Doomsday Clock Ticks Closer to Midnight Amid Global Concerns
The Doomsday Clock was set to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Board (SABS). The symbolic clock, created in 1947, represents humanity's proximity to self-destruction. The SABS cited the growing threat of nuclear weapons, disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, biosecurity concerns, and the ongoing climate crisis as key factors influencing their decision.
The clock was created during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union as a visual representation of the threats facing humanity. Each year, the SABS, an expert council, evaluates global events and adjusts the clock accordingly.
In other news, Tesla's financial results for 2025 revealed a significant downturn. For the first time in the company's history, revenues fell year-over-year. According to Ars Technica, Tesla's automotive revenues dropped by 11 percent to $17.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Sales and production numbers for the fourth quarter of 2025 showed a 16 percent decline compared to Q4 2024. However, double-digit growth in Tesla's energy storage business (up 25 percent to $3.8 billion) and services (up 18 percent to $3.4 billion) partially offset the automotive revenue shortfall.
Meanwhile, SpaceX has presented a list of demands to US states regarding broadband grants for Starlink. The company is seeking assurances that Starlink will receive federal grant money even if residents do not subscribe to the service. Ars Technica reported that SpaceX will provide all necessary equipment to receive broadband at no cost to subscribers requesting service, eliminating the upfront hardware fee. SpaceX pledged to make broadband available for $80 or less a month, plus taxes and fees, to people with low incomes in subsidized areas. The normal Starlink residential service costs more.
In the realm of technology and security, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released details about Mobile Fortify, a face recognition app used by federal immigration agents. Wired reported that the app, used by both Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is in the deployment stage. CBP began using Mobile Fortify in May of last year, while ICE gained access on May 20, 2025. The DHS information was published as part of its 2025 AI Use Case Inventory, which federal agencies are required to release periodically.
Finally, BBC One released the first trailer for its new miniseries adaptation of William Golding's classic novel "Lord of the Flies." According to Ars Technica, the miniseries has the support of the Golding family and is expected to closely follow the novel. The book, a commentary on the civilizing influence of British colonialism, has been adapted for film three times prior and inspired the TV series "Yellowjackets."
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