STOCKHOLM -- Belgian scientist Francis Halzen has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2026 for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced Tuesday.
"Francis Halzen realized that ice at the South Pole could be used to track particles known as neutrinos. His vision and scientific leadership have been fundamental for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory -- a cubic kilometre of ice that is equipped with light sensors," the Academy said in a statement. (Nobel-Physics)
----
SOFIA -- Drones sank one merchant ship and set another on fire in the Black Sea off the coast of Bulgaria, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Tuesday.
At around 3 a.m. (0000 GMT), two merchant ships were attacked with sea and air drones around 70 nautical miles east of the town of Byala in the country's exclusive economic zone, Radev said at the beginning of a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian institutions. (Bulgaria-Drones-Ships-Attack)
----
PARIS -- France on Tuesday test-fired a strategic ballistic missile without a nuclear warhead from a submarine off the coast of Finistere in western France, French media reported.
The missile was launched from the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Le Vigilant and landed in the North Atlantic Ocean, several hundred kilometers from any coast, French news channel BFM TV reported, citing French Ministry of Armed Forces. (France-Missile)
----
SANAA -- Yemen's Houthi group said Tuesday it had launched a fresh ballistic missile strike on Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia's Asir region, claiming the attack disrupted air traffic.
In a statement on social media platform X, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed the missile "precisely and directly" hit the airport. (Yemen-Saudi Arabia-Strike) ■
