Symbolic Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight amid ‘catastrophic risks’

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Lyndal RowlandsJanuary 28, 2026 at 06:03 AM

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In January 2026, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the symbolic Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has been since 1947. The Bulletin, founded by Albert Einstein, cited increasing dangers from nuclear weapons, climate change, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. They warned that international cooperation is declining as countries become more nationalistic and aggressive. Conflicts in Ukraine, between India and Pakistan, and attacks on Iran were specifically mentioned. The Bulletin also criticized insufficient global responses to the climate emergency, including a lack of emphasis on phasing out fossil fuels. The organization urged the global community to demand swift action from leaders to reverse these trends.

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Gaza Strip 30% UN 40% Iran 50% Ukraine 60% Pakistan 60% Israel 60% Russia 70% China 70% United States 70% Donald Trump 80% Albert Einstein 100% Alexandra Bell 100%

Keywords

doomsday clock 100% nuclear weapons 80% climate change 80% catastrophic risks 70% international cooperation 60% fossil fuels 50% artificial intelligence 50% global security 40% climate policy 40%