Is the end of the world nigh? Atomic scientists set to make ‘major announcement’ about Doomsday Clock

• Symbolic clock was established by Manhattan Project scientists in 1947
• It’s designed to show how close civilisation is to facing global catastrophe
• Scientists track threats by monitoring nuclear weapons and climate change
• The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) will host a live international news conference to make a ‘major announcement’ on Thursday
• Expected to reveal the board’s decision regarding the clock’s minute hand
• Last time, Doomsday Clock minute hand moved was in January 2012, when it was pushed ahead one minute from six to five minutes before midnight
• Nuclear modernisation, climate change reports and terrorism could feature

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The conference will begin at 4pm GMT (11am EST) on 22 January 2015.