Global timekeepers abolish leap second, adopt leap hour by 2035

The CGPM voted in Paris to eliminate the leap second by 2035, replacing it with a leap hour to accommodate the growing discrepancy between atomic time and Earth's rotation, which is slowing due to melting ice and tidal forces. The decision marks a significant shift in international timekeeping standards, though the exact implementation timeline and technical details remain to be finalized. This matters because it affects global infrastructure relying on precise time synchronization, including financial markets, telecommunications, and navigation systems.