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Pham Hoang Tung, 23, from Hanoi, has secured a full PhD scholarship worth about US$400,000 to study Statistical Science at Duke University, ranked sixth among U.S. national universities. A former math prodigy from Hanoi–Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Tung lost his father to cancer in ninth grade, sparking his interest in applying statistics to cancer genetics.

He moved to the U.K. in 11th grade, overcoming language struggles to excel with top A-level results, later earning First Class Honors in Mathematics and Statistics from Imperial College London, ranked second globally by QS. At Imperial, he joined the Vietnamese Student Association and gained experience through academic, cultural, and volunteer activities.

His research included work at VinBigData on bacterial gene analysis using advanced statistical methods to better classify cell types, and later in banking, where he sharpened data-handling and communication skills, though he felt unfulfilled. With mentorship from academics and consultants, he refined his personal statements and strengthened his PhD applications.

Imperial professors praised his quick grasp of complex concepts and passion for mathematics. Now starting at Duke, Tung aims to specialize in Bayesian statistics, publish research, attend international conferences, and embrace U.S. academic and cultural life. His journey reflects resilience, academic excellence, and a clear vision to advance cancer genetics research through data science.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of Ben & Jerry's, are urging that their ice cream brand be spun off from Unilever to regain its independence. In an open letter to the Magnum Ice Cream Company board, which is being spun off from Unilever, they argued that Unilever has steadily eroded the brand's freedom to pursue its social mission since acquiring it in 2000. They cited repeated instances where Ben & Jerry's was blocked from speaking out on issues like abortion, climate change, Trump's policies, and the war in Gaza.

The cofounders said Ben & Jerry's was promised independence when sold, but its “voice has been silenced” by Unilever. They urged that the brand be released to operate as a progressive-led company supported by socially aligned investors. A website, freebenandjerrys.com, was launched to support their appeal.

Unilever rejected the call, saying Ben & Jerry's remains a “proud part” of the new Magnum Ice Cream Company and is not for sale. The conglomerate is set to become the world's largest ice cream group and list publicly in mid-November.

The dispute continues a years-long rift. In March, Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of violating the merger agreement by removing its CEO without board approval. Earlier this year, the brand also said Unilever blocked its planned posts on abortion and healthcare. In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ended sales in occupied Palestinian territories, sparking major controversy. The conflict underscores ongoing tension between the brand's activist roots and corporate control.

A 37-year-old Japanese woman named Yuka has gone viral after revealing she gave birth at just 14. Speaking to Oricon News, she shared that she didn't realize she was pregnant until her belly grew, having hidden her condition from her parents and confiding only in a friend. When her family eventually found out, they were shocked but supported her through prenatal care.

Despite her young age, Yuka balanced motherhood with education and work. She completed secondary school, trained in beauty, opened her own salon at 19, and raised her daughter while building her career. She emphasized open communication in parenting, saying parents should “educate, not just get angry” and understand a child's perspective.

Today, her daughter is 23, and the two describe themselves as having a best friend–like bond, sharing interests in beauty and fashion. Together they now run a maid café, a business rooted in Japan's anime and gaming culture, which has further strengthened their relationship.

Their story has sparked widespread debate online in Japan. Many praised Yuka's resilience and dedication, while others cautioned against glamorizing teen motherhood, stressing the hardships and risks involved. The discussion also ties into broader legal changes: Japan raised its age of consent from 13 to 16 in 2023 to better protect minors.

Thailand has declared Bangkok and four northern provinces — Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, and Mae Hong Son — as official “pollution control zones” to combat hazardous PM2.5 levels. The National Environment Board (NEB), led by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, approved the designation on Sept. 8.

The move aims to strengthen enforcement of anti-pollution measures ahead of worsening smog during the winter and dry seasons. In the north, efforts will target major causes such as forest fires, open burning, and vehicle emissions, which have long harmed public health.

With this designation, authorities gain broader powers to implement preventive and remedial measures, while emphasizing collaboration across central, regional, and local agencies. The NEB also highlighted community participation, calling for reduced outdoor burning, cleaner fuel use, and expanded air-quality monitoring.

Officials view the decision as a key step toward sustainable pollution control, designed to protect public health and enhance confidence in Thailand's environmentally responsible development.

The World Health Organization warns of a 4.5 million nurse shortage by 2030, with many already facing burnout. To ease the burden, Foxconn developed Nurabot, an AI-powered humanoid robot designed to handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks like medication delivery and guiding patients. Tested since April 2025 at Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, Nurabot reduces nursing workload by up to 30% and is set for commercial launch in 2026.

Built with hardware from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and AI from NVIDIA, Nurabot can navigate hospitals, schedule tasks, and respond to cues. Its role is supportive, not to replace nurses, freeing them for patient care and judgment-based work. While early trials show efficiency gains, challenges remain, including patient preference for human interaction, narrow hospital layouts, safety concerns, and data ethics.

Healthcare robotics is a growing trend: Singapore's Changi General Hospital already uses over 80 robots, while U.S. hospitals deploy nearly 100 Moxi bots. However, reviews show mixed evidence on long-term benefits, citing technical issues and training needs.

With the global elderly population rising rapidly, experts say AI-driven robots like Nurabot could help address workforce shortages and improve efficiency, though careful integration and cautious rollout are essential. Foxconn believes Nurabot can't replace nurses but can ease the pressure on an overstrained system.