Labour's National Executive Committee agreed to allow the mayor of Greater Manchester to contest the seat. A Labour Party spokesperson said: "Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency." Burnham, who dodged questions when he was spotted jogging by Sky News on Friday, has already confirmed his intention to stand in the by-election. Starmer latest: Andy Burnham clears hurdle in by-election bid He said he has wanted to "bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people". Earlier today, allies of Wes Streeting told Sky News' Ali Fortescue that he will stand in any future Labour leadership contest. It followed his resignation as health secretary on Thursday, when he delivered an explosive letter to Sir Keir accusing his government of "drift" and the PM himself of leaving a leadership "vacuum". Read more:Are all roads leading Labour to Andy Burnham?Beth Rigby: Is the leadership race on? However, he did not trigger an immediate leadership contest himself as expected, calling instead for a "broad" debate about the party's future. He also said he backed Burnham to be the candidate in the upcoming by-election near Greater Manchester. In a post on X, the now-former health secretary wrote: "We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them. "The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person." Earlier this morning, Housing Secretary Steve Reed, a close ally of Sir Keir, admitted the PM was "unpopular". He told Sky News: "It's not a good week that we just had, let me put that on the table straight away. "It reminds me of what went on under the Conservatives, and I think we need to draw that to a close as quickly as possible." 👉 Listen to This Is Why on your podcast app 👈 Asked if changing an unpopular leader was necessary to beat Reform UK at the next election, Reed replied: "The prime minister is unpopular, but each of the last four prime ministers, in turn, has been the most unpopular prime minister we've ever had."

A majority-male jury had been weighing whether Weinstein, now 74, raped former aspiring actor Jessica Mann, now aged 40, in 2013 in a New York hotel. But in a note to Judge Curtis Farber, the jury said it could not reach a unanimous decision. Weinstein had pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape in the third degree, and he has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. The mistrial comes nearly a year after a different New York jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge tied to Ms Mann's allegations, which she recounted across five days in court. Weinstein's lawyers ​have argued that Ms Mann made up the rape allegation after regretting that her consensual romance with Weinstein failed to advance her film career. While Weinstein remains behind bars, the mistrial leaves the New York rape charge in limbo after three trials. Read more from Sky News:New Ebola outbreak in Congo kills 65CIA chief visits Cuba Judge Farber said outside the presence of the jury that it was clear they were "hopelessly deadlocked" and that there was no reason to keep them any longer. He told lawyers for both sides to return for a hearing in June. It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors would seek ​to try the case for a fourth time. Weinstein appeared expressionless as court officers ushered him out in his wheelchair. In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said his office would "consider our next steps in consultation with Ms Mann". "Her perseverance and bravery are inspiring to the members of my office, and more importantly, to survivors everywhere," Mr Bragg said. At his ‌first ⁠trial in New York in 2020, Weinstein was convicted of raping Ms Mann and assaulting onetime production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006. But the state's highest court overturned the conviction and Weinstein's 23-year prison sentence after concluding he did not get a fair trial. A Manhattan jury then convicted Weinstein of sexually abusing Ms Haley at a trial in June 2025, but found him ​not guilty of assaulting former ​model Kaja Sokola. The same jury were ⁠deadlocked on the third-degree rape charge relating to Ms Mann, and Justice Curtis Farber declared a mistrial on that count. That paved the way for this year's retrial. Weinstein ​was convicted of rape in California in 2022 and is serving ​a 16-year prison sentence. He is appealing that conviction and sentence. The Miramax studio co-founder will face up to 25 years in prison when he is ​sentenced for abusing Ms Haley.

Labour's National Executive Committee agreed to allow the mayor of Greater Manchester to contest the seat. A Labour Party spokesperson said: "Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency." Burnham, who dodged questions when he was spotted jogging by Sky News on Friday, has already confirmed his intention to stand in the by-election. Starmer latest: Andy Burnham clears hurdle in by-election bid He said he has wanted to "bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people". Earlier today, allies of Wes Streeting told Sky News' Ali Fortescue that he will stand in any future Labour leadership contest. It followed his resignation as health secretary on Thursday, when he delivered an explosive letter to Sir Keir accusing his government of "drift" and the PM himself of leaving a leadership "vacuum". Read more:Are all roads leading Labour to Andy Burnham?Beth Rigby: Is the leadership race on? However, he did not trigger an immediate leadership contest himself as expected, calling instead for a "broad" debate about the party's future. He also said he backed Burnham to be the candidate in the upcoming by-election near Greater Manchester. In a post on X, the now-former health secretary wrote: "We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them. "The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person." Earlier this morning, Housing Secretary Steve Reed, a close ally of Sir Keir, admitted the PM was "unpopular". He told Sky News: "It's not a good week that we just had, let me put that on the table straight away. "It reminds me of what went on under the Conservatives, and I think we need to draw that to a close as quickly as possible." 👉 Listen to This Is Why on your podcast app 👈 Asked if changing an unpopular leader was necessary to beat Reform UK at the next election, Reed replied: "The prime minister is unpopular, but each of the last four prime ministers, in turn, has been the most unpopular prime minister we've ever had."

The hosts' recent run of four defeats of the bounce proved an increasingly distant memory as Smith played a part in three of his side's four tries with Adam Keighran contributing one of them, plus eight points with the boot. Following hot on the heels of Saturday's thumping Challenge Cup win over St Helens, Wigan have now hammered the two teams at the top of the standings in the last seven days and Smith has been integral to their dramatic revival. Super League fixtures - every game live on SkyGet Super League tickets hereDownload the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 The scrum-half had missed two of those four losses through injury, and emphasised his importance to Matt Peet's side from the start as Wigan withstood a brief spell of Rhinos pressure to seize control of the evening with just seven minutes gone. Smith's kick on the last was flapped on by Keighran to send Jack Farrimond over in the corner and immediately put Leeds, looking for a win that would have taken them back to the top of the table, on the back foot. The hosts had a grip they would never let loose. Zach Eckersley was denied by a timely shove from Maika Sivo, but Leeds were their own worst enemy in the 22nd minute when Jake Connor's intercepted pass sent Keighran blazing upfield. The centre was hauled down by the chasing Ash Handley, but still managed to shepherd the loose ball over the line and ensure the home side doubled their lead. Leeds responded with their best spell of the match and could count themselves unfortunate when Harry Newman dropped the ball over the line, with TV replays suggesting it moved backwards and could have been grounded by Ryan Hall. Wigan duly punished the visitors on the half-hour mark when Smith punished Danny Levi for a mistake deep in the visitors' half, floating a pass out for Noah Hodkinson to go over in the corner and make it 16-0 at the break. Keighran kicked a penalty to shunt Wigan further clear early in the second half, and when Jake Wardle burrowed over following another Smith kick, it all but put the seal on another mightily impressive win for the home side with almost half an hour still left on the clock. Maika Sivo's 18th try of the Super League season, coming amid a stirring response from the Rhinos, at least ensured Brad Arthur's men would avoid the indignity of becoming Wigan's second straight victims to fall to a shut-out defeat. Faatili stars as Wakefield bounce back with strong second half show Caius Faatili starred as Wakefield got back to winning ways to move up to fourth, hitting back from an early deficit to rout Catalans Dragons 58-10. Trailing 10-0 after 11 minutes at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield hit back to level at half-time before a nine-try blitz after the interval, with replacement prop Faatili bagging a hat-trick. Beaten by St Helens and Leeds in their last two outings, Wakefield made a poor start as Charlie Staines touched down on the left, converted by Toby Sexton, who then dotted down before hitting the post with his kick. Trinity grew into the game and got on the board after 26 minutes when Caleb Hamlin-Uele barged over from close range, while Will Tate levelled on the stroke of half-time in the left corner. Faatili then put Wakefield ahead for the first time in the contest shortly after the resumption then provided the offload which set free Tyson Smoothy, who then teed up Jay Pitts to score in the 48th minute. Jake Trueman's floated pass got Jayden Myers in soon after for another try while Faatili struck twice either side of the hour, first twisting through a Catalans gap to touch down and then bagging his treble after getting to Trueman's grubber. The onslaught continued into the final quarter as Jazz Tevaga touched down from Mason Lino's incisive pass, while Oliver Pratt, who was denied a try in the first half, finally got on the scoreboard with nine minutes left. Trueman scored late on and there was still time for Tate to touch down again for Wakefield's ninth try of the half and 11th of the match, with Lino making seven conversions. Super League Round 11 results/fixtures - live on Sky Sports Friday May 15Wigan Warriors 24-4 Leeds RhinosWakefield Trinity 58-10 Catalans Dragons Saturday May 163pm: York Knights v Castleford Tigers5.30pm: Leigh Leopards v Hull KR6pm: Toulouse Olympique v Warrington Wolves Sunday May 173pm: Bradford Bulls v Hull FC 2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out forSuper League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6.30pm UK (Sky Sports)Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+

A majority-male jury had been weighing whether Weinstein, now 74, raped former aspiring actor Jessica Mann, now aged 40, in 2013 in a New York hotel. But in a note to Judge Curtis Farber, the jury said it could not reach a unanimous decision. Weinstein had pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape in the third degree, and he has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. The mistrial comes nearly a year after a different New York jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge tied to Ms Mann's allegations, which she recounted across five days in court. Weinstein's lawyers ​have argued that Ms Mann made up the rape allegation after regretting that her consensual romance with Weinstein failed to advance her film career. While Weinstein remains behind bars, the mistrial leaves the New York rape charge in limbo after three trials. Read more from Sky News:New Ebola outbreak in Congo kills 65CIA chief visits Cuba Judge Farber said outside the presence of the jury that it was clear they were "hopelessly deadlocked" and that there was no reason to keep them any longer. He told lawyers for both sides to return for a hearing in June. It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors would seek ​to try the case for a fourth time. Weinstein appeared expressionless as court officers ushered him out in his wheelchair. In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said his office would "consider our next steps in consultation with Ms Mann". "Her perseverance and bravery are inspiring to the members of my office, and more importantly, to survivors everywhere," Mr Bragg said. At his ‌first ⁠trial in New York in 2020, Weinstein was convicted of raping Ms Mann and assaulting onetime production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006. But the state's highest court overturned the conviction and Weinstein's 23-year prison sentence after concluding he did not get a fair trial. A Manhattan jury then convicted Weinstein of sexually abusing Ms Haley at a trial in June 2025, but found him ​not guilty of assaulting former ​model Kaja Sokola. The same jury were ⁠deadlocked on the third-degree rape charge relating to Ms Mann, and Justice Curtis Farber declared a mistrial on that count. That paved the way for this year's retrial. Weinstein ​was convicted of rape in California in 2022 and is serving ​a 16-year prison sentence. He is appealing that conviction and sentence. The Miramax studio co-founder will face up to 25 years in prison when he is ​sentenced for abusing Ms Haley.

Auditions have been taking place in the past few weeks, according to entertainment business outlet Variety, meaning fans' five-year wait for a new film could end soon. Amazon would not comment on whether auditions had started, and in a statement, said it does not "plan to comment on specific details during the casting process". The last James Bond film, No Time to Die, was released in 2021. The next film, the first since Amazon took creative control of the franchise, will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, whose credits include Dune, Blade Runner 2049 and Sicario. Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be producing via Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films, respectively, while the script is being written by Steven Knight. Amazon said the creative team behind the next film had been taking shape over the past several months. Speculation about who will star as the new 007 has been rife, with Variety reporting that famous casting director Nina Gold is leading the hunt. She has worked on Game of Thrones, The Crown, and five films in the Star Wars franchise. Read more from Sky News:Teenage e-bike rider jailed for killing great-grandmotherCIA chief visits Cuba amid US demands Who are the bookmakers' favourites? Callum Turner - The 36-year-old actor is the favourite for the role. He has previously starred in Fantastic Beasts, Masters of the Air and The Capture. He's also engaged to pop superstar Dua Lipa. Harris Dickinson - Recognised for his roles in Iron Claw, Triangle of Sadness and The King's Man, could this 29-year-old actor, writer and director be the next Bond? Aaron Taylor-Johnson - Originally soaring to fame in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, the 35-year-old has since starred in 28 Years Later, Kick-Ass and Bullet Train. Jacob Elordi - Shooting to global fame in Euphoria, the 28-year-old made headlines for his roles in Saltburn and the new Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein films. Henry Ashton - Known for his roles in My Lady Jane and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Ashton only pivoted to acting in his late 20s, making speculation around him all the more impressive. Theo James - A 41-year-old actor and producer, he is famous for his roles in The White Lotus, Allegiant and The Gentlemen. Amazon MGM Studios announced in February 2025 that it would develop the next chapter of the Bond franchise.

The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council. So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here? In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city. To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk

The Reds succumbed to a 12th league defeat of the season, meaning Arne Slot's side have not won a Premier League away game against a team in the top nine all term. Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool - report & highlightsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺 Their defensive frailties continued against Unai Emery's side - and Liverpool have now conceded 52 goals in the league this season - the most they have ever managed in a 38-game season. "This has been happening for the first day of the season on a Friday night against Bournemouth," said Carragher on Sky Sports co-commentary duty. "Liverpool have far too many weak - physically and mentally - and it has to be fixed. It looks like Arne Slot is going to be the man who has to fix it next season. "But this result does nothing in terms of the feelings of the supporters around his position right now. "Liverpool don't excel at anything. They look like a really, really average team. They have been taken to the cleaners." 'I can't actually believe Liverpool are fifth' Carragher took issue with Liverpool failing to get a big result away from home against a team currently sitting in the top nine positions all season - adding it is more about character than quality. The only time Liverpool have not lost against those teams was a goalless draw against Arsenal in January. "When you look at those results away from home, I always think it tells you about your personality and character," said Carragher. "I can't actually believe that Liverpool are fifth in the league. You think about the numbers of the goals they've conceded, they never look threatening going forward, and that away record - and Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League? Wow. "It's the first season where I've seen Virgil van Dijk look human - and it's had an affect on others. When you look at his partners, people tell me how good they are. "But when Van Dijk is not at his best, sometimes you need them to step up and help him a little bit. It doesn't happen." Should Liverpool stick with Slot or go for Alonso? Meanwhile, fellow Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes Slot deserves another year in charge - despite Liverpool's poor season. However, he also understands there is an "elephant in the room" regarding Xabi Alonso - who is wanted by Chelsea and has been called for by Liverpool fans to take over from Slot in the summer. "What I'm seeing this year is what I expected to happen last year," said Redknapp. "I thought Liverpool would have a difficult time after losing Jurgen Klopp, because he was such a talismanic manager and influential on anything. "But it didn't happen. They won the league. This year there has been such a drop-off. There are so many reasons behind it, so many mitigating circumstances at the start of the season, and I don't want to make excuses for the players. "Because that isn't good enough, what we've seen this year and what they've served up, the energy. "But Alexander Isak was signed for big money, got injured, starts getting fit, gets injured again, Hugo Ekitike has had an up and down start. You can't address problems when you haven't had the best players fit. It's hard to address a problem when you haven't got Isak and Wirtz. "A lot of this is on Arne Slot. And if they don't get Champions League football that they crave, deserve and they want, he will be under certain pressure. There will be question marks. The fans will decide to a certain extent - they're an educated fanbase, they won't turn on their managers. "But you see it, hear it - a lot of people are moving away from him being their manager next year. I really struggle with that. Because when you've won the league the year before and you get rid of the manager the year after, that doesn't sit too well with me. "Obviously the massive elephant in the room is Xabi Alonso. A lot of fans in the room are seduced by that idea, he did a great job at Leverkusenad n he's an elite manager, I can see the attraction. "But there's a part of me that thinks Slot deserves another year because of winning the Premier League title. I expect better next year. I expect a better version of Wirtz, I see a better eversion of Liverpool once Isak is fit, Ekitike is a while off, they need a new right-back and they need more energy in the team. "But I feel uncomfortable getting rid of a manager after getting Champions League." Slot asked: Is this is a mentality issue? Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to Sky Sports: "Now you are referring to the period where we struggled after the 2-1, but overall I don't think the players deserve what you are saying. "They did cope with this difficult away game and were fully in the game and able to maybe get a result. But I agree with you, after the 2-1 we crumbled, and we struggled. "In the end we came back to 4-2, so they did not give up, but we struggled to control their pace, intensity and quality. "We've definitely conceded far too many goals. We also haven't scored enough goals, although two at Villa Park is not bad. If you told me we did that before the game, I would think we are not far from a good result. "When we are the better team, we struggle to find that goal, mainly because we are not able to create big enough chances when we are the better team. "When we have a period of time when we are struggling or the other team are better than us, we tend to concede too easy. "Before this game there was only Bournemouth that has conceded more set piece goals than us. After this I would not be surprised if we are number one. That is never a good thing." Arne's right! The stats that damn Liverpool...Excluding penalties, Liverpool have conceded the most goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season (20) - the Reds have conceded 11 goals via corners for the first time in a Premier League campaign.Liverpool have conceded four goals in a Premier League game for the first time since a 4-4 draw with Southampton in their final match of the 2022-23 season.The Reds have also leaked more than 50 goals in a 38-game Premier League campaign for the first time (52).Liverpool lost their 19th game of the season across all competitions. Since they were last promoted to the top-flight in 1962 only in 1992-93 (20) have the Reds suffered more defeats in a campaign (also 19 in 2004-05 and 2009-10).Liverpool have conceded 77 goals this season in all competitions. It's the second-most Liverpool have managed since the start of the Premier League.