The world could lose thousands of glaciers each year over the coming decades unless global warming is curbed, leaving only a fraction remaining by the end of the century, scientists warn.
A scientific study published on Monday in Nature Climate Change warned that unless governments take action now, the planet could reach a stage of “peak glacier extinction” by midcentury with up to 4,000 melting each year.
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About 200,000 glaciers remain in the world, and about 750 disappear each year. That rate could rise more than fivefold if global temperatures soar by 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial levels and accelerate global warming, according to the report, which predicted only 18,288 glaciers would remain by the end of the century.
Even if governments meet their pledges to limit warming to 1.5C (2.7F) under the Paris Agreement, the world could still end up losing 2,000 glaciers a year by 2041. At that pace, a little more than half of the planet’s glaciers would be gone by 2100.
That best case scenario appears unlikely. The United Nations Environment Programme already warned last month that warming is on track to exceed 1.5C in the next few years. It predicted that even if countries meet promises they have made in their climate action plans, the planet will warm 2.3C to 2.5C (4.1F to 4.5F) by the end of the century.
Monday’s study was published at the close of the UN’s International Year of Glacier Preservation with the findings intended to “underscore the urgency of ambitious climate policy”.
“The difference between losing 2,000 and 4,000 glaciers per year by the middle of the century is determined by near-term policies and societal decisions taken today,” the study said.
Coauthor Matthias Huss, a glacier expert at ETH Zurich university, took part in 2019 in a symbolic funeral for the Pizol glacier in the Swiss Alps.
US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that an agreement to end Russia’s nearly four-year war against Ukraine is “closer than ever” after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with several European leaders and US diplomats in the German capital, Berlin.
During the two days of high-level talks in Berlin, diplomats discussed how to secure Ukraine against future military threats from Russia, among other sticking issues.
Before the Berlin meetings, Zelenskyy said Kyiv was willing to drop its NATO ambition in exchange for legally binding security guarantees. Russia used the NATO expansion as one of the justifications for its invasion in 2022.
European leaders, however, say key differences are yet to be resolved between Moscow and Kyiv over territorial issues.
Is a ceasefire agreement finally within reach?
What was discussed in the meeting in Berlin?
The Berlin meetings were attended by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as key leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and NATO.
In a statement after the talks, European leaders said they and the United States were committed to working together to provide “robust security guarantees” to Ukraine, including a European-led “multinational force Ukraine” supported by the US.
They said the force’s work would include “operating inside Ukraine” as well as assisting in rebuilding Ukraine’s forces, securing its skies and supporting safer seas. They said that Ukrainian forces should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000.
Two US officials, speaking to the Reuters news agency, described the proposed protections as “Article 5-like”, a reference to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defence pledge – meaning an attack on one is an attack on all.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Zelenskyy said that Kyiv needed a clear understanding of the security guarantees on offer before making any decisions on territorial control under a potential peace settlement. He added that any guarantees must include effective ceasefire monitoring.
Ukrainian officials have been cautious about what form such guarantees could take. Kyiv received security assurances backed by the US and Europe after gaining independence in 1991, but those did not prevent Russia’s invasions in 2014 (Crimea) and 2022.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Washington had offered “considerable” security guarantees during the Berlin talks.
“What the US has placed on the table here in Berlin, in terms of legal and material guarantees, is really considerable,” Merz said at a joint news conference with Zelenskyy.
Russia has yet to comment on the proposals.
What has Trump said about the Russia-Ukraine war?
“We’re having tremendous support from European leaders. They want to get it [the war] ended also,” Trump told reporters on Monday.
“We had numerous conversations with President [Vladimir] Putin of Russia, and I think we’re closer now than we have been, ever, and we’ll see what we can do.”
Since coming to power in January, the US president has been making efforts to end the war and has pressed Ukraine to offer concessions.
Several rounds of high-level discussions, including an Alaska summit between Trump and Putin in August, and draft peace proposals have failed to end Europe’s deadliest war since World War II.
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin before a joint news conference following their meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, US, on August 15, 2025 [File: Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters]
What did Zelenskyy say?
In an X post, Zelenskyy wrote on Monday that “if these meetings had taken place earlier, the progress would have been even greater”, referring to meetings with Witkoff and Kushner.
“Of course, we have different positions with Russia regarding territories. This must be acknowledged and discussed openly. I believe that the American side, acting as a mediator, will propose various steps to try to find at least some form of consensus,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We will do everything possible to find clear answers to questions about security guarantees, territories, and money as compensation for Ukraine to rebuild. It is necessary to understand the source of this funding.”
Ukraine had earlier signalled it may be willing to abandon its ambition to join the NATO military alliance in exchange for firm Western security guarantees. The Trump administration has been against NATO membership for Kyiv.
He added, “We are discussing security guarantees. And before taking any steps on the battlefield, both the military and the civilian population must have a clear understanding of what the security guarantees will be. This is very important.”
It is unclear what particular security guarantees Ukraine would receive, and which countries will contribute to providing them.
Addressing the Dutch parliament on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and Europe are working on a document that could “stop the killing,” adding that “every single detail matters” and “every detail represents a human life”, according to Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine, reporting from Kyiv.
McAlpine said that Zelenskyy is mirroring the language of Trump, who has said the phrase “stop the killing” time and time again.
“He’s talking about documents. We know, before this meeting in Berlin, there were three documents in circulation. Now it appears from comments from Zelenskyy that there are five documents, the details of which we are still waiting to gather. But certainly it’s an evolving landscape with lots of difficult and nuanced pieces which we’re still waiting to get more information on,” McAlpine added.
(Al Jazeera)
Is a ceasefire truly ‘closer than ever’?
Experts doubt it.
“Trump has repeatedly claimed that a peace deal is close without sustainable agreement,” Keir Giles, a Russian military expert at London think tank Chatham House, told Al Jazeera.
Another foreign policy expert, Nathalie Tocci, believes “it’s extremely unlikely that a ceasefire is going to be reached now.”
“I think that it’s far more likely that we’re going to remain in the context of ongoing war,” Tocci, director at the Istituto Affari Internazionali, told Al Jazeera. She added that this is because issues of territory and security remain unresolved.
Russia controls nearly 20 percent of eastern Ukraine and has been slowly gaining territory as Ukraine’s military has been weakened by desertions and dwindling military aid. Moscow annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea in 2014.
“It’s probably impossible that Ukrainians will voluntarily withdraw from these territories unless we will also see a withdrawal of Russian forces on the other side,” Tocci told Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera’s McAlpine also said that one of the main sticking points is the question of territory.
She added that Zelenskyy has recently been firm on not giving up the Ukrainian territory of Donbas (in the country’s east). “We know that the Russian side is hoping to control the entirety of the Donbas region. Ukraine would prefer to draw the lines where they are,” McAlpine said.
“Recent polling here in Ukraine shows that 75 percent of Ukrainians reject withdrawal from the Donbas region.” They back the idea of freezing the current front line.
Giles from Chatham House said that there are still parallel negotiation tracks – one involving the US and Ukraine, and another between Ukraine and European nations. He added that there is no clear evidence that these efforts are fully coordinated or aligned in terms of strategy.
“There is no guarantee that anything agreed will be accepted by Russia, and reason to think that anything that was agreed is achievable,” Giles added.
“The key ingredient to make a ceasefire possible remains exactly as it has always been. Russia will only agree to stop fighting if it feels that it will gain more from a ceasefire than it will from continuing to attack Ukraine,” he said.
A woman grieves over the coffin of her son, a Ukrainian serviceman who was killed in fighting with Russian forces near Pokrovsk, during his funeral ceremony in Boiarka, Ukraine, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP]
What will end the war in Ukraine?
“The answer to what will end the fighting remains the same that it always has been, for Russia to be beaten back and for Ukraine to be beaten into submission,” Giles said.
Giles explained that Russia and Ukraine can not agree on the same terms for a ceasefire because their war aims are incompatible and “so far apart that they are exceptional in terms of modern wars.”
Trump has repeatedly echoed many of the demands by the Kremlin, including on territorial concessions. His initial 28-point plan to end the war included a clause on amnesty for Russian war crimes. Zelenskyy has expressed his opposition to it.
Giles said that after the 28-point plan, which has since been revised following pushback from European leaders, Russia feels it is at a disadvantage.
Music mogul, Simon Cowell, has a new boy band after launching his search on Netflix, but now the starry-eyed group faces legal action over their name: December 10
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Simon Cowell’s new boy band is facing a bitter legal battle over its name(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Sim)
Simon Cowell’s new boy band is facing a bitter legal battle over its name. The Britain’s Got Talent boss, 64, launched his search for the next big boy band in his Netflix documentary, The Next Act, last week.
After months of auditions, Simon chose the seven singers he hopes will make him a huge success again after X-Factor icons, One Direction, achieved stratospheric fame. However, after choosing his new group’s name, December 10 – which was the date the Netflix show launched – he found out there is another group called December Tenth – and they’re not happy.
The Scottish heavy metal rockers from Glasgow – who picked their name from the date their pen pal was executed on death row – have urged Simon’s legal team to get in touch.
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In a post on social media the lead singer of the band said: “It came to light over the last few days that Simon Cowell, Netflix and Universal Music, are involved in a new boy band that share, to some extent, our name December Tenth.
“Now if anyone in Simon’s team, Universal or Netflix, would like to get in touch with ourselves and our legal team they can do so.
“I would like to point out, the hundreds of new followers we have over the last few days are most welcome, but I’m not entirely sure they are all genuine.”
The band, who formed in 2020, have also been flooded with messages online from fans, who mistakenly thought they were Simon’s new stars.
December Tenth added: “Our social media accounts have blown up and we had no idea why. It turns out that Simon Cowell has released a new Netflix show, called ‘December 10’. We are now being inundated with well wishes from fans of the show thinking we are that band.”
It’s not the first time Simon has had to change the name of one of his acts. In 2011 X Factor stars Little Mix were forced to change their girl band name from Rhythmix after a disabled children’s charity in Brighton with the same name threatened the programme with legal action.
Simon’s new band, which consists of Nicolas Alves, 16, Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, Hendrik Christoffersen, 19, John Fadare, 17, Josh Oliver, 17, Danny Bretherton, 16, and Seán Hayden, 19 – released their new music earlier this week.
Ending the series The Next Act when they were chosen, Simon told the singers: “When this show airs your whole life changes. I am really, really proud of you individually.
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“I am seeing you about to do what you always dreamt of doing. Probably the most important advice is, whoever becomes your very very first fan is the most important person in the world.”
* The Mirror has contacted Simon’s rep for comment on this story.
Amy Dowden recently ended her time on Strictly Come Dancing this series after revealing she was undergoing a second mastectomy
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Amy has revealed what her future holds(Image: Channel 4)
Amy Dowden has revealed her future on Strictly Come Dancing following a second mastectomy. The professional dancer pulled out of this year’s series to undergo a procedure. She revealed in May 2023 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and in February 2024, she was told there were “no signs of the disease” but she continued to undergo medical treatments.
Amy revealed that she was undergoing a second mastectomy – but insisted that the procedure had not been prompted by a new cancer diagnosis. Speaking on The One Show recently, she said: “Three weeks ago yesterday, I had another mastectomy. The first week to 10 days, a bit rough, but every day feeling better and stronger.
“I’m just itching now to go back on the dance floor when I’m fully recovered. Obviously, I’m not gonna rush it, but doing really well.” Amy was on the show this year with Apprentice star Tom Skinner, but he crashed out in the first week.
Now Amy has revealed she will make a shock return to the ballroom in time for the BBC live final, which airs this weekend. She shared a video of her heading to rehearsals, as she revealed her comeback plans.
“I’m definitely smiling today. After advice from my consultant yesterday, I can be a part of the routine dance this week. As you know, I’ve missed it so so much. Obviously, I can’t be lifted and I can’t be lifting,” she revealed.
“I have to take everything so gradually and at a pace, because it has been six weeks now since my surgery. Obviously I am only going with my doctor’s advice and it is different for every single patient. But I am super, super happy and I don’t care how small my part will be. I’m just so pleased to be back on the dance floor in some way or form.”
She added: “The grand final is always such a special week and it’s so good to be a part of. Everyone comes back, and there’s a huge buzz and a lot of energy. So yeah, I really didn’t want to miss out.”
Explaining her decision to have a mastectomy, Amy said she was expecting a “straightforward recovery”.
She shared with fans: “However following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team, we’ve decided that I’ll be having another mastectomy this week. They’re confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery.
“Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my strictly family. Of course I’m going to miss not being there so much but I will be watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on.”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday presented a ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly at a plenary session.
According to a statement released by Governor Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, on Tuesday, the plenary session was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
Presenting the budget estimates, Governor Okpebholo commended the Speaker and members of the Assembly for their cooperation and support, which he said ensured the successful implementation of the 2025 Budget and translated into tangible benefits for the people of Edo State.
According to the governor, the 2025 Budget recorded strong performance in both capital and recurrent expenditure, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improved significantly due to the blocking of leakages and the strengthening of revenue collection systems.
He noted that the achievements of his first year in office informed the priorities of the 2026 fiscal plan.
READ ALSO: FG, States, LGs Share ₦1.928trn November 2025 Revenue
On security, Okpebholo said his administration was determined to ensure that Edo State is no longer a safe haven for criminals.
He recalled that cult killings, kidnapping, robbery and cybercrime were rampant before his assumption of office, with over 300 cult-related killings recorded in 2024 alone.
To address the situation, the government passed a stronger anti-cultism law, supplied 80 Hilux patrol vans and 400 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruited, trained and absorbed 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, measures he said have drastically reduced insecurity across the state.
In the health sector, the governor said his administration is rebuilding a collapsed system from the ground up, with the construction of new Primary Health Centres across the state, the provision of diagnostic equipment, and the ongoing construction of a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that his administration awarded 28 new road projects totaling 255 kilometres, including the construction of two flyovers in Benin City at Ramat Park and Sapele Road by Adesuwa Junction, the first in the history of Edo State.
He added that several community roads are also under construction to improve connectivity across the state.
He said agriculture has received a major boost, with the sector’s budget expanded from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion, following encouragement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated and harvesting has commenced across multiple farm clusters as part of efforts to combat food insecurity.
In the education sector, Okpebholo said his administration recruited 5,000 permanent teachers and upgraded 63 schools to modern standards, with more upgrades ongoing.
He also announced a significant increase in monthly subventions to tertiary institutions, raising Ambrose Alli University’s allocation from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, and Edo State University, Iyamoh, from ₦25 million to ₦250 million.
On economic growth and job creation, the governor said the administration inherited both foreign and local debts but has begun the gradual process of reducing the debt burden. He disclosed that over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, alongside the launch of a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders.
Speaking on governance and institutional reforms, Okpebholo said public trust has been restored through the swearing-in of three judges who were previously sidelined, the re-establishment of customary courts, and the strengthening of traditional institutions to foster cooperation across all levels of government.
He explained that the ₦939.85 billion 2026 budget comprises ₦637 billion (68 per cent) for capital expenditure and ₦302 billion (32 per cent) for recurrent expenditure, reflecting the administration’s commitment to visible and people-centered development.
The governor said the budget will be funded through projected Internally Generated Revenue of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, capital receipts and grants of ₦153 billion, Public-Private Partnerships valued at ₦146 billion, and other revenue windows available to the state.
Sectoral allocations show that the economic sector received the largest share of ₦614.2 billion, while the social sector was allocated ₦148.9 billion, the administration sector ₦157.7 billion, and the justice sector ₦19 billion.
Additional provisions were also made for regional development and support to local government councils.
The governor said the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda (Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education) and is designed to build a prosperous, united Edo State where every citizen feels the impact of governance.
The plenary session was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; two former Deputy Governors; a former Secretary to the State Government; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers; civil society representatives; and members of the press, among others.
Governor Okpebholo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reforms that have boosted revenue flows to states and thanked the leadership and members of the Edo State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political appointees and civil servants for their support.
Stone Roses legend Mani’s cause of death has been revealed weeks after his shock death last month.
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield died peacefully in his sleep of “respiratory issues” following a long-standing battle with the lung condition emphysema.
An ambulance was called and paramedics attended the family home in Stockport, on the morning of Thursday, November 20, but the Manchester hero could not be revived. The much-loved musician was not taken to hospital with his death being declared at the scene.
Mani’s family told the Manchester Evening Newsthat the dad had died peacefully in his sleep.
His death came as a huge shock to fans, with the star announcing a 60 date tour of the UK, spanning September 2026 to June 2027, in which he promised to look back on pivotal career moments such as the Stone Roses’ 1990 gig at Spike Island and their comeback tour in 2012.
His funeral is set to take place later this month, with brother Greg Mountfield confirming there will be a service at Manchester Cathedral at 11am on December 22nd followed by a private committal.
Stone Roses star Mani with his late wife Imelda Mounfield ( Paul Husband)
Greg shared to Facebook: “ON MONDAY DECEMBER 22ND A SERVICE FOR MANI WILL BE HELD IN MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL VICTORIA STREET, MANCHESTER M3 1SX AT 11:30 AM. FOLLOWED BY A PRIVATE COMMIITTAL SERVICE. ALL ENQUIRES TO ANGELA GAMBLE FUNERAL SERVICE TELEPHONE 0161 6813919. (sic)”
Greg first broke the news of his death to fans on social media, writing: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.”
Roses bandmate Ian Brown posted on X: “Rest in peace Mani.” Tim Burgess of the Charlatans called him “one of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend”. Liam Gallagher wrote on X: “In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham described him as a ‘magnificent musician and Mancunian’.
John Squire, Mani, Ian Brown and Reni of The Stone Roses ( Getty Images)
Mani’s death came almost two years to the day he lost wife Imelda, who passed away, aged 50, on November 18, 2023. She had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in November 2020.
The couple have twin sons, 13-year-olds Gene and George.
Mani shot to fame with The Stone Roses, but they went their separate ways in 1996, and he went on to join Primal Scream. In 2011, he announced he had left the band to reunite with The Stone Roses for a huge stadium tour.
Towards the end of his own life, Mani honoured the passing of another Manchester great – his “mate” boxer Ricky Hatton, who died in September at the age of just 46, after struggling with well-documented mental health issues. After his death, Ricky’s family established The Ricky Hatton Foundation, with the aim of raising funds and awareness while providing access to mental health services, community programmes, and educational campaigns across the sports sector.
Mani attended the funeral of Manchester boxer Ricky Hatton before his own sad passing ( Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Mani was one of the stars who stepped up and donated to a JustGiving page for the new foundation, which has raised more than £15,000 at the time of writing. Giving £500, Mani said: “Happy to be behind this project and happy to do anything I’m asked to do for it, anytime. I will miss my mate Ricky terribly, and I’ll carry his memory in my heart forever. He was a good friend.”
