A Swiss Academy of Sciences panel is reporting a dramatic acceleration of glacier melt in the Alpine country, which has lost 10% of its ice volume in just two years after high summer heat and low snow volumes in winter

US President Joe Biden will give a key speech in Arizona Thursday on protecting democratic institutions, in a fresh attack on Donald Trump as the rivals...

The new Women’s Super League season gets under way with the opening round of fixtures taking place on Sunday. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points heading into the action. Champions chase more glory After securing their fourth WSL title in a row last season – and third successive FA Cup – the simple question regarding Chelsea ahead of 2023-24 is can they keep their dominance up? While skipper Magda Eriksson and Pernille Harder were notable departures over the summer, there have been eye-catching signings such as Catarina Macario and Ashley Lawrence joining a Blues squad featuring stars like Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Lauren James, who shone so brightly at times for England at the World Cup. With Fran Kirby back in the fold after injury as well, Emma Hayes’ side appear as primed as ever to hunt down further success. Another big United push? Manchester United had a landmark campaign last term, proving Chelsea’s closest rivals in the title race before ending up two points behind in second, as well as runners-up to them in the FA Cup – the best they have fared in both. It will be fascinating to see how the Red Devils get on in their attempts to build upon that in the WSL this season, particularly should they get through their qualifier with Paris St Germain to join Chelsea in the Champions League group stage. Either way, they will be without England striker Alessia Russo after she opted to leave and sign for Arsenal – but goalkeeper Mary Earps, her fellow Lioness, has been retained. Attacking options added to Marc Skinner’s squad include Geyse, Melvine Malard and World Cup Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa. Arsenal and City in the mix? Two teams who definitely will not have Champions League football to contend with this term are Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal, who crashed out in the first qualifying round earlier this month after coming third in the 2022-23 WSL, and Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City, fourth last season. That could be a significant factor as both aim to be firm contenders for the league title this time around. As well as Russo added to their ranks, plus the likes of Australia midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross, Arsenal have Beth Mead returning from an ACL injury, with Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson to follow. City have the huge threat of Khadija Shaw in their attack, while the signing of former Arsenal player Jill Roord has boosted their midfield. Vibrant Villa Outside the aforementioned ‘big four’, a team that has been drawing considerable attention is Aston Villa, last term’s fifth-placed finishers who opened their campaign by beating City and closed it with victory at Arsenal. England international Rachel Daly, scorer of 22 goals in as many WSL games last season to pip Shaw to the Golden Boot, is the leading light of the team, and Ebony Salmon, Lucy Parker and goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar are among the summer additions as the midlands outfit, managed by Carla Ward, look to make even more of a splash in 2023-24. They take on United at Villa Park in the first kick-off of Sunday’s curtain-raising games. Robins return Bristol City are back in the top flight after a two-season absence having claimed the Championship title under Lauren Smith. The bid to preserve their status could see them battle with Leicester – their opponents at Ashton Gate on Sunday – and Brighton, who finished 10th and 11th respectively last term, both five points clear of relegated Reading. The Foxes stayed up after bringing in Willie Kirk last November, while Melissa Phillips took charge at Brighton in April, following the departures of Hope Powell and then Jens Scheuer in a troubled campaign for the Seagulls. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

If you’re after a year-round holiday destination in the UK, the Isle of Wight is pocket-sized yet picturesque – and it’s only two hours from London. Once famous for being a bucket-and-spade, budget destination, the island – the second-most populous in England – has reinvented itself as a place for a stylish sojourn by the sea. It now offers an impressive array of food and drink spots (more than 50 independent producers, at the last count). Known for The Needles, beautiful beaches and pretty promenades – alongside gorgeous countryside and colourful gardens – there’s something for everyone. As for where to stay, several island hotels used lockdown to refurbish, clear out the mothballs and pull themselves out of their 1970s torpor with impeccable style. Some are swish and sleek, others ooze history and character. Wherever you’re planning to stay, from the north in Cowes to the west in Yarmouth, or Ventnor in the south, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay. Here’s our round-up of the best hotels on the island, where you can enjoy a sundowner while drinking in the views. The best Isle of Wight hotels are: Best family hotel: Luccombe Hall Hotel Best retro hotel: The Northbank Hotel Best luxury hotel: Sentry Mead Hotel Best boutique hotel: Villa Rothsay Hotel Best hotel for sea views: The Wellington Hotel Best budget hotel: Ryde Castle Best hotel for couples: Shoreside Inn Best hotel in a historic town: One Holyrood Hotel Best hotel for foodies: The Seaview Hotel Best family hotel: Luccombe Hall Hotel Location: Shanklin Originally built in 1870 as the Summer Palace for the Bishop of Portsmouth, Luccombe Hall enjoys what its original incumbent must have deemed a heavenly location at the southern end of Sandown Bay (which is more than five miles long), with views all the way to the north end of the beach at Culver Down. The hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool, large gardens with a giant chess and draughts set, a mini putting green and an children’s outdoor play area, making it a great choice for families. Rooms are decorated tastefully with ocean-blue tongue-and-groove furnishings and many have balconies. For a treat, book a garden room with a hot tub and a view of the sea. There’s a short but excellent menu, which you can enjoy in the aptly monikered Grand View restaurant. Best retro hotel: The Northbank Hotel Location: Seaview Entered from a narrow lane off Seaview’s genteel high street, the Victorian-built Northbank Hotel stands above the shore, with the hotel’s stately lawns sloping to a gate that opens out onto the village promenade. The hotel may have been updated over the years but its heart lies defiantly in the 1960s. Run by the Shaw-Yates family since 1959, it combines modern facilities with yesteryear touches, such as retro telephones and even an original 1960s Sega fruit machine. Rooms are fitted with traditional decor (OK, chintz prevails), oak furniture and sash windows. Dinner is cooked on the Aga, and the restaurant places great emphasis on local produce, including vegetables grown on the family allotment. Price: Doubles from £160, including breakfast (note the hotel closes for winter from 1 November 2023 until late April 2024) Book now Best luxury hotel: Sentry Mead Hotel Location: Totland The Sentry Mead Hotel overlooks Totland Bay on the island’s west coast. A former country house topped with a turret, the hotel has recently undergone a major refurbishment and is now among the most serene and stylish places to stay on the Isle of Wight. Rooms have been painted in deep tones, decorated with local artwork and fitted with London-brick tiling in bathrooms. The accommodation is spread over two floors – if you want a sea view, just ask. There are spacious grounds, ideal for taking in the setting sun over the western reaches of the Solent, with a glass of island gin. Best boutique hotel: Villa Rothsay Hotel Location: Cowes Cowes is steeped in shipbuilding and seafaring traditions, and few places encapsulate this spirit as much as Villa Rothsay. A son of the original owners won a sailing gold medal in the 1908 Olympics, while the Morning Cloud suite – named after the yachts owned by former prime minister Edward Heath – offers a 180-degree view of the Solent. Located on a small rise above the water, the villa incorporates old and new – bay windows, wood panelling and the chance to sit by a sleek modern fireplace on a Georgian chair. Best hotel for sea views: The Wellington Hotel Location: Ventnor Looming over the main promenade in the Victorian town of Ventnor, the refurbished Wellington offers not only sea vistas from its filigree balconies but also the mildest of climates. That’s because this part of the island is typically 5C warmer than elsewhere, thanks to the sheltering influence of the hills on which the town is built. Rooms have been refitted with richly coloured fittings but retain the old-time ambience, with sleigh beds, delicate coving and wooden balconies. One of the most striking things here is just how tranquil it is – no shipping lanes cross your gaze and the bustle of the Solent seems a world away. Best budget hotel: Ryde Castle Location: Ryde The location of this hotel (which is part of a pub chain) makes it an excellent choice. History buffs may be interested to know the building’s original incarnation was as a castle built on the orders of Henry VIII, to deter Spanish and French incursions. Still boasting its parapets and battlements, the hotel takes its place on Ryde’s esplanade among a hotchpotch of traditional shop fronts, decorative stucco and Georgian townhouses. Rooms feature chandeliers and richly embroidered bed covers – some rooms even come with four-poster beds – while dark-wood flooring adds to the ambience. Food leans more towards classic pub fare, but of a high standard, while Ryde’s open spaces, public gardens, sandy beaches and seaside stalls are only a short promenade away. Best hotel for couples: Shoreside Inn Location: Shanklin The only real giveaway that this property was built in the 19th century is the stately, squat façade of the three storeys and bay windows. Inside, the owners have created a stylish boutique hotel (for adults only). All rooms have full or partial views of the sea and include feature walls – think exposed brickwork and designer mirrors – while you can relax in a roll-top bath or walk-in shower. Two ground-floor rooms have their own private sun terrace with a view over the English Channel. Best hotel in a historic town: One Holyrood Hotel Location: Newport Located in the heart of Newport, the island’s capital, this well-run, cosy hotel is much nearer the equator than the Scottish Parliament with which it shares its name. Like many older island buildings, the hotel makes good use of the small space it inherits from its medieval origins. Attic-style rooms include period features, such as exposed beams, pitched ceilings, walnut-wood beds and the more contemporary metallic textures of Zoffany wallpaper. There’s a pleasant flower-laden courtyard and pergola at the back – perfect on a warm summer or mild autumn evening. In the dark nights of winter, cosy up in the lounge/bar, where you can put your feet up, next to the fire. Best hotel for foodies: The Seaview Hotel Location: Seaview When it comes to charm, location and service, the Seaview Hotel, positioned just a few yards back from the village beach, is hard to beat. You’ll find swish modern decor (smartly decorated rooms and walk-in showers), with a generous nod to the sea, in the form of paintings and photographs of nautical vessels. The ground floor is home to two restaurants – go for the Michelin-recommended cuisine in the restaurant, or top-notch fish and chips in the friendly bar, which serves local ales, island gin and good wine. Accommodation is on the first and second floors, with a spacious family suite for five on the top floor. The hotel rents out electric bikes to guests (these are definitely worth considering when tackling the island’s downs). Read more of our UK hotel reviews: The UK’s best cosy hotels Best dog-friendly hotels Where to stay in the Cotswolds Read more about UK travel: The Isle of Wight: An island of 20th-century miracles Best things to do on the Isles of Scilly The best hotels in the New Forest Read More The UK’s best seaside hotels Best UK hotels: Where to stay for a luxury or affordable break Best hotels in Hampshire: Where to stay for family-friendly trips and city breaks Best beach hotels in Cornwall: Where to stay for sandy shores and sea views The best boutique hotels in the Lake District for family getaways and luxury escapes Best hotels in Europe 2023: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break

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Jurgen Klopp joked that he used the promise of the captain’s armband to sell Curtis Jones on the idea of playing right-back for Liverpool in Wednesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Leicester. Jones was the only player retained from Saturday’s 3-1 win over West Ham, but dropped back from midfield to fill in on the right side of defence in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, with Stefan Bajcetic on the bench after playing right-back against LASK last week. Even with plenty of experience in the side, the 22-year-old Jones took the armband as he adjusted to a new role. “Yesterday, when I told him he will play right-back, I sold the right-back idea with the captaincy,” Klopp said. “He was already completely excited when I told him he would play right-back, and the way he executed it was super special, I have to say. Wow. “We thought about him because we couldn’t play Stefan, we have to be careful with him. Joey will be OK for the weekend (away to Tottenham) but was not OK for today so we have to find solutions and Curtis was always in my mind as a potential solution. “He enjoys being on the ball and the deeper you are the more often you can get the ball. It was a top performance I have to say for the first time in for him a strange position. I liked that. He’s in a good moment and could probably play each position. “But we will try to use him as often as possible in his natural position.” Jones was one of several Liverpool players to earn praise from Klopp after their come-from-behind victory. He was already completely excited when I told him he would play right-back, and the way he executed it was super special, I have to say. Wow Jurgen Klopp on Curtis Jones Dominik Szoboszlai took the headlines after hitting a superb strike to give Liverpool the lead just five minutes after coming off the bench, completing the turnaround after Cody Gakpo’s goal early in the second half had cancelled out Kasey McAteer’s effort, with Diogo Jota getting a late third. But Klopp reeled off a list of several performances he was impressed by, including those from Wataru Endo, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, and Ryan Gravenberch. “There were super signs, I really like that a lot,” Klopp said. “The boys enjoyed playing it and you saw how they were pressing until the last second. They really enjoyed it and that’s cool. “Minute by minute, we grew into that game and it was a top performance, to be honest. “With all the quality of Leicester, we have to admit that as well, super-coached team obviously, super set-up, you can pretty much see, feel and smell the confidence they have because of their situation, so that made life difficult. “But we kept going and improved during the game as a team clearly but individually as well, a lot of performances stepped up and here we are, and I like that a lot.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Can United, City or Arsenal dethrone champions Chelsea? – WSL talking points Pep Guardiola takes positives from Man City display despite Carabao Cup exit Eddie Howe hails ‘absolutely outstanding’ Paul Dummett after Man City scalp

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Christian Horner admits Red Bull are “keeping an eye” on Lando Norris with regards to their second seat for 2025. The constructors’ champions tied down Max Verstappen – who could secure his third-straight F1 drivers’ title in Qatar next week – to a lucrative contract until 2028, but the team’s second seat is sooner up for grabs. Sergio Perez has a deal until the end of 2024 but has struggled for consistency this season and is now only 33 points clear of Lewis Hamilton in the battle for second place in the world championship. Perez will be up against the likes of AlphaTauri pair Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, as well as Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson, for a spot alongside Verstappen and the Dutchman’s close friend Norris has also been linked with a switch. “Lando’s a great driver – he’s a big talent, big personality and of course he’s one of those drivers that you keep an eye on,” Horner told Sky Sports News. “But there’s many drivers that you keep an eye on as well. There’s a huge generation of drivers out there at the moment that have got a huge amount of talent. “Now, being Max’s team-mate is never going to be easy and some drivers may be up for that challenge, some may not be. But of course as well as the drivers we have in-house, we keep an eye on all the driver market. “As you can imagine, there’s quite a bit of interest from certain sectors about driving a Red Bull car.” Despite the links, McLaren insisted that conversations are ongoing about extending Norris’ deal beyond 2025. His team-mate, Oscar Piastri, penned an extension last week until the end of 2026. “We are optimistic that this pair of drivers will be the pair of drivers at McLaren for a long time,” said McLaren team principal Andrea Stella last week. “We’re certainly having conversations with Lando. They are good conversations, we are happy with how these conversations are going.” Norris added: “I’ve always said I want to win with McLaren and I think we’re getting closer and closer to achieving that. And not just win races but win championships, both driver and constructors. “I’m very much just concentrating on this year, next year and 2025. There are still two-and-a-half years to try and progress and we’ll see then.” Read More The rise of Oscar Piastri: A genuine rival for Lando Norris at last Lando Norris claims McLaren on ‘an upward trend’ after double podium Christian Horner reveals Max Verstappen ambition ahead of Japan victory George Russell ‘can’t argue’ with Lewis Hamilton’s status at Mercedes Nyck de Vries makes racing return after F1 exit Aston Martin’s Jessica Hawkins becomes first woman to test F1 car since 2018