Trump threatens political opponents with death penalty as questions linger over Epstein files release

Democratic lawmakers targeted in President Donald Trump’s death penalty threat said that they were disappointed over the reaction from their Republican colleagues.

“Those who are in leadership positions and have taken the oath to tell the truth and to defend our Constitution, who are failing to speak up are not fulfilling their oaths,” Jason Crow (D-Colo.) told The Independent’s Eric Garcia Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, Trump lashed out at the group of military or intelligence community veterans that, in a recent video, called for service members to uphold their oaths to the Constitution and “refuse illegal orders.”

The president accused them of having engaged in “seditious behavior at the highest level.” He called them “traitors to our country” who should be “arrested and put on trial.”

In a follow-up post, the president appeared to suggest they should receive the death penalty, writing, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the video on Thursday, describing it to Garcia as “wildly inappropriate.”

During a press briefing later in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, claiming the Democrats’ message “could inspire chaos.”

Mahmood to ban migrants without citizenship from claiming benefits

Migrants could only be eligible for benefits and social housing once they become British citizens and those in the country illegally could have to wait up to 30 years for long-term residency in the UK under new plans announced by the home secretary.

Shabana Mahmood has unveiled a shake-up to rules for legal migration aimed at reducing the number of people coming to the UK, just days after announcing reforms to the asylum system, telling the Commons that settlement in the UK is a “privilege, not a right”.

The shake-up will see the government move towards a new “contribution-based model”, with mandatory conditions for people applying for “earned” settlement.

These include having a clean criminal record, paying National Insurance for the last three years, speaking English at A-level standard, and having no debt to the government.

The default qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will also be increased from the current five years to ten years, with different groups to be ‘penalised’ or ‘rewarded’ with longer or shorter qualifying periods depending on their “contribution”.

The qualifying period will be reduced to nine years if someone can speak English to degree level, five years if they pay the higher rate of tax. Migrants who pay the top rate of tax or are on a global talent visa will have to wait three years – shorter than it is now – to qualify.

Those working in public services at a certain level, for example doctors and teachers, will qualify in five years, while people who volunteer will have their qualifying periods reduced by three to five years.

On the other hand, people who claimed benefits for less than 12 months will have a five year penalty, and those who have claimed for over 12 months will face a ten year penalty.

If someone came via an illegal route, they could face a penalty of up to 20 years – meaning it could be 30 years after their arrival until they are qualified to apply for ILR.

The so-called ‘Boris-wave’ cohort will have a 15 year default qualifying period for ILR. This means the longest someone from this cohort could be waiting is 25 years if they have also claimed benefits for more than 12 months.

The ‘Boris-wave’ is a term used to describe the steep increase in migration to the UK from outside the EU in the wake of Brexit, when Boris Johnson was prime minister.

Current forecasts show 1.6 million are due to settle in the UK between 2026 and 2030, with a peak of 450,000 in 2028, Ms Mahmood told the Commons

Despite the crackdown, the home secretary also addressed those “who believe that migration is part of modern Britain’s story”, saying: “We must prove that it can still work”.

Insisting that she “sees the benefits of migration”, Ms Mahmood said: “I wouldn’t be here if this country hadn’t welcomed my parents”, she told the Commons. “It is literally the story of my life… so I very much feel those benefits personally and I will always speak up for them as I have done today.”

While the home secretary said that migration “will always be a vital part of Britain’s story”, she warned that the “scale of arrivals in recent years has been unprecedented”.

She said: “To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege. And it must be earned.

“I am replacing a broken immigration system with one that prioritises contribution, integration and respect for the British sense of fair play.”

The home secretary reiterated that changes to indefinite leave to remain will not impact those with settled status – marking a break from Reform UK’s pledge to retrospectively strip people of indefinite leave to remain.

Ms Mahmood said: “May I make one thing absolutely clear though: we will not change the rules for those with settled status today. These are people who have been in our country for years, even decades. They have families here, wives, husbands, children.

“They have worked in our hospitals, taught in our schools and have been contributing to our society for years. Fairness is the most fundamental of British values. We made a promise when we gave them settlement and we do not break our promises.”

She added: “For those who believe that migration is part of modern Britain’s story, and should always continue to be, we must prove that it can still work.

“That those who come here contribute, play their part and enrich our national life. While each will always retain something of who they were and where they came from, they become a part of the greatest multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy in the world.”

Liam Gallagher and Ian Brown lead tributes after Stone Roses bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield dies aged 63

Gary “Mani” Mounfield, bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has died aged 63.

The news was announced by his brother Greg on Facebook, in a statement that said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother Gary Mani Mounfield. RIP RKID.”

He later added in the comments: “Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda.”

A cause of death has yet to be disclosed.

Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown also confirmed the news, writing a brief tribute on X that said: “REST IN PEACE MANI X.”

Raised in Crumpsall, Manchester, Mounfield joined The Stone Roses in 1987, having previously been a member of rival band The Waterfront, and performed with the band until their split in 1996.

He then teamed up with Primal Scream and was a full-time member of the band, finding a kindred spirit in guitarist Robert “Throb” Young, with whom he made a memorable appearance on the Scottish TV show Trout ‘n’ About in 2004.

Speaking with Uncut magazine in 2006, he said that Primal Scream was “most of a democracy”, whereas “with the Stone Roses we were more looking over our shoulder seeing if Ian and John [Squire] were pleased.

“Because they were writing the songs and being touted as the Lennon-McCartney, Jagger-Richards kind of thing. For me now, there’s a lot more freedom. Primal Scream are as good at bulls*** detection as the Stone Roses ever were.”

He rejoined The Stone Roses with core members Brown, John Squire and Alan “Reni” Wren for their reunion shows between 2011 and 2017.

Writing for The Independent in 2019, Ed Power noted how it was the recruitment of Mounfield that seemed to “change” something for the band. “Brown, Squire and drummer Reni were dreamers,” he wrote.

“Mani was a rocker. Now the tweeness that characterised early singles such as ‘Sally Cinnamon’ evolved into something slicker, sleeker, groovier.”

Aside from music, Mounfield was a keen angler, having first started fishing as a boy around the canals of his native Manchester. He told The Guardian in 2008 that, along with otters, kingfishers and other charming creatures, he also came across “people shagging in bushes” and “smackheads on the mooch at night, looking to rob houses”.

Mounfield’s death comes almost two years to the day since his wife Imelda Mounfield died from cancer, on 18 November 2023. He and Imelda raised money for a cancer charity by organising auctions of memorabilia donated by friends, including members of Oasis and David Beckham.

They shared twin sons, Gene Clarke and George Christopher, born in 2012.

Mounfield had also just announced that he would be embarking on a national in-conversation tour from September 2026, for talks in which he would reflect on his 40-year career in music.

Tributes began pouring in following the news, including from The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, who called him a “beautiful friend” and “one of the absolute best in every way”.

The singer also shared a photo of himself and Mounfield, which he said “never failed to bring a smile to my face”.

“Love you Mani,” he wrote. “Never to be forgotten.”

Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher, who was inspired to start his own band after seeing the Stone Roses perform, wrote: “IN TOTAL SHOCK AND ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED ON HEARING THE NEWS ABOUT MANI MY HERO RIP RKID LG.”

Shaun Ryder of The Happy Mondays wrote: “RIP Mani, my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.”

‘Thundersnow’ to hit UK as cold snap closes schools and causes power cuts

The Met Office has warned that some parts of the country could see “thundersnow” as an amber weather warning comes into force.

Hundreds of schools have been forced to close, roads are disrupted and homes left without power because of snow, after most parts of the UK recorded the coldest night of the season.

About 100 schools have closed in northern Scotland on Thursday, while in Wales, 36 are closed in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion.

In North Yorkshire, 33 schools are closed, while eight are listed as fully closed in East Yorkshire.

The weather service said “thundersnow” – where thunderstorms form in wintry conditions and cause heavy downpours of snow – was seen in Aberdeenshire and off the coast in the north-east on Wednesday.

A spokesman said: “There is a risk we could see more today off the coast of eastern Scotland and north-east England.”

The forecaster also warned that rural communities could be cut off as gusty winds hit, creating “occasional blizzard conditions”, with the possibility of lightning a further hazard.

Temperatures in Northern Ireland, England and Wales fell to their coldest of the season so far, with minus 6.6C recorded at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, minus 6.4C in Sennybridge in Powys and minus 2.8C at Altnahinch Filters in Co Antrim.

Scotland’s lowest temperature recorded overnight on Wednesday was minus 6.4C in Dundreggan, Inverness.

Up to 25cm of snow is expected to settle on high ground, particularly across the North York Moors as the forecaster warned some could face significant travel disruption and potential power cuts.

A number of warnings have been issued for snow and ice across the UK for Thursday after sleet and snow showers continued to batter UK coastal areas overnight, with the cold weather expected to continue until the weekend.

Parts of Yorkshire including York and Scarborough are subject to an amber weather warning from 5am to 9pm on Thursday. Multiple Met Office yellow warnings for ice and snow have also been issued for the coming days, covering Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, northern and south-westerly parts of England and much of Scotland.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst: “Thursday will be a sunny day for most, but there will be further sleet and snow showers for coastal stretches which will filter a little inland too. Heavy across north-east England in particular.

“The highest snowfall totals from Wednesday night through Thursday will likely be across the Sperrins, North Yorkshire Moors, Northwest Highlands, Grampians and upland Pembrokeshire.”

Cold Arctic air continues to take hold across the country, with the mercury overnight dropping to as low as -6C at Spadeadam in Cumbria.

But the coldest temperatures could still be ahead, the Met Office warned, with potential for lows of -12C in areas of lying snow in Scotland on Friday.

The BBC reports that in addition to the snowfall, some areas could see “thundersnow”, where thunderstorms form in wintry weather.

Areas including London, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Essex, Shropshire and Northumberland saw snow on Wednesday, with Met Office weather stations in Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales, recording 7cm of lying snow at 8am.

Motorists faced tricky conditions across the North East on Wednesday night, with North Yorkshire Police urging drivers to avoid the A171 near Whitby where a number of vehicles became stuck because of the snow.

Officers also closed the A169 between Whitby and Pickering amid heavy snow.

Shaun Jones, AA Expert Patrol, said: “When snow and ice hit, the roads can quickly become treacherous. Stopping distances can increase tenfold on icy surfaces, so slowing down and leaving plenty of space is absolutely vital.

“Drivers should plan ahead, stick to main routes and allow extra time for their journey.”

Wintry showers will hit East Anglia, western Wales and Cornwall overnight but persisting snow in the North East could cause “substantial disruption”, the Met Office said.

National Rail urged rail commuters to check their journeys before travelling during the snowy and icy weather.

It said speed restrictions may be in place for trains to run safely, which could result in cancellations, alterations and delays to services.

Temperatures will begin to rise closer to averages for this time of year at the weekend when wetter and windier weather arrives, but it will not be as “exceptionally mild” as it was earlier in November, the forecaster said.

‘Dangerous’ sexual predator David Carrick jailed for life for further abuse offences

Serial sex offender and former police officer David Carrick has been handed his 37th life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years for molesting a 12-year-old girl and raping a former partner.

Carrick, 50, was convicted on Wednesday of a “horrific” pattern of offending spanning 30 years. The trial at the Old Bailey heard how his “aggressive and violent” behaviour “escalated” after he abused the girl in the 1980s, going on to subject a woman “degrading and humiliating abuse” more than 20 years later.

The ex-Metropolitan Police officer is already serving 36 life sentences with a minimum term of 32 years after he admitted a string of sex offences against 12 women in February 2023. Following his conviction, the two victims at the centre of the second case came forward to police to accuse Carrick of further sex offences.

On Wednesday, Carrick was found guilty at the Old Bailey of five charges of sexual assault on the child and two charges of rape, one of sexual assault and controlling and coercive behaviour towards the former partner.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice McGowan recognised the “courage and resilience” of the victims and said she had “no doubt” Carrick is “dangerous”.

During the trial, jurors had heard how Carrick abused a young girl for around 18 months before she told her mother what was going on.

He confessed in a letter which was recovered from his medical records and signed “Dave”. In it, Carrick wrote that the girl was “not crazy” and that it was “true” but that he had stopped about four months ago.

He wrote: “I know how (the girl) must feel. That’s why I stopped and promised I would never go near her again and I have kept that promise and I always will.”

In a police interview, the now-grown up victim described the young Carrick as “very sly” and “manipulative”.

After she told her mother about the abuse, the matter was “brushed under the carpet like it was nothing”, she said.

Giving evidence in court, she told jurors: “When I heard he was a Metropolitan Police officer, the words I have always used were: ‘God help anyone with him with a warrant card’.”

The second victim met Carrick through a dating website and was aware from the start he was a police officer. She went on to form a relationship with him, and told jurors he had appeared “charming, witty, sarcastic” and like “everyone’s best friend”.

But during their relationship, he became controlling and raped her on multiple occasions.

The court heard that she had been left traumatised and that Carrick had “ruined” her life and tainted her views on sex and relationships.

During a police interview over her claims, Carrick said that sex with the woman was consensual and accused her of being motivated by the MeToo movement.

But after five hours of deliberation, jurors convicted the former police officer of of five charges of sexual assault on the child and two charges of rape, one of sexual assault and controlling and coercive behaviour towards the former partner.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice McGowan noted Carrick’s “cynical willingness” for the two women to be forced to give evidence in court because of his continued denial of wrongdoing.

The judge said that failure to act on a written confession to abusing the 12-year-old girl that the then-teenaged Carrick made in 1990 had consequences for his future crimes.

She told Carrick: “You were able to admit what you did but despite that you changed the meaning of that confession in these proceedings.

“The confession was not acted on in a way that may have prevented you from attacking and raping many other women. They were the first examples to come to light of your disposition to commit predatory sexual crimes.”

She added: “I have no doubt that you are dangerous and the life sentences on an earlier occasion are fully merited.”

In statements read to the court, the victims described the ongoing trauma from Carrick’s abuse and the lifelong effect his actions had on their lives. The woman who was molested as a child had difficulty trusting people and forming relationships, the court was told.

She said: “The public revelations of David’s actions caused me to relive my trauma which severely impacted my mental health.

“I do not believe David has any remorse for his actions. He tries to blame his past home life for what he has done. Although his actions and the depravity are now known the impact on my life is far from over.”

The woman who was raped by Carrick during a formative relationship described the feeling of viewing herself through a “looking glass”.

Her experiences had the effect of “rewriting” her understanding of future relationships and doubting herself.

She grieved for the life she might have had, and said in her statement: “I did not get the chance to learn love in the way most people do – I learned survival instead.

“I fight through fear, through memories, through the exhaustion trauma leaves behind.”

Following the guilty verdicts, Detective Superintendent Iain Moor, of Hertfordshire Constabulary, said the future could have been very different if Carrick’s confession was handed to police in 1990.

“Hopefully, people are starting to feel more confident to come forward and report matters to the police. I think there’s still more work to do,” the senior officer said.

From cuisine and culture to history and nature, find the ideal cruise

If you want to see the world from a fresh perspective, then taking to the water is a great way to do it. Not only can travelling by ship  take you to far flung corners of the globe, it can also show you a different side of your favourite destinations and provide some unique experiences, from spotting rare wildlife and glancing remote landscapes to seeing iconic sights from a whole new viewpoint. From epic adventures exploring Antarctica or uninhabited archipelagos in the South Pacific, to itineraries taking the cultural capitals of Europe or sampling the cuisine of South East Asia, there’s a trip for everyone, whatever your passion or wherever you’d like to go.

Combining a cruise with carefully curated time on land gives you the best of both worlds. Audley cruise offerings are tailor made, with the land and water elements of your trip meticulously planned to create a bespoke itinerary that’s as relaxing or as adventure packed as you wish. Audley’s cruise experts will listen to what your dream trip looks like and help you pick the best route, ship and experiences to bring it to life. They work with a range of cruise partners, hand picking vessels for their facilities, service, onboard activities and the experiences they offer in port, so you’ll enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

Each Audley trip is tailor-made to the traveller – but if you need some inspiration, here’s a taste of the adventures you can experience.

A cruise can offer immersive cultural experiences, from learning about a country’s centuries old traditions to touring cities with world-class galleries and museums. One of the benefits of a cruise is that you can explore multiple stops, giving you plenty of time to take in each destination and tailor the trip to your specific interests.

“For example, a 24 day cruise around Japan visits 10 different ports,” says Audley cruise specialist Caroline. “In the city of Sakaiminato, you can explore the artistry of Japan with a guided visit that takes in both the Adachi Museum of Art and the Yushien Garden. The museum provides a deep dive into Japan’s contemporary art before you head to a nearby island to explore the exuberant peony beds at Yushien. The garden is most spectacular in the spring, but carefully timed plantings mean you’ll always see many of the 250 types of peonies in gloriously full bloom.”

Or how about exploring the art cities of Italy in the largest five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in the world – a romantic call-back to the golden age of sailing? You’ll enjoy personal tours of the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel in Rome, explore Florence’s Renaissance heritage and discover hidden haunts in Venice.

Audley can make sure your time at sea is just as enriching, with ships that include a variety of experiences and activities to choose from – from expert talks and lectures on subjects like art history, archaeology and local wildlife to art classes like watercolour painting to glassblowing.

With cruises covering all seven continents, and many featuring unique culinary experiences, there’s plenty of trips to tickle the tastebuds of foodies. Wine lovers will enjoy a river cruise of Portugal’s Douro region that takes in port houses in the vibrant city of Porto and stops at vineyards along the picturesque Douro Valley. You’ll enjoy a traditional home cooked meal at a quinta (country house), visit Mateus Palace and Gardens — home of the famous rosé wine – and finish the trip in Madrid, sampling the local tapas.

On a Bali to Bangkok trip you can check out the Indonesian street-food scene, trying delicacies such as Java’s rawon (a black beef soup) and Bangkok’s drunken noodles. In Singapore, watch locals haggle for seafood and spices in the markets and try a Singapore Sling in the very place they were invented: Raffles’ Long Bar.

Wherever you’re heading, the options are just as tasty on board the ship. “The larger and medium-sized cruises we’ve chosen to work with always offer a variety of dining options,” explains  Audley cruise specialist Franki. “With usually at least one buffet-style restaurant, and also usually at least a couple of specialty restaurants, such as trattorias or steakhouses. Audley hand-picks the best vessels with some also offering cooking demonstrations and wine tasting.

From experiencing the world’s wildest and most remote landscapes to spotting rare species, travelling by water offers one-of-a-kind adventures for nature lovers. “No other type of voyage gets you as close to unpeopled landscapes or feeds your curiosity about the world’s wildlife and habitats as expedition cruises,” says Audley cruise specialist Caroline, “Wherever you are, expedition leaders will help root you in your destination, pointing out intriguing features and what to look for.”

There’s also plenty of expert knowledge you can tap into onboard, as Audley cruise specialist Jon explains. “Many of our polar expedition cruises are accompanied by leading researchers who can enlighten you on the icy formations and distinctive wildlife you sail past. Some ships also feature onboard helicopters, offering you the chance to follow the flight paths of Arctic birds and get a rare glimpse of this pristine landscape from the air.”

In the Galapagos Islands, for example, Audley’s Luxury Ecuador and Galapagos tour includes a seven night expedition around the islands where you’ll come face to face with countless incredible species from iguanas, penguins and albatross to sea lions, sea turtles and sharks. The trip also includes a stay in a luxury lodge in the Ecuadorian cloudforest, surrounded by 400 types of wildlife.

A cruise is also the ideal way to discover the landscapes of Alaska. You’ll sail down through fjords, past glaciers and waterfalls – with the option to kayak to the places your cruise ship can’t reach. You might spot otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and even orca whales in the water or, on shore, moose, mountain goats and wolves. At the end of the cruise, there’s a stay in Great Bear Rainforest on Berry Island, a haven for bears, whales, marine mammals and birds.

With knowledgeable local experts on hand across the globe, Audley cruises allow you to delve into the history of a destination. A cruise of Croatia’s cities and coasts offers all the spectacular scenery you’d expect – but also give you the chance to walk Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-protected walled city with an expert guide, explore the medieval streets of Šibenik and visit a working 13th century monastery on the island of Visovak.

If you like your history to be ancient, try a luxury river cruise along the Nile, with an exclusive private tour of the pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur, and visits to other significant sites including ancient tombs in the Luxor Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Horus, all with an expert local guide ensuring you get the most out of the experience.

With Audley, experiences on land are carefully planned to fit seamlessly with your cruise. “As your trip takes shape, I’ll take care of every aspect of your voyage.” says Audley cruise specialist Steph. “If I need to, I’ll call on the expertise of our most experienced destination-specific specialists to help you make the most of your time – wherever you’d like to go.”

Fellow Audley cruise specialist Jon adds: “Some trips span vast geographical routes, jumping between a myriad of countries that are often challenging to link in one trip. That involves a lot of moving parts, but your specialist will take care of all the logistics so you can focus on getting the most out of your time on land and water.”

With all the organising in hand, you’ll have plenty of time to soak everything in before you set sail again to continue your dream journey.

Audley offer bespoke land-and-sea cruises that you can tailor to your personal travel passions. To find out more and start planning your trip, visit Audley

Strictly Come Dancing star ‘arrested on suspicion of rape’

A Strictly Come Dancing star has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of rape.

A man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in October over an alleged incident last year, according to The Sun.

The alleged victim was not a contestant or professional dancer, the paper added.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed the arrest and said inquiries are ongoing.

The force told The Sun: “A man was released on police bail under investigation having been arrested in London on Monday 13 October on suspicion of rape.

“The allegations relate to an incident which happened in Hertfordshire during 2024.

“Meanwhile, inquiries by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Public Protection team will continue.

“Given the nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”

It comes after another male star of the BBC show was arrested in August on suspicion of rape.

The man in his 30s, who has not been named, was also detained over a separate alleged offence of “non-consensual intimate image abuse”.

Huge fire erupts at Cop30 venue leaving 13 suffering smoke inhalation

A huge fire has erupted at the Cop30 venue, leaving 13 people suffering from smoke inhalation and forcing evacuations of several buildings.

The blaze disrupted UN climate talks in Brazil at a critical time, with just two scheduled days left and negotiators yet to announce any major agreements.

The fire spread through pavilions being used for the conference in Belem on Thursday, with videos showing emergency crews battling huge flames, and an eyewitness describing seeing billowing black smoke.

The local fire department said the cause of the blaze is being investigated, but suggested it was likely sparked by electrical equipment, such as a microwave.

“Earlier today, a fire broke out in the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue in Belem. The fire department and UN security officers responded swiftly, and the fire was controlled in approximately six minutes. People were evacuated safely,” organisers said in a statement on Thursday evening.

“Thirteen individuals were treated on site for smoke inhalation. Their condition is being monitored, and appropriate medical support has been provided.”

Organisers soon announced that the blaze was under control, but fire officials ordered the entire site evacuated for safety checks. The negotiations are set to resume on Friday.

Brazil’s Tourism Minister Celso Sabino told journalists at the scene that the fire started near the China Pavilion, which was among several pavilions set up for events on the sidelines of the annual talks. The blaze quickly spread to neighbouring pavilions, said Samuel Rubin, one of the people in charge of an entertainment and culture pavilion. He said nearby pavilions include many of the Africa pavilions and one aimed at youth.

Para state Gov. Helder Barbalho told local news outlet G1 that a generator failure or a short circuit in a booth may have started the fire.

Much of the summit venue in Belem was still under construction right up until the conference opened, with exposed beams, open plywood floors and metal meshed-in corridors leading nowhere outside the convention centre. During a pre-summit event, drilling and jackhammering could be heard as world leaders delivered speeches and scores of workers in hard hats scurried around unfinished pavilions shrouded in plastic.

Gabi Andrade, a volunteer with Cop30 from Belem, said she has been working on accreditations at the conference for the last three weeks. She said she had just got off her lunch break for her first free afternoon and was exploring the Singapore pavilion when the fire broke out.

She described seeing black smoke, before a security guard grabbed her hand and showed her to the exit as she cried and screamed “fire”.

Beneath the shock of the situation, she worried about what this would mean for Brazil’s reputation, hosting the talks. “It’s so sad for us,” she said. “We all worked so hard.”

Viliami Vainga Tone, with the Tonga delegation, said he had just come out of a high-level ministerial meeting when dozens of people came thundering past him shouting about the fire.

He was among a crowd pushed out of the venue by Brazilian and UN security forces.

Mr Tone called time the most precious resource at Cop and said he was disappointed it is even shorter because of the fire.

“We have to keep up our optimism. There is always tomorrow, if not the remainder of today. But at least we have a full day tomorrow,” Mr Tone told The Associated Press.

A few hours before the fire, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged countries to compromise and “show willingness and flexibility to deliver results”, even if they fall short of the strongest measures some nations want.

“We are down to the wire and the world is watching Belem,” Mr Guterres said, asking negotiators to engage in good faith in the last two scheduled days of talks, which already missed a self-imposed deadline Wednesday for progress on a few key issues.

The conference frequently runs longer than its scheduled two weeks.

“Communities on the front lines are watching, too – counting flooded homes, failed harvests, lost livelihoods – and asking, ‘How much more must we suffer?”‘ Mr Guterres said. “They’ve heard enough excuses and demand results.”