July 17, 2025 • By BBC Radio 4

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss John Barbour's epic poem "The Brus" (c1375), the earliest surviving poem in Older Scots. The poem tells the story of King Robert I of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) and his victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314. Barbour's work aims to stir feelings of freedom and assert Scotland's equality with other European powers. The discussion explores the historical context and cultural significance of the poem, which was written during the reign of Robert II, the Bruce's grandson. The guests, including professors of English, Medieval Scottish History, and Scottish History, analyze the poem's themes of chivalry and freedom, and its impact on Scottish literature and identity.

July 17, 2025 • By Taegan Goddard

Here is a concise summary of the news article: A Washington Post examination found that nearly 70 Trump administration officials and nominees held cryptocurrency or investments in blockchain or digital-asset companies. Meanwhile, President Trump has been dealing with the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case, with many Republicans calling for the release of files related to the disgraced financier. Trump has also been diagnosed with "chronic venous insufficiency" and has undergone an exam after recent photos showed him with swollen ankles and a bruised hand. Additionally, a new poll found that only about one-quarter of US adults say that Trump's policies have helped them since he took office.

July 17, 2025 • By Adrienne Tanner

Two high school graduates, Natalia Narvaez and Elizabeth Romero, presented a speech to Coquitlam City Council, asking them to track the city's climate change costs and join the "Sue Big Oil" campaign. The campaign aims to make oil companies pay for their role in climate change. Despite the council's polite response, the girls felt dismissed, with the city's environment staff listing recent projects without addressing their concerns. The article argues that cities like Coquitlam should support the campaign, as they incur huge costs due to climate change, such as $1 billion in Richmond to protect against rising sea levels. The "Sue Big Oil" campaign has gained support from 11 BC municipalities and has precedents in successful lawsuits against corporations that caused public harm. Narvaez and Romero remain motivated to continue fighting against climate change, despite the initial setback.

July 17, 2025 • By Beau Greenway

A new American-style restaurant, Burger Lush, is set to open in Wodonga, offering burgers, steak sandwiches, and hot dogs with unique twists, such as a butter chicken burger and Japanese hot dog. The restaurant, owned by Aman Dahiya and Mahak Wason, will be located in a newly constructed building on High Street and is expected to create at least one new job. The owners, who relocated from Melbourne, aim to open the restaurant by September and will offer a range of menu items, including wraps, milkshakes, and sides. The restaurant will have room for up to 14 diners inside and outdoor seating, with initial trading hours likely to be 11am to 9pm daily.

July 17, 2025

The UK government has announced that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in all UK elections, a change that will allow up to 9.5 million more people to participate in the democratic process. This reform is the biggest change to the electoral system since 1969, when the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18. The move is part of the government's plan to "boost democratic engagement" and "restore trust in UK democracy." However, a YouGov poll found that 57% of Britons oppose giving 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote, with only 32% in support. The change is expected to benefit the Labour party, as young people tend to vote more heavily for Labour and the Greens. The government also announced plans to extend voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and create a digital Voter Authority Certificate to ensure electoral registration officers can accept digital forms of ID. Additionally, the government will close loopholes allowing foreign donors to influence UK political parties and introduce new powers to enforce heavier fines for those who breach political finance rules.

July 17, 2025 • By Hugh Hewitt

California Governor Gavin Newsom used profanity on a podcast, referring to podcaster Joe Rogan with a derogatory term. This incident highlights a growing trend of public officials and figures using obscene language in public utterances. The author, Hugh Hewitt, argues that this trend may have a negative impact on American politics, particularly among moderate voters who may be offended by such language. Hewitt suggests that a poll should be conducted to test the public's views on profane speech and its potential consequences for politicians. He believes that the use of profanity may not be as beneficial as some think, and that it could ultimately harm a candidate's reputation and chances of winning votes.

July 17, 2025 • By Robert Birsel

China has pledged to support Iran in defending its rights and interests against "bullying" amid tensions with the US and Israel over its nuclear program. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the promise to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during a meeting in Tianjin. China has condemned recent strikes on Iran by Israel and the US and has offered to help mediate a restoration of peace in the region. Iran has sought to rally international support after the attacks, and China's show of support underscores its expanding influence in the Middle East. China is the main buyer of Iranian oil and has said it would be ready to supply friendly countries with weapons. Iran has reaffirmed its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, but has refused to give up its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. The US and Iran had held five rounds of nuclear talks before Israel launched its attacks, but negotiations have stalled. China's involvement in the region complicates US efforts to maintain dominance, and its deepening ties with Iran are expected to continue regardless of the outcome of any nuclear talks.

July 17, 2025 • By Elizabeth Weil

Here is a concise summary of the article: Mark Geier, a former tennis player and self-taught scientist, became a key figure in the anti-vaccine movement. Despite having poor grades and no formal training in biology, Geier landed a job in a lab at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and later earned a medical degree. He began testifying as an expert witness in vaccine injury cases and co-authored papers with his son, David, on the supposed dangers of vaccines. The Geiers' work was widely criticized by the scientific community, but they gained a following among parents who believed that vaccines had caused their children's autism. The Geiers developed a treatment protocol involving the use of Lupron, a drug that lowers testosterone, and chelation therapy, which they claimed could cure autism. Their methods were widely criticized, and they were eventually barred from practicing medicine in several states. Despite this, the Geiers remain influential figures in the anti-vaccine movement, and their work has contributed to the ongoing controversy over vaccine safety.

July 17, 2025 • By Trudy Ring

New Hampshire Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte has vetoed two anti-LGBTQ+ bills and three other far-right bills. The vetoed bills included one that would have barred schools from distributing books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes, and another that would have allowed businesses to classify and segregate people by sex assigned at birth. Ayotte stated that current state law already provides a mechanism for parents to challenge school materials, and that the bills were overly broad and impractical to enforce. She also vetoed bills related to vaccine exemptions, parental permission for non-academic surveys, and sex education courses. The vetoes would require a two-thirds majority in both the state House and Senate to override, which Republicans do not have in the House. Ayotte's actions have been praised by House Democrats, who see the vetoes as a protection of the rights and dignity of transgender individuals.

July 17, 2025 • By Kate Plummer

A recent CNN/SSRS survey has found that President Donald Trump's approval rating has increased by 23 points among Generation X voters (aged 50-64) since April, with 55% approving and 45% disapproving, giving him a net positive approval rating of +10. This demographic is the only group where Trump has a net positive approval rating. The increase in support may help Trump unite the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. However, other polls show that Trump still struggles to command unanimous support, with an overall net approval rating of -16. Experts note that Trump's support among Gen X voters may be unsustainable in the long term due to his policies, such as cuts to social safety programs and rising inflation.

July 17, 2025 • By Phil Harrell

A new film, "Eddington," is a period piece set in a small New Mexico town during the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. The movie, written and directed by Ari Aster, explores the culture wars and divisions that arose during that time, particularly around masking and social distancing. The story follows a mayor, played by Pedro Pascal, who tries to enforce pandemic rules, and a sheriff, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who opposes them. Aster aimed to write the characters with sympathy, avoiding taking a clear political stance. The film is a satire that critiques the division and disinformation that characterized the pandemic era. Aster hopes that audiences will find solidarity in watching the film and reflect on the path the country is on, considering whether they want to continue down that path or change course.

July 17, 2025 • By David Hajdu

The article discusses the influence and history of the New Wave band Talking Heads. The author, David Hajdu, recounts his personal experience of discovering the band in 1975 at CBGB in New York City. He describes the band's unique sound, which was shaped by their art school background and minimalist approach to music. The band's lead singer, David Byrne, was often misunderstood due to his detached stage manner and eccentric behavior, which was later revealed to be a result of his mild Asperger's syndrome. The article also explores the band's evolution and experimentation with different sounds, particularly their incorporation of African American funk musicians and polyrhythms in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This period, which included the release of the album "Remain in Light" and the concert film "Stop Making Sense," is celebrated as a significant artistic and social statement. However, the author also critiques the band's appropriation of Black musical expression and the praise they received from white critics for their efforts. He suggests that this praise was rooted in a patronizing attitude towards Black music and a willingness to reward white artists for attempting to incorporate Black influences into their work. The article concludes with a discussion of the band's breakup in 1991 and their reunion in 2020 to promote the re-release of "Stop Making Sense." The author reflects on the complexities of the band's history and the enduring influence of their music, which continues to be celebrated and reinterpreted to this day.