Peter Higgs, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist renowned for proposing the existence of the Higgs boson particle, has passed away at the age of 94. He died at his home in Edinburgh on Monday.
Higgs received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013 for his groundbreaking work in 1964, which demonstrated how the Higgs boson contributes to the cohesion of the universe by imparting mass to particles.
His theory was confirmed by experiments conducted at the Large Hadron Collider in Cern, Switzerland, in 2012. François Englert, a Belgian theoretical physicist, who also contributed to the discovery in 1964, shared the Nobel Prize with Higgs.
The Higgs-Boson Theory explains that everything, including you and everything around you, is made of tiny particles. When the universe started, these particles didn't have any weight; they moved fast.
Stars, planets, and life could only form because these particles gained weight from a special field connected to the Higgs boson. In 2012, scientists found the Higgs boson particle at CERN, proving that this field exists.
Throughout his illustrious career, Higgs was associated with the University of Edinburgh, where the Higgs Center for Theoretical Physics was established in his honour in 2012. His legacy as a scientist and educator continues to inspire generations of physicists.
Peter Higgs was remembered not only for his scientific contributions but also for his modesty and ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms. His passing is mourned by colleagues and the wider scientific community, which recognises his profound impact on the understanding of the universe.
Higgs is survived by his two sons, Chris and Jonny, his daughter-in-law, Suzanne, and two grandchildren. His wife, Jody, from whom he was separated, passed away in 2008.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)