Lenin’s tomb to get $250k makeover

A prominent Chinese academic is calling for an overhaul of the country's doctoral education system, arguing that its obsession with quantity over quality—prioritizing paper counts over groundbreaking research—is stifling innovation. At a recent forum, Wang Shuguo, president of Fuyao University, pointed to DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng as an example of what China could achieve if its academic culture encouraged more creative risk-taking instead of rigid credentialism.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about academia—it’s about China’s competitiveness. If bright minds like DeepSeek’s founder are deterred by a system that rewards box-ticking over bold ideas, the country risks falling behind in global tech and innovation races. The critique hits at a tension many nations face: how to measure (and reward) real-world impact versus bureaucratic benchmarks.

Israel blocked foreign ministers from five Arab countries from entering the occupied West Bank to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Since Israel controls the region's borders and airspace, the move effectively halted the planned diplomatic talks, sparking condemnation from Arab officials.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a canceled meeting—it’s another sign of how tightly Israel controls Palestinian territories, even when it comes to diplomacy. By shutting out Arab ministers, Israel’s sending a clear message about who holds the keys to Palestinian political engagement. For the Arab states involved, it’s a frustrating setback, and for Palestinians, it’s a reminder of their limited autonomy under occupation. The incident could further strain already tense regional relations.

President Trump tried to ease concerns for international students in the US—particularly Chinese students—by saying they’d "be OK" and things would "work out fine." But his vague reassurance only deepened the confusion after his administration earlier threatened to cancel Chinese student visas aggressively. The mixed signals leave students and universities scrambling to figure out what’s actually happening.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic noise—it directly impacts thousands of Chinese students (and others) who contribute billions to the US economy and enrich campuses. The back-and-forth creates real anxiety for students who’ve built lives here and now face uncertainty over whether they can stay. It also signals how geopolitical tensions are spilling into education, which has long been a bridge between the US and China.

The Champions League final between PSG and Inter is heating up with all the pre-match buzz. Analysts are framing it as a clash of contrasting styles—both in gameplay and club philosophies. Inter, despite being underdogs, are banking on lessons from their painful 2023 loss, while star-studded PSG aims to dominate. Kick-off is at 8pm BST, and fans can follow live updates or dive into deeper analysis.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another big game—it’s a showdown between two very different football cultures. PSG’s flashy, big-money approach meets Inter’s gritty, tactical resilience, making it a must-watch for neutrals and die-hards alike. Plus, with Inter seeking redemption and PSG chasing glory, the stakes feel personal. Whether you’re here for the drama or the sport, tonight’s final delivers both.

It's halftime in the A-League Men's grand final, with Melbourne City leading crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory 1-0 at AAMI Park. The match is packed with energy—pre-game theatrics included light shows and appearances by club legends, setting the stage for a fiery derby showdown.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just any football match—it’s the biggest game of Australia’s domestic season, and it’s a derby, which always adds extra spice. The result could define bragging rights for Melbourne fans for months, and with City currently ahead, Victory will need a big second-half response. If you love high-stakes football drama, this is the match to watch.