World Cup 2026: England set to get bank holiday IF Three Lions win World Cup - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday's newspapers...

WORLD CUP

England will bag an historic Bank Holiday if the Three Lions lift the World Cup, Sir Keir Starmer has signalled.

Brazil's highland forest has been shaped by climate change and Indigenous people for 6,000 years

When you think of a South American rainforest, you probably don't imagine biting winds, heavy frosts and freezing temperatures. But in the mountains of southern Brazil, that's exactly what you can find. On this highland plateau, far from Amazonia in the country's coldest region, grows one of the world's most intriguing ecosystems.

Theorization of environmental justice in Chinese political philosophy

Shizhi Zhang, Linda Westman and Vanesa Castán Broto have published a paper in Political Geography that explores how classical Chinese political philosophy can contribute to contemporary debates on environmental justice (EJ) theory.

Should AI help you get away with killing your spouse?

Quick question: Do you want AI to be so well trained, it could help husbands (or wives, for that matter) plan the perfect murder of their spouses?

Just as a gut reaction, that feels like a no for me. I wouldn’t even think it was a particularly hard question.

England thrashed by India in women's Test at Lord's as tourists record 270-run victory on day four

England crashed to a second heavy defeat at Lord's in a little over a week with India needing just over 90 minutes on the final day of the historic first women's Test at the ground to wrap up a 270-run victory.

Man Utd transfer news: Ederson deal with Atalanta not proceeding at current price due to issues with medical

Manchester United are not ruling out signing Ederson this summer despite a breakdown in the deal over a medical issue. 

United denied the deal was off to Sky Sports News last week after reports emerged in Italy, and, although it will not progress at the initial price and structure, the club may come back to signing the Brazilian later in the window.

Youri Tielemans: Manchester United in talks to sign Aston Villa and Belgium midfielder

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £36m.

Sky Sports News understands the midfielder has a release clause in his contract that is being triggered by United.

Johan Manzambi: Newcastle set to lose Switzerland World Cup hero to Aston Villa - becoming 10th player to turn Magpies down in two years

Newcastle believe they are set to miss out on the signing of Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa.

The Switzerland international's preference is understood to be Villa, who have offered to match the £49m deal Newcastle verbally agreed with Freiburg.

Jude Bellingham leads World Cup 2026 England stats after scoring twice against Norway and Mexico ahead of Argentina semi-final

Jude Bellingham fever grips the nation after the Real Madrid midfielder scored two goals - for the second game running - in England's 2-1 win over Norway.

Gary Neville says Bellingham's performances have given him goosebumps and have been "game-changing", carrying England into the semi-finals "almost single-handedly with the support of Harry Kane".

Andoni Iraola says Liverpool need to sign more players as he addresses questions over his style in first press conference

Liverpool’s new head coach Andoni Iraola has said that the club needs to sign more players as he addressed the challenge facing him in his new job.

In his first press conference since being named as the replacement for Arne Slot at Anfield, the former Bournemouth boss made it clear that Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz will not be the only new arrivals ahead of the new season.