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The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Nobel winners call on world leaders to step back from nuclear brink
Humanity is "heading in the wrong direction" on the one threat that "could end civilization in an afternoon," warned an assembly of Nobel laureates, nuclear experts, and diplomats gathered at the University of Chicago to mark the 80th anniversary of the planet's first nuclear explosion in 1945 when the U.S. conducted the Trinity test in New Mexico. Although Russia didn't nuke its neighbor, the brutal war of attrition continues in Ukraine. Two nuclear-armed countries, India and Pakistan, attacked each other in May. The U.S. and Israel, which both have nuclear weapons, bombed Iran in June to destroy its nuclear program. Popular support for building nuclear weapons grows in countries like Japan and South Korea. Against this backdrop, more than a dozen Nobel Prize winners and numerous nuclear experts signed a "Declaration for the Prevention of Nuclear War" on July 16 with recommendations for world leaders to reduce the increasing risk of nuclear conflict. More: 80 years later, victims of 'first atom bomb' will soon be eligible for reparations "Despite having avoided nuclear catastrophes in the past, time and the law of probability are not on our side," the declaration says. "Without clear and sustained efforts from world leaders to prevent nuclear war, there can be no doubt that our luck will finally run out." The declaration emerged from days of discussion and debate, said assembly leader David Gross, a University of California, Santa Barbara, physicist and 2004 Nobel Prize winner. "We are calling on our leaders in the world to consider our suggestions and heed our warnings," Gross said. Longtime Vatican diplomat and nuclear advisor Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi argued that faith leaders should embrace a role in providing world leaders with independent moral and ethical assessments of nuclear policy and technology. International agreements key to reducing risk The declaration and speakers at its unveiling spoke extensively of the crucial role diplomacy and treaties played in building trust between countries with nuclear weapons and shrinking their arsenals after the Cold War. Clock ticks on nuke treaties But a key treaty remains unenforced, and the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia expires in February 2026. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, or CTBT, is a 1996 international agreement that aims to ban explosive nuclear tests. Although the CTBT Organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, successfully detects even underground nuclear tests (and identifies when suspicious seismic events aren't test explosions), the treaty is not in force. Nine more countries, including the U.S. and Russia (which de-ratified the CTBT in 2023), must formally approve the treaty before it becomes binding international law. At the assembly, CTBTO leader and former Australian diplomat Robert Floyd joined the Nobel winners in calling the international community to formally approve the testing ban. Floyd argued that if countries with nuclear weapons resumed testing to build more destructive nukes, it could lead "other states to develop nuclear weapons and ... a renewed global nuclear arms race." The declaration also highlighted the need for the U.S., Russia, and China to enter arms control discussions. The 2010 New START treaty, which limits American and Russian nuclear weapons deployments and enables the rivals to verify the other's cooperation, expires in February 2026. AI and the atom bomb Artificial intelligence and its role in nuclear weapons matters also weighed heavily. The declaration emphasized the "unprecedented and serious risks posed by artificial intelligence" and implored "all nuclear armed states to ensure meaningful and enhanced human control and oversight over nuclear command and control." Tomasi, the Vatican's representative, said scientists, disarmament experts and faith leaders need to study "the ethical implications of emerging technologies," such as AI, on "nuclear stability." World leaders, including former President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, generally agree that humans - and not AI algorithms - should control nuclear launch buttons. But debate rages over the ideal, and safe, extent of integrating AI into other nuclear functions such as early warning, targeting, and communications. A February 2025 report from the Center for a New American Security think tank on AI nuclear risk warned that "overreliance on untested, unreliable, or biased AI systems for decision support during a crisis" could potentially lead decision-makers down an escalatory path during a nuclear crisis. Ultimately, argued Nobel winner Gross, progress in reducing the risks of nuclear weapons hinges on popular pressure on world leaders. "The main motivation for the advances in reducing the risk of Armageddon was the fear of many ... people throughout the world who demanded (action) from their leaders," Gross said. Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
'Heed our warnings': Nobel laureates plea for diplomacy to prevent nuclear war
Top nuclear experts gathered in Chicago to offer world leaders a playbook for reducing the risk of nuclear war. CHICAGO − In the fall of 2022, U.S. spies said the chances of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine were 50% − a coin flip. Nearly three years later, the risk of nuclear war has only increased, top experts say. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' famed "Doomsday Clock" is the closest it has ever been to midnight. Humanity is 'heading in the wrong direction' on the one threat that 'could end civilization in an afternoon,' warned an assembly of Nobel laureates, nuclear experts, and diplomats gathered at the University of Chicago to mark the 80th anniversary of the planet's first nuclear explosion in 1945 when the U.S. conducted the Trinity test in New Mexico. Although Russia didn't nuke its neighbor, the brutal war of attrition continues in Ukraine. Two nuclear-armed countries, India and Pakistan, attacked each other in May. The U.S. and Israel, which both have nuclear weapons, bombed Iran in June to destroy its nuclear program. Popular support for building nuclear weapons grows in countries like Japan and South Korea. Against this backdrop, more than a dozen Nobel Prize winners and numerous nuclear experts signed a 'Declaration for the Prevention of Nuclear War' on July 16 with recommendations for world leaders to reduce the increasing risk of nuclear conflict. More: 80 years later, victims of 'first atom bomb' will soon be eligible for reparations 'Despite having avoided nuclear catastrophes in the past, time and the law of probability are not on our side,' the declaration says. 'Without clear and sustained efforts from world leaders to prevent nuclear war, there can be no doubt that our luck will finally run out.' The declaration emerged from days of discussion and debate, said assembly leader David Gross, a University of California, Santa Barbara, physicist and 2004 Nobel Prize winner. 'We are calling on our leaders in the world to consider our suggestions and heed our warnings,' Gross said. Longtime Vatican diplomat and nuclear advisor Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi argued that faith leaders should embrace a role in providing world leaders with independent moral and ethical assessments of nuclear policy and technology. International agreements key to reducing risk The declaration and speakers at its unveiling spoke extensively of the crucial role diplomacy and treaties played in building trust between countries with nuclear weapons and shrinking their arsenals after the Cold War. Clock ticks on nuke treaties But a key treaty remains unenforced, and the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia expires in February 2026. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, or CTBT, is a 1996 international agreement that aims to ban explosive nuclear tests. Although the CTBT Organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, successfully detects even underground nuclear tests (and identifies when suspicious seismic events aren't test explosions), the treaty is not in force. Nine more countries, including the U.S. and Russia (which de-ratified the CTBT in 2023), must formally approve the treaty before it becomes binding international law. At the assembly, CTBTO leader and former Australian diplomat Robert Floyd joined the Nobel winners in calling the international community to formally approve the testing ban. Floyd argued that if countries with nuclear weapons resumed testing to build more destructive nukes, it could lead 'other states to develop nuclear weapons and … a renewed global nuclear arms race.' The declaration also highlighted the need for the U.S., Russia, and China to enter arms control discussions. The 2010 New START treaty, which limits American and Russian nuclear weapons deployments and enables the rivals to verify the other's cooperation, expires in February 2026. AI and the atom bomb Artificial intelligence and its role in nuclear weapons matters also weighed heavily. The declaration emphasized the 'unprecedented and serious risks posed by artificial intelligence' and implored 'all nuclear armed states to ensure meaningful and enhanced human control and oversight over nuclear command and control.' Tomasi, the Vatican's representative, said scientists, disarmament experts and faith leaders need to study 'the ethical implications of emerging technologies,' such as AI, on 'nuclear stability.' World leaders, including former President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, generally agree that humans − and not AI algorithms − should control nuclear launch buttons. But debate rages over the ideal, and safe, extent of integrating AI into other nuclear functions such as early warning, targeting, and communications. A February 2025 report from the Center for a New American Security think tank on AI nuclear risk warned that 'overreliance on untested, unreliable, or biased AI systems for decision support during a crisis' could potentially lead decision-makers down an escalatory path during a nuclear crisis. Ultimately, argued Nobel winner Gross, progress in reducing the risks of nuclear weapons hinges on popular pressure on world leaders. 'The main motivation for the advances in reducing the risk of Armageddon was the fear of many … people throughout the world who demanded (action) from their leaders,' Gross said. Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
Globe and Mail
09-06-2025
- Science
- Globe and Mail
Crisis in science is turning Nobel laureates into fighters for scientific revolution
Global news media as well as prominent scientists are highlighting the crisis in both physics and cosmology, and predicting a major scientific revolution. This week, an article appeared in The Atlantic magazine [titled 'The Nobel Prize winner who thinks we have the universe all wrong']. It featured Adam Riess, who won a Nobel Prize for the shocking discovery that the expansion of universe is accelerating, due to Dark Energy. But now he thinks that the theory must be wrong. The article warned about scientists talking of revolution. A growing number now say that the 'standard model of cosmology' should be replaced. Adam Riess is among them. Way back in 2013, in a conversation with WIRED, David Gross, a Nobel laureate in physics, warned about the crisis in physics and advocated a revolution. ['Nobel laureate says physics is in need of a revolution'; WIRED; Peter Byrne]. An article in NewScientist (Dan Hooper) was titled 'The four puzzles that tell us a cosmological revolution is coming'. Another article in Live Science (Kelly Dickerson) was titled 'Why a Physics Revolution Might Be on Its Way: Physics may be turned on its head soon'. Global newspapers (BBC News, The New York Times, The Guardian, Forbes, et al) are raising alarm over the crisis in both physics and cosmology. Actually, science is in crisis, because nature does not draw clear lines between biology, chemistry, physics, math, and cosmology. Such demarcations are human-made, and artificial. After all, biology is based on chemistry, which in turn is based on physics. Global news media as well as prominent scientists are predicting that a BIG scientific revolution is imminent. A scientific revolution is INEVITABLE because of four strong reasons: 1) All three conditions are satisfied. The three key steps to overthrow and replace any accepted scientific theory are: a) Reproduce the successes of the presently accepted theory. b) Explain what it cannot. c) Make new predictions that differ and can be tested. 2) Physics and cosmology are both in crisis due to wrong notion about the shape, size and workings of the universe. The universe is actually like a (hyper) balloon, and is expanding. 3) Science rests on faulty Math. Luckily, the mistakes are so easy to comprehend that even the common people can easily understand what is wrong. A baker can understand, and so can butchers or cobblers. 4) Einstein was wrong. His concept of four dimensional SpaceTime continuum is the biggest mistake in science. Time itself is NOT the fourth dimension; time emerges from motion along 4th space dimension. Every scientific revolution in the past has ended up having enormous social and cultural influence. For example, Copernicus's helio-centrism threatened human sense of being right in the center of the universe (and hence the 'sun centric model' was bitterly opposed by the powerful church but ultimately all oppositions proved futile. In fact, the church had to issue a public apology recently for its role). Darwin's theory of evolution challenged the intuition that humans were fundamentally different from other animals. People during that time were outraged and dismissed it as plain nonsense. Yet, yesterday's nonsense ended up as today's commonsense! Einstein's relativity upended all faith in common sense ideas about the flow of time. Time started mixing with space for very fast moving objects, and time revealed its character as another dimension! The upcoming scientific revolution shall be the greatest ever, and force humans to change the way of thinking about the most basic features of the universe, including the nature of space and time. Space and Time underlies Physics and Cosmology, and are the most fundamental concepts imaginable in entire Science. It will be a conceptual revolution that would have implications far beyond the world of science. The scale of social and cultural impact of the upcoming scientific revolution is quite unthinkable. A scientific revolution is unstoppable. No one can stop a revolution whose time has come. [194 National Anthems tunes have been merged into a single tune using World's most intelligent, musical A.I. software 'Emmy', to create this United Nations Anthem (World Anthem). Kindly watch and share: ] Mr. Joseph T. Kurien (a former Cochin University graduate) is an independent researcher and a part-time science writer. He presently works in Manappuram software and consultancy. Media Contact Company Name: Manappuram software and consultancy Contact Person: Joseph T. Kurien Email: Send Email State: Kerala Country: India Website:
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lincoln Financial and Bain Capital Announce Closing of Equity Capital Raise and Launch of Long-Term Strategic Partnership
The transaction closing marks the start of a multi-faceted partnership that will enable Lincoln to accelerate its strategy, unlock value creation opportunities, and provide growth capital to be deployed in areas of strategic focus. RADNOR, Pa., June 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) and Bain Capital today shared the closing of their previously announced long-term strategic partnership agreement. The partnership was first announced by Lincoln and Bain Capital on April 9, 2025, and includes an $825 million strategic growth investment from Bain Capital, which acquired a 9.9% common equity stake on a post-issuance basis in Lincoln, and the establishment of a 10-year, non-exclusive strategic investment management relationship. Under the final terms, Lincoln issued 18,759,497 new common shares at $44.00 per share, based on a 25% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average price as of April 8, 2025. This capital will be deployed toward Lincoln's strategic priorities—including growing spread-based earnings, advancing portfolio management and asset sourcing efforts, and optimizing the company's legacy life insurance portfolio. Additionally, the transaction provides Lincoln with the financial flexibility to accelerate progress toward its 25% leverage ratio target. "We're incredibly pleased to launch our strategic partnership with Bain Capital, creating significant opportunities for long-term value generation with a focus on advancing Lincoln's goal of sustained profitable growth," said Ellen Cooper, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Financial. "Bain Capital's powerful platform, deep cultural fit and shared values will further differentiate us competitively and enable us to accelerate the execution of our strategy. The strategic and financial benefits of our mutual capabilities position us for enduring future success." "This partnership with Lincoln Financial reflects our conviction in the company's long-term strategy and the opportunity to create meaningful value through a well-capitalized, aligned growth plan," said David Gross, Co-Managing Partner at Bain Capital. "We are excited to support Lincoln in accelerating its portfolio transformation and capital allocation priorities, while leveraging Bain Capital's platform across asset classes to deliver differentiated investment capabilities and long-term scale." About Lincoln Financial Lincoln Financial helps people confidently plan for their vision of a successful financial future. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 17 million customers trust our guidance and solutions across four core businesses – annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services. As of March 31, 2025, the company had $312 billion in end-of-period account balances, net of reinsurance. Headquartered in Radnor, PA., Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. Learn more at About Bain Capital Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world's leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit Follow @Bain Capital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter). View source version on Contacts Lincoln Financial Contacts:Tina Investor RelationsKelly Media RelationsBain Capital Contacts (Stanton):Charlyn Luskclusk@ 646-502-3549Thomas Conroytconroy@ 646-502-9006 Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Business Wire
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Lincoln Financial and Bain Capital Announce Closing of Equity Capital Raise and Launch of Long-Term Strategic Partnership
RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) and Bain Capital today shared the closing of their previously announced long-term strategic partnership agreement. The partnership was first announced by Lincoln and Bain Capital on April 9, 2025, and includes an $825 million strategic growth investment from Bain Capital, which acquired a 9.9% common equity stake on a post-issuance basis in Lincoln, and the establishment of a 10-year, non-exclusive strategic investment management relationship. Under the final terms, Lincoln issued 18,759,497 new common shares at $44.00 per share, based on a 25% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average price as of April 8, 2025. This capital will be deployed toward Lincoln's strategic priorities—including growing spread-based earnings, advancing portfolio management and asset sourcing efforts, and optimizing the company's legacy life insurance portfolio. Additionally, the transaction provides Lincoln with the financial flexibility to accelerate progress toward its 25% leverage ratio target. 'We're incredibly pleased to launch our strategic partnership with Bain Capital, creating significant opportunities for long-term value generation with a focus on advancing Lincoln's goal of sustained profitable growth,' said Ellen Cooper, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Financial. 'Bain Capital's powerful platform, deep cultural fit and shared values will further differentiate us competitively and enable us to accelerate the execution of our strategy. The strategic and financial benefits of our mutual capabilities position us for enduring future success.' 'This partnership with Lincoln Financial reflects our conviction in the company's long-term strategy and the opportunity to create meaningful value through a well-capitalized, aligned growth plan,' said David Gross, Co-Managing Partner at Bain Capital. 'We are excited to support Lincoln in accelerating its portfolio transformation and capital allocation priorities, while leveraging Bain Capital's platform across asset classes to deliver differentiated investment capabilities and long-term scale.' About Lincoln Financial Lincoln Financial helps people confidently plan for their vision of a successful financial future. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 17 million customers trust our guidance and solutions across four core businesses – annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services. As of March 31, 2025, the company had $312 billion in end-of-period account balances, net of reinsurance. Headquartered in Radnor, PA., Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. Learn more at About Bain Capital Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world's leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit Follow @Bain Capital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
