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Five things from the Bundesliga

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Bayern Munich rumbled towards an eighth straight Bundesliga title on Saturday after their comfortable win at Bayer Leverkusen, while players throughout the league renewed support for the Black Lives Matters protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

AFP Sport looks at five key things from Saturday’s action:

Bayern unstoppable?

You have to go back to before Christmas to find a match which Bayern lost, and their stroll at Leverkusen took Hansi Flick’s side to 11 straight wins in all competitions and kept them seven points clear with just four matches remaining.

A goal down after 10 minutes against a team that beat them at the Allianz Arena in November, Bayern responded with two quick goals just before half-time to establish a stranglehold on the match after Kingsley Coman’s equaliser.

From that point Bayern were calm and composed as they saw out a ninth league win in a row that allows to put one hand on the Bundesliga trophy.

However bookings for both Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski — who scored his 30th league goal of the season — mean that they will miss next week’s clash with Champions League-chasing Borussia Moenchengladbach, where a win will as good as seal the title.

Floyd tributes continue

Pierre Kunde Malong is one of many Bundesliga players to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter protests. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / Alexander HASSENSTEIN

Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin players were the latest to show their support for demonstrations across the USA and George Floyd, a black American who died in Minneapolis last month while being arrested by police officers, by taking a collective knee around the Signal Iduna Park centre circle before their match.

They had been preceded by Mainz’s Cameroonian midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong, who sunk to one knee after scoring in Mainz’s 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, emulating similar gestures from last weekend.

Both Dortmund and Bayern Munich wore T-shirts showing solidarity with the protests, with Bayern players warming up in tops bearing both the Black Lives Matter hashtag and the slogan of the club’s official “Reds Against Racism” campaign.

Werner shows his worth

Timo Werner is reportedly set to move to Chelsea next season. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

Timo Werner showed why Chelsea are reportedly set to spend 50 million euros (£44.5 million) on bringing him to the Premier League, setting up Patrik Schick to take the lead and playing with the verve that has attracted the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The Germany forward has scored 31 times in all competitions for Leipzig this season and prestigious magazine Kicker reports that Chelsea will pay less than the Werner’s 55 million-euro release clause to bring the 24-year-old to the Premier League.

Leipzig sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff said that no deal had yet been done for Werner, although he made it clear that Werner would be leaving come the end of the season.

“We are sure that we will find a solution with his new club which allows us to end the Bundesliga season with Timo,” said Mintzlaff.

‘Huge talent’ Wirtz breaks through

Florian Wirtz is the latest young gun to appear at Bayer Leverkusen after Kai Havertz. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / Stuart FRANKLIN

A new young star made the headlines for Leverkusen in the absence of Kai Havertz, with Florian Wirtz becoming the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.

Wirtz, who only made his top-flight debut last month, supplanted former Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin when he bagged Leverkusen’s consolation goal in the final seconds at 17 years and 34 days old.

“We already knew he was a huge talent, that’s why he has played before,” said Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz.

Emre cans Sancho after rallying Dortmund

Jadon Sancho has been heavily criticised for having a haircut without any protective equipment. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / Lars BARON

Emre Can kept Borussia Dortmund’s faint hopes of winning the title alive with the only goal in a 1-0 win over dogged Hertha Berlin, and quickly tore a strip off young gun Jadon Sancho following the England winger’s haircut controversy.

Can, who struck in the 58th minute to keep Dortmund seven points behind Bayern with four games to play, said Sancho needed to be “more grown up” after being pictured having a haircut with neither the 20-year-old nor the hairdresser wearing any personal protective equipment.

“We need to guide Jadon a bit. He can’t afford to make mistakes like that in the future, and we can always talk to him about that as a team,” said Can.

Reporting and photos: AFP

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Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates Women’s Dive Day with marine conservation experience

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In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 18 July 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi invites certified women divers to come together for a meaningful morning beneath the surface, combining marine conservation with the joy of exploring the ocean in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant natural environments.

Inspired by this year’s global theme, “Celebrate Community. Create Change.”, the resort’s Women of the Ocean Reef Clean-Up Dive encourages to connect through shared passion for the underwater world while making a positive impact on the environment.  Designed exclusively for certified women divers, the guided reef clean-up dive offers the opportunity to explore Coco Bodu Hithi’s biodiverse house reef while helping remove debris and protect its delicate ecosystem.

At the heart of it all is Coco Dive, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, where guests can discover the beauty and wonders of the Maldives through safe, personalised and memorable underwater adventures.  Whether taking their very first breath below the surface or exploring advanced dive sites, guests are guided by an experienced, multilingual team of instructors dedicated to creating unforgettable diving experiences.

Just minutes from the resort, divers can access almost 30 renowned dive sites, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon fish, schools of blue-striped snappers, batfish and fusiliers.  Guests looking to begin their marine adventures can also start their certification before arrival through PADI eLearning, allowing them to spend more time exploring the ocean once they reach the Maldives.

“At Coco Bodu Hithi, we believe every dive is an opportunity to build a deeper connection with the ocean,” said Jinn Hui, Dive Base Leader for Coco Bodu Hithi.  “PADI Women’s Dive Day celebrates the growing community of women in diving while reminding us that small actions, such as removing debris, can make a meaningful difference to the health of our reefs.”

The activity is available at the resort’s standard single-dive rate and includes a personalised certificate of participation and a complimentary dive video, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of a meaningful day beneath the surface.

Rooted in Coco Collection’s truly Maldivian heritage, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to bring guests closer to nature through experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the Maldives and its fragile marine habitat.

Located in North Malé Atoll, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to unwind in spacious villas with up to 30% savings through the Discover Coco offer or enjoy exclusive benefits with the Local & Expat Exclusives package. Visit cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com for further enquiries.

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Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru launch month-long marine conservation programme

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This July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru reaffirm their long-standing commitment to protecting the Maldives through a month of conservation initiatives that inspire guests to become active stewards of the ocean.

Plastic Free July: Protecting the Maldives’ Blue Heart

As per UNDP, each year, the Maldives generates more than 43,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to the weight of approximately 215 blue whales and nearly 120 tons per day. For a country whose future depends on healthy oceans, reducing plastic pollution is essential to protecting marine biodiversity, and preserving the natural beauty that defines the Maldives.

Throughout July, guests are invited to take part in weekly Sunset Island Beach Cleans and Reef Cleans with our Marine Lab, helping remove marine plastic trash while learning about the importance of protecting the fragile coastal and reef ecosystems. The programme also includes a collaboration with a local sustainable NGO, showcasing how discarded plastic can be transformed into artwork, jewellery, and other meaningful products through creativity and circular design.

Shark Awareness Day: Why Sharks Matter

On 14 July, the resorts will mark Shark Awareness Day in collaboration with Miyaru, the Maldives’ leading shark research and conservation NGO. While sharks are often portrayed as dangerous, they are in fact among the ocean’s most important guardians.

By naturally regulating fish populations, sharks help keep coral reef ecosystems healthy and balanced. Without them, the delicate food chain can be disrupted, affecting everything from reef fish and coral health to the countless marine species that depend on these habitats. Healthy shark populations are also a sign of a thriving ocean—one that supports local fisheries, protects biodiversity, and sustains the world-renowned diving and snorkelling experiences that make the Maldives so unique.

Through engaging talks with Miyaru’s marine experts, guests will discover fascinating facts about Maldivian sharks, understand the challenges they face, and learn how conservation efforts are helping protect these often misunderstood guardians of healthy oceans.

Mangrove Conservation Day: 26 July

As part of Plastic Free July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru will also celebrate the International Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July through a community mangrove planting and cleanup initiative with Huraa Council.

Mangroves are among the Maldives’ most valuable natural ecosystems, serving as nurseries for marine life, protecting coastlines from erosion, filtering pollutants, and strengthening resilience against climate change. Together with reef conservation and plastic reduction, the initiative reinforces the importance of protecting every part of the marine ecosystem—from the shoreline to the reef.

More than a month of activities, Plastic Free July reflects Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru’s enduring commitment to preserving the Maldives’ rich marine heritage – bringing together guests, local communities, and conservation partners to protect the ocean through collective action.

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InterContinental Maldives elevates active luxury with new padel court

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its new padel court, adding a fresh dimension to island wellness and offering guests a dynamic new way to stay active in paradise.

Now with over 30 million players worldwide, padel is one of the fastest growing sports, offering a fun and inclusive activity for beginners and experts alike. The brand new court is framed by Maldivian palm trees and white sand, creating a striking backdrop for both leisurely matches and spirited competition.

Complimentary for all guests, the court includes the use of premium rackets and balls, allowing guests to discover a new skill in a tropical island setting. Families are invited to enjoy dedicated on-court sessions designed for all ages to create memorable, shared experiences. Benches line the court, creating a comfortable space for spectators to watch and support friends and family.

Located beside InterContinental Maldives’ fitness centre with its state-of-the-art gym, personal training programmes, and aerobic workout sessions, the new padel court aims to enhance the resort’s distinctive approach to luxury, wellbeing and curated guest experiences.

Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions. The padel court is complimentary
for guests.

For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

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