Irish Examiner view: The world takes a step back from the brink of doomsday

The Doomsday Clock has been paused at 100 seconds to midnight — but there are reasons for optimism too, due to Joe Biden's actions in his first week as US president

On January 16, Iran conducted a test launch of ballistic missiles aimed at a target in the Indian Ocean. Along with rejoining the Paris Accord, US president Joe Biden may help move the Doomsday Clock back by improving the relationship between the US and Iran. Picture: Iranian Revolutionary Guard/Sepahnews via AP

On January 23, 2020, former president Mary Robinson and former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock to 100 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to the symbolic hour of global destruction.

Yesterday, the clock stood still, serving as a warning that the future of humanity remains in peril, but, equally, that there are grounds for hope.