As the first and last proton-lead run of 2013 draws to a close, the extensive upgrade and maintenance programme of the LHC's first long shutdown (LS1) is about to get under way. >>

Last week the European Strategy Group met in Erice (Italy) to distil reams of input and months of discussion into a concise document outlining an updated Strategy for European Particle Physics. The result is a document that will be presented to the Council for feedback next month, before final approval by the Council at a special meeting in Brussels on 29 May. The Strategy process was important when it began in 2005, and is even more so today with important discoveries behind us and a changing global landscape for particle physics ahead. >>

The LHC starts the New Year facing a new challenge: proton-lead collisions in the last month before the shutdown in mid-February.  >>

Gravity. Despite first being described over three centuries ago, it remains one of the least understood of the fundamental forces explored by physicists. At CERN’s recently completed AEgIS experiment, a team has set out to examine the effect of gravity on an as-yet-uncharted realm: antimatter. >>

At the end of December, the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York granted CERN Observer status. As the only science organisation to acquire this prestigious status in the Assembly, CERN hopes to be able to raise awareness about the importance of fundamental science for society more effectively. >>

CERNland, the CERN site designed for kids, has launched a new game environment dedicated to the Universe. If you are between 7 and 99 and like challenges, embark on a journey through the history of the Universe and become addicted to (healthy) gaming! >>

As part of a Europe-wide effort to promote high-level research, the European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a €2.14 million grant to ALPHA spokesperson Jeffrey Hangst, which will further the collaboration’s study of the antihydrogen spectrum. The grant will be used to purchase laser spectroscopy equipment for the new ALPHA-2 set-up. >>

The January/February 2013 issue of the CERN Courier offers a new way to access the content – the first digital edition of the magazine. >>

Have you ever heard about “Stuxnet”? “Stuxnet” was a very sophisticated cyber-attack against the Iranian nuclear programme. Like in a spy movie, the attackers infiltrated the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, arranged for infected USB sticks to be inserted into local PCs, and then the USB viruses did the rest. >>

Just the word “telecommuter” is enough to make many managers start to sweat. When faced with the prospect of managing an employee they cannot even see, basic managerial knowledge often becomes hazy, resulting in a confusing arrangement for both manager and employee. As more and more of our world revolves around technology and an increasing number of jobs can be executed from an office at home , managers must learn how to adapt their leadership style to cater to both remote employees, and those working in the office.(1) >>

Users obviously expect library collections to be shaped to meet their information needs. Today, online systems have replaced the good old "Book Suggestion Register" to help readers provide libraries with input. >>