Doomsday Clock set at 85 seconds to midnight amid nuclear threats

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the Doomsday Clock forward to 85 seconds to midnight, signaling an increased risk of global catastrophe. This symbolic clock measures humanity’s proximity to extinction due to human-made threats. The decision reflects escalating nuclear tensions, notably the Russia-Ukraine war, the India-Pakistan conflict, and recent military actions involving Israel, the US, and Iran. Additionally, emerging threats from unregulated artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and worsening climate change—manifested in severe droughts, heatwaves, and floods—have contributed to the heightened risk. The group criticized insufficient international cooperation and policies that favor fossil fuel expansion over renewable energy, citing former President Donald Trump’s environmental stance as particularly detrimental. The Bulletin highlighted concerns about AI’s potential to destabilize societies through misinformation and manipulation, with member Steve Fetter warning about fake videos inciting unrest and violence. The Doomsday Clock, established in 1947 by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, originally focused on nuclear