The “intercalary” or leap second, a practice used to keep atomic clocks aligned with the Earth’s rotation, will be phased out beginning in 2027, according to AFP. This means the time 23:59:60 will no longer appear on devices. The need for leap seconds arises because the Earth’s rotation is not perfectly consistent, and atomic clocks, which are incredibly precise, drift ahead. Currently, the leap second is typically added on June 30th or December 31st. The decision to eliminate it aims to simplify timekeeping for complex computer systems and financial markets which can be disrupted by the adjustments. While it won’t affect people’s daily lives noticeably, the change represents a significant shift in how global time is managed. The move intends to create a more stable and predictable timeline for technological applications.