diff --git a/changelog.d/1745-timeline-one-control-and-marks.md b/changelog.d/1745-timeline-one-control-and-marks.md
index 3915b6087..2585b4760 100644
--- a/changelog.d/1745-timeline-one-control-and-marks.md
+++ b/changelog.d/1745-timeline-one-control-and-marks.md
@@ -6,11 +6,12 @@
   mark, and the handle then tells the mark's label with the time to screen
   readers and shows it over the track while focused. A layer's world clock
   coverage may give each mark as `{ time, label, id, kind }` as well as a
-  bare time (a label over 60 characters, `WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH`, is
-  cut, ending in `…`); `worldClock.coverage()` keeps `marks` as the sorted
-  times and adds `markDetails`, the merged marks themselves. A zoom or a pan clears the
-  hovered label, and a label is never wider than the track (samehkhamis,
-  #1745).
+  bare time. `worldClock.coverage()` keeps `marks` as the sorted times and
+  adds `markDetails`, the merged marks themselves, merged on their whole
+  label; a label longer than `WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH` (60 characters,
+  exported from `gods-eye-view/time`) is then cut, ending in `…`, never
+  splitting an emoji. A zoom or a pan clears the hovered label, and a label
+  is never wider than the track (samehkhamis, #1745).
 - The timeline marks only events: launches, and earthquakes of magnitude 6
   and up while the Earthquakes layer is on (about one every two days
   worldwide). It no longer draws a tick for every weather frame, which came
@@ -36,11 +37,13 @@
   first. A weather row's `play` and `latest` params move the world clock as
   the timeline does: `play` runs at the timeline's chosen speed, from the
   start when live or at the end, and does nothing while every product the
-  row shows is suspended. The world clock keeps a chosen rate while paused
-  and live (`goLive()` no longer sets it back to 1), so any play runs at it.
-  A weather layer made without a weather clock builds its own when first
-  enabled, and destroying it leaves the world clock's time where it is
-  (`createWeatherClock({ shared: false })`). **Breaking:** the catalog's
+  row shows is suspended or while there is no time to show. The world clock
+  keeps a chosen rate while paused and live (`goLive()` no longer sets it
+  back to 1), so any play runs at it, and the timeline's speed shows the
+  clock's rate whoever set it (the nearest offered speed for another rate).
+  A weather layer made without a weather clock leaves the world clock alone
+  until it is first enabled, does nothing once destroyed, and destroying it
+  leaves the world clock's time where it is. **Breaking:** the catalog's
   `weatherClock` (`gods-eye-view/application/layers`) no longer has
   `setTarget`, `step`, `latest`, `play`, `pause` or `togglePlay`, its state
   no longer has `playing`, and it no longer attaches itself to the world
diff --git a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
index 98b964b54..2ba3165f0 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
@@ -8545,8 +8545,10 @@ that timeline but are not marks on it: the timeline marks only events (launches,
 and earthquakes of magnitude 6 and up while that layer is on), so its arrow keys
 step to those, or along the track where there are none. A mark may carry a
 label (a launch's mission name, cut to 27 characters in capitals as the mission
-index shows names; an earthquake's magnitude and place) of up to 60 characters;
-a longer one ends in `…`, and a label is never wider than the track. A zoom or
+index shows names; an earthquake's magnitude and place). Marks merge on their
+whole label; one longer than 60 characters (graphemes, so an emoji is never
+split) then shows cut, ending in `…`, and a label is never wider than the
+track. A zoom or
 a pan clears a hovered label. The pointer within
 6 px of a tick shows its label over the track, and a tap there goes to the
 mark's time exactly; a tap elsewhere goes to the time under it and a drag
@@ -8579,12 +8581,15 @@ The catalog exposes `weatherClock` and destroys it with its lifetime signal. It
 has no time controls of its own: `weatherClock.world` is the world clock it
 follows, where time moves. A weather row's `play`, `latest` and `step` params
 move that world clock as the timeline does: `play` runs at the speed chosen on
-the timeline (the world clock keeps its rate while paused and live), from the
-start of the covered time when live or at its end, and does nothing while
-every product the row shows is suspended. A weather layer built without a
+the timeline (the world clock keeps its rate while paused and live, and the
+timeline's speed selector shows the clock's rate, or the nearest offered speed
+for a rate a host set), from the start of the covered time when live or at its
+end, and does nothing while every product the row shows is suspended or while
+there is no covered time. A weather layer built without a
 shared clock builds one of its own on the page's world clock when first
 enabled (`createWeatherClock({ shared: false })`) and keeps it for its
-lifetime; destroying it leaves the world's time where it is, and only the last
+lifetime; destroying it leaves the world's time where it is, and enabling it
+after that does nothing, and only the last
 shared weather clock destroyed sends the world live. Neither has a frame replay
 of its own.
 
diff --git a/src/annotations/screenAnnotationRenderer.test.mjs b/src/annotations/screenAnnotationRenderer.test.mjs
index ce1fb4058..00188c527 100644
--- a/src/annotations/screenAnnotationRenderer.test.mjs
+++ b/src/annotations/screenAnnotationRenderer.test.mjs
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ test('outline upgrade preserves the existing SVG group identity', async (t) => {
   assert.ok(after === before, 'the rendered group is mutated, not replaced');
   assert.deepEqual(sampledAnchors.at(-1), [-97.5, 31.2], 'the existing group projects from the re-seated anchor');
   assert.equal(groups().length, 1);
-  assert.equal(after.querySelector('.gev-anno-ring'), null, 'reticle rings are removed in place');
+  assert.equal(after.querySelector('.gev-anno-ring') === null, true, 'reticle rings are removed in place');
   assert.ok(after.querySelector('.gev-anno-callout') === callout, 'the original callout remains in the group');
   assert.ok(after.querySelector('.gev-anno-dot') === dot, 'the anchor dot remains in the group');
   assert.ok(svg());
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ test('a removed mark fades out, then leaves the board', async (t) => {
   assert.equal(group.isConnected, false);
   renderer.destroy();
   await settle();
-  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.gev-screen-whiteboard'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.gev-screen-whiteboard') === null, true);
 });
 
 // ── Partial-add unwind (review round 2) ───────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/src/cockpitSignalFocus.test.mjs b/src/cockpitSignalFocus.test.mjs
index 89ee1cac1..009ebfbf9 100644
--- a/src/cockpitSignalFocus.test.mjs
+++ b/src/cockpitSignalFocus.test.mjs
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ test('rows render the signals the controller presents', async (t) => {
   );
   assert.equal(status.className, 'warning');
   assert.equal(status.querySelector('div > strong').textContent, 'UNKNOWN');
-  assert.equal(status.querySelector('button'), null);
+  assert.equal(status.querySelector('button') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('actual Context refresh retains the focused signal button across unchanged and changed details', async (t) => {
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ test('removing the focused identity uses the shown briefing tab once and permits
   assert.equal(document.activeElement === f.signalTab(), true);
   assert.equal(f.focusCalls(), calls + 1);
   assert.equal(f.losses(), 0);
-  assert.equal(f.signalTab().closest('[hidden]'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.signalTab().closest('[hidden]') === null, true);
   // Traversal carries on forward from the footer tab.
   f.tab();
   assert.equal(document.activeElement === f.pageTab(1), true);
diff --git a/src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs b/src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs
index 633d9de30..16c76e1d9 100644
--- a/src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs
+++ b/src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ test('the DISMISS button closes the card the way ESC does', async (t) => {
   assert.notEqual(sessionStorageRef.read(), null, 'dismissed for the session');
   root.dispatchEvent(new Event('transitionend'));
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('first-run-launcher'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('first-run-launcher') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('the scroll fade clears when the tiles fit after a resize', async (t) => {
@@ -191,5 +191,5 @@ test('ESC closes the card, returns focus, and removes it without a transition',
   // Reduced motion: no transitionend, so the bounded fallback removes it.
   t.mock.timers.tick(400);
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('first-run-launcher'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('first-run-launcher') === null, true);
 });
diff --git a/src/layers/weather/index.js b/src/layers/weather/index.js
index 6f5dfcda2..ec6fea7f0 100644
--- a/src/layers/weather/index.js
+++ b/src/layers/weather/index.js
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ const utc = (value) =>
 /**
  * Move `world`, the world clock, as its timeline does: `play` toggles play at
  * the world clock's rate (the speed the timeline chose), from the start of the
- * covered time when live or at its end, unless `canPlay` is false; `latest`
- * goes live. `step` (-1 or 1) goes to the previous or next of `frames`, the
+ * covered time when live or at its end, unless `canPlay` is false or there
+ * is no covered time (no timeline to play); `latest` goes live. `step` (-1 or 1) goes to the previous or next of `frames`, the
  * weather frames; the timeline does not mark them, so this is the row's own
  * way to step through them.
  */
@@ -68,13 +68,16 @@ function moveWorldTime(world, frames, { play, latest, step }, canPlay) {
   if (play === true) {
     const state = world.getState();
     if (state.playing) world.pause();
-    else if (canPlay) {
-      const covered = world.coverage();
-      // The covered time reaches to now, as the timeline's track does.
-      const end = covered && Math.max(covered.end, world.wallNow());
-      if (covered && (state.live || state.timeMs >= end))
-        world.seek(Math.min(covered.start, state.timeMs));
-      world.play({ continuous: true });
+    else {
+      // With no time to show there is no timeline, and nothing to play.
+      const covered = canPlay && state.supported ? world.coverage() : null;
+      if (covered) {
+        // The covered time reaches to now, as the timeline's track does.
+        const end = Math.max(covered.end, world.wallNow());
+        if (state.live || state.timeMs >= end)
+          world.seek(Math.min(covered.start, state.timeMs));
+        world.play({ continuous: true });
+      }
     }
   }
   if (latest === true) world.goLive();
@@ -153,6 +156,7 @@ export function createWeatherLayer({
     manifest = null,
     request = null,
     listener = null;
+  let destroyed = false;
   let enabled = false,
     loading = false;
   let generation = 0,
@@ -366,6 +370,8 @@ export function createWeatherLayer({
       notify();
     },
     enable() {
+      // Destroyed, the layer stays off: no clock is built for it again.
+      if (destroyed) return;
       enabled = true;
       ensureClock();
       if (!removeCamera) {
@@ -870,6 +876,7 @@ export function createWeatherLayer({
       };
     },
     destroy() {
+      destroyed = true;
       layer.disable();
       unsubscribeClock?.();
       unsubscribeClock = null;
diff --git a/src/layers/weather/weather.test.mjs b/src/layers/weather/weather.test.mjs
index 6d83a8161..309b51165 100644
--- a/src/layers/weather/weather.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/weather/weather.test.mjs
@@ -660,6 +660,31 @@ test('a layer without a clock leaves the world clock alone until enabled, and ne
   assert.equal(worldClock.now(), past);
 });
 
+test('destroyed, a layer without a clock stays off: enabling it builds no clock', (t) => {
+  const subscribe = t.mock.method(worldClock, 'subscribe');
+  const h = layerHarness();
+  assert.equal(subscribe.mock.callCount(), 1, 'its clock, built on enable');
+  h.layer.destroy();
+  harnessed.delete(h.layer);
+  h.layer.enable();
+  assert.equal(subscribe.mock.callCount(), 1, 'no clock built after destroy');
+  assert.equal(worldClock.follows('weather-radar'), false);
+  h.layer.setParams({ play: true });
+  assert.equal(worldClock.isPlaying(), false);
+});
+
+test('with no frames yet there is no timeline, and a row plays nothing', () => {
+  worldClock.setRate(604_800);
+  const h = layerHarness({
+    feed: { getSnapshot: () => new Promise(() => {}) },
+  });
+  void h.layer.update();
+  assert.equal(worldClock.coverage(), null);
+  h.layer.setParams({ play: true });
+  assert.equal(worldClock.isLive(), true);
+  assert.equal(worldClock.isPlaying(), false);
+});
+
 test('a row plays at the speed the world clock keeps, from the start at the end of the covered time', async () => {
   const h = layerHarness();
   const update = h.layer.update();
diff --git a/src/scenes/dataPacks/presentationView.test.mjs b/src/scenes/dataPacks/presentationView.test.mjs
index c6c173d89..73b38877a 100644
--- a/src/scenes/dataPacks/presentationView.test.mjs
+++ b/src/scenes/dataPacks/presentationView.test.mjs
@@ -66,7 +66,11 @@ test('a loaded pack shows its attribution card in the viewer container', async (
     card.querySelector('div').textContent,
     'clip · Synthetic · CC0-1.0',
   );
-  assert.equal(card.querySelector('a'), null, 'no link without a source URL');
+  assert.equal(
+    card.querySelector('a') === null,
+    true,
+    'no link without a source URL',
+  );
   const video = card.querySelector('video');
   assert.equal(video.controls, true);
   assert.equal(video.preload, 'none');
diff --git a/src/time/worldClock.js b/src/time/worldClock.js
index 17795ce1b..9beff2d93 100644
--- a/src/time/worldClock.js
+++ b/src/time/worldClock.js
@@ -33,9 +33,37 @@
  */
 
 const MARK_TEXT = ['label', 'id', 'kind'];
-/** The longest label a mark carries, ellipsis and all. */
+/**
+ * The longest label a mark carries, ellipsis and all, in characters as a
+ * reader sees them (graphemes where the runtime can tell them, otherwise code
+ * points), so an emoji or an accented letter is never split.
+ */
 export const WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH = 60;
 
+const graphemes =
+  typeof Intl?.Segmenter === 'function'
+    ? (() => {
+        const segmenter = new Intl.Segmenter(undefined, {
+          granularity: 'grapheme',
+        });
+        return (text) =>
+          Array.from(segmenter.segment(text), ({ segment }) => segment);
+      })()
+    : (text) => Array.from(text);
+
+/** `mark` with its label cut to WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH, ending in `…`. */
+function shownMark(mark) {
+  if (!mark.label || mark.label.length <= WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH)
+    return mark;
+  const parts = graphemes(mark.label);
+  if (parts.length <= WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH) return mark;
+  const label = `${parts
+    .slice(0, WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH - 1)
+    .join('')
+    .trimEnd()}…`;
+  return Object.freeze({ ...mark, label });
+}
+
 /**
  * A mark (a number, or `{time, label?, id?, kind?}`) in its one shape, or
  * null for one with no finite time.
@@ -53,10 +81,6 @@ function readMark(input) {
     const value = input[key];
     if (typeof value === 'string' && value.trim()) mark[key] = value.trim();
   }
-  if (mark.label?.length > WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH)
-    mark.label = `${mark.label
-      .slice(0, WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH - 1)
-      .trimEnd()}…`;
   return Object.freeze(mark);
 }
 
@@ -484,9 +508,12 @@ export function createWorldClock({
       const told = new Set();
       for (const mark of details.values())
         if (Object.keys(mark).length > 1) told.add(mark.time);
+      // Marks merge on their whole label, and are cut for showing after, so
+      // two whose labels only differ past the cut stay two.
       const markDetails = [...details.values()]
         .filter((mark) => Object.keys(mark).length > 1 || !told.has(mark.time))
-        .sort(byMark);
+        .sort(byMark)
+        .map(shownMark);
       const marks = [...new Set(markDetails.map((mark) => mark.time))];
       return { start, end, marks, markDetails };
     },
diff --git a/src/time/worldClock.test.mjs b/src/time/worldClock.test.mjs
index ffa0142d7..8c0cbe5b8 100644
--- a/src/time/worldClock.test.mjs
+++ b/src/time/worldClock.test.mjs
@@ -489,3 +489,48 @@ test('a mark label longer than the timeline shows is cut, ending in an ellipsis'
   assert.ok(cut.label.length <= WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH);
   assert.equal(whole.label, 'B'.repeat(WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH));
 });
+
+test('a cut label never splits an emoji, and counts it as one character', () => {
+  const clock = createWorldClock(fakeTime().options);
+  const a = 'A'.repeat(58);
+  clock.register({
+    id: 'emoji',
+    coverage: () => ({
+      start: 1,
+      end: 3,
+      marks: [
+        { time: 1, label: `${a}🚀 LIFTOFF` },
+        { time: 2, label: `${a}👩‍🚀 CREW` },
+        // Sixty characters, though more UTF-16 units: whole.
+        { time: 3, label: `${'A'.repeat(59)}🚀` },
+      ],
+    }),
+  });
+  const [rocket, crew, whole] = clock.coverage().markDetails;
+  assert.equal(rocket.label, `${a}🚀…`);
+  assert.equal(crew.label, `${a}👩‍🚀…`);
+  assert.equal(whole.label, `${'A'.repeat(59)}🚀`);
+  for (const { label } of [rocket, crew, whole])
+    assert.equal(label.isWellFormed(), true, 'no lone surrogate');
+});
+
+test('marks merge on their whole label, so labels alike up to the cut stay two', () => {
+  const clock = createWorldClock(fakeTime().options);
+  const stem = 'C'.repeat(WORLD_CLOCK_MARK_LABEL_LENGTH - 1);
+  for (const id of ['one', 'two'])
+    clock.register({
+      id,
+      coverage: () => ({
+        start: 5,
+        end: 5,
+        marks: [{ time: 5, label: `${stem}${id === 'one' ? ' FIRST' : ' SECOND'}` }],
+      }),
+    });
+  const covered = clock.coverage();
+  assert.deepEqual(covered.marks, [5]);
+  assert.equal(covered.markDetails.length, 2);
+  for (const mark of covered.markDetails) {
+    assert.equal(mark.label, `${stem}…`);
+    assert.equal(Object.isFrozen(mark), true);
+  }
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/awarenessPanel.test.mjs b/src/ui/awarenessPanel.test.mjs
index 53cf0ad94..f68fb8515 100644
--- a/src/ui/awarenessPanel.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/awarenessPanel.test.mjs
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ test('a tracked flight’s photo shows under its name, credited and linked to it
 test('no photo renders without one', async (t) => {
   const { panel, publish } = fixture(t);
   await publish({ ...results(), photo: null });
-  assert.equal(panel().querySelector('.military-awareness-photo'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel().querySelector('.military-awareness-photo') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('a photo whose image fails to load is hidden until another arrives', async (t) => {
@@ -290,10 +290,10 @@ test('a photo whose image fails to load is hidden until another arrives', async
     .querySelector('.military-awareness-photo img')
     .dispatchEvent(new Event('error'));
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(panel().querySelector('.military-awareness-photo'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel().querySelector('.military-awareness-photo') === null, true);
   // A repaint with the same photo keeps it hidden.
   await publish({ ...results({ previousDisabled: false }), photo: photo() });
-  assert.equal(panel().querySelector('.military-awareness-photo'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel().querySelector('.military-awareness-photo') === null, true);
   // Another plane's photo shows.
   const next = photo({ src: 'https://t.plnspttrs.net/2/def456_280.jpg' });
   await publish({ ...results(), photo: next });
diff --git a/src/ui/cockpitBridge.test.mjs b/src/ui/cockpitBridge.test.mjs
index b58e53684..e6c038d7d 100644
--- a/src/ui/cockpitBridge.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/cockpitBridge.test.mjs
@@ -839,7 +839,7 @@ test('arrows do nothing new in an aircraft cockpit', async (t) => {
   near(after.pitchDeg, before.pitchDeg, 'the aircraft pitch', 1e-6);
   assert.deepEqual(cockpit.lookTarget, { yawDeg: 0, pitchDeg: -2 });
   assert.equal(store.instruments.look.offset, false);
-  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.cockpit-look'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.cockpit-look') === null, true);
   // The tape stays on the aircraft's heading, with no bow or stern marks.
   const centre = store.instruments.compass.find(
     (division) => division.slot === 0,
@@ -849,7 +849,7 @@ test('arrows do nothing new in an aircraft cockpit', async (t) => {
     prograde: null,
     retrograde: null,
   });
-  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.cockpit-compass-marker'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.cockpit-compass-marker') === null, true);
   assert.doesNotMatch(
     document.querySelector('.cockpit-help').textContent,
     /ARROWS LOOK/,
@@ -1248,7 +1248,7 @@ test('a ship with neither heading nor course makes up no direction', async (t) =
     prograde: null,
     retrograde: null,
   });
-  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.cockpit-compass-marker'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.querySelector('.cockpit-compass-marker') === null, true);
   assert.match(
     $('.cockpit-visor-status-right').textContent,
     /NO HEADING · AIS/,
diff --git a/src/ui/cockpitOrbital.test.mjs b/src/ui/cockpitOrbital.test.mjs
index 987527c28..7b3ad959e 100644
--- a/src/ui/cockpitOrbital.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/cockpitOrbital.test.mjs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function fixture(t) {
 test('the orbital HUD is hidden until a satellite view is published', async (t) => {
   const f = fixture(t);
   assert.equal(f.section().hidden, true);
-  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-zoom-in'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-zoom-in') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('a published orbital view renders its readouts and zoom controls', async (t) => {
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ test('an unknown velocity leaves its row out', async (t) => {
   const f = fixture(t);
   f.store.publishOrbital({ ...VIEW, velocityMps: null });
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-velocity'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-velocity') === null, true);
   assert.equal(f.text('.cockpit-orbital-altitude'), '418 KM');
 });
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ test('publishing null hides the orbital HUD again', async (t) => {
   f.store.publishOrbital(null);
   await nextTick();
   assert.equal(f.section().hidden, true);
-  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-name'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-name') === null, true);
 });
 
 const ISS_TLE = Object.freeze({
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ test('the place below shows at the top once known', async (t) => {
   const f = fixture(t);
   f.store.publishOrbital({ ...VIEW, place: undefined });
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-over'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-over') === null, true);
   const over = () =>
     f.section().querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-over strong')?.textContent;
   f.store.publishOrbital({
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ test('the place below shows at the top once known', async (t) => {
   // says nothing rather than call land open ocean.
   f.store.publishOrbital({ ...VIEW, place: null });
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(document.querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-over'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.querySelector('#cockpit-orbital-over') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('an owner country shows its flag from the sheet, or its code if the sheet will not load', async (t) => {
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ test('an owner country shows its flag from the sheet, or its code if the sheet w
     owner: { countryCode: 'US', label: 'USA' },
   });
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-flag'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-flag') === null, true);
   assert.equal(images.length, 1, 'the sheet is asked for');
   images[0].onerror();
   await settle();
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ test('an owner country shows its flag from the sheet, or its code if the sheet w
     flag.style.backgroundPosition,
     ownerFlagStyle('FR').backgroundPosition,
   );
-  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-owner-badge'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.section().querySelector('.cockpit-orbital-owner-badge') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('the readout names the owner, operator and element set', async (t) => {
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ test('unknown identity fields leave their rows out', async (t) => {
     '.cockpit-orbital-ident',
     '#cockpit-orbital-tle',
   ])
-    assert.equal(f.section().querySelector(selector), null, selector);
+    assert.equal(f.section().querySelector(selector) === null, true, selector);
   // An element set with no NORAD id still dates itself.
   f.store.publishOrbital({ ...VIEW, tle: ISS_TLE });
   await nextTick();
diff --git a/src/ui/commandDock.test.mjs b/src/ui/commandDock.test.mjs
index c70007a17..733c34425 100644
--- a/src/ui/commandDock.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/commandDock.test.mjs
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ test('the map source row renders the published chips and selects through the con
   assert.equal(osm.classList.contains('active'), true);
   assert.equal(osm.getAttribute('aria-pressed'), 'true');
   assert.equal(osm.hasAttribute('aria-label'), false);
-  assert.equal(esri.querySelector('.map-stack-chip-req'), null);
+  assert.equal(esri.querySelector('.map-stack-chip-req') === null, true);
   bing.click();
   esri.click();
   assert.deepEqual(selected, ['esri-imagery']);
diff --git a/src/ui/layerFinder.test.mjs b/src/ui/layerFinder.test.mjs
index 8cd61ff1a..b93821cb3 100644
--- a/src/ui/layerFinder.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/layerFinder.test.mjs
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ test('Escape in the search field closes it without reaching the panel', async (t
     );
   await flush();
   assert.equal(reached, false);
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('layer-finder-input'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('layer-finder-input') === null, true);
   assert.equal(document.activeElement?.id, 'layer-finder-search-btn');
 });
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ test('the filter menu takes focus, moves with the arrows and closes on Escape',
     new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { key: 'Escape', bubbles: true }),
   );
   await flush();
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('layer-finder-menu'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('layer-finder-menu') === null, true);
   assert.equal(
     document.activeElement,
     document.querySelector('[aria-controls="layer-finder-menu"]'),
diff --git a/src/ui/localePickerView.test.mjs b/src/ui/localePickerView.test.mjs
index a047178da..430cdd5b2 100644
--- a/src/ui/localePickerView.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/localePickerView.test.mjs
@@ -340,12 +340,12 @@ test('the provider settings corner shows the picker only while the shell publish
   app.mount(host);
   t.after(() => app.unmount());
   const store = useLocaleStore(pinia);
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('locale-picker'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('locale-picker') === null, true);
   store.publishPicker({ current: 'de', onSelect() {} });
   await nextTick();
   const code = document.querySelector('#corner-actions .locale-picker-code');
   assert.equal(code?.textContent, 'DE');
   store.publishPicker(null);
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('locale-picker'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('locale-picker') === null, true);
 });
diff --git a/src/ui/newsPanel.test.mjs b/src/ui/newsPanel.test.mjs
index 1bf4ee7b7..d0e50346c 100644
--- a/src/ui/newsPanel.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/newsPanel.test.mjs
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ test('the panel shows the last 24 h as event cards and opens once', () => {
   assert.equal(img.getAttribute('referrerpolicy'), 'no-referrer');
   assert.equal(first.querySelector('.news-card__credit').textContent, 'A');
   // A lone report has no picture.
-  assert.equal(second.querySelector('.news-card__thumb'), null);
+  assert.equal(second.querySelector('.news-card__thumb') === null, true);
   // A later update does not reopen a panel the reader collapsed.
   panel.classList.add('collapsed');
   news.update(view());
@@ -192,8 +192,8 @@ test('a card click flies there; open, it links the source and closes', () => {
 test('filters, the Local section and empty or failed reads', () => {
   const { news, panel, calls } = fixture();
   news.update(view());
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('[aria-label="Local"]'), null);
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-toggle'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('[aria-label="Local"]') === null, true);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-toggle') === null, true);
   const severity = panel.querySelector('select[aria-label="Severity"]');
   assert.equal(severity.value, '2');
   severity.value = '3';
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ test('filters, the Local section and empty or failed reads', () => {
     panel.textContent,
     /No news matches these filters in the last 24 h/,
   );
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-readout__footer button'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-readout__footer button') === null, true);
 
   // Local: no hotspot chips or severity floor, and its own empty states.
   const localView = (inView) =>
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ test('filters, the Local section and empty or failed reads', () => {
   news.update(localView({ active: false }));
   const section = panel.querySelector('[aria-label="Local"]');
   assert.match(section.textContent, /Zoom in to see local news/);
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('[data-chip-id="ua-ru-war"]'), null);
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('select[aria-label="Severity"]'), null);
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('[aria-label="Latest news"]'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('[data-chip-id="ua-ru-war"]') === null, true);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('select[aria-label="Severity"]') === null, true);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('[aria-label="Latest news"]') === null, true);
   assert.equal(document.getElementById('news-panel-count').textContent, '0');
   news.update(
     localView({ active: true, items: [feedCardView(report('near'), NOW)] }),
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ test('a card credits the service its report came through', () => {
     credited.querySelector('.news-card__via').textContent,
     'via GDELT Project',
   );
-  assert.equal(own.querySelector('.news-card__via'), null);
+  assert.equal(own.querySelector('.news-card__via') === null, true);
   news.destroy();
 });
 
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ test('scrolling to the end asks once per page, again after a filter change or a
 test('the window choice offers shorter windows; the longest is the server window', () => {
   const { news, panel, calls } = fixture();
   news.update(view({ windowHours: 12, windowChoices: [12, 6, 3, 1] }));
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-readout__window'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-readout__window') === null, true);
   const choice = panel.querySelector('select[aria-label="Time window"]');
   assert.deepEqual(
     [...choice.options].map((option) => option.textContent),
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ test('a clip waits behind its picture and plays, on request, in the open card',
   news.update(view({ items: [feedCardView(clipped, NOW)] }));
   const card = panel.querySelector('.news-card');
   assert.equal(card.querySelector('.news-card__play').textContent, '▶');
-  assert.equal(card.querySelector('video'), null);
+  assert.equal(card.querySelector('video') === null, true);
   news.update(
     view({
       items: [feedCardView(clipped, NOW)],
@@ -436,6 +436,6 @@ test('a clip waits behind its picture and plays, on request, in the open card',
       selected: feedCardView(clipped, NOW),
     }),
   );
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-card.is-open video'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.news-card.is-open video') === null, true);
   news.destroy();
 });
diff --git a/src/ui/panelChromeButtons.test.mjs b/src/ui/panelChromeButtons.test.mjs
index ae3a212c0..75678f8e6 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelChromeButtons.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/panelChromeButtons.test.mjs
@@ -166,8 +166,8 @@ test('UiPanel without collapsible has no button, and glow is optional', (t) => {
   });
   const panel = document.getElementById('plain-panel');
   assert.equal(panel.tagName, 'SECTION');
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.panel-glow'), null);
-  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.panel-collapse-btn'), null);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.panel-glow') === null, true);
+  assert.equal(panel.querySelector('.panel-collapse-btn') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('RailPanel follows the store, forwards clicks, and never restores a class its owner removed', async (t) => {
diff --git a/src/ui/providerSettings.test.mjs b/src/ui/providerSettings.test.mjs
index 117a63390..b0c8641ec 100644
--- a/src/ui/providerSettings.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/providerSettings.test.mjs
@@ -135,8 +135,8 @@ test('the chip counts what is missing and the rows render from the status', asyn
   );
   assert.equal(field.type, 'password');
   assert.equal(field.placeholder, 'paste GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY');
-  assert.equal(google.querySelector('.key-setup-remove'), null);
-  assert.equal(google.querySelector('.key-setup-cloud-auth'), null);
+  assert.equal(google.querySelector('.key-setup-remove') === null, true);
+  assert.equal(google.querySelector('.key-setup-cloud-auth') === null, true);
 
   const openai = $('[data-key-id="openai"]');
   assert.equal(openai.dataset.managed, 'file');
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ test('the chip counts what is missing and the rows render from the status', asyn
     firms.querySelector('.key-setup-external').textContent,
     'configured externally',
   );
-  assert.equal(firms.querySelector('.key-setup-fields'), null);
+  assert.equal(firms.querySelector('.key-setup-fields') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('the chip opens the dialog onto its first field; closing fades it and restores the status line', async (t) => {
@@ -337,12 +337,12 @@ test('Cyber moves the chip into the top toolbar and other themes return it to th
   await wait();
   await nextTick();
   assert.equal(toolbar.lastElementChild?.id, 'key-setup-chip');
-  assert.equal(corner.querySelector('#key-setup-chip'), null);
+  assert.equal(corner.querySelector('#key-setup-chip') === null, true);
   document.documentElement.dataset.uiTheme = 'tactical';
   await wait();
   await nextTick();
   assert.equal(corner.firstElementChild?.id, 'key-setup-chip');
-  assert.equal(toolbar.querySelector('#key-setup-chip'), null);
+  assert.equal(toolbar.querySelector('#key-setup-chip') === null, true);
   delete document.documentElement.dataset.uiTheme;
 });
 
diff --git a/src/ui/quebecCctvOverlay.test.mjs b/src/ui/quebecCctvOverlay.test.mjs
index 3dd715fe4..2ce76a9de 100644
--- a/src/ui/quebecCctvOverlay.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/quebecCctvOverlay.test.mjs
@@ -188,5 +188,5 @@ test('the refresh timer reloads with a cache-buster, skips hidden tabs, and stop
   ui.overlay.dispose();
   assert.equal(ui.intervals.size, 0);
   assert.equal(ui.renderListeners.size, 0);
-  assert.equal(ui.window.document.querySelector('.qci-panel'), null);
+  assert.equal(ui.window.document.querySelector('.qci-panel') === null, true);
 });
diff --git a/src/ui/renderFailureView.test.mjs b/src/ui/renderFailureView.test.mjs
index 89213bffa..1c54ac56d 100644
--- a/src/ui/renderFailureView.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/renderFailureView.test.mjs
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ test('a lost context offers Reload, and a panel that cannot reload offers nothin
     document.getElementById('render-failure-message').textContent,
     /3D graphics/,
   );
-  assert.equal(notice().querySelector('.render-failure-detail'), null);
+  assert.equal(notice().querySelector('.render-failure-detail') === null, true);
   assert.deepEqual(buttons(), ['Reload', 'Reset view']);
   store.publishRenderFailure({
     reason: 'context-lost',
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ test('a lost context offers Reload, and a panel that cannot reload offers nothin
   });
   await nextTick();
   assert.deepEqual(buttons(), []);
-  assert.equal(notice().querySelector('.render-failure-hint'), null);
+  assert.equal(notice().querySelector('.render-failure-hint') === null, true);
 });
 
 const failure = () => ({
diff --git a/src/ui/stores/worldTime.js b/src/ui/stores/worldTime.js
index 0a8a335f5..57d7da55a 100644
--- a/src/ui/stores/worldTime.js
+++ b/src/ui/stores/worldTime.js
@@ -96,13 +96,20 @@ export const useWorldTimeStore = defineStore('gev-world-time', () => {
       span: spanOf(state),
     });
   const time = shallowRef(read());
-  // The speed the world clock keeps, where it is one of those offered.
-  const speed = shallowRef(
-    Object.keys(WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS).find(
-      (key) => WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS[key] === worldClock.getRate(),
-    ) ?? 'real',
-  );
-  const rate = () => WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS[speed.value];
+  // The speed shown follows the world clock's rate, whoever set it: a rate
+  // not among those offered shows as the nearest that is (by ratio), while
+  // play still runs at the clock's own rate.
+  const speedFor = (clockRate) => {
+    let best = 'real';
+    for (const key of Object.keys(WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS))
+      if (
+        Math.abs(Math.log(WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS[key] / clockRate)) <
+        Math.abs(Math.log(WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS[best] / clockRate))
+      )
+        best = key;
+    return best;
+  };
+  const speed = shallowRef(speedFor(worldClock.getRate()));
   let ticker = null;
   const syncTicker = () => {
     // Playing, the clock tells of the time itself.
@@ -117,6 +124,8 @@ export const useWorldTimeStore = defineStore('gev-world-time', () => {
     }
   };
   const unsubscribe = worldClock.subscribe((state) => {
+    if (speed.value !== speedFor(state.rate))
+      speed.value = speedFor(state.rate);
     if (stopAtEnd(state)) return;
     time.value = read(state);
     syncTicker();
@@ -131,7 +140,8 @@ export const useWorldTimeStore = defineStore('gev-world-time', () => {
   return {
     time,
     /**
-     * Play runs the track at the speed chosen, from the start when it is at
+     * Play runs the track at the world clock's rate (the speed chosen, which
+     * sets it), from the start when it is at
      * its end (at live, say), as a video plays again from the top. It runs
      * the clock itself: weather follows the time frame by frame like every
      * other layer the track covers.
@@ -142,7 +152,8 @@ export const useWorldTimeStore = defineStore('gev-world-time', () => {
       const covered = reach();
       if (span && covered && (live || timeMs >= covered.end))
         worldClock.seek(span.start);
-      worldClock.play({ rate: rate(), continuous: true });
+      // At the clock's rate: the speed chosen, or a host's own.
+      worldClock.play({ continuous: true });
     },
     speed,
     /**
@@ -154,10 +165,12 @@ export const useWorldTimeStore = defineStore('gev-world-time', () => {
     setSpeed(next) {
       if (!Object.hasOwn(WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS, next)) return;
       speed.value = next;
+      // The clock's rate first: the speed shown follows it from here on.
+      worldClock.setRate(WORLD_TIME_SPEEDS[next]);
       const { playing, stepping } = worldClock.getState();
-      if (!playing || !stepping) return worldClock.setRate(rate());
+      if (!playing || !stepping) return;
       worldClock.pause();
-      worldClock.play({ rate: rate(), continuous: true });
+      worldClock.play({ continuous: true });
     },
     goLive: () => worldClock.goLive(),
     /**
diff --git a/src/ui/views/mountApplicationViews.test.mjs b/src/ui/views/mountApplicationViews.test.mjs
index a93e4ba14..ba472f9c0 100644
--- a/src/ui/views/mountApplicationViews.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/views/mountApplicationViews.test.mjs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ test('omitted views lose their hosts and the rest render', () => {
   page(['welcome', 'provider-settings']);
   mountApplicationViews(document, { omit: ['provider-settings'] });
   assert.deepEqual(hostNames(), ['welcome']);
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('key-setup-chip'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('key-setup-chip') === null, true);
   assert.ok(
     document.querySelector('[data-gev-view="welcome"]').children.length,
   );
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ test('a view an earlier call rendered is unmounted when a later call omits it',
   assert.ok(document.getElementById('key-setup-chip'));
   mountApplicationViews(document, { omit: ['provider-settings'] });
   assert.deepEqual(hostNames(), ['welcome']);
-  assert.equal(document.getElementById('key-setup-chip'), null);
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('key-setup-chip') === null, true);
 });
 
 test('unknown view names are refused, in the page or in the omit list', () => {
diff --git a/src/ui/views/panels/DrawMarkList.test.mjs b/src/ui/views/panels/DrawMarkList.test.mjs
index 9eaf952db..b30f643b3 100644
--- a/src/ui/views/panels/DrawMarkList.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/views/panels/DrawMarkList.test.mjs
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ test('an application\'s row actions sit before fly to, labelled, and act on thei
   const note = row('a1').querySelector('.draw-mark-note');
   assert.equal(note.getAttribute('role'), 'status');
   assert.equal(note.textContent, '');
-  assert.equal(row('a2').querySelector('.draw-mark-note'), null, 'a row without actions has no note');
+  assert.equal(row('a2').querySelector('.draw-mark-note') === null, true, 'a row without actions has no note');
   const line = { ...LINE, path: [[0, 0], [1, 0]] };
   store.publishDraw({ active: true, shape: 'area', color: 'primary', hint: '', marks: presentDrawMarks([line], drawMarkActions([tag]), new Map([['a1', { busy: true, text: '' }]])) });
   await nextTick();
diff --git a/src/ui/views/panels/WorldTimeline.test.mjs b/src/ui/views/panels/WorldTimeline.test.mjs
index 4588a71d3..f496d6d86 100644
--- a/src/ui/views/panels/WorldTimeline.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/views/panels/WorldTimeline.test.mjs
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ function mount(t) {
     // The store outlives the view; dispose it with its clock subscription.
     useWorldTimeStore(pinia).$dispose();
     worldClock.goLive();
+    // The clock keeps its rate; the next test starts at real time.
+    worldClock.setRate(1);
   });
   return () => document.getElementById('world-timeline');
 }
@@ -79,16 +81,16 @@ test('the timeline hides while no layer with time to show is on', async (t) => {
   const bar = mount(t);
   const at = Date.UTC(2026, 9, 30, 6, 15, 42);
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(bar(), null, 'live, nothing to play');
+  assert.equal(bar() === null, true, 'live, nothing to play');
   worldClock.seek(at);
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(bar(), null, 'away from live, but nothing to play');
+  assert.equal(bar() === null, true, 'away from live, but nothing to play');
   const remove = supportingLayer(t, at);
   await nextTick();
   assert.ok(bar());
   remove();
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(bar(), null, 'the layer went off');
+  assert.equal(bar() === null, true, 'the layer went off');
 });
 
 test('the track runs over the time the layers show, to now, and scrubs', async (t) => {
@@ -465,7 +467,7 @@ test('play held for a layer to load shows a spinner once the hold lasts', async
   // A clock tick (a quarter second) tells of the hold; the spinner waits on.
   await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 250));
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(bubble().querySelector('.world-timeline-spinner'), null, 'not for a quick frame');
+  assert.equal(bubble().querySelector('.world-timeline-spinner') === null, true, 'not for a quick frame');
   // The clock tells of the hold on its next tick, and the bar shows it after.
   const until = async (shown) => {
     for (let waited = 0; waited < 3_000; waited += 50) {
@@ -615,7 +617,7 @@ test('a tick shows its label on hover, and a tap by it goes to its mark', async
     track.dispatchEvent(new PointerEvent(type, { bubbles: true, clientX, pointerId }));
   const tip = () => bar().querySelector('.world-timeline-mark-label');
   assert.equal(bar().querySelectorAll('.world-timeline-tick').length, 3, 'ticks stay ticks');
-  assert.equal(tip(), null);
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null);
 
   // Hovering within 6 px of a tick shows its label, in place of the track's hint.
   press('pointermove', 205);
@@ -628,15 +630,15 @@ test('a tick shows its label on hover, and a tap by it goes to its mark', async
   // Further off, or on a tick with no label, nothing shows.
   press('pointermove', 690);
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(tip(), null);
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null);
   assert.equal(track.hasAttribute('title'), true);
   press('pointermove', 2);
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(tip(), null, 'an unlabelled mark has no label');
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null, 'an unlabelled mark has no label');
   press('pointermove', 205);
   track.dispatchEvent(new PointerEvent('pointerleave', { clientX: 1_100, pointerId: 1 }));
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(tip(), null, 'leaving the track hides it');
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null, 'leaving the track hides it');
 
   // A tap by a tick goes to its mark exactly; elsewhere, to the time there.
   press('pointerdown', 704);
@@ -667,7 +669,7 @@ test('a tick shows its label on hover, and a tap by it goes to its mark', async
   assert.equal(tip()?.textContent, 'GAUNTLET PAYLOAD');
   input.dispatchEvent(new Event('blur'));
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(tip(), null);
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null);
 });
 
 test('the pointer shows the nearer of two ticks within 6 px, and a zoom or a pan clears it', async (t) => {
@@ -717,7 +719,7 @@ test('the pointer shows the nearer of two ticks within 6 px, and a zoom or a pan
   track.dispatchEvent(new WheelEvent('wheel', { deltaY: -200, cancelable: true }));
   await nextTick();
   assert.equal(track.classList.contains('is-zoomed'), true);
-  assert.equal(tip(), null, 'a zoom clears the label');
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null, 'a zoom clears the label');
   // So does a pan, by wheel or by drag.
   pointer('pointermove', firstAt());
   await nextTick();
@@ -726,7 +728,7 @@ test('the pointer shows the nearer of two ticks within 6 px, and a zoom or a pan
     new WheelEvent('wheel', { deltaY: 40, shiftKey: true, cancelable: true }),
   );
   await nextTick();
-  assert.equal(tip(), null, 'a pan clears the label');
+  assert.equal(tip()?.textContent ?? null, null, 'a pan clears the label');
 
   // A tap between them goes to the nearer mark.
   track.dispatchEvent(new MouseEvent('dblclick', { bubbles: true }));
@@ -737,3 +739,38 @@ test('the pointer shows the nearer of two ticks within 6 px, and a zoom or a pan
   await nextTick();
   assert.equal(worldClock.now(), second, 'a tap goes to the nearer mark');
 });
+
+test('the speed shown follows the world clock, and Play runs at its rate', async (t) => {
+  const bar = mount(t);
+  const now = Date.now();
+  const release = worldClock.hold('test-launches');
+  const unregister = worldClock.register({
+    id: 'test-launches',
+    coverage: () => ({ start: now - 10 * 86_400_000, end: now - 86_400_000 }),
+  });
+  t.after(() => {
+    unregister();
+    release();
+  });
+  await nextTick();
+  const select = () => bar().querySelector('select.world-timeline-speed');
+  assert.equal(select().value, 'real');
+  // A host sets the rate: the selector shows it.
+  worldClock.setRate(86_400);
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(select().value, 'day');
+  // A rate not offered shows as the nearest offered speed, and Play keeps it.
+  worldClock.setRate(5_000);
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(select().value, 'hour');
+  bar().querySelector('.world-timeline-play').click();
+  assert.equal(worldClock.isPlaying(), true);
+  assert.equal(worldClock.getRate(), 5_000, 'Play runs at the clock\'s own rate');
+  worldClock.pause();
+  // Chosen on the selector while paused, the clock takes it at once.
+  select().value = 'week';
+  select().dispatchEvent(new Event('change'));
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(worldClock.getRate(), 604_800);
+  assert.equal(select().value, 'week');
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/wildlifeSightingCard.test.mjs b/src/ui/wildlifeSightingCard.test.mjs
index f685c75e0..fb9123c7c 100644
--- a/src/ui/wildlifeSightingCard.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/wildlifeSightingCard.test.mjs
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ test('dot, icon and ambient photo clicks open one contained medium-photo card at
         true,
         'the loaded medium photo is painted inside the card',
       );
-      assert.equal(card.querySelector('[role=status]'), null);
+      assert.equal(card.querySelector('[role=status]') === null, true);
       const style = readFileSync(
         new URL('./views/panels/WildlifeSightingCard.vue', import.meta.url),
         'utf8',
@@ -343,11 +343,11 @@ test('missing, restricted, obscured and Acartia photos all use the same compact
       const f = fixture(context, { ...row, ...extra });
       await f.click();
       const card = f.cardElement();
-      assert.equal(card.querySelector('img'), null);
-      assert.equal(card.querySelector('[role=status]'), null);
+      assert.equal(card.querySelector('img') === null, true);
+      assert.equal(card.querySelector('[role=status]') === null, true);
       assert.equal(card.querySelector('h2').textContent, row.commonName);
       assert.equal(card.querySelector('i').textContent, row.scientificName);
-      assert.equal(document.querySelector('dialog'), null);
+      assert.equal(document.querySelector('dialog') === null, true);
       if (extra.obscured) {
         assert.doesNotMatch(card.textContent, /ago|Photographer/);
         assert.ok(
@@ -676,7 +676,7 @@ test('date-only and unsafe-link rows remain readable, and no sighting rail or li
     link: 'javascript:alert(1)',
   });
   await f.click();
-  assert.equal(f.cardElement().querySelector('a'), null);
+  assert.equal(f.cardElement().querySelector('a') === null, true);
   assert.equal(
     f.cardElement().querySelector('time').getAttribute('datetime'),
     row.observedOn,