The world’s largest and most powerful atom smasher goes into a two-year hibernation in March, as engineers carry out a revamp to help it reach maximum energy levels that could lead to more stunning discoveries following the detection of the so-called ‘God particle’.

With the reopening of its £6.2 billion proton collider in early 2015, the stage will be set for observing more rare phenomena – and unlocking more mysteries, said James Gillies, chief spokesman for the European particle physics laboratory known as Cern, in Geneva, Switzerland (pictured). (PA)

Cat caught sneaking into prison

A cat carrying a saw and a mobile phone was ‘detained’ as it entered a prison gate in northeast Brazil, Brazilian media reported yesterday.

Prison guards were surprised when they saw a white cat crossing the main gate of the prison, its body wrapped with tape. A closer look showed the feline also carried drills, an earphone, a memory card, batteries and a phone charger.

“It’s tough to find out who’s responsible for the action as the cat doesn’t speak,” a prison spokesperson told local paper Estado de S. Paulo. (Reuters)

Cold China

China’s Meteorological Administration says the country’s average temperature has hit the lowest in 28 years this winter, as snow and ice throughout China have closed highways, cancelled flights and stranded travellers.

The figures show the national average was minus 3.8C since late November.

The average temperature in northeast China dipped to minus 15.3C, the coldest in 43 years, and dropped to a 42-year low of minus 7.4C in northern China.

The administration says the temperatures are dropping partly because of south-moving polar cold fronts, caused by melting polar ice from global warming. It adds the air is moist and likely to dump heavy snow in China, Europe and North America. (PA)