All posts tagged: April

Blue Origin cleared to fly New Glenn mega-rocket after April mishap

Published by skeptic

Blue Origin’s new mega-rocket, New Glenn, is no longer grounded. The company said Friday that the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the rocket to fly again after the upper stage failed to deliver a commercial payload during an April launch. Blue Origin didn’t offer much detail, but said in a post on X that the New Glenn upper stage “experienced an off-nominal thermal condition” that caused one of the three rocket engines to produce lower-than-expected thrust. As a result, the AST SpaceMobile satellite that Blue Origin was supposed to put into orbit instead burned up in Earth’s atmosphere instead. (AST SpaceMobile said it had insurance coverage that covered the cost of the lost satellite.) Jeff Bezos’s spaceflight company submitted a report to the FAA and took “corrective measures,” but did not detail what those measures were. The mishap came on what was New Glenn’s third-ever flight, which otherwise went off without a problem. The company successfully re-used the New Glenn booster stage for the first time ever and landed it for a second time on …

In a first, wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

Published by skeptic

Photo: Vestas Wind and solar just hit a major global milestone: For the first time ever, they generated more electricity than gas for the full month of April. According to new analysis from independent energy think tank Ember, wind and solar produced 22% of the world’s electricity in April 2026, compared to 20% from gas. Together, the two renewable sources generated a record 531 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity during the month, 54 TWh more than gas plants generated globally, at 477 TWh. The timing is notable. April marked the first full month of the latest global energy crisis tied to the conflict in the Middle East, and the data shows how quickly renewables are changing the power mix even as fossil fuel markets remain volatile. Five years ago, in April 2021, gas generation was almost identical to today’s level at 476 TWh. But back then, wind and solar combined generated just 245 TWh – less than half of what they produced this April. Advertisement – scroll for more content Wind and solar continue to grow …

Europe drove global EV sales in April as China exports surged

Published by skeptic

Source: XPeng Motors Global EV sales reached 1.6 million units in April 2026, bringing total sales for the year so far to 5.6 million, according to new data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. April global EV sales were up 6% year over year but down 9% from March, after what Benchmark described as a particularly strong March for EV demand. Europe is now driving most of the growth in the global EV market, while China and North America are both seeing slower sales. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data manager Charles Lester said the market is becoming increasingly uneven across regions. Advertisement – scroll for more content “Europe remains the main engine of growth,” Lester said, pointing to rising gasoline prices, government incentives, and a growing presence of Chinese automakers. Europe’s EV sales keep accelerating Europe had another strong month for EV sales in April, with volumes rising 27% year over year to just over 400,000 units. Germany’s EV sales are up 33% year to date, while France is up 36%. Italy’s EV market has nearly doubled thanks …

Noom Promo Codes: 50% Off Best Deals & Free Trials for April 2026

Published by skeptic

Founded in 2008, Noom was launched as a human-to-human weight loss coaching service, which paired psychology-based methods with fitness and food tracking to help its users reach their weight goals. Since the rise of GLP-1 medications, Noom has also introduced a model that helps GLP-1 users taking WeGovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or similar medications create sustainable lifestyle changes and healthy habits. It has also introduced the option for AI coaching. There are usually Noom free trials available, depending on which Noom Weight or Noom Med plan you choose, and a Noom promo code can help offset the cost as well. If you’re looking for a Noom coupon code, you’re in the right place. The Best Noom Promo Codes Available Right Now A Noom discount code can be used on the most popular Noom Weight programs, which are available in lengths ranging from four to 12 months. The plans are automatically renewed and billed up-front. This plan includes habit tracking, optional coaching, and psychology-based lessons so you can meet your weight goals and feel good doing it. …

Drought fears in central and southern England as dry April leaves rivers low | Drought

Published by Jenni Sidey

One of the driest Aprils on record for central and southern England has left river levels below normal, raising fears of drought in some areas over the summer. The latest UK hydrological survey – which tracks river and groundwater levels – suggests central and southern England and eastern Scotland will experience notably low river flows over the next three months, raising concerns about water shortages if dry weather persists. Other parts of the UK, however, are likely to fare better with normal to above-normal river flows in the north-west and western Scotland. Rainfall in April was 23% less than average, according to Met Office figures. In parts of East Anglia and the south-east, rainfall was even less. In Shoeburyness in Essex, it was the driest April on record, with only 0.6mm of rain – just 2% of the monthly average. Cambridgeshire – one of the most water-stressed areas in the UK – and Bedfordshire received less than 5% of average rainfall. Met Office forecasts for the rest of May suggest it is likely to be …

China trade beats forecasts in April despite Middle East war

Published by Sam Flores

The talks previously set for late March were delayed by the war in the Middle East, which has sent global energy prices soaring as shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz has effectively come to a halt. The world’s second-largest economy produced a record-breaking trade surplus last year at US$1.2 trillion. For Trump, imbalance in the countries’ trade relationship has long been a major sticking point. SUPERPOWER SUMMIT Ahead of the key meeting, China’s exports to the United States grew 11.3 per cent year-on-year in April, GAC data showed Saturday, returning to growth after dropping sharply by 26.5 per cent in March. Shipments to the United States had also dropped 11 per cent in January and February combined. Trade is set to be a prominent topic in the upcoming meeting between Xi and Trump, with both leaders eyeing key concessions for their massive economies. Beijing has set an official target growth range for this year of 4.5 to 5 per cent – the lowest in decades. Early indications suggest the country’s economy is on pace, …

Taiwan Semiconductor April Sales Grow At Slowest Pace In 6 Months

Published by Jenni Sidey

Taiwan Semiconductor, world’s largest dedicated independent semiconductor foundry, posted its slowest pace of monthly revenue expansion since October, highlighting the challenges of sustaining torrid AI-fueled pace of growth. Sales in April rose 17.5% to NT$410.7 billion ($13.1 billion), their smallest rise in about six months. While the rise reflects just 30 days of business and its revenue can fluctuate month-to-month, the drop was notable; analysts expect the company’s June-quarter revenue to grow almost twice as fast, or at about 35% which means that May and June sales will have to be gangbusters to compensate for April’s slowness. Taiwan’s largest company has become an essential player in the global AI industry by making cutting-edge semiconductors for the likes of Nvidia and AMD. That’s as Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta and Microsoft said they are setting aside $725 billion for AI this year, significantly more than previously anticipated. The question of where all this money will come from will be the next big hurdle for the market (we discussed it here “”Banks Are Choking”: The AI Debt Bubble Has …

Best series to watch on Amazon Prime Video right now (April 2026)

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you’re on the hunt for your next binge watch, Prime Video may just be the place to look, with its sprawling catalogue of titles from acclaimed long-running dramas to fan-favourite originals. Whether you’re after a fresh new drama to dive into or a classic series you always find yourself rewatching, there is something for every kind of viewer. The streamer recently returned to the world of Alex Cross, with season 2 following Aldis Hodge’s (Black Adam) Cross as he tried to track down a deadly vigilante, who has a vendetta against corrupt billionaires – including Matthew Lillard’s (Scream 7) new character Lance Durand. Meanwhile, the fifth and final series of the acclaimed and hugely satirical flagship (anti) superhero show The Boys has arrived. Spawning countless brutal and bloody memorable moments (Herogasm, anyone?!), hilarious memes, shock twists, and bold cultural, social, and political commentary, the biting and often gleefully sadistic series has undoubtedly become a cultural phenomenon, offering a refreshing counter-narrative to the often rinse-and-repeat formula of other superhero blockbusters. Scarpetta, the series based on …

From skin-brightening serum to a bargain coffee machine: 10 things you loved most in April | Life and style

Published by Sam Flores

It’s easy to feel hopeful in spring, with blossom all around and sunny days bringing the promise of summer ahead. It feels like a fresh start, and it’s clear from your favourite things in April that you’re looking for rejuvenation. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Maybe that’s a new scent, or a cabin bag for a holiday. Perhaps it’s a health reset, with a pair of running shoes to kickstart better habits, or a celebrity-endorsed supplement. You’ve also loved sub-£20 skincare basics and high-street looks inspired by Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel. Here are your favourite things from April. The bean-to-cup coffee machine De’Longhi Magnifica Start £299 at John Lewis Our coffee expert, Sasha Muller, once again tested the limits of his caffeine consumption by trialling 12 of the best bean-to-cup machines. The De’Longhi Magnifica Start was his favourite, and was also, by far, your favourite item this month – perhaps you agree that “if the best things in life are free, then …

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All posts tagged: April

Blue Origin cleared to fly New Glenn mega-rocket after April mishap

In a first, wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

Europe drove global EV sales in April as China exports surged

Drought fears in central and southern England as dry April leaves rivers low | Drought

China trade beats forecasts in April despite Middle East war

Taiwan Semiconductor April Sales Grow At Slowest Pace In 6 Months

Best series to watch on Amazon Prime Video right now (April 2026)

From skin-brightening serum to a bargain coffee machine: 10 things you loved most in April | Life and style