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A 9-year-old girl in Paris has become the youngest ever to pass France's prestigious baccalaureate exam, usually taken at 17 or 18. She sat the test independently in Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry, breaking the previous record set in 1989 by Arthur Ramiandrisoa at 11 years and 11 months. According to France's Education Ministry, she was born in France, holds Grenadian nationality, and now studies in Dubai.

At her age, she would typically be in 4th grade. Her achievement was supported by Isoset, an education group using the Aleph accelerated learning method, which has helped other students pass the exam at 12. While her success drew admiration, it also sparked debate, with some educators warning that extreme academic acceleration may affect psychological development. This year, 91.8% of more than 720,000 candidates passed the baccalaureate.

Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi were both listed among the 10 busiest airports in Southeast Asia in August, according to OAG Aviation. Tan Son Nhat ranked sixth with 2.44 million departing seats, up 11.4% year-on-year, while Noi Bai ranked seventh with 2.06 million, a 13% increase from last year.

In recent years, both airports have expanded infrastructure and enhanced service quality. Notably, Tan Son Nhat opened its T3 domestic terminal in May, capable of serving 20 million passengers annually and around 7,000 passengers per hour. The region's busiest airport in August was Singapore's Changi, followed by Kuala Lumpur International and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta.

Coffee prices in the U.S. surged nearly 21% in August from a year earlier, the steepest rise since 1997, with a 4% monthly increase marking the sharpest in 14 years. The spike is largely tied to tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, as the U.S. relies on imports for 99% of its coffee. Brazil, the top supplier, now faces 50% tariffs due to political tensions involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, while Colombia and Vietnam face 10% and 20% tariffs, respectively.

Economists warn prices will climb further as the full impact of Brazil's tariffs filters through. Major coffee sellers have already begun passing on costs: J.M. Smucker's has announced multiple price hikes for Folgers and Café Bustelo, while New Orleans' French Truck Coffee added a 4% surcharge. Starbucks has delayed increases thanks to its purchasing strategy but expects costs to rise in 2026.

With tariffs squeezing supply chains, both big brands and small cafes are struggling to shield consumers, signaling coffee drinkers should brace for even higher prices ahead.

A strong thunderstorm hit Ho Chi Minh City late Thursday, toppling nearly a dozen trees, damaging property, and disrupting traffic. Around 5:30 p.m., heavy rain and strong winds struck the Chinatown area, uprooting a century-old tamarind tree in Binh Phu Park, District 6. The massive tree fell onto a parking lot, crushing two motorbikes and leaving a two-meter-wide hole where its roots tore from the ground. Nearby, several other large trees also collapsed, blocking roads and damaging a medium-voltage switchboard.

The storm ripped off corrugated iron roofs along Hong Bang Street, endangering passing motorcyclists. Quick-thinking residents managed to move many motorbikes to safety before more damage occurred.

Meteorological authorities attributed the storm to a low-pressure trough over the north interacting with southwest winds, causing widespread rain and thunderstorms. They warned that southern Vietnam could face heavy rainfall for up to a week, urging locals to prepare for flooding and further hazards.

A senior zookeeper at Safari World Bangkok, one of Asia's largest open-air zoos, was killed after being mauled by multiple lions, Thai officials confirmed Wednesday. The victim, who had more than 30 years of experience and usually fed the lions, was attacked by six or seven of them after stepping out of his vehicle inside the enclosure.

A witness described the man standing alone with his back to the animals for several minutes before a lion approached and attacked him without warning. Officials said all the lions at the park are legally licensed, and staff are frequently reminded of safety rules when working with dangerous animals.

Wildlife experts and conservation groups expressed condolences and emphasized that lions, even when raised in captivity, remain unpredictable and dangerous. PETA called for the relocation of Safari World's lions to a sanctuary, stressing that the animals had only acted on their natural instincts.

Lion ownership is legal in Thailand, where the captive population has grown to nearly 500 across zoos, breeding farms, cafes, and private homes. The incident has sparked renewed debate about safety and the ethics of keeping lions in captivity.