Installation of renewable energy worldwide hit a record high last year, with 92.5% of all new electricity brought online coming from the sun, wind or other clean sources, an international agency reports.Nearly 64% of the new renewable electricity generated in 2024 was in China, according to Wednesdays report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Overall, the world added 585 billion watts of new renewable electrical energy, a 15.1% jump from 2023, with 46% of the worlds electricity coming from solar, wind and other green non-nuclear energy sources.But even that big jump does not put the globe on track to reach the international goal of tripling renewable energy from 2023 to 2030, with the world on pace to be 28% short, IRENA calculated. The goal was adopted in 2023 as part of the worlds efforts to curb the increasing impacts of climate change and transition away from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.Renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills and cleaning our air, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer.China added almost 374 billion watts of renewable power three quarters of it from solar panels in 2024. Thats more than eight times as much as the United States did and five times what Europe added last year.China now has nearly 887 billion watts of solar panel power, compared to 176 billion in the United States, nearly 90 billion watts in Germany, 21 billion watts in France and more than 17 billion watts in the United Kingdom.United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell used the figures Wednesday to challenge Europe and other industrialized nations to catch up with China.As one government steps back from climate leadership, it opens up space for others to step forward and seize the vast benefits, Stiell told European leaders in Berlin, making reference to U.S. President Trumps withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. The clean energy transition can be Europes economic engine-room now when new sources of growth are vital to buttress living standards and for decades to come.Stiell said the IRENA numbers show that the global renewables boom is unstoppable and said the market for green energy reached $2 trillion last year.The move to renewables can grow even faster, said Neil Grant, senior policy analyst at Climate Analytics, which tracks and projects countries climate change fighting efforts.If in 2024 renewables grew 15%, think how much faster they could grow with the full backing of comprehensive, credible and ambitious climate policies around the world, said Grant, who wasnt part of the IRENA report.The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

Current and former government technologists reacted with shock and disbelief to reports that top Trump Administration officials used the consumer messaging app Signal to discuss and plan bombing strikes against Yemen-based Houthis.The private chat group included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. It came to public attention after its organizer, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, inexplicably invited Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to join the conversationdespite Goldberg being a frequent target of Donald Trumps criticism. Goldberg says he witnessed the full strategy session, including detailed discussions of war plans and logistics.Using a nonsecure consumer messaging app for sensitive government work is neither normal nor smart, according to several current and former government technologists.Id never use Signal if something was classified, says Kate Green, who worked at the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) until late last year. Theres so many risks in communicating about classified information that you dont mess around with that. You use approved channels for that.Green explains that government agency security departments configure government-issued phones to prevent users from installing commercial apps like Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp. My work phone was very locked down and managed by them, she says.So they were using Signal either on their personal devices, or they were using it on government phones that werent being managed by the rules of the agencies they were part of, Green says of the administration officials on the Houthi chat.No one I know wouldve been this reckless talking about sensitive matters on a nongovernment system, says another government technology leader, who until very recently worked within USDS. I cant imagine any professional I know committing this egregious a lapse in judgement.Its a hard line we dont cross for obvious ethical and legal reasons, adds the ex-USDS source, but also the logistics of personal devices getting subpoenaed and FOIAd [accessed via a Freedom of Information Act request] would be terrible.(Another ex-government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, says people within her agencyuntil recently, the Office of Management and Budgetreceived ethics training during their first month of employment, along with extensive instruction on the proper ways to communicate about government matters.)Virginia Senator Mark Warner, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated the obvious during a contentious hearing of the same committee Tuesday. Classified information should never be discussed over an unclassified system, he said. If this was the case of a military officer or an intelligence officer, and they had this kind of behavior, they would be fired.Matthew Mittelsteadt, cybersecurity and emerging technologies expert at the Cato Institute, says the security of encrypted messaging apps like Signal is only as strong as the security of the end devices used to access them. In the specific case of Signal, messages may be secure when they are in transit between phones, he says, but once they reach the recipient, security can indeed fail. He points out that just last month, Google Threat Intelligence found actors backed by Russias GRU were actively exploiting Signals linked devices feature to eavesdrop on target individuals messages once they reached the individuals inbox.As it happened, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was on a trip to Moscow during the Signal chat in question, which spanned several days. Republican Representative from Nebraska Don Bacon, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said theres no doubt that Russia and China were monitoring the devices of the U.S. officials on the Houthi text chat.Waltz claims that the Signal chat group discussed no secret war plans, nor was any classified material shared. Goldberg bluntly denied Waltzs claim during a CNN interview Monday: Thats a lie. He was texting war plans, he said.

For ID-curious readers who want to dip their toe in the pool, here's an online course on Concept Sketching for Industrial Design. It's taught by Adam Miklosi, a freelance industrial designer based in Budapest. (Miklosi's no veteran, but he's been in the ID game for a decade and clearly has skills.) "You'll explore the art of sketching, covering essential techniques and industrial product design, using both analog and digital tools to enhance your productivity and outcomes." "Immerse yourself in a process that spans from initial research to the development of standalone design concepts. Learn to seamlessly integrate human and natural design elements, showcasing how functionality and form can coexist in perfect harmony." The course consists of 16 video lessons that you do on your own time. The lessons build towards "The final project [which] involves developing two design concepts based on a specific brief," Miklosi writes. "You will use the techniques learned to research, sketch, and ultimately present your ideas, demonstrating your ability to integrate functionality and aesthetics into innovative designs." The course runs $50.

While newfangled EDC "tools" seem to emerge every day, there are still manufacturers improving upon the designs of long-established tools. The ratchet wrench has been around since at least 1863, but Germany's Wera reckons there's still room for improvement. "We just could not believe that it was not possible to make a ratchet work more quickly," the company writes. "Moreover, we did not like the way users had to apply many different types of ratchet to get a job done. We therefore questioned everything that was conventional about ratchets."The new design Wera developed is called the Zyklop Speed. A flywheel design makes the ratchet turn quicker. For getting into tricky spaces, the head tilts, with predefined locking at 0, 15 and 90. Locked in the 0 position, it can be used as a ratcheting screwdriver. The ratcheting mechanism contains 72 teeth, allowing a return angle as small as 5. Because the head can rotate, the conventional locking lever was not viable. Wera's designers devised a thumbwheel instead that can be engaged from any position. The shape of the metal bracket that holds the head offers, Wera says, "an ergonomic design with finger recesses that offer a perfect contact surface for the hand or fingers to turn the head." The company also offers an engraving option for the popular tools, reducing their chances of walking off of the jobsite. The Zyklop Speed comes in ", 3/8" and " variants, and draws rave reviews from users.

The LEGO Speed Champions series is getting stronger and more popular with every iconic car set released. The collection includes big names like 2024 Formula 1 Series, McLaren F1 MP4 Ayrton Senna, McLaren MCL37 AMG 63 G-Wagon SUV and the AMG SL63 convertible roadster, is a must-have for motorheads who love to fill their shelves and desks with scaled-down versions of the most popular racing cars. Fast and Furious fans will have a broad smile on their faces as the new addition to the LEGO Speed Champions collection is going to be the Honda S2000 driven by Suki.The diva leading the all-female crew of street racers in her pink ride embellished with vinyl graphics is a cool addition to the Speed Champions line for its visual allure. Understandably christened the 2 Fast 2 Furious Honda S2000 (# 77241), the convertible lets fans recreate the nostalgic night scenes from the races showcased in the adrenaline-inducing flick.Designer: LEGO GroupThis scaled-down Honda S2000 replica comes with authentic details of the real-life car driven by Suki (portrayed by actor Devon Aoki) in the movie. To keep the realism alive, the LEGO model comes with her character minifigure to bring back memories of the beautiful diva who has not been seen on the silver screen for well over a decade. The 300-piece LEGO set comes with a realistic interior TV monitor, headlights, black wheels, a rear wing, and a grille. The anime-styled vinyl graphics are also well replicated on the bonnet, side, and rear of the vehicle. The scaled-down model of the pop cultures most iconic ride comes with a stand to show off on your desk or living room shelf.This LEGO set joins the two other sets from the Fast and Furious franchise the retired 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T and 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34). For a price tag of $26, the convertible Honda S2000 is an absolute steal, especially because of its 2 Fast 2 Furious association. Putting it together piece by piece will be an interesting experience for both grown-ups and kids. The LEGO set is up for pre-order right now and will ship on June 1, 2025, so better mark your calendars.Just as a flashback, the S2000 model in the movie originally debuted in 1995 at the Tokyo Game Show as a concept car and was officially distributed in April 1999 to mark Hondas 50th anniversary. The Honda S2000 is classified both as a roadster and sports car, making it the preferred ride for urban scenarios.The post LEGO Speed Champions adds Sukis iconic Honda S2000 from 2 Fast 2 Furious to its lineup first appeared on Yanko Design.

In a cluttered workspace, finding the perfect desk organizer can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most options available today prioritize function over environmental impact, leaving eco-conscious stationery enthusiasts in a difficult position. This desk organizer concept offers a refreshing alternative, harnessing the natural properties of cork to create a solution thats both practical and planet-friendly, without resorting to the plastic materials that dominate store shelves and eventually our landfills.Cork remains surprisingly underutilized in our daily lives, typically relegated to wine bottles, bulletin boards, and occasional packaging materials. Yet this remarkable natural material possesses unique qualities that make it ideal for so much more than these limited applications. The Korka concept brilliantly reimagines corks potential, transforming this renewable resource into a thoughtful desk companion that organizes your workspace while aligning with sustainable values.Designer: Fatih DemirciThe genius of Korka lies in its clever exploitation of corks natural texture. Unlike smooth plastic or metal organizers that require additional components like clips or dividers to secure items, Korkas slightly rough surface creates natural friction that gently grips your belongings. This inherent quality eliminates the need for extra parts or materials, resulting in a simpler design that works effortlessly while reducing environmental impact through minimalist construction.Structurally, Korka features a grid of cork cubes arranged in a visually pleasing pattern thats as functional as it is attractive. At the intersections of these cubes sit perfectly sized circular holes, designed to hold cylindrical items like pens, pencils, and markers in an upright position for easy access. The thoughtful spacing between cubes creates natural slots that securely hold papers, cards, and other flat items without bending or damaging them.For smaller items that tend to get lost in the shuffle, Korka incorporates clever concave recesses within each 22 grid of cork cubes. These shallow depressions provide the perfect nesting spots for erasers, paper clips, thumbtacks, and other diminutive desk essentials that typically end up scattered across your workspace. The natural grip of the cork surface ensures these items stay put until you need them.The warm, natural appearance of cork brings an organic element to any desk setup, complementing both minimalist aesthetics and more eclectic office styles. Its neutral tone works harmoniously with virtually any color scheme, while its distinctive texture adds visual interest without overwhelming the space. For those tired of cold, clinical plastic organizers, Korka offers a welcome touch of nature that transforms a utilitarian object into a design statement.Beyond its practical benefits, Korka represents a shift toward more thoughtful consumption. The renewable nature of cork, which regrows after harvesting, stands in stark contrast to petroleum-based plastics that persist in our environment for centuries after disposal. Its intuitive organization system requires no instruction manualsimply place your items in the appropriate spaces, and the natural properties of cork do the rest. Korka demonstrates how good design can solve everyday problems without compromising our planets health.The post Cork Desk Organizer Combines Sustainability with Simple Yet Smart Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

A surreal visual novel puzzle game that breaks the rules.

James Clarke speaks to a trio of artists about their work illustrating beautiful card art for hit TCG Disney Lorcana

Challenging the world's most successful chipmaker with an entirely new type of computer chip may seem absurdbut it is no more ridiculous than the AI race itself.

The Avocado Green Mattress manages to be soft and plush while still offering a supportive base good for combination sleepers.