Doomsday Clock moves to 85 seconds to midnight

A science-oriented advocacy group has moved its "Doomsday Clock" for this year to 85 seconds to midnight and said the Earth is closer than ever to destruction.

CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Alexandra Bell said: "It is the determination of the Bulletin Science and Security Board that humanity has not made sufficient progress on the existential risks that endanger us all. We thus move the clock forward. The 'Doomsday Clock' is a tool for communicating how close we are to destroying our world with technologies of our own making. The risks we face from nuclear weapons, climate change, and disruptive technologies are all growing. Every second counts, and we are running out of time."

The Doomsday Clock was created in the wake of the aftermath of the use of atomic bombs in the Second World War, with the aim of alerting the public to threats to humanity.

The clock has been steadily advancing closer to midnight as scientists say politicians failed to take necessary actions to reverse the risks.

Last year, it was moved to 89 seconds to midnight.