International timekeeping standards evolve as rare scientific artifacts hit the market.

International delegates have officially agreed to abandon the leap second, concluding years of debate regarding Earth's accelerating rotation and the technical difficulties it presents for global timekeeping.

While the leap second is being retired, experts note that the transition to a potential 'leap hour' will not be necessary for several thousand years.

Sotheby’s has announced a major auction featuring rare scientific volumes from figures like Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton, collectively valued at approximately $2 million.

The auction highlights the foundational texts that fundamentally reshaped human understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.

Long-term risks to Earth and humanity continue to be assessed, with recent reports highlighting asteroids, alongside pandemic threats like H5N1 bird flu, as significant areas of concern for 2026.