Talk Fuse

    Culture

    Culture covers the stories that shape how we express ourselves and connect with one another. From film festivals and entertainment to social movements and artistic endeavour, these stories reflect the values, conversations and creativity that define our communities. Whether it's a new film project breaking ground, a performer taking their work to new audiences, or society grappling with important questions about identity and behaviour, culture encompasses the ways we live and the narratives we tell.

    This topic matters because culture is often where change begins. The entertainment industry responds to shifting tastes whilst simultaneously influencing them. Artists and creators challenge conventions, spark conversations, and hold up mirrors to society. Social and cultural movements highlight the issues that resonate with people's lives and futures.

    Culture also reflects broader trends in how we consume and engage with content and ideas. From streaming platforms to live performance, from traditional institutions to emerging voices online, the stories documented here chronicle the evolving landscape of how we entertain, educate and challenge ourselves.

    • ‘In walked this big bundle of energy’: the day Dolly Parton came to Rotherham

      Dolly Parton visited Rotherham in December 2007 to launch the UK version of her Imagination Library, a scheme providing free books to young children. The visit, remembered after her death, mattered because it brought a high-profile advocate for reading to a former industrial town and helped make books a familiar part of family life for…

    • What are we all playing this weekend?

      Rock Paper Shotgun’s staff share their gaming plans for the Bank Holiday weekend, mixing familiar favourites, secret projects and a little time away from games. The light-hearted roundup reflects post-Gamescom fatigue and the varied ways the team expect to spend the break. James is tempted back to Elden Ring, while Julian expects to continue playing…

    • Kathleen Folbigg weds childhood friend in Newcastle as she starts new chapter after two decades in jail over the deaths of her four children

      Kathleen Folbigg has married her childhood friend Bob Muir at Fort Scratchley in Newcastle, in what the article presents as a significant personal milestone after her convictions over the deaths of her four children were overturned. Her release in 2023 followed scientific evidence that created reasonable doubt, ending two decades in prison and allowing her…

    • Man charged after allegedly threatening to kill a witness in Nolan Wells case

      An Illinois man, Edward James Porter, has been indicted in Mississippi over allegations that he threatened to kill a witness connected to the disappearance and death of 18-year-old football player Nolan Wells. The allegations concern Bart Edmiston Jr, who was on a boat with Wells on the day he died, and his father. The case…

    • Fery into first ATP Tour final as opponent retires

      Britain’s Arthur Fery has reached his first ATP Tour final after James Duckworth retired injured during their Winston-Salem Open semi-final. Fery was leading 6-4 2-1 when the Australian withdrew, and the result continues a rapid rise that has made the 24-year-old Britain’s number one player. Fery is the first Briton to reach the final of…

    • Iceland referendum could restart European Union accession talks

      Iceland is holding a closely contested referendum on whether to restart talks on joining the EU, a decision that has revived arguments over sovereignty, food security and control of natural resources. The vote matters because a result in favour would begin negotiations rather than secure membership, but could still shape the country’s economic and strategic…

    • Watch: TWISTED SISTER Plays First Concert With SEBASTIAN BACH On Lead Vocals

      Twisted Sister played its first concert with former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach as lead vocalist at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, on 28 August. The performance marked the live debut of the band’s new touring line-up after Dee Snider stepped down because of health challenges, signalling a significant change for the long-running rock…

    • TV tonight: Nick Mohammed has a licence to thrill at the Proms

      Tonight’s television highlights include a Proms celebration of James Bond music hosted by Nick Mohammed, alongside documentaries, drama, comedy and films. The selection ranges from Wham!’s landmark 1985 China tour to the final episodes of a bleak Afghanistan-set series, plus thrillers and historical drama. – Nick Mohammed presents a Proms programme of Bond classics, with…

    • Lampard ‘somewhere in the middle’ of Mourinho and Ancelotti

      Frank Lampard says his managerial style sits between the demanding approach of José Mourinho and the calmer, more trusting manner of Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom he played under at Chelsea. The Coventry City manager believes balancing discipline with understanding is important as he prepares the club for its return to the Premier League after…

    • ‘Winter panic’: EU gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years

      Europe is heading towards winter with gas storage at its lowest late-August level for 13 years, raising concerns about sharper price swings if demand rises during cold or low-wind periods. While physical shortages are not currently expected, the situation matters particularly for the UK because it has limited storage capacity and relies heavily on imported…