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Announcing his resignation in a speech from Downing Street on Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempted to blame his removal from office on the “Westminster Herd Instinct” rather than his own failings as a leader. Despite desperate attempts to cling onto power, Mr Johnson was forced to resign after a record 59 government aids and cabinet ministers resigned following the sexual impropriety scandal involving the PM’s former deputy chief whip Christopher Pincher, whom Johnson had promoted to the role despite previously being informed of sex pest allegations made against the then-Tory MP. Yet in defiant fashion, Mr Johnson cast blame to the political system in London. “As we have seen at Westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves. And my friends, in politics, no one is even remotely indispensable,” Johnson declared. “I know that there will be many people who are relieved, and perhaps quite a few will be disappointed. And I want you to know … [Read more...] about ‘Them’s The Breaks’ – Boris Blames ‘Westminster Herd Instinct’ for Ouster

At midnight ET on Tuesday morning, the American federal government shut down operations as a result of the Congressional budget impasse. Currently there's no immediate end in sight, so a mish-mash of government agencies are open and closed. National parks and museums are off, but mail is still being delivered to American households. On Saturday, Ars took a quick look at which US government agency websites would be going dark during the shutdown. Those included the Federal Trade Commission, the Library of Congress, and the National Park Service sites. They all planned to go dark and have done so. The federal court system is remaining open , as it has a financial reserve that should last around two weeks. Similarly, the United States Patent and Trademark Office could stay open for approximately four weeks. However, we have now conducted a more thorough examination of 50-plus different .gov websites. In the chart below, we have highlighted whether they are up or down, and … [Read more...] about Shutdown of US government websites appears bafflingly arbitrary

Major news outlets are disclosing a development that, if true, could influence the course of broadband economics for the foreseeable future. The New York Times reports that Google and Verizon are close to a deal that "could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege." Furthermore, Google "would agree not to challenge Verizon's ability to manage its broadband Internet network as it pleased." The Wall Street Journal' s dispatch suggests that an agreement may be forthcoming that both companies "hope could be used as a model for legislation aimed at preventing telephone or cable companies from delaying or blocking Internet traffic." From these fragments, it's not hard to speculate on the key elements of a possible deal. Google will accept the priority access concept; Verizon will promise not to block or delay traffic, or at least pledge to adhere to broad principles along those … [Read more...] about A separate peace: Google, Verizon making net neutrality deal?