Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight, a year into Trump term

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Agence France-PresseJanuary 27, 2026 at 08:03 PM

AI Summary

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The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of global catastrophe risk, was moved to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced the change, citing growing concerns about nuclear weapons, climate change, and disinformation. The shift, determined after consulting with experts including Nobel laureates, reflects increasing global aggression and nationalism among major countries like the US, Russia, and China. The board warned of a heightened risk of a nuclear arms race, particularly with the impending expiration of the New START treaty and the US pursuing space militarization. This announcement comes a year into Donald Trump's second term, during which the US has withdrawn from international organizations and pursued unilateral actions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Cold War 60% New START 60% Russia ×270% China ×270% Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 80% United States ×380% Doomsday Clock ×490% Donald Trump ×395%

Keywords

doomsday clock 100% nuclear weapons 90% climate change 80% disinformation 70% international cooperation 60% nuclear arms race 60% global norms 50% donald trump 50% artificial intelligence 40% us russia relations 40%