WATCHING TODAY:

1. Vladimir Putin is a product of modernity: Tom McTague writes why the tension in Ukraine may feel deceptively regressive.

2. European scientists set nuclear-fusion energy world record: WSJ reports the findings suggest this approach can be scaled-up for use in power plants.

3. In praise of unglamorous American invention: Virginia Heffernan writes forget Blue Origin, Silicon Valley, and unicorns—small but mighty innovations are the true breakthroughs of human ingenuity.

4. Can old sneakers really be a legitimate investment? DW reports many online resellers and even one of the oldest and biggest auctions houses in the world think so. Recent astronomical prices may prove them right.

5. Esports to be included as pilot event at Commonwealth Games: BBC reports the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships will have separate branding, medals and organization. But there is hope within the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that esports could become a part of the full program by the 2026 Games. Hamilton in Canada, frontrunners for the 2030 event, are also understood to be keen on esports being included.