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Andy Burnham is about to start his job as the new prime minister of the UK. Two former insiders who have worked with previous prime ministers talk about what his first day and early time in office might be like, including some unexpected parts of the role.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will soon become the UK’s prime minister.
Two guests, Lord Stewart Wood and Lucia Hodgson, share their experience from working with past prime ministers Gordon Brown and Boris Johnson.
They discuss what Burnham can expect on his first day at Number 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s official residence and workplace.
The conversation includes plans related to government digital ID for adults in the UK.
They also mention topics like how Burnham might handle issues with Thames Water, a major water company.
The podcast episode is part of BBC Newscast, a daily political news analysis.
The hosts are Paddy O'Connell and Laura Kuenssberg.
The episode is about 42 minutes long and available on various smart speakers and BBC Sounds.
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NASA has two goals related to the moon that may conflict with each other. One goal is to develop a human landing system to land astronauts on the moon. The other goal is to compete with China in reaching the moon first.
Key Facts
NASA has two main tasks related to the moon.
One task involves creating a system to land humans on the moon.
Another task is to win the competition against China to get to the moon first.
These two tasks might cause problems because they can clash.
The article discusses the challenge of balancing these goals.
The competition with China motivates faster moon exploration.
NASA’s moon landing system development is central to the mission.
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Senator John Fetterman criticized Senator Bernie Sanders for endorsing two candidates running for U.S. Senate in Maine and Michigan. Sanders recently joined a rally with Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Detroit to support El-Sayed's campaign.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman represents Pennsylvania and is a Democrat.
Fetterman has disagreed with his party more often in recent years.
Bernie Sanders, a Senator from Vermont, endorsed Graham Platner (Maine) and Abdul El-Sayed (Michigan) for the U.S. Senate.
Sanders joined a rally with El-Sayed and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to support El-Sayed’s Senate run.
The rally took place in Detroit.
Fetterman publicly criticized Sanders for these endorsements.
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Troy Jackson is leading the race to become the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine after the original nominee, Graham Platner, dropped out due to a sexual assault allegation. Jackson is now positioned to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election.
Key Facts
Graham Platner, the original Democratic nominee, suspended his campaign last week after a sexual assault allegation.
Platner had won the June 9 primary despite past controversies about his behavior and comments.
Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate President, is now the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.
Jackson won most of the county caucus delegates who will officially select the nominee in a July 25 convention.
Recent polls show Jackson leading Collins by about 5 percentage points, while Collins previously led Platner.
Betting markets have shifted in favor of Jackson since Platner’s departure.
Jackson and Platner share similar political views focused on supporting working people and challenging corporate interests.
Maine voters tend to favor candidates seen as independent and pragmatic.
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The CBS News Almanac for July 19 reviews important historical events that happened on this date. It provides a look back at these events to inform viewers.
Key Facts
The Almanac is part of CBS News programming.
It focuses on historical events that occurred on July 19.
The content is available on the CBS News app and website.
It aims to give viewers a brief review of significant past events.
The program "Sunday Morning" features the Almanac segment.
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Many Americans are unhappy with how the U.S. Congress works today. Political experts say the institution is struggling with a lack of cooperation between parties, causing delays and fewer laws being passed. Some people also worry Congress is giving up its constitutional powers to the executive branch under President Trump’s leadership.
Key Facts
About 9 in 10 Americans say they are unhappy with Congress.
Congress passes fewer bills now than in many past sessions.
The current Congress, controlled by Republicans, passed a $4.5 trillion tax cut bill and a bipartisan housing bill.
There was a partial government shutdown this session over homeland security funding.
Political parties blame each other for Congress’s problems.
President Trump sometimes acts without Congress or pressures them to support his goals.
Key Senate Republicans have faced health problems or death recently, adding to uncertainty.
Experts say Congress is weaker now and losing power that should belong to it under the Constitution.
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The U.S. Congress was given many powers by the Constitution, but in recent years, it has lost much of its control to the president. Congress faces challenges like political fighting, election district manipulation, and pressure from President Donald Trump, which have made it hard to solve important problems.
Key Facts
Congress's powers come from Article I of the Constitution.
Lawmakers have given up some of their authority to the president over time.
Both political parties blame each other for Congress's problems.
Issues like partisanship (strong loyalty to parties) make it hard for Congress to work.
Gerrymandering, drawing election districts to favor one party, affects Congress’s effectiveness.
President Donald Trump has pressured Congress to support his goals.
Observers are unsure if Congress can overcome these problems soon.
The current gridlock leaves many American problems unaddressed.
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President Donald Trump asked Congress to include Iran in a sanctions bill originally meant for Russia. This bill is a bipartisan effort and was created to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Key Facts
President Trump made the request on Sunday.
The sanctions bill is aimed at Russia but could now include Iran.
The bill was originally introduced in April 2025.
The bill honors Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, who has passed away.
The bill had been delayed in Congress before recent progress.
President Trump is trying to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin during this time.
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Andrew and Tristan Tate, brothers and social media personalities with US and UK citizenship, were arrested in Miami after the UK brought new charges against them. The UK government is seeking their extradition to face multiple charges including rape, sexual trafficking, and assault.
Key Facts
Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami, Florida, on a sealed warrant.
The UK has added 38 new charges including rape, sex trafficking, and assault.
The brothers hold dual citizenship in the US and UK and were previously living in Romania.
Andrew Tate has 10.8 million followers on social media but has been banned on some platforms for hate speech.
Both brothers have faced previous allegations and investigations related to sexual abuse in the UK and Romania.
The UK Crown Prosecution Service said the charges cover crimes from 2010 to 2017.
Their lawyer denies the charges and says they are innocent.
The US Marshals Service arrested them but has not disclosed which charges led to the arrest.
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Thousands of homes and businesses in Kent are facing water supply problems due to a temporary equipment failure at a water treatment plant in Tunbridge Wells. South East Water, the company responsible, apologized and set up bottled water stations while working to restore service.
Key Facts
Up to 7,000 properties in Kent have low water pressure, no water, or intermittent supply.
The problem is caused by a temporary failure at the Tunbridge Wells water treatment works.
South East Water opened three bottled water stations in Tunbridge Wells for affected customers.
The company is delivering bottled water to vulnerable people through a special free support program.
This is the third major water supply incident in Tunbridge Wells in recent months.
South East Water faces criticism for previous supply issues and must invest £30.5 million after a regulator's investigation.
The company suffered a £55 million financial loss from winter outages and is seeking new loans.
The water treatment plant is currently stable, but low storage and high demand limit supply to some areas, especially higher ground.
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Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old college student from Mississippi, died after a trip to Horn Island with friends on July 4. His family is seeking answers about what happened, as local officials continue to investigate the unclear circumstances around his death.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells went to Horn Island, a remote area with no services, on July 4 with a large group of about 300 young adults.
Wells’s phone and keys were returned, but he did not come back with the group and was reported missing.
His body was found on Horn Island two days later, on July 6, after a national search effort.
The cause of Wells’s death has not been determined, and the investigation is ongoing.
Wells’s family and their attorney, Ben Crump, have raised concerns about possible racial motives and claim the investigation may have been handled differently if roles were reversed.
Social media has spread misinformation about the case, increasing confusion.
Local officials said no foul play was suspected before the autopsy was completed, a statement the family considers premature.
Wells’s family says he was taught to stay with his group and doubts he would have chosen to separate from friends willingly.
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Keir Starmer’s Labour party won a large victory in the 2024 UK general election but lost much support during his time as prime minister. Andy Burnham is now Labour leader and is trying to regain support from trade unions and communities that moved away from Labour under Starmer. The article highlights challenges Burnham faces with unions and divided support among voters, including over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Key Facts
Labour won 412 seats in 2024, close to its 1997 record under Tony Blair.
Starmer's approval rating fell from -3 at the start to -66 by September 2025, the lowest since 1977.
Union donations to Labour have steadily fallen over 20 years, reaching a low point in 2025.
Starmer had conflicts with unions, including sacking MP Sam Tarry for supporting rail strikes.
Unite union cut its donations to Labour by over half a million pounds in early 2025.
Some unions criticize Labour’s net zero energy policies and support for employment rights bills has mixed reactions.
Burnham met union leaders and spoke about more public control of essential services to regain support.
Choosing a chancellor may cause tension among unions with different views on energy policies.
The Israel-Palestine conflict remains a sensitive and divisive issue within Labour and its Muslim supporters.
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The article argues that when President Trump and his political supporters lose power, the government should hold ICE agents and leaders responsible for wrongful deaths and abuses. It highlights recent cases where ICE agents killed people while allegedly targeting others, calling for ICE to be abolished and for accountability for those involved.
Key Facts
ICE agents recently killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston; he was not the intended target.
Salgado was a 52-year-old immigrant who had lived in Texas for 35 years and supported his family and co-workers.
ICE also killed Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine, who had work permits and supported his family.
Witnesses say Durán was shot while his young daughter watched, and ICE claimed they were targeting someone else.
ICE often gives false accounts to justify shootings, as with a previous killing of Renee Good.
The article calls for ending immunity for ICE agents and leaders, investigating and prosecuting them, and abolishing ICE.
It warns against attempts to simply reform ICE, stating such efforts betray democratic values.
The article compares the call for accountability to past moments in U.S. history after major conflicts or scandals.
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Attorney Karla Gilbride, who has been blind since birth and once led the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s legal work, spoke about the challenges people with disabilities face. She discussed what people without disabilities should understand about living with disabilities.
Key Facts
Karla Gilbride is an attorney who has been blind since birth.
She previously worked as the general counsel for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Gilbride spoke with Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News chief medical correspondent.
The conversation focused on challenges people with disabilities face daily.
Gilbride explained what people without disabilities should keep in mind when interacting with disabled individuals.
The interview is available as a web exclusive on CBS News.
The discussion aims to raise awareness and understanding of disability issues.
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The article argues that the main challenge for the Democratic Party is crime rather than economic issues. It suggests that focusing on economic concerns misses the real problem affecting left-wing politics today.
Key Facts
The Democratic Party is engaged in an internal debate about its weaknesses.
The article states that crime is a bigger issue for Democrats than the economy.
Left-wing governments in various countries face similar problems related to crime.
The article implies that crime is the main factor hurting these governments.
It suggests that focusing on economics alone overlooks the larger problem.
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The CBS News program "Sunday Morning" on July 19 covered several topics, including challenges facing Congress, an interview with singer Shania Twain, a special type of grass used for the World Cup, a segment called "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," a federal judge sharing their experience with progressive multiple sclerosis, steel artist Carol Bove, and actor Ted Danson discussing aging in creative ways.
Key Facts
The program aired on July 19 and was hosted by Lee Cowan.
It discussed current issues in the U.S. Congress.
Singer Shania Twain was featured in an interview.
A special kind of grass is being used for the World Cup event.
A segment titled "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" was included.
A federal judge spoke about living with progressive multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the nervous system.
Steel artist Carol Bove was featured.
Actor Ted Danson talked about creativity during aging.
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A team of scientists will start an eight-month trip next month to study how climate change and pollution affect the Arctic Ocean. They will work on a floating research station called the Tara Polar Station near the town of Kirkenes in Norway.
Key Facts
The expedition begins next month and will last eight months.
Scientists will study the Arctic Ocean’s environment.
The focus is on climate change and pollution effects.
The research station is called Tara Polar Station and it floats on water.
The base town for the expedition is Kirkenes, located in Norway.
Marcel Babin is the Scientific Director of the Tara Polaris I expedition.
The Arctic is a remote and sensitive area important for global climate.
The study aims to provide data to better understand environmental changes in that region.
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Republicans expect a difficult midterm election and plan to focus on making voters dislike Democrats more than them. President Donald Trump’s approach centers on past election issues and concerns about China, but GOP pollsters say voters want better economic messages, especially about tax cuts.
Key Facts
Republicans see the midterm outlook as tough but hope to win by increasing voter dislike of Democrats.
President Trump gave a prime-time speech about China’s alleged past influence on U.S. voters.
GOP pollsters say focusing on 2020 election issues is not a winning strategy for the midterms.
Economic concerns like tax cuts and inflation resonate more with voters than election controversies.
Current polls suggest Democrats may gain a House majority despite low favorability for both parties.
Trump’s net approval rating is negative, with some polls showing a -19% approval among registered voters.
Republicans plan to depict Democrats as too radical by highlighting progressive unrest within the party.
Some voters are currently more turned off by MAGA candidates than by democratic socialist candidates.
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An 82-year-old woman named Anita Le Brun helped change a Minnesota state law so that nursing homes and assisted living centers can serve alcohol at special events without needing a license. The new rule allows these facilities to offer drinks like wine during occasions like Happy Hours after notifying the state, making social gatherings easier for residents.
Key Facts
Anita Le Brun, 82, lives in an assisted living home in Minnesota.
Previously, her care facility was not allowed to serve alcohol without a costly license.
After testifying twice to state lawmakers, a new law was passed allowing alcohol at special events in senior homes.
The law took effect in June 2025 and requires prior notice to the state.
Governor Tim Walz signed the bill, calling it a way to reduce red tape and improve residents’ quality of life.
Residents were already allowed to drink alcohol in their rooms or bring their own to events, with a limit of two drinks at social gatherings for safety.
The change was motivated by the idea that seniors should enjoy the same freedoms at home as anyone else.
Other care providers in Minnesota plan to follow the example set by Anita and her facility.
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Thousands of mostly young protesters in New Delhi are marching to India’s Parliament to demand the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the education minister. The protests began after scandals involving leaked exam papers and test cancellations caused outrage, especially among students.
Key Facts
The protest movement is called the "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP), led mainly by young Indians identifying as “cockroaches” criticizing the government.
The movement started after a top judge compared government critics and unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites.”
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of CJP, is urging supporters to march to Parliament during the monsoon session.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed by police from the protest site during a hunger strike supporting the movement.
The protesters demand reforms of India’s exam system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.
The protests are happening at Jantar Mantar, a popular protest site near Parliament in New Delhi.
The movement grew after controversies like exam paper leaks, technical problems, and canceled tests in India’s education system.
India has the world’s largest Gen Z population, facing issues such as unemployment, inequality, and political frustrations.
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