Doomsday Clock Nears Midnight Amid Global Concerns
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of humanity's proximity to global catastrophe, was set to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to the hypothetical point of annihilation, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Board (SABS). The announcement, made public this year, highlights escalating threats from nuclear weapons, disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, biosecurity concerns, and the ongoing climate crisis, Wired reported.
Established in 1947 during the Cold War, the Doomsday Clock serves as a visual warning of the dangers facing the world. The SABS, an expert council, annually adjusts the clock's hands based on a comprehensive assessment of global risks.
In other news, Virginia "Ginny" Oliver, known as Maine's "Lobster Lady," passed away at the age of 105. Oliver had been fishing for lobsters for nearly a century, beginning at the age of eight, according to Hacker News. Maine's Governor Janet Mills paid tribute to Oliver, calling her life "amazing" and expressing hope that her memory would inspire future generations of fishers in the state.
Meanwhile, in the realm of technology, artificial intelligence is driving significant investment in next-generation nuclear power plants to support the energy demands of massive data centers, MIT Technology Review reported. These next-generation reactors are touted as potentially cheaper to construct and safer to operate than traditional nuclear facilities. MIT Technology Review held a roundtable discussion on hyperscale AI data centers and next-gen nuclear power, featuring Amy Nordrum, Executive Editor, Operations; Casey Crownhart, Senior Climate Reporter; and Mat Honan, Editor in Chief.
On the medical front, Life Biosciences, a Boston startup, received FDA approval to begin the first human trial of a rejuvenation method aimed at treating eye disease, according to MIT Technology Review. The company plans to utilize a reprogramming concept, which has garnered substantial investment from Silicon Valley firms, in an attempt to reverse aging in human volunteers.
In Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed senators, stating that the transition in Venezuela following the U.S. military operation that ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro would not be fast or easy, NPR Politics reported. Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain President Trump's policy toward Venezuela.
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