Larissa Robinson-Cooper is demystifying science for the next generation - UW Magazine

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Belgian-born scientist Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for his efforts to demystify a rare group of neutrinos, tiny cosmic particles that researchers believe offer clues to how the universe evolved. "It was a great surprise, and I obviously didn't expect it," Halzen said, speaking to the Nobel Physics Committee by phone from Italy, in a call broadcast at the news conference to announce the winner.

Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters has quit the party leadership in a surprise move due to ill health. Waters, who has been leader since former leader Adam Bandt was defeated at the 2025 election, is managing a “pre-existing kidney disease” that has “declined significantly” in recent months. A Monday night statement said the prognosis for her recovery was “positive”, but she had decided the demands of the leadership, including extra travel, were incompatible with prioritising her health.

Greens leader Larissa Waters has announced she will step down due to ill health, with a party room meeting expected within days to choose her successor. Waters revealed on Monday night she has been managing a pre-existing kidney disease, but that her health had “declined significantly over the course of recent months”. She said while her prognosis for recovery was positive, the pressure of the party’s leadership, including additional travel demands, was detracting from a focus on her health. Waters replaced Adam Bandt as Greens leader after the 2025 election, in which Bandt lost his lower house seat in a shock result. But some Greens members have expressed frustration with the party’s position under Waters, including its cut-through with voters as the major parties haemorrhage support to One Nation. Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcast