less than 0.1ms*****, delivering smooth, vibrant visuals in razor-sharp M5 is the optimal TV for those seeking both a superb gaming experience and a more flexible, cleaner setup. A conventional TV offers multiple ports for commonly used HDMI devices like gaming consoles on the back of the screen, causing viewers to walk to the TV to power on devices or switch inputs. But on the M5, these ports can be found on the Zero Connect Box, enabling consoles to be placed within reach – on a nearby shelf, inside a cabinet, or next to the sofa. As a result, there are no cables between the TV and entertainment M5 is also a top-tier choice for home cinema enthusiasts, featuring Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Filmmaker® Mode with Ambient Light Compensation for cinematic accuracy. Powered by the α (Alpha) 11 AI Processor Gen2, it offers enhanced depth and detail with AI Picture Pro, while AI Sound Pro enables immersive 11.1.2-channel audio. LG's upgraded Brightness Booster Ultimate technology boosts screen brightness by up to three times compared to conventional OLED models. The M5 has also received UL Solutions' 'Perfect Black' and 'Perfect Color' verification, along with certifications from Intertek for 100 percent color fidelity and 100 percent color volume. A 'Perfect' grade by TÜV Rheinland****** further affirms the M5's capability to maintain clarity even in bright indoor a flush-fit design and no visible cable clutter, the LG OLED evo M5 delivers a truly immersive entertainment experience with the uncompromised performance of a wired setup. 'For 12 consecutive years, LG has led the global OLED TV market and we are opening a new era of television with our leadership in wireless TV,' said Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. 'The OLED evo M5 exemplifies our commitment to innovation and our pursuit of the ultimate in premium home entertainment.'
Times
14 minutes ago
- Times
The secret estate that channels the spirit of Corsica
On an island celebrated for its beaches, the Plage d'Erbaju in southwest Corsica is among the most beautiful. It is here that the Ortolo River reaches the sea, a meeting of sapphire blue and turquoise across a long curve of fine white sand. At either end are two headlands: one guarded by a lion-shaped rock formation, the Lion de Roccapina, gazing over a Genoese watchtower towards the hazy silhouette of Sardinia; the other home to the Table de la Plage, an artfully constructed driftwood restaurant that turns hyper-local produce into impeccable Mediterranean cuisine. As beaches go, it's pretty near perfect, enough to justify a trip on its own. But as is often the way in Corsica, the beach is only part of the story — in this case that of the Domaine de Murtoli, a 6,000-acre estate of largely untouched scrubland and forest that extends up the valley from the coast. For 30 years the estate has welcomed guests to its 20 holiday villas, all hidden away among the folds of its land for extra privacy, and to its nine-room Hôtel de la Ferme, together becoming some of the most in-demand accommodation on the island. Now the estate has added a second hotel, A Mandria di Murtoli, which opened in June in a former livestock enclosure, with ten rooms and suites set in landscaped grounds of golden immortelle shrubs and silvery-green olive trees. The new hotel is a 15-minute drive to the north of the older one, a route that passes wild boar as they scuttle through the fragrant maquis and holm oaks. Here the view is of the mountains: of granite rock protruding through waves of green; of the outlines of successive peaks, fading as they recede into a powder blue sky. The island, though known for its beaches, is also one of mountains — rising to the 2,700m-high Monte Cinto in the north — so much so that the 19th-century German geographer Friedrich Ratzel nicknamed it a 'mountain in the sea'. The Corsicans were historically a mountain people, who retreated to the interior to escape malaria, pirates and invaders on the coast. They lived in isolated villages, growing olives and chestnuts for oil and flour, keeping pigs and sheep for cured hams and delicious brocciu (a soft cheese made from whey and fresh ewe's milk). The culture of these communities was fascinating, as related in Dorothy Carrington's magnificent historical portrait of Corsica, Granite Island (1971). Coexisting alongside the Catholic religion were pagan beliefs that Carrington traced back to the megalithic era. Their more sensational elements included mazzeri, or 'night-hunters of souls', who would go out hunting in their dreams, kill the first animal they found, then predict the death, within the year, of the person they saw in the animal's face. There were also honour-based vendettas that could start with something as inconsequential as a donkey straying on to a rival family's land but trigger a series of murders that might wipe out an entire village, and bandits d'honneur who took to the maquis, often to escape a vendetta. • Discover our full guide to France The soul of old Corsica — or at least its more peaceful manifestation — lives on at the Domaine de Murtoli, which is named after myrtle, the pretty white aromatic shrub. It used to be a farm, where cattle roamed freely in the maquis. But when Paul Canarelli inherited it from his grandfather in 1993, he saw an opportunity to introduce high-end hospitality as well (his father owned the glamorous Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa, now managed by his sisters, Hélène and Lise, in the popular beachfront resort of Porto-Vecchio). The holiday houses and shepherd's huts opened first, followed by the Hôtel de la Ferme in 2021. I spent one unforgettable night at A Manzetta, a 17th-century bergerie for four built in thick granite and rough limestone with an enormous dark-wood wardrobe. It felt wonderfully cool and ancient. In the morning Domaine's fées du logis ('house fairies') delivered a breakfast of rustic bread and jams, which I ate in an outdoor kitchen, overlooking a pool hewn out of the contours of the granite rock. 'Our aim is to offer authentic, family-friendly and generous hospitality that puts nature first,' says Paul's daughter, Santa, now the Domaine's gracious general manager, as she showed me to my suite at A Mandria di Murtoli. Named Amandula after the almond tree, this converted stable is one of three suites that have their own brick-lined plunge pool, a contemporary take on an old-school water trough (and a wonderful place to sit and read). There are also five rooms and suites in a main building, and two in former shepherd's huts. The spirit is the same as at the wider Domaine, yet more playful, colourful, contemporary and Italian in its expression — as if a breeze has blown in from Sardinia. The bricks are arranged in patterns, the terracotta mixed with glazed tiles by Cerasarda in the dappled hues of the Mediterranean. • Corsica's best beaches Outside, cobbled paths and low granite walls snake down to a huge swimming pool, which is surrounded by Balinese day beds with stripped-wood canopies. In the outdoor restaurant above the pool a stylish international clientele — the women in Greek goddess-style dresses — sip white beer flavoured with Murtoli gin, and dine on superior pasta dishes courtesy of the chef Damiano Colazzo (mains from £23). Retro Italian tunes are accompanied by the buzz of cicadas. The atmosphere is chilled and festive. Happily A Mandria guests also have access to the restaurants of the Domaine, which are dotted across the estate: the beachfront Table de la Plage (with its sensational lemon sorbet and meringue courtesy of the Parisian chef Yann Couvreur); the central Table de la Ferme (which serves Michelin-starred cuisine and more casual piattini or tapas, such as a plate of tomme and brocciu cheese); and the fantastical Table de la Grotte, set inside and atop a cluster of giant granite rocks linked by wooden walkways. Here, guests sit at tables among the rocks, sipping myrtle sours as the sun gilds the maquis, then move inside a series of candlelit caves for a traditional Corsican feast focused around a shoulder of lamb. All three restaurants use the estate's own produce: cheese, meat and veal from the sheep and cows grazing along the river, vegetables and herbs from two extensive potagers, honey from the estate's own hives. 'It has evolved gradually,' says Paul. 'It wouldn't be what it is if it hadn't.' • Best thing to do in Corsica As well as being an immense larder, the Domaine de Murtoli is a vast playground for hiking, hunting, fishing and golf — where 'everything is proposed, but nothing imposed'. There are treatments with Nucca products — an organic range developed by Hélène and Lise that uses Corsican plants — in two open-air structures at the beach or, at A Mandria di Murtoli, in your own room, and botanical workshops with the forager Florence Weis. Since July 1 guests have also been able to taste the estate's first wines, produced from the first 25 acres planted with Corsican grape varieties, sciacarello and vermentino among them. The vines grow in the shadow of the menhirs of Cauria, prehistoric standing stones that have stood here for 6,500 years. 'They have an energy that the plants can feel in the right conditions,' the vineyard manager David Barranger reckons. Murtoli is also well situated for visiting two of Corsica's most compelling towns, beginning with Bonifacio, a 40-minute drive along the coast. This deep narrow harbour between soaring chalk cliffs, its houses teetering on the edge, is thought to have been the home of the mythical Laestrygonians, the cannibalistic giants who attack Odysseus's fleet in Homer's epic poem. Its history is just as captivating and the climb from the port to the citadel and cemetery at the top walks you through it, taking in a five-month siege by the king of Aragon in 1420, in which the Genoese inhabitants resorted to eating all sorts of herbs — 'even those disdained by beasts'. Bonifacio is also a lovely place to shop — for beachwear, jewellery and maquis-scented diffusers by the Corsican brand Casonera, which provides the in-room products at A Mandria. The views to Sardinia are phenomenal. • Beautiful Mediterranean islands to visit There are more heart-stopping views in Sartène, 30 minutes' drive inland from Murtoli. This 'most Corsican of Corsican towns' was built on a rocky outcrop to better defend itself, and its Good Friday procession — U Catenacciu — features a chained penitent in a red-hooded cloak, hefting a heavy cross through the streets. Its medieval warren of narrow streets, stone stairways and tall granite houses would feel very King's Landing were it not for the tourist boutiques and restaurants. Back in the airy central Place de Libération, the most imposing building is the Church of Sainte Marie de l'Assomption, where every Thursday evening the Choeur de Sartène gives a concert of sacred and secular songs, sung a cappella by six male voices. Like Domaine de Murtoli, this polyphonic tradition is an authentic expression of the Corsica of old. I stood on the steps, entranced, as I had been by my Corsican adventure as a Johnson was a guest of A Mandria di Murtoli, which has B&B doubles from £206 ( of the Hameau de Saparale, and the Domaine Le Mouflon. Fly to Figari By Lisa Johnson While the Domaine de Murtoli is an established place to stay with a new vineyard, this 2,500-acre estate in the same valley is an established vineyard with a new four-star hotel. Originally planted with vines in 1845 by a Corsican lawyer who had spent 20 years in Africa — hence the elephant logo — the estate changed hands when his son left it to the housekeeper. The winemaker and oenologist Philippe Farinelli is her grandson and since 1998 he and his wife, Julie, have been replanting the vines and restoring the ruined buildings. They already offered tastings of their five ranges of organic wines and rented out three luxury shepherd's huts. Now they have opened the original manor house with 14 elegantly rustic rooms and suites and a chapel, as well as two separate family suites and a dining room over the wine cellar (the tomme soufflé is a standout). The swimming pool, hidden among citrus trees and agapanthus, has magical views over the valley, and at night the sky blazes with stars. Ebikes are available for riding through the estate's vines and untouched forest (there are no other buildings here), as well as to the beautiful Plage de Roccapina; Sartène and Cauria are both nearby. Details B&B doubles from £232 ( • More great hotels in Corsica The soaring granite Needles of Bavella are one of Corsica's greatest hits and this Relais & Châteaux five-star hotel — one hour's drive from Figari airport — offers an excellent view of them on the ten-minute walk into the village of Zonza. The hotel is well known among Corsicans: it was built in 1926 by the PLM (Paris-Lyon-Méditeranée railway company) and hosted the exiled king of Morocco and his 20 wives in 1953 — the owner, Anthony Bornea, has the photographs to prove it. He and his wife, Lise Canarelli — sister of Paul and Hélène, have spent six years resurrecting it, adding a fourth floor to the austere building and an outdoor pool to the 47 acres. There are 20 rooms (my junior suite looked out over a towering cedar of Lebanon) and two bergeries; an extensive spa is due to open next year. The refined and uncluttered interiors offset dark-wood furniture and shadowy oil portraits with white walls and sparkling chandeliers, and the food — eaten in an elegant dining room, belle époque conservatory or out on the terrace — is faultless. The Plateau de Coscione, Ospedale Lake and two stages of the redoubtable GR20 hiking trail are all nearby; biking and canyoning can also be B&B Doubles from £277 (
