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Editor's note
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Between them, Kazakhstan’s 18m people speak 117 different languages, but the official alphabet is Cyrillic – a testament to the country’s long relationship with Russia. That will change next year when Kazakhstan adopts an augmented version of the Latin alphabet as it aims for greater integration with the rest of the world. But state intervention in language planning isn’t always straightforward, as Andrew Linn explains.
Scientists have for the first time spotted an asteroid originating from a solar system other than our own. The strange, cigar-shaped object, barely bright enough to be detected by the world’s most powerful telescopes, whizzed past the Earth in October. Monica Grady explains how the discovery could help us learn more about extrasolar planetary systems.
Delhi’s residents are once again suffering as smog in the Indian capital climbed to 16 times the government’s safe limit – a level compared to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. This is partly due to the hangover from Diwali fireworks and also the practice of burning crop residues within the city limits. Vijay Koul says the government must act decisively or face a major health crisis.
If you’ve enjoyed reading some of the long read articles we’ve been running in recent months, you will now be able to listen to a selection in audio form through our new podcast: In Depth, Out Loud. In the first episode, launched today, Colin Alexander’s visit to North Korea and the Kim dynasty’s homage to Stalinism.
Following Robert Mugabe’s resignation yesterday, keep up with the latest developments in Zimbabwe here.
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Jonathan Este
Associate Editor
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Top story
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Sergey Kamshylin via Shutterstock
Andrew Linn, University of Westminster
Between them, Kazakhstan's 18m people speak 117 languages but the country is opting for the Latin alphabet as it aims for wider global integration.
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Science + Technology
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Monica Grady, The Open University
Having discovered an asteroid from outside the solar system for the first time, scientists are hoping there are more out there – illuminating the path to extrasolar worlds.
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David Metz, UCL
It's going to be difficult for UK government-backed autonomous vehicle projects to compete with Silicon Valley – unless they have something neat under the bonnet.
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Conor McGinn, Trinity College Dublin
Robots could free human carers to focus on the more personal parts of the job.
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In Depth, Out Loud podcast
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Colin Alexander, Nottingham Trent University
In this first episode of In Depth, Out Loud: an audio version of long form stories, a look at the cult of the Kim family.
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Business + Economy
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Jonathan Winship, The Open University
It's unlikely the next budget will do much to address the UK's failure to raise money from corporation taxes.
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Daiga Kamerāde, University of Salford; Lisa Scullion, University of Salford
Unemployment levels are low, but many people are being pushed into inadequately paid jobs by a punitive benefit system and lack of choice.
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Politics + Society
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Enock C. Mudzamiri, University of South Africa
Contrary to popular sentiment that the coup in Zimbabwe would usher in a new era of democracy, the military intervention is much more about a succession crisis in the ruling Zanu-PF.
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Sam Power, University of Sussex
The Electoral Commission has re-opened the case against the official campaign over concerns it colluded with unofficial organisations.
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Nick Bentley, Keele University
Boris Johnson and Michael Gove may not be the stuff of Orwell's dystopian nightmare, but they clearly know how to talk in 'doublespeak'.
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Rosa Freedman, University of Reading
UN appointments frequently centre as much on politics as they do on qualifications for the role.
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Tom Quinn, University of Essex
The parliamentary arithmetic suggests Merkel would actually be in quite a stable position if she goes it alone, without calling fresh elections.
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Education
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Susanne Pelger, Lund University
It might feel like rocket science, but scientists need to get better at explaining things to people outside academia.
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Tim Cole, University of Bristol
What does society want and need from the arts and humanities?
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Arts + Culture
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Sasha Handley, University of Manchester
It is worth remembering that sleep 'crises' are far from new.
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Tim Crook, Goldsmiths, University of London
Information is valuable and can be risky.
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Cities
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Dominika Blachnicka-Ciacek, University of Sheffield; Clare Rishbeth, University of Sheffield
Walking, gardening and cycling can all help relieve anxiety and help asylum seekers become a part of the local community.
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Featured events
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51 Gordon Square, London, London, City of, WC1H 0PN, United Kingdom — UCL
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Claverton Down, Bath, Bath and North East Somerset, BA27AY, United Kingdom — University of Bath
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51 Gordon Square, London, London, City of, WC1H 0PN, United Kingdom — UCL
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Lecture Theatre A, University Place, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom — University of Manchester
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