Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout

The collapse of a critical Atlantic current can no longer be considered a low-likelihood event, a study has concluded, making deep cuts to fossil fuel emissions even more urgent to avoid the catastrophic impact.

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is a major part of the global climate system. It brings sun-warmed tropical water to Europe and the Arctic, where it cools and sinks to form a deep return current. The Amoc was already known to be at its weakest in 1,600 years as a result of the climate crisis.

Altered photos of women including Giorgia Meloni were posted on site along with vulgar and sexist captions

A pornographic website that posted doctored photos of a host of high-profile Italian women including the prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the opposition leader, Elly Schlein, has sparked outrage in Italy.

The photos, accompanied by vulgar and sexist captions, were either harvested from personal social media accounts or public sources before being altered and published on the Italian platform Phica, which has more than 700,000 subscribers.

Four senior officials resign in protest at health secretary’s handling of vaccine policy and agency’s direction

• US politics live – latest updates

A dispute over the dismissal of Susan Monarez, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has intensified, with her attorneys asserting she will not leave unless the president himself takes action.

Monarez was officially removed late on Wednesday following a heated exchange in which the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, attempted to oust her, according to the White House. Her lawyer has countered that Monarez has no intention of resigning.

Friendly defeat in June was damaging but now real business is afoot in World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia

Thomas Tuchel will be forced on to an outside stage on Friday afternoon when he names his first England squad of the season for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday week and Serbia in Belgrade three days after.

With Coldplay continuing with their tour dates at Wembley, the Football Association has been forced to find an alternative venue for Tuchel’s announcement and will use the nearby Hilton hotel. It is no problem for Tuchel, who is a massive music fan. But what the England manager will be acutely aware of is the need to get his own show on the road.