GENEVA (AP) — A Russian billionaire’s foundation is awarding two special prizes of $3 million each to British cosmologist Stephen Hawking for his work on black holes and to seven scientists at the world’s biggest atom-smasher for their roles in the discovery of a new subatomic particle believed to be the long-sought Higgs boson.

Yuri Milner’s Fundamental Physics Prize Foundation announced the awards in a statement Tuesday.

Recommended Stories

Van Hollen vows funding to fix air traffic control system, rejects Duffy blame

The tax revolt beneath the blue wave: Voters say ‘hands off our wallets’

Sen.-elect Scott Colom undecided in Van Hollen-Schumer race: ‘I’m in listening mode’