Doomsday Clock moves 30 seconds closer to midnight

The U.S.-based Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced Thursday the closely monitored Doomsday Clock is now 30 seconds closer to midnight.

The clock, which was set to three minutes before midnight, moved a full 30 seconds closer to midnight.

The clock had not changed since 2015 when it was changed from five to three.

The Bulletin said the factors influencing this year’s decision whether to adjust the clock include “a rise in strident nationalism worldwide, President Donald Trump’s comments on nuclear arms and climate issues prior to his inauguration.”

“The board takes the unprecedented step, the first time in its history, of moving the clock hand 30 seconds closer to midnight. Today, we move the clock a half minute closer to midnight. It is now two and a half minutes to midnight,” Rachel Bronson, executive director of the Bulletin said.

The decision is made by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board in consultation with the Board of Sponsors, which includes 15 Nobel Laureates.