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Doomsday Clock ticks forward to 89 seconds to midnight: ‘Probability of global disaster’
The clock is ticking on humanity.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved its Doomsday Clock forward for 2025, announcing that it is now set to 89 seconds to midnight –— the closest it’s ever been to catastrophe.
The terrifying news was revealed Tuesday morning in Washington, DC after deliberation by the organization’s Security Board and Board of Sponsors, which includes nine Nobel Laureates.
Last year, the clock was set at 90 seconds to midnight.
“Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, a move of even a single second should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning that every second of delay in reversing course increases the probability of global disaster,” chair Daniel Holz declared.
For 2025, multiple global threats were considered when deciding the clock’s time, including the proliferation of nuclear weapons, disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, bio-threats, and the continued climate crisis.
Founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock two years later as a metaphor for how close humanity is to destroying itself.
In 1947, the Doomsday Clock was set at 7 minutes to midnight.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has reset its 78-year-old Doomsday Clock. Getty Images The clock functions as a call-to-action to find ways to resolve “the world’s most urgent, man-made existential threats” and move the hands further away from midnight.
When deciding the time, the board members are asked two questions: Is humanity safer or at greater risk this year compared to last year? And, is humanity safer or at greater risk compared to the more than 75 years the clock has been set?
The clock was created using the imagery of the apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero). Midnight is the time that represents Doomsday.
Factors such as nuclear risk, climate change, disruptive technologies and biosecurity are taken into account when determining the clock’s setting.
In a statement this year, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists explained their reasons for moving the clock up by one second.
“In 2024, humanity edged ever closer to catastrophe,” they stated. “Trends that have deeply concerned the Science and Security Board continued, and despite unmistakable signs of danger, national leaders and their societies have failed to do what is needed to change course.”
Created in 1947, the Doomsday Clock is a metaphor for how close humanity is to destroying itself. SCOTT OLSONSCOTT OLSON/AFP/Getty Images Disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence were taken into consideration for the Doomsday Clock. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration In 2020, the clock was set at 100 seconds to midnight.
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to global catastrophe, has just moved forward to 89 seconds to midnight. This marks the closest the clock has ever been to midnight, signaling a high probability of global disaster.The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the organization responsible for maintaining the Doomsday Clock, cited escalating nuclear tensions, climate change, and the spread of disinformation as key factors in their decision to move the clock closer to midnight.
The implications of this move are dire, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation and action to address the pressing issues facing our world. It serves as a stark reminder that time is running out and that we must act decisively to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
As the clock ticks forward, it is a wake-up call for all of us to take responsibility and work towards a more secure and sustainable future for generations to come. The stakes are high, but together we can make a difference and ensure that the hands of the Doomsday Clock are moved back before it’s too late.
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- Doomsday Clock
- Global disaster
- 89 seconds to midnight
- Global catastrophe
- World crisis
- Climate change
- Nuclear threat
- Armageddon
- World War III
- End of the world
#Doomsday #Clock #ticks #seconds #midnight #Probability #global #disaster
Doomsday Clock 2025 ticks forward to 89 seconds to midnight
WASHINGTON ‒ Humanity is at its closest yet to destroying itself, according to Tuesday’s reset of the ominous “Doomsday Clock.” The symbolic clock now reads 89 seconds to midnight, advancing one second since last year’s reset.
It now reads the closest to midnight the world has been since the introduction of the clock in 1947.
The clock is meant as a metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The group was founded by University of Chicago scientists who had helped develop the first nuclear weapons for the Manhattan Project.
The world is less safe and less stable than it was a year ago, said Dan Holz, chair of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ science and security board.
“Arms control treaties are in tatters, and there are active conflicts involving nuclear powers,” he said, while misinformation, disinformation and conspiracies are a “threat multiplier.”
All hope is not lost but action must be taken soon, the group cautioned.
“There is a big chance that at this time next year we will be moving the hands back, not forward, but this will only happen if leaders engage in good faith dialogue,” said Juan Manuel Santos, former president of Colombia and a member of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet, founded by Nelson Mandela.
“We can only succeed if we act as one,” he said.
What is the Doomsday Clock?
Originally, the ominous clock measured the danger of nuclear disaster. In the past two decades, three other areas of concern have been added: climate change, artificial Intelligence and mis- and disinformation.
Each year, the members of the Science and Security Board are asked two questions:
- Is humanity safer or at greater risk this year than last year?
- Is humanity safer or at greater risk compared to the 78 years the clock has been set?
Their answers set the clock for the coming year.
The clock is meant as a metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which has maintained it since 1947.
How did the Doomsday Clock start?
In 1945, on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project, which built the world’s first atomic bombs, began publishing a mimeographed newsletter called The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Two years later, as those same scientists contemplated a world in which two atomic weapons had been used in Japan, they gathered to discuss the threat to humanity posed by nuclear war.
“They were worried the public wasn’t really aware of how close we were to the end of life as we knew it,” said Rachel Bronson, current president and CEO of the Bulletin.
Martyl Langsdorf, an artist and wife of Manhattan Project physicist Alexander Langsdorf Jr., came up with the idea of a clock showing just how close things were.
They called it the Doomsday Clock.
“It gave the sense that if we did nothing, it would tick on toward midnight and we could experience the apocalypse,” Bronson said.
What does midnight represent on the Doomsday Clock?
The clock only looks at things humanity could do to itself. A meteor hurtling towards earth wouldn’t count, while tinkering with viruses to make them more dangerous would.
From the 1950s through the 1980s the threat of nuclear war felt imminent. Though it feels less real now, the risk hasn’t gone away, said Robert Socolow, a environmental scientist, theoretical physicist, and professor emeritus of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University who is on the board.
“The nuclear threat is one that young people can’t believe their grandparents and parents lived with but now their working assumption is ‘I don’t need to worry about it.’ But they do,” he said.
Today’s dangers are somewhat different, than they were when the threat was mainly from the Soviet Union, because we have non-state actors such as terrorists, and countries like North Korea that are not part of the global order, who might have access to dangerous weapons and pathogens.
Where does the nuclear threat stand?
The original Doomsday Clock was all about the threat of nuclear annihilation. Little more than a week into President Donald Trump’s second term in office, the nuclear outlook is still unclear.
The world’s last remaining nuclear arms control pact – New START, which limits U.S. and Russian nuclear warhead deployments (and not stockpile size) – expires in early 2026.
The U.S. commander-in-chief told World Economic Forum attendees Thursday that he would “like to see denuclearization” and said he previously discussed the idea with the leadership of Russia and China.
Yet the president’s appointees, including new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, are less bullish about future arms reductions. The Pentagon head, in written responses to lawmakers’ policy questions before his confirmation, said the country should only “pursue arms control when it is in its interest to do so … Both China and Russian have rebuffed US efforts to engage in meaningful risk reduction talks since 2020.”
North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, a topic of significant concern in the U.S. and abroad during Trump’s first administration, poses a security and foreign relations challenge as well.
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to global catastrophe, has just been updated for 2025. The experts behind the clock have made the alarming decision to move the time forward to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to doomsday.This decision comes as a result of ongoing and escalating tensions between nuclear powers, the looming threat of climate change, and the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation. The world is facing a multitude of challenges that, if left unchecked, could spell disaster for all of us.
It is more important now than ever for world leaders to come together and take decisive action to address these looming threats. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance, and it is up to us to ensure that the clock does not continue to tick closer to midnight.
As individuals, we must also do our part by staying informed, advocating for change, and taking steps in our own lives to reduce our impact on the planet. Time is running out, but together we can make a difference and push back the hands of the clock before it’s too late.
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Doomsday Clock 2025, update on Doomsday Clock, global security threats, nuclear war, climate change, existential risks, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 89 seconds to midnight, symbolic clock, apocalypse countdown
#Doomsday #Clock #ticks #seconds #midnightLakers need to choose a clear path as clocks ticks down on LeBron James era
LOS ANGELES — With the NBA’s trade deadline fast approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers have 17 days to determine the organization’s direction as the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era winds down.
As things stand, the Lakers are 22-18 and No. 6 in the Western Conference. They have dominated teams below .500 (11-1) but have struggled against teams that are .500 or better (11-17 — the worst mark among the Western Conference’s 10 current playoff/Play-In teams). The Lakers are on pace to win 45 games, but their expected win total is 36 wins, a notable nine-win difference, per Cleaning the Glass.
Those statistics suggest this is an average-ish team enjoying slightly above-average results. That’s concerning for a group that entered the season believing it could win a title. And with the clock ticking on James’ legendary career — the operating assumption around the league is that he’ll play just one more season — an average group isn’t good enough.
James suggested as much when asked how this group could give itself more “margin for error,” after the Lakers’ recent loss to the Clippers.
“Nah,” James said about the group trying to make things easier for themselves. “That’s how our team is constructed. We don’t have room for error — for much error.”
James doubled down on his not-so-subtle sentiment about the quality of the Lakers’ roster when asked a follow-up question.
“We don’t have a choice,” James said of the mental demands of having no margin for error on a nightly basis. “I mean, that’s the way our team is constructed. And we have to play close-to-perfect basketball.”
After sitting out three trade cycles — the 2023 offseason, the 2024 trade deadline and the 2024 offseason — the Lakers made a win-now trade for Dorian Finney-Smith on Dec. 29, adding a 40-plus-percent 3-point shooter and versatile, tough frontcourt defender for the cost of D’Angelo Russell and three second-round picks. Since joining the team, Finney-Smith has led the group in plus-minus, fitting in well around James and Davis as a seasoned role player with deep playoff experience.
But for as shrewd of a move as the Finney-Smith trade was, it wasn’t the type of all-in deal the Lakers need to vault into legitimate championship contention. The trade was supposed to be a precursor to another move or two — and still might be.
The Lakers are at a crossroads with the Feb 6. trade deadline rapidly approaching. They can take one of three general approaches: 1) Use first-round draft capital and their (relatively) expendable contracts to significantly upgrade the roster and try to make a serious run this season and next season; 2) stand pat, or make a smaller move with their remaining second-round picks, all but assuring that they’ll lose in the first or second round of the playoffs; or 3) tear the roster down and rebuild by trading James and Davis for as many picks and young players as possible.
As The Athletic reported after the Finney-Smith trade, the Lakers remain active on the trade market in pursuit of upgrades, according to team and league sources. They continue to evaluate their roster and are cautiously optimistic that Jarred Vanderbilt’s looming return will give them clarity as to which positions and skills they need most. With just over two weeks remaining until the deadline, though, it’s time to assess whether this group is running out of time.
The sense around the league, when talking to rival scouts and front-office personnel, is that standing pat or making a half-measure trade (likely one or two second-round picks) is more likely than the Lakers going all-in and trading both of their future first-round picks that can be moved. That’s dependent, of course, on the available players, asking prices and the team’s performance through the deadline.
The logic is that when examining the crop of players expected to be available at the deadline, there is no panacea for the Lakers. They have three notable needs they have to address to become a contender: better two-way wings, especially defensively, a better backup center, capable of protecting the rim and rebounding, and another ballhandler and playmaker to help James and Austin Reaves when one is off the floor.
There are potential trades that could check up to two of those boxes, but addressing all three needs is almost impossible without making two separate trades (or expanding to a three-team deal). And even then, there are several limiting factors, like the Lakers’ draft capital (up to two first-round picks, two second-round picks and three pick swaps) and their underwhelming mid-sized salaries (Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt).
Around the league, the expectation is the Lakers will prioritize adding either a big or another ballhandler, assuming Vanderbilt’s return goes well and considering the lack of available two-way wings in Los Angeles’ price and asset range.
Given the production from Davis and James this season, and their pedigree together in the playoffs, it’s reasonable to argue that the Lakers have a shot to make another run in the Western Conference playoffs with the right trade (or trades) at the deadline. The recent market price for role players has dipped during this trade cycle (a first-round pick has yet to be exchanged), and with two first-round picks, the Lakers are well-positioned to improve their rotation if they so choose.
Outside of the juggernaut that is the Oklahoma City Thunder as well as the Denver Nuggets, a long-time tormentor, the Lakers have fared well against the rest of the conference over the past two seasons. There isn’t another team that strikes fear in them (even the Thunder, for as great as they are, have struggled with the force and physicality of Davis and James over the past two seasons).
At the same time, one has to consider the point of making alterations to what appears to be an average team. The Lakers are just 4-5 since the Finney-Smith trade, ranking 17th in offensive rating, 26th in defensive rating and 25th in net rating.
For the season, their net rating (-2.9) and point differential (-2.6) are both alarming, as is their record against above-.500 teams (and, more specifically, their 2-7 record against teams with better records than them). If the Lakers deem this group not good enough to keep investing in and decide to stand pat or trade it away, they would have statistical and anecdotal proof in their favor. There isn’t much point in being the seventh seed and having a competitive first-round loss again. And that’s why the Lakers are in such a tricky position over the next two-plus weeks.
They have tried to walk a delicate and ambitious path, aiming to build a competitive team in the present around James and Davis, while also prioritizing the post-James future by valuing their first-round picks and some of their younger core players like Reaves, Max Christie and Dalton Knecht. The predicament is that, as things stand, they aren’t good enough to truly contend for a championship and also aren’t stocked with promising young players and draft assets for the post-James tomorrow either. Given the Lakers’ reality, it is tough to justify a half-measure.
For what it’s worth, taking the all-in approach has long been the preferred path of James and Davis. James supported the Lakers’ interest in Kyrie Irving, Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine in previous seasons, and has never valued draft picks.
Adding such a player will be difficult, though. Even if the Lakers wanted to, say, take a giant swing for Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram or LaVine, it’s hard for them to match salaries (and they don’t have enough assets to win a bidding war). As a first-apron team, they can’t take back more money than they send out. And after trading Russell’s $18.7 million expiring contract for Finney-Smith, shedding salary in the process, they no longer have a midsized expiring contract to dangle in trade talks. That makes a trade for a role player on a more modest salary far more likely than adding another star.
Furthermore, Reaves’ emergence as a legitimate third option — he’s averaging 20.4 points and 7.3 assists per game since the Finney-Smith/Russell trade — has made the Lakers’ prior need for a third star/option superfluous. The more pragmatic approach is finding the best players available, especially ones with two-way abilities, who can check the aforementioned boxes of another wing, a better backup center and another ballhandler/playmaker.
Rebuilding is the least likely option, if not entirely off the table. The Lakers pride themselves on being a star-friendly franchise, and there have been no indications that James or Davis want to leave. Trading them away, even to better situations from a contention standpoint, is against the organization’s ethos.
There is no obvious solution for the Lakers. There are fair arguments for any of their potential paths. But one thing is clear: It’s time to pick a direction.
(Photo of LeBron James: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
As the clock continues to tick down on LeBron James’ career, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at a crossroads. With the team struggling to find consistent success and facing a plethora of injuries, it’s clear that changes need to be made.One of the biggest decisions that the Lakers need to make is choosing a clear path forward. Will they continue to try and build around LeBron, hoping to squeeze out a few more successful seasons? Or will they shift their focus to developing their young core and planning for a post-LeBron future?
The Lakers have a talented roster, with players like Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Talen Horton-Tucker, but they have yet to find the right mix that can consistently compete at a high level. With LeBron’s window of dominance closing, it’s more important than ever for the Lakers to make the right moves to set themselves up for success in the future.
As the pressure mounts and the clock ticks down on LeBron’s era in Los Angeles, the Lakers must make a decision on which path they will take. Will they continue to chase championships with LeBron at the helm, or will they pivot towards a more sustainable long-term plan? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the Lakers need to choose a clear path before it’s too late.
Tags:
- Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James era
- NBA
- Basketball
- Team management
- Sports
- Decision making
- Legacy
- Championship aspirations
- Player evaluation
#Lakers #choose #clear #path #clocks #ticks #LeBron #James #era
Volunteers rush to put final touches on floats as clock ticks down to Rose Parade on New Year’s Day
ByElena Gomez
Sunday, December 29, 2024 8:45PM
As the clock ticks down to Rose Parade on New Year’s morning, volunteers are busy putting the finishing touches on the floats that will glide down the streets of Pasadena.
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) — As the clock ticks down to Rose Parade on New Year’s morning, volunteers are busy putting the finishing touches on the floats that will glide down the streets of Pasadena.
Hundreds of volunteers are needed each day to pull off the feat of meticulously placing flowers, seeds and other natural materials that make up the floats.
If you’re not heading out to the parade in Pasadena, you can check out the floats and festivities from home. Watch the Rose Parade Wednesday at 8 a.m. on ABC7.
Watch the video in the media player above for more.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
As the countdown to the iconic Rose Parade on New Year’s Day ticks away, volunteers are working tirelessly to put the final touches on the elaborate floats that will dazzle spectators along the parade route.With just days left until the parade kicks off, volunteers from all walks of life are putting in long hours to ensure that every detail is perfect. From meticulously placing flowers and seeds to adding the finishing touches of glitter and paint, these dedicated individuals are dedicated to creating a stunning display of artistry and craftsmanship.
The Rose Parade, held annually in Pasadena, California, is a beloved tradition that attracts thousands of spectators from around the world. The parade features a variety of floats, each adorned with vibrant flowers, seeds, and other natural materials, all carefully arranged to create breathtaking displays of color and creativity.
As the clock winds down and the pressure mounts, volunteers are working around the clock to ensure that each float is picture-perfect for its grand debut on New Year’s Day. Their hard work and dedication are truly a labor of love, and their efforts will not go unnoticed as millions of viewers tune in to watch the parade from the comfort of their homes.
So as the final touches are put in place and the excitement builds, let’s take a moment to appreciate the dedication and passion of the volunteers who make the Rose Parade a magical and unforgettable experience for all. Cheers to them, and here’s to another spectacular parade on New Year’s Day!
Tags:
- Rose Parade floats
- Volunteers
- Final touches
- New Year’s Day
- Rose Parade preparations
- Float decorations
- Pasadena Rose Parade
- Volunteer efforts
- Float construction
- Countdown to Rose Parade
#Volunteers #rush #put #final #touches #floats #clock #ticks #Rose #Parade #Years #Day
NEC Comic Tick’s Back #0 (Red Cover) EX
NEC Comic Tick’s Back #0 (Red Cover) EX
Price : 2.95
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Attention all comic fans! The highly anticipated return of NEC Comic Tick is finally here with issue #0 featuring a stunning red cover. Get ready to dive back into the thrilling world of superheroes and villains as Tick makes his triumphant comeback. Don’t miss out on this exclusive edition, available now for a limited time only. Grab your copy today and experience the excitement of NEC Comic Tick’s return! #NECComicTick #RedCover #Issue0 #Superheroes #Villains #ComicFans
#NEC #Comic #Ticks #Red #Cover
Tick’s Big Yule Log Special #1
Price: $8.23
(as of Dec 18,2024 19:25:51 UTC – Details)
ASIN : B002YBJF68
Publisher : NEC; 1st edition (December 1, 1997)
Language : English
Item Weight : 0.8 ounces
Tick’s Big Yule Log Special #1: A Cozy Night by the FireJoin Tick and his friends for a festive evening by the crackling fire in our first ever Yule Log Special!
Grab a cup of hot cocoa, snuggle up under a blanket, and enjoy the warmth of the fire as Tick shares heartwarming stories, sings holiday carols, and spreads cheer to all who tune in.
Whether you’re looking for a moment of relaxation or just want to feel the holiday spirit, Tick’s Big Yule Log Special #1 is sure to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. Don’t miss out on this cozy and magical evening with Tick and his friends!
Tune in to our special live broadcast on December 24th at 8pm EST. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you! #TickYuleLogSpecial
#Ticks #Big #Yule #Log #Special
