John Henderson
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jphendo.bsky.social
John Henderson
@jphendo.bsky.social
400 followers 87 following 4.7K posts
Retired after more than 45 years in journalism on local and regional papers and national magazines. Motoring writer for 25 years. Last paper Bury Free Press. Dog lover, interested in wildlife, intolerant of intolerance. UK.
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jphendo.bsky.social
@mthrjo.bsky.social Did you know there's a new Murderbot book coming? Suffolk Libraries ebook system says publication day is May 5.
Cover of Martha Wells' next Murderbot novel Platform Decay.
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
ernie.tedium.co
If you have been sharing that Malwarebytes article on the Gmail thing, you should note the giant correction up top.

www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
Update November 22. We’ve updated this article after realising we contributed to a perfect storm of misunderstanding around a recent change in the wording and placement of Gmail’s smart features. The settings themselves aren’t new, but the way Google recently rewrote and surfaced them led a lot of people (including us) to believe Gmail content might be used to train Google’s AI models, and that users were being opted in automatically. After taking a closer look at Google’s documentation and reviewing other reporting, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Gmail does scan email content to power its own “smart features,” such as spam filtering, categorisation, and writing suggestions. But this is part of how Gmail normally works and isn’t the same as training Google’s generative AI models. Google also maintains that these feature settings are opt-in rather than opt-out, although users’ experiences seem to vary depending on when and how the new wording appeared. It’s easy to see where the confusion came from. Google’s updated language around “smart features” is vague, and the term “smart” often implies AI—especially at a time when Gemini is being integrated into other parts of Google’s products. When the new wording started appearing for some users without much explanation, many assumed it signalled a broader shift. We’ve revised this article to reflect what we can confirm from Google’s documentation, as it’s always been our aim to give readers accurate, helpful guidance.
November 22, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
sifu.tweety.fish
since the "google is now training gemini on your email contents" thing keeps bumping around here: it's _not happening_. I say this not to defend google but because I know a lot of people that have broken their filtering and made their lives much more annoying from sheer misinformation.
awest.uk Andrew West @awest.uk · 3d
The malwarebytes Google opting-your-emails-into-ai-training thing is not true. The post is based on one bad tweet.

I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.

www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
Google denies ‘misleading’ reports of Gmail using your emails to train AI
Google says “we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.”
www.theverge.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
mmasnick.bsky.social
If you're trying to convince your friends to spend time on Bluesky rather than X, maybe show them this. X is not "the public town square" or about "free speech." It's "just what Elon Musk wants you to see." If you see stuff he doesn't like he'll step in to make sure you don't see it for long.
zamosta.bsky.social Aaron Zamost @zamosta.bsky.social · 5d
If you scroll on X, you are only being shown what Elon wants you to see. If you create content on X, no one will see it unless Elon wants them to.
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
bestforbritain.org
🍺 JD Wetherspoon – whose founder campaigned for the UK to leave the EU – is using Ireland as a springboard for its expansion into mainland Europe to avoid Brexit-­induced red tape.

https://m.independent.ie/business/wetherspoon-uses-ireland-to-skirt-brexit-red-tape-for-eu-expansion/a1911675912.html
Wetherspoon uses Ireland to skirt Brexit red tape for EU expansion
UK pub and hotel group JD Wetherspoon – whose founder campaigned for the UK to leave the EU – is using Ireland as a springboard for its expansion into mainland Europe to avoid Brexit-­induced red tape...
m.independent.ie
November 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM
jphendo.bsky.social
Just been age checked in Waitrose for a pack of mince pies containing Cognac. Are they trying to convince me they have enough Cognac in them to be alcoholic?
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social
Eat out to Help Out was killing people, but they “kept it out of the news”.
November 20, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
dieworkwear.bsky.social
The people who make Shein's clothes labor for ten to twelve hours per day (in violation of China's labor laws), some up to seven days a week, and earn as little as 15 to 30 cents per t-shirt.
Excerpt from a BBC article: ""We usually work, 10, 11 or 12 hours a day," says a 49-year-old woman from Jiangxi unwilling to give her name. "On Sundays we work around three hours less." She is in an alleyway, where a dozen people are huddled around a row of bulletin boards. They are reading the job ads on the board, while examining the stitching on a pair of chinos draped over it. This is Shein's supply chain. The factories are contracted to make clothes on order - some small, some big. If the chinos are a hit, orders will ramp up and so must production. Factories then hire temporary workers to meet the demand their permanent staff cannot fulfil. The migrant worker from Jiangxi is looking for a short-term contract - and the chinos are an option. "We earn so little. The cost of living is now so high," she says, adding that she hopes to make enough to send back to her two children who are living with their grandparents. "We get paid per piece," she explains. "It depends how difficult the item is. Something simple like a t-shirt is one-two yuan [less than a dollar] per piece and I can make around a dozen in an hour.""
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
vivianh.bsky.social
Thing I found out today: if you're on Universal Credit (or other means-tested benefits) you can get into Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, or the Tower of London for £1 (and 50% off at one cafe per site too). Because poor people deserve days out too www.hrp.org.uk/one-pound-ti...
One Pound Tickets
£1 tickets for a day visit to the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace will be available to anyone in receipt of named benefits.
www.hrp.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
sundersays.bsky.social
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"

That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
jphendo.bsky.social
These maps are so detailed it's well worth looking at where you live, especially in rural areas. Thanks NLS for making even those not of Scotland available online.
natlibscot.bsky.social National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 8d
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛

We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.

Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
November 17, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social
Nature is not a blocker to housing growth, MPs find
Nature is not a blocker to housing growth, MPs find
The Environmental Audit Committee found the government's measures are not enough to meet targets.
www.bbc.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
georgemonbiot.bsky.social
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
flatlander.bsky.social
Exhibit A

bsky.app/profile/impl...
implausibleblog.bsky.social Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 10d
Liz Truss on Fox News supporting Trump suing the BBC

"There are lots of people in Britain who are cheering President Trump on and want him to sue the BBC"

"And I believe the organisation needs to be defunded"
November 15, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
loreandordure.com
Your occasional reminder, if you’re in the UK, that it is shaping up to be a hideous bird flu season, with many wildlife casualties (including resident birds, not just winter migrants), and, however soft your heart, it is a Really Bad Idea to handle sick or ‘injured’ birds or bring them inside.
November 14, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social
Kidlington fly-tipping: Criminals dump mountain of waste in field
Kidlington fly-tipping: Criminals dump mountain of waste in field
The enormous pile of rubbish is called an "environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight".
www.bbc.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
metoffice.gov.uk
⚠️ Yellow weather warning UPDATED ⚠️

Extended into central & western Scotland

Now valid until 1900 today

Latest info 👉 bit.ly/WxWarning

Stay #WeatherAware⚠️
Met Office yellow rain warning. Valid 00:00 - 19:00 today, 13 November 2025. Persistent and at times heavy rain leading to some disruption on Thursday. What should I expect? Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer Some interruption to power supplies and other services possible.
November 13, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
mscaitlinmoran.bsky.social
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
Clear out toys now!
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
felicityhannah.bsky.social
Felicity.hannah@bbc.co.uk - please do share if you can. Thanks #blendedfamilies
I’m making a radio show on managing the finances of a blended family and I want to hear your stories and comments. For example, do you carefully manage spending so step kids don’t feel excluded? Maybe you’d rather prioritise your own child at Christmas because they are only having one set of presents? Do you ever wonder if it’s okay to save money by not inviting your partner’s children on holiday if they’ve already had one with their other parent? Has your ex moved in with a new partner’s children and that’s cut the child maintenance they pay? Maybe you’re trying to work out the fairest way to arrange a Will with your new spouse, without disadvantaging your own adult children? There are a hundred different situations and a hundred different stories. If you would like to share your experience to help other families or if you’d like some advice on managing a tricky money/family situation then please do get in touch with me. Felicity.hannah@bbc.co.uk – I promise sensitive, thoughtful journalism and anonymity where it’s needed. Thanks
November 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
jphendo.bsky.social
Should you venture to X yoday, don't bother looking at the responses to any BBC News post. They are full of the "defund the BBC" mob and Maga/Muskbots ranting about nothing to do with the story. Many are claiming to be Americans with remarkably few posts or followers.
November 11, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social
Train hero Samir Zitouni wakes in hospital and speaks to wife
Train hero Samir Zitouni wakes in hospital and speaks to wife
The injured crew member is credited with saving multiple lives during a mass stabbing incident.
www.bbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
liamthorp.bsky.social
This is top-tier reporting from @paddyedrich.bsky.social into the disturbing world inside Southport killer Axel Rudakubana’s home and the terrifying signs of what was to come
Inside the Rudakubana house where parents let 'evil go unchecked'
SPECIAL REPORT: The ECHO lifts the lid on what life was like in the Rudakubana household after listening to every minute of the family's inquiry evidence
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by John Henderson
astridoverthere.bsky.social
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.

Here's how to turn it off.

First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Screenshot of the top of a Bsky feed, with a red circle around the hamburger menu in the top left.
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by John Henderson
btobirds.bsky.social
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.

📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides

#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Whooper Swan sick with bird flu in a field, photograph by Kane Brides
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM