Delegates from 196 nations plus EU officials have met in Mongolia to discuss how best to tackle drought and desertification.

Often overlooked by the larger and busier climate summits, this small UN desertification summit, known as Cop17, felt more important than ever. Yet countries still could not agree on what needs to be done.

Negotiations that were often inconclusive and frustrating continued until 4am on some nights. The closing plenary was gavelled to a conclusion on August 29 at 2.36am.

The issue of drought split the negotiation room from the start. On behalf of the African Group and Togo, South Africa pushed a legally binding global drought protocol. The UK, Australia and Cook Islands rejected a binding instrument. India and Suriname wanted flexibility and country-driven design, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

After days of bilateral consultations with the summit presidency, some form of agreement was announced — a deferral, not a resolution. This debate will continue at the next UN desertification summit, due to take place in Egypt in 2027.

Much of the UK has been struggling with severe droughts, empty reservoirs and hosepipe bans following its hottest summer since records began in 1884. Indeed, 71.3% of England is still in drought now.

Across the world, every continent – even Antarctica – is dealing with drought or flooding in some form due to climate change. In August, a devastating wall of mud, rock and water swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region following a glacial collapse. The death toll continues to rise after flash floods resulting from this rock-ice avalanche in the Himalayas.

During Cop17 in Mongolia, everyone agreed drought was a serious problem. But countries got stuck arguing about what kind of promise to make about it.

They disagreed on three things. First, how strict the promise should be: a firm rule everyone must follow, a gentler agreement, or just voluntary goals each country sets for itself. And second, how to describe the problem: is drought hitting the whole world equally, or something that hurts some places much more than others?

The final question — which is connected to the second — is whose job is it really to deal with this issue? Should there be one big global agreement binding everyone, or should each country be mainly responsible for handling drought within their own borders?

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Solutions

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is often described as the global community’s legal instrument for land. It is the only legally binding international framework set up specifically to address desertification, land degradation and drought.

Its history can be traced back to the 1970s, when discussions around desertification heightened in the aftermath of severe drought in sub-Saharan Africa, which killed more than 200,000 people and millions of animals.

The UNCCD was formally established in 1994 following the introduction of three major conventions. These were set up during the UN’s Earth Summit in Brazil in 1992, and are known as the Rio conventions. Aside from land, the other two annual Cop summits focus on tackling biodiversity and climate.

À lire aussi :
The climate and biodiversity crises are entwined, but we risk pitting one against the other

But climate, biodiversity and land are one interlocking problem. Degraded land releases carbon and worsens climate change; a hotter climate dries out soil and drives drought and desertification; and biodiversity loss strips ecosystems of the very functions that hold water and hold soil together.

Yet the treaties that govern them often run on separate tracks, each with separate secretariats, national focal points, reporting systems and rules.

This is the fragmentation that negotiators in Mongolia kept bumping into. Tellingly, the word “synergies” (shorthand for making the three conventions talk to each other) was one of the agenda items the US blocked at the start of the summit.

To solve this, I believe a two-fold approach is necessary. First, strengthening the capacity for advocates from movements could increase the scope for transformative political action. Second, legal clarity is urgently needed across the Cops.

Drought is a climate obligation

Drought linked all three of the Rio conventions on climate, biodiversity and land. Yet at Cop17, negotiators fought over whether even to mention synergies.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had already given drought legal weight through the advisory opinion it published in July 2025. This treated the UNCCD as binding law, and therefore found the fight to combat drought and desertification to be legally intertwined with countries’ climate obligations.

The ICJ advisory framed drought as an issue that affects basic human rights, rather than simply being a misfortune. In other words, the court had already answered in law the question that people in the negotiating room in Mongolia could not resolve through politics.

While advisory opinions are not legally binding, they carry considerable legal authority and political weight – and often shape how international treaties are translated into domestic lawmaking, court decisions and implementation on the ground.

Yet that advisory opinion went unmentioned across the entire Cop17. I heard no mention of it during negotiations, at side events or in the pavilions. That silence was striking.

By CIARA FARMER, ASSISTANT SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 12:16 BST, 6 September 2026 | Updated: 14:09 BST, 6 September 2026

English 60s pop star Craig Douglas has passed away aged 85. 

The star, real name Terence Perkins, was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with his UK chart-topper Only Sixteen outselling Sam Cooke’s original version.

Family confirmed on Sunday that the star, who was known as The Singing Milkman, had died peacefully at home after a short illness. 

The statement read: ‘It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Craig peacefully passed away this afternoon. He will be greatly missed by myself, his family, and his close friends. Rest in peace, Craig.’ 

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At the height of Craig’s fame, he outsold acts including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. He was managed by esteemed producer Bunny Lewis. 

He recorded eight cover versions of American hit songs with nine of his tracks among the Top 40 UK singles, including Only Sixteen, which he recorded in 1959 at Abbey Road Studios.

English 60s pop star Craig Douglas has passed away aged 85 (pictured in 1959)

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In 2010, he sang three songs from his wheelchair at the end of the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club benefit concert in his name

In 1961, Craig entered the A Song for Europe contest with his original song A Girl Next Door. He also starred in the 1962 film It’s Trad, Dad! and topped the bill for the Beatles’ first major stage show.

His final record, Town Crier, was released in February 1963 and reached number 36.

In an interview with Wooley’s Beat in 2024, Craig was asked if he had any regrets, to which he said: ‘Well, I didn’t get married to start with, which was a shame..

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‘I would have liked to have had a couple of children, but if I had, I’d miss them like mad while I was away’. 

Following his huge success it the 60s, through the rest of his career Craig performed in nightclubs and on cruise ships as well as touring venues in the UK.

In 2010, he sang three songs from his wheelchair at the end of the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club benefit concert in his name.

Family confirmed on Sunday that the star, who was known as The Singing Milkman, had died peacefully at home after a short illness (pictured in 1962)

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Craig pictured in 1963

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored his third goal of the campaign as the Blues continued their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season

Erling Haaland said he was annoyed after missing a couple of chances during Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Coventry on Saturday afternoon. The Norwegian talisman was denied on a couple of occasions before opening the scoring with a powerful header following a deep Antoine Semenyo cross.

City piled on the pressure after that but failed to extend their lead over Frank Lampard’s side. The Blues’ wastefulness nearly came back to bite them when Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into an impressive point-blank save from an Ellis Simms effort. However, City held on for another three points to continue their good start under Enzo Maresca.

After the game, Haaland looked frustrated on the pitch despite the victory. When speaking to ViaPlay about this post-match, he said: “Yeah, a little bit [frustrated]. I could have scored a couple more and killed the game off. So I’m a little annoyed with myself.”

After a World Cup summer, Haaland believes he is now getting up and running again and is ready for the hectic months to come.

“I needed a couple of games to get into it. I’ve had those now, so I’m starting to find my rhythm,” he explained. “Now we’re playing again on Tuesday, then Wednesday and Sunday. So before the international break, there are four games. It’s going to be pretty relentless this year, to put it that way, with all the games and travelling.”

This summer has seen a major turnover of players at City. Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye made their debuts on Saturday, adding further strength to City’s options.

On the new signings and summer window as a whole, Haaland said: “Arsenal have played together for a long time and have built this up over a longer period, a bit like City had when I first joined. We’re still in a kind of rebuilding phase, but the transfer window has been fantastic, I have to say. Well done to the club and the people at the club.

“First and foremost, they’ve brought in fantastic footballers, but also great people who fit in really well. So well done to the whole club, and especially Khaldoon [Al Mubarak].”

City begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday night when they visit Porto.

A video shared on social media appeared to show a group of youths wrestling with staff over a bike at an Asda store.

Young bikers have been filmed wrestling with Asda staff in an altercation reported to police. Officers were called to the supermarket on Kirkcaldy‘s Carberry Place late on Friday September 4, after the group of youths appeared to terrorise workers.

The group, who had been riding bikes and scooters outside the store, were caught on camera at around 8.40pm tussling with employees over one of the bikes. In the latest spate of youth violence, a clip shared on social media appears to show a boy, dressed in all grey, raising a fist at a staff member holding onto a bike.

Although no punches were exchanged at that point the pair are both seen holding onto the bike in their dispute in the front door to the supermarket. Another staff member can also be seen behind their colleague trying to assist while a second youth clad in black is backing up his acquaintance.

A third staff member watches on as the camera pans slightly away from the main fracas, with another teen on an e-scooter waiting outside. The young bikers are understood to have made off shortly after the clip was filmed

Police Scotland then arrived at the store with no injuries reported. They confirmed to the Record they were aware of an assault and were “following a positive line of enquiry“.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Around 8.40pm on Friday, September 4, we were called to a report of an assault at a premises on Carberry Place in Kirkcaldy. Police attended, however nothing was ongoing at the time.

“No-one required medical treatment. Officers are following a positive line of enquiry.”

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Fifa president Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election in March, says football’s world governing body.

Infantino, who has filled the role since 2016, has been under pressure following his scrapped plan to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investment firms.

Infantino’s lucrative plan sparked a global outcry, with European football’s governing body Uefa threatening to boycott all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup.

“The Fifa president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027,” read a Fifa statement.

“Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election.”

It is the first time Fifa has said he will run for a fourth term since the scandal began following the summer’s World Cup.

Fifa rules say a president can serve a maximum of four terms.

Fifa this week accused Uefa of a “smear campaign against it and its leadership”, in a challenge to litigation over Infantino’s plan.

Last week Uefa filed legal papers in the US requesting disclosure of evidence and documents from Fifa, warning it could lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland.

BBC Sport understands Uefa is confident that a candidate can be found to stand against Infantino.

A candidate must receive the backing of at least 106 of the 211 Fifa member associations.

Uefa has abandoned the idea of trying to force a vote of no confidence.

It would require three-quarters of the members – 159 votes – to pass the motion through a change of Fifa statutes, which is considered unrealistic.

No candidates to challenge Infantino have been named, although Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is considered a serious option.

Nominations must be submitted by 18 November.

The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are among those to have publicly withdrawn support for Infantino.

Should the 56-year-old Swiss be re-elected, he will serve until 2031.

King Charles III and Queen Camila were joined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a service at Crathie Kirk.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has joined the King and Queen at a church service in Scotland.

Mr Burnham was seen arriving at Crathie Kirk, a small, granite church on Royal Deeside, regularly visited by members of the royal family when they are staying at nearby Balmoral.

The late Queen was a regular and devout worshipper at the church, where former prime ministers Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer also attended services with the royals.

On Saturday, Charles and Camilla attended the annual Braemar Gathering in the Highlands.

The King and Queen were greeted by thousands of spectators at the famous Highland Games event.

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Oasis released a cryptic clip across their official channels on Thursday, leading to theories about possible gig announcements.

The video, believed to have been filmed at The Little Chippy in Adlington, features two young actors resembling a young Liam and Noel Gallagher, and has fans speculating wildly about its meaning – with some suggesting that it reveals a gig location.

The interiors of the chippy in the video seem to match those of The Little Chippy.

Fans were quick to recognise the setting, with one Chorley resident commenting: “That’s in my local chippy,” and another asking: “Is this Little Chippy Adlington?”

The Little Chippy fuelled the rumours in a social media post.

A spokesman said: “Oasis has just released this teaser video on all of their platforms.

“Don’t know what city it’s teasing (I’m thinking Glasgow) but we do know where it was filmed.”

The post prompted a flood of supportive comments from customers.

One said: “Brilliant! The Little Chippy famous at last.”

Another added: “Absolutely brilliant, well done Keith and team.”

A third joked: “I bet your follower numbers have jumped.”

The Lancashire Telegraph contacted The Little Chippy, whose spokesperson would not confirm or deny whether the video was filmed there but said more details would follow.

The Oasis reunion tour was announced in August 2024, 15 years after the brothers’ dramatic split in 2009, which was prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in France.

The Manchester-based band have had eight number one singles and albums each in the UK charts, with Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova and Some Might Say among their best-known hits.

Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher arrived on a boat for the world premiere of their documentary Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger at the Venice Film Festival.

The project, written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight, is part concert film and part documentary, and follows the band on their reunion tour that began in Cardiff in July last year.

Liam wore a green jacket with orange tinted sunglasses, baggy dark blue jeans and brown shoes, while Noel wore dark sunglasses, a brown shirt, lighter jeans, and dark brown shoes.

The pair were not present at a press conference which took place earlier on Saturday ahead of the screening.

Liam posted a picture of the pair on the boat on X with his fist in the air, while Noel looked off to the side.

Co-directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace said: “We set out to make a film about the reconciliation of two brothers, infamous for their volatile relationship, but we also wanted to make a film about the power of music and the way Oasis’ songs have continued to have a life of their own, as the band lay dormant for 15 years.

“The documentary, like the reunion and the tour, took on a life of its own.”

It comes after Oasis shared another cryptic video on their social media accounts, featuring a woman in a car rolling a cigarette, with three others around her.

The video follows others in a similar vein, which fans have claimed is hinting at tour locations such as Celtic Park and Knebworth.

Rumours of a follow-up to the band’s 2025 reunion tour have been rife in recent weeks, but no dates or venues have been formally announced.

Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger will be released in cinemas on September 9 and will also stream on Disney +, and will include the first joint interviews with Noel and Liam in more than 20 years, following their 2009 break-up.

The band have had eight UK number one singles and eight UK number one albums, with Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger and Roll With It among their best-known hits.

Oasis’ press team has been approached for comment.

The slip-up occured during a live edition of The Rest Is Entertainment podcast

Richard Osman has accidentally revealed the Celebrity Traitors series two launch date at a live event in London.

Last year, it was an intense final as Ted Lasso actor Nick Mohammed turned on former rugby player Joe Marler at the last minute and voted him to be banished. With everyone else in agreement, Joe sadly walked away from the prize pot.

In a turn of events, traitor Alan Carr remained undetected and took home the entire amount, £87,500 for his chosen charity – Neuroblastoma UK.

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Series One of The Celebrity Traitors debuted on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in October last year, and drew in an average audience of 14.9m viewers across its run, with 15.4m tuning in to watch the finale. It was hailed as the top entertainment episode across the whole market since 2016.

The series will return to screens soon with a new batch of 21 celebrities who will face one another for the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. As last year proved, anyone can win.

Set in a Scottish castle in the Highlands, the game follows the celebrity contestants, the majority of whom are known as faithfuls, as they try to seek out the murderous traitors among them, who kill off players in the middle of the night.

With fans eagerly awaiting the second season, TV presenter Richard Osman may have leaked when it will air during a live edition of The Rest Is Entertainment podcast. He and his co-host Marina Hyde took to the stage at London’s Southbank Centre on Saturday (September 6).

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The 55-year-old said the new series of the BBC reality gameshow would begin on September 23. The potential reveal came when they were interviewing season one contestant Joe.

Former rugby player Joe asked: “What is it September 23 the next series?” To which Richard confirmed: “By the way to point out, it’s absolutely embargoed that it starts on September 23…

“Let’s talk about what we call the events of September 23 this year, the cat’s out of the bag isn’t it? Not to repeat it.”

Richard went on to tease that said that from what he had heard from those involved, the new series ‘sounds like it was quite intense’.

Joe noted: “I believe it was a slightly different emotion than our experience, ours was very laugh-led, and everyone was sort of enjoying catching up, you know, pratting about to the point where they went, ‘guys we’re trying to play a game’.

“It’s not just for the laughs, ‘oh do you remember going to that party darling?’… Whereas this lot really want it from the start, and then I guess they see how well the first series has gone and there’s a little bit of pressure on them to be like, ‘oh I’d quite like a bit of that’.”

Joe went on to reveal that Richard had helped him get a place in the first series of The Celebrity Traitors. Richard has a close relationship with the BBC, having worked on pointless and House of Games.

“I turned up – ‘Hi, how are you doing? Nice to meet you’, and things. “And this lady, she went, ‘Look, I’ll be straight up, I have no idea who you are, I don’t know a lot about rugby, I’ve not really heard of you, a good friend of mine, Richard Osman, has put me in touch and said you should have a look at this guy’,” Joe shared.

Stars taking part in the new series include Welsh actor Michael Sheen, Love Island presenter Maya Jama, The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey, singer James Blunt, and former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock.

Other stars taking part include Richard E Grant, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, EastEnders’ Ross Kemp, Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh and Scottish actress Sharon Rooney.

If that wasn’t enough Industry actress Myha’la Herrold, comedians James Acaster, Joe Lycett and Joanne McNally, American supermodel Jerry Hall, broadcaster and mathematician Professor Hannah Fry, presenter Amol Rajan, content creator King Kenny and actor Sebastian Croft are taking part.

By LILY JOBSON, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 13:05 BST, 6 September 2026 | Updated: 13:23 BST, 6 September 2026

Stevie Nicks‘ younger brother Christopher has passed away at the age of 72 following a two and a half year private battle with cancer.

Christopher’s daughter Nixi announced his passing in an Instagram post on Friday and emotionally revealed her father was surrounded by family when he died.

Nixi posted a photo holding her father’s hand alongside the caption: ‘It is with a broken heart that I announce the passing of my father, Christopher Aaron Nicks, early this morning, surrounded by family.

‘Some of you may know that he has spent the last 2.5 years battling a cancer diagnosis, and to some this may come as a shock.

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‘If this is news to you, please know it was because he never wanted people to worry about him that he kept this to himself.

‘I know that he has left his mark on so many people, and this will leave many more than his immediate family with a piece of them missing.

Stevie Nicks’ younger brother Christopher has passed away at the age of 72 following a two and a half year private battle with cancer (pictured with his daughter Nixi)

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Christopher’s daughter Nixi announced his passing in an Instagram post on Friday and emotionally revealed her father was surrounded by family when he died

‘I know I speak for my dad when I say that his friends, his lost boys, meant the world to him.’

She concluded: ‘Rest easy, Coach. We will see you in Neverland.’

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Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood paid an emotional tribute to the ‘forever beacon of inspiration’ on social media. 

He penned: ‘The passing of Chris Nicks has brought so many memories of his amazing life.. much of course was shared connected to Fleetwood Mac.. 

‘His zest for life will be a forever beacon of inspiration !! Chris you will be missed by me and I know the Family of Fleetwood Mac.Peace and love .. Mick Fleetwood.’

Christopher largely avoided the spotlight, though played a significant role throughout Stevie’s career behind the scenes. 

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Stevie previously revealed how much her brother means to her: ‘My family is so important to me that last night in the middle of the night I started to cry because I miss my brother, and I needed to call him, and I didn’t have any phone numbers.

‘I don’t have anybody’s phone number cause I don’t have a book.

Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood paid an emotional tribute to the ‘forever beacon of inspiration’ on social media (pictured with Stevie in 2015)

John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood pictured L-R in 1977

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‘I needed to talk to Christopher because I just needed for somebody to tell me that it’s all OK, and yeah, my family is very, very important to me, and you are important to me, and all the people that come to see me are important to me.’

Christopher welcomed his daughter Nixi with his ex-wife, Lori Perry-Nicks – who was previously one of Stevie’s backing singers.

In a post on Facebook, Lori wrote: ‘He loved life! He was an anomaly… And they certainly broke the mold when they created him. There will never be another one like him.’

The 1960s pop star, whose manager suggested the name after seeing it outside a house in Scotland, topped the charts and outsold Sam Cooke’s original in the UK.

Tributes have been paid to pop star Craig Douglas who has died at the age of 85. Best known for his chart-topping cover of Only Sixteen, Craig died peacefully at his home on the Isle of Wight following a short illness.

Born Terence Perkins in Newport, Isle of Wight in 1941, he was first employed as a milkman before becoming a professional singer – earning him the nickname the ‘Singing Milkman’. After meeting his manager Bunny Lewis, he took on the moniker Craig Douglas which Bunny suggested after he saw the name outside a house in Scotland.

Craig first shot to fame in the late 1950s when he began his singing career. In 1959, he was voted as the Best New Singer by NME, reports the Mirror.

He built his career recording cover versions of singles which had become hits in the United States and his version of Only Sixteen – recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in Liverpool – reached number one in the charts and outsold Sam Cooke’s original version in the UK.

In 1961, he put forward his original song The Girl Next Door to be the UK’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest but was beaten in the national selection process – A Song for Europe – by The Allisons’ Are You Sure?

Craig recorded his final chart hit Town Crier in 1963 which peaked at number 36 in the UK.

He also topped the bill for the Beatles at their first big show and appeared in 1962 film It’s Trad, Dad!

After his chart-topping success, Craig began a decades long career performing on cruise ships and night clubs across the UK until 2010. With his retirement looming, he attended the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club that year at an event in his honour, with a number of celebrities attending including Jet Harris, while others such as John Leyton and Mike Berry took part.

Craig didn’t have any children or a wife, and previously said that was his one regret.

“Well, I didn’t get married to start with, which was a shame,” he told The Beat magazine in 2024. “I would have liked to have had a couple of children, but if I had, I’d miss them like mad while I was away.”

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