Doomsday Clock set for update as Putin sparks fear of nuclear annihilation

The Doomsday Clock is set for an update after Vladimir Putin sparked fears of nuclear annihilation.

The Doomsday Clock has remained at 100 seconds to midnight for the past three years, with scientists warning that the world is “no safer” than it was from the previous year.

The countdown acts as a metaphor for global apocalypse, taking into account the likelihood of emerging threats, such as climate change, and advances in biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Putin has threatened the use of nuclear weapons during his invasion of Ukraine.
Reuters

When the clock was initially launched in 1947 at the start of the Cold War, it was set to seven minutes to midnight.

On the official website they urge world leaders to “immediately commit themselves to renewed cooperation in the many ways and venues available for reducing existential risk. Citizens of the world can and should organise to demand that their leaders do so—and quickly. The doorstep of doom is no place to loiter.”

The 2023 Doomsday Clock announcement will be on January 24 at 10am EST, which is 3pm GMT.

In January 2022 the Science Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists called Ukraine a “potential flashpoint in an increasingly tense international security landscape.”

They continued: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought this nightmare scenario to life, with Russian President Vladimir Putin threatening to elevate nuclear alert levels and even first use of nuclear weapons if NATO steps in to help Ukraine. This is what 100 seconds to midnight looks like.”

Now, as the threat of nuclear missiles from Russia grows, the Doomsday clock could see itself approach even closer to midnight.

In September, Putin boldly claimed that Russia was more than prepared to use “all the tools at its disposal” during its invasion of Ukraine.

These include nuclear weapons.

He added: “This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them.”

The Doomsday Clock is set at 100 seconds to midnight.
REUTERS

Yesterday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he had been sanctioned by Russia.

“Good,” he tweeted.

“If this is the price for supporting Ukrainian freedom, then I’m happy to be sanctioned #SlavaUkraini.”

Today, Cleverly will hold talks in Washington as he seeks to stregthen support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.