Tag: phoenix

Temperature in Death Valley Today: 130 Degrees, Earth’s Highest Since at Least 1931

The Washington Post reports:
In the midst of a historic heat wave in the West, the mercury in Death Valley, California surged to a searing 130 degrees on Sunday afternoon, possibly setting a world record for the highest temperature ever observed during the month of August. If the temperature is valid, it would also rank among the top three highest temperatures ever…

Last Fall a Drone Swarm Surveilled America’s Largest Nuclear Reactor — Twice

America’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission honored a document request from a UFO group — which has inadvertently revealed a very real incident last fall at America’s largest nuclear reactor in Arizona, reports Forbes: Documents gained under the Freedom of Information Act show how a number of small drones flew around a restricted area at Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant on two successive…

Sprint 5G is No More, as T-Mobile Focuses On its Own Network

A day after formally completing the sale of Boost, Virgin and other Sprint prepaid networks to Dish, T-Mobile is pulling the plug on Sprint 5G. From a report: The move is one in a long list of issues that need sorting out in the wake of April’s $26.5 billion merger. And like a number of other moves, it’s set to leave…

It’s summer. What’s noon to you?

What do you mean by noon? Do you define it by your clock or wristwatch? Or the gnawing in your stomach? Here’s how astronomers think about noontime. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/its-summer-whats-noon-to-you…

Waymo’s Self-Driving Minivans Return to Phoenix, Detroit, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area

Digital Trends reports:
Waymo is planning to relaunch its fleet of self-driving minivans into Bay Area streets on June 8, according to an email acquired by The Verge. However, instead of transporting passengers, the vehicles will instead focus on delivering packages for non-profit organizations #DrawTogether, which gives art kits to children, and Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired… The pending return…

Is That a Rooster on My Customer-Support Call? Yes, Blame Coronavirus.

When Robin Frost called Verizon’s customer support last month, she was connected with a rooster. At least that’s what it sounded like. The Pennsylvania resident wanted to ask about a problem with the telecom company’s app, but the agent on the line said she couldn’t hear. Punctuating her words was “the sound of a very authentic, real-sounding rooster,” Ms. Frost recalled….

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano is erupting

Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) volcano began erupting last night – Friday, April 10, 2020 – according to clocks in Indonesia. The eruption is not thought to be major. Webcams caught its beauty. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/anak-krakatau-volcano-eruption-april-2020…

Google Data Centers’ Secret Cost: Billions of Gallons of Water

To meet surging demand for online information, internet giant taps public water supplies that are already straining from overuse. From a report: In August 2019, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association built a 16-foot pyramid of jugs in its main entrance in Phoenix. The goal was to show residents of this desert region how much water they each use a day…