If West Mids Police ban an entire fanbase on discredited claims & still insist “we haven’t made anything fit,” the Q isn’t whether someone should resign — it’s who goes 1st ... and #Birmingham wants to host the Women’s World Cup? #Accountability #MaccabiTelAviv #WomensWorldCup

#Birmingham bids to host games in #WomensWorldCup. "Just one thing," says head of West Midlands Police. "We won't be allowing away fans." Er, they're probably ALL away fans, chief. "In that case, our force will have a few quiet nights." #Football #WWC #FIFA #WestMidlandsPolice

Twelve days until Australia’s idiotic social-media ban kicks in. We should thank the Aussies for volunteering as the canaries in the coal pit — with similar fates. fairobserver.com/business/tec... #AusPol #SocialMediaBan #DigitalRights #Australia #Meta #TeensOnline via @myfairobserver.bsky.social

Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban ... why it's doomed to fail. fairobserver.com/business/tec... @handle.invalid mau.bsky.social @theheraldo.bsky.social dsun.bsky.social @australia.theguardian.com @skynewsrss.bsky.social sky.social @brisbanetimes.bsky.social @canberratimes.bsky.social

Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban @elliscashmore fairobserver.com/business/tec... @abcnews4.com @smhn.bsky.social @theageaustralia.bsky.social @7newsaustralia.bsky.social @9newsaus.bsky.social @abc7.bsky.social

A Century of Royal Scandal 👑🔥 From the 1936 abdication to the Andrew–Epstein debacle, I chart a 100 years of Windsor controversies in @fairobserver.bsky.social An interactive timeline: fairobserver.com/timeline/a-c... #RoyalFamily #Windsor #Monarchy #UKPolitics #Scandal #PrinceAndrew #Epstein

🚨 IS TAYLOR SWIFT REALLY AS GREAT AS SHAKESPEARE? 🎤🎨🎼 Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—but can she match the artistic giants she now stands alongside? READ NOW IN #FairObserver 👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/is-t... #TaylorSwift #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness #MusicCanon

IS TAYLOR SWIFT REALLY AS GREAT AS SHAKESPEARE?🔥 Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—she’s already a legend. But can she exceed the artistic giants she now stands alongside? COMING SOON IN #FairObserver #TaylorSwift #ErasTour #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness

Stabbing considered to be an isolated incident, says defence secretary. How about: Manchester synagogue attack (Oct 2025), Uxbridge (Oct 2025), Nottingham (June 2023), Reading (June 2020)? #TrainAttack #Security #PublicSafety @btsofficialtweets.bsky.social @metpolice.bsky.social

📘 1st published (privately): 1928, Florence 🚫 Banned: 1928–1960 in UK ✅ First legal UK edition: November 1, 1960 📚 Nov 1, 1960, @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social published Lady Chatterley’s Lover after winning a landmark obscenity trial #DHLawrence #LadyChatterleysLover #OnThisDay #Censorship

Taylor Swift & JK Rowling: icons whose work defines eras and embodies female empowerment. Now, both are under fire like never before. I explore the fallout here: fairobserver.com/culture/when... www.fairobserver.com/culture/when...

⚽️ A quarter-century ago, @politybooks.bsky.social asked me to write a book on a rising footballer who later became a global celebrity. Why does the world still find David Beckham 🕶️fascinating? Answer 🔗 www.fairobserver.com/region/europ... @politybooks.bsky.social

She studied fame like others study design — and built a brand that never fades. In the new Netflix doc, Victoria Beckham says, “It’s not about him, it’s about me.” I’d say she’s right. My analysis in @myfairobserver: 🔗 www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...

🎤 Ellis Cashmore will be speaking at the Sociology in Action event on 5 December about the evolution of celebrity culture. First event sold out, but tickets for this one are still available: educationinaction.org.uk/speaker/elli... #CelebrityCulture #Timeline #FairObserver

COMING SOON in #FairObserver: Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us? ⭐️Most celebrities fade after their peak but David & Victoria remain a global brand—bridging generations, reinventing themselves and still captivating audiences. Why? #Beckham #VictoriaBeckham #DavidBeckham

COMING SOON in #FairObserver: Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us? ⭐️ Most celebrities fade after their peak but David & Victoria remain a global brand—bridging generations, reinventing themselves and still captivating audiences. Why? #Beckham #VictoriaBeckham #DavidBeckham

Today marks 70 years since the UK’s first ever TV ad aired: Gibbs SR toothpaste (22 Sept 1955). Even then, advertising was already seeping into every corner of social life. Now, it's inescapable. Watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=Eeu3... @ITV #OTD #TVHistory #Advertising #Marketing

Tokyo 2025 is Britain’s worst performance in global athletics in 20 years. 🇬🇧🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉 Just 5 medals (0 golds). The last time GB did worse was Helsinki 2005, with only 3 medals. #WorldAthletics #Tokyo2025 #TeamGB #Athletics #TrackandField #GoldStandardFunding

📢 #ALevel #Sociology students + teachers! Sociology in Action is back: 10 Nov, London 📷 #SociologyInAction #EducationInAction #SixthForm #CollegeLife #Students #SocialJustice educationinaction.org.uk/study-day/so... @bjse.bsky.social u_in_action

The Mushroom Murders: inexplicable, illogical, and terrifying. But what if the key lies not in psychology, but in sociology? @routledgehistory.bsky.social author @elliscashmore.bsky.social investigates: fairobserver.com/culture/anat... #StudySociology #SociologyStudents #SociologyDegree #Sociology

Armani wasn’t just about clothes. His designs embodied Bourdieu’s distinction and Bauman’s liquid modernity: style as social capital, identity as performance. In the 1980s, fashion became a way of being. More in @FairObserver ⬇️ www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...

28 years ago this Sunday, the world lost Diana, Princess of Wales—a woman who redefined the monarchy and captivated the globe. I reflected on her life and legacy on the 20th anniversary: www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...

THE HISTORY OF NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 🎭🎶 Carnival begins today but its story stretches back over 60 years — from the 1958 race riots to Rastafari and reggae, from “sus” laws to knife crime. A 6-part thread on joy, struggle and the Met Police ⬇️ #NottingHillCarnival #London #CarnivalHistory #MetPolice

1 of 6. THE NOEL CLARKE CASE: In the post-#MeToo era, Noel Clarke was the rare accused man who fought back ferociously. He sued The Guardian for £70m, claiming cancellation. He lost. A judge ruled the allegations “substantially true.” Due process didn’t save him—it finished him. #MeToo

30,000+ asylum seekers in the UK. Some councils plan action against hotels housing them. Today’s Britain is more diverse & anti-racist than ever—but this could become the most divisive issues of this century. #AsylumSeekers #Immigration #UKPolitics #Diversity #SocialCohesion

Union Jacks in Birmingham. Palestinian flags nationwide. Clashes over asylum in Epping. Britain is more diverse and inclusive than ever—so why do the symbols feel like battle lines? bbc.co.uk/news/article... #UK #Diversity #Identity #Immigration #CultureWars #UnionJack #Asylum

From @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social author Ellis Cashmore: Can we truly appreciate art without considering the artist’s worldview? 👉 www.fairobserver.com/region/europ... #KenLoach #film #politics #auteur

#womenseuros2025 have boosted gambling. Is this a sign women are #gambling as a way of exercising their agency & empowering themselves? Or will we soon be warned of the dangers of addiction? #WomenEmpowerment #SportsBetting #FemaleFootball #GamblingAddiction #WomenInSports

#England #Lionesses Silence can speak volumes. @kickitoutofficial.bsky.social has not commented on @jesscarter ’s claim that she’d feel relief if white teammates missed penalties, to avoid “astronomical” racism against LJ. Their silence deserves scrutiny.

No quiet corner of life remains immune to broadcasting.” BILL CLINTON, MONICA LEWINSKY AND THE POLITICS OF SPECTACLE by @routledgebooks.bsky.social author @elliscashmore . Read: tinyurl.com/kvjuckh6 #BillClinton #MonicaLewinsky #Politics #Scandal #History #Media

🧵 0/6 UNSUITABLE FOR SPORT? For much of the 20th century, women weren’t just discouraged from sport — they were banned, blocked, and banished. Medics warned it was harmful to their health. That was a myth — but a convenient one. 📖 Read: tinyurl.com/FrailWomen #WomensSport #HerStory #LetWomenPlay

🗓 COMING THIS WEEKEND UNSUITABLE FOR SPORT? That’s what women were told — by doctors, officials, and sporting bodies (Read: tinyurl.com/FrailWomen) They were banned, blocked and belittled. This weekend: how women fought back — and won. #WomensSport #HerStory #LetWomenPlay

🗓 COMING THIS WEEKEND UNSUITABLE FOR SPORT? That’s what women were told — by doctors, officials, and sporting bodies (Read: tinyurl.com/FrailWomen) They were banned, blocked and belittled. This weekend: how women fought back — and won. #WomensSport #HerStory #LetWomenPlay

The UK hasn’t seen poverty like this for 60 years.” — Gordon Brown, August 2025. Not quite: unemployment was worse in the 80s. But food banks, child destitution & working poverty? On those, he is sadly right #UKpoverty #CostOfLivingCrisis #FoodBanks #ChildPoverty #GordonBrown

1/5 THE VALUE OF SCANDAL ✨ Scandal once ended careers. Not now. The current #Strictly #Cocaine scandal shows how controversy fuels interest, not outrage. Viewers gossip, ratings climb. Here we trace how scandal went from career-killer to career-rocket. Arbuckle to Britney #TVDrama #Scandal

Thanks. As far as I know, Ruben has no track record to compare with this guy, but, as we learn more, maybe the comparisons will get clearer. This case, as you suggest, could be a kind of benchmark. Again, thanks.

1 (of 5) THE LEICESTERSHIRE POISONINGS 🧪 Jon Ruben, a pensioner, stands charged with wilfully assaulting children by drugging them with sedative-laced sweets at a #SummerCamp. A case with no clear motive or precedent. Here are #Criminology theories that explain the inexplicable

#NBA plans a 14-16 club #EuropeanLeague, a major threat to the long-standing #EuroLeague since 1958. Talks underway with football giants like @PSG_English, @mancity.com, @realmadrid & @fcbarcelonabr.bsky.social about launching basketball franchises. Big move. 🏀🌍 ft.com/content/f44d... via @ft

There are few precedents for this crime. Marybeth Tinning, New York woman convicted of killing her infant daughter in the 1980s & suspected of killing 7 of her 8 other children. Beverly Allitt, British nurse who murdered 4 children & harmed others. #TrueCrime www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

AUSTRALIA BANS YOUTUBE FOR UNDER-16s Because nothing makes teens more curious than a government ban. 📱🇦🇺 #YouTube #Australia #Teenagers #GenZ #BanEffect #DigitalLife #SocialMedia #YouthCulture #Censorship #StreisandEffect @elliscashmore

AUSTRALIA BANS YOUTUBE FOR UNDER-16s Because nothing makes teens more curious than a government ban. 📱🇦🇺 #YouTube #Australia #Teenagers #GenZ #BanEffect #DigitalLife #SocialMedia #YouthCulture #Censorship #StreisandEffect @elliscashmore

Massive! 🤯 The #Euro2024 Final hit a peak audience of 24.2 MILLION in the UK – that's almost as big as the entire population of #Australia! 🇦🇺 Incredible scale for major sporting event viewership! #Football #TVFigures #GlobalSport #Lionessess

Girls are half as likely to play football at school as boys. Former pro footballers are 3.5× more likely to die from neurodegenerative disease, with heading the ball a likely cause, according to @uofglasgow.bsky.social study: gla.ac.uk/schools/heal... #WomensFootball #ChildHealth #BrainInjury

#MickJagger is 82 today! 🎉 An apocryphal story: Musician/raconteur #GeorgeMelly met MJ at a party & remarked he looked haggard. "They're laughter lines," explained Jagger. Melly sighed, "Nothing is THAT funny, Mick!" #MusicLegends #RockAndRoll #Anecdote #AgingGracefully (or not!)

Girls are half as likely to play football at school compared with boys, despite calls for equal access following the Lionesses’ historic Euros, says @CHILDWISE #GenderEquity #womeninsports #womenseuros2025 #WomenInTech #SportsUpdate

Girls are half as likely to play football at school than boys, says #Childwise Terrible! They’re probably wasting time on A-levels or engineering degrees: 10,000-to-1 shots at a career. Boys, meanwhile, wisely pursue football—a real career path, innit? #Lionesses #womeninsports

Ozzy Osbourne dies on the same day Prince George turns 12. Weren't they both at Villa Park a couple of weeks ago? We may be looking at a transmigration of the soul situation. (This wouldn't be a bad thing, right?) #OzzyOsbourne #PrinceGeorge #RoyalFamily #AVFC #Transmigration

Ozzy Osbourne dies on the same day Prince George turns 12. Weren't they both at Villa Park a couple of weeks ago? We may be looking at a transmigration of the soul situation. Consider the implications. #OzzyOsbourne #PrinceGeorge #RoyalFamily #AVFC #VillaPark #Transmigration #DarkHumor #Birmingham

Just imagine if the #Coldplay #jumbotron debacle was a PR stunt. A coup to rival: 🎸 #Beatles “bigger than Jesus” (1966) 💋 #Madonna-#Britney kiss (2003) 🥩 #LadyGaga meat dress (2010) ⚡ #JanetJackson “wardrobe malfunction” (2004) 🦇 Ozzy’s bat (1982) #OzzyOsbourne #rocknroll

Just imagine if the #Coldplay #jumbotron debacle was a PR stunt. A coup to rival: 🎸 #Beatles “bigger than Jesus” (1966) 💋 #Madonna-#Britney kiss (2003) 🥩 #LadyGaga meat dress (2010) ⚡ #JanetJackson “wardrobe malfunction” (2004) 🦇 Ozzy’s bat (1982) #OzzyOsbourne #rocknroll