The Daily Populous

Monday February 17th, 2025 evening edition

image for Zelenskyy: Ukraine unaware of Russia-US talks in Saudi Arabia and will not recognise them

Ukraine will not participate in the talks in Saudi Arabia and will not recognise any agreements on Ukraine without the participation of official Kyiv.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine quoted Zelenskyy, commenting on the talks in Saudi Arabia between Russian and US representatives.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Ukraine will not participate [in talks].

And Ukraine considers any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine useless.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that his official visit to Saudi Arabia on 18 February "has no connection with the things happening in Saudi Arabia at the level of representatives of the United States and Russia.".

The president said he would ask Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman about the talks.

On Monday 17 February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia for talks between the US and Russian delegations on the handling the war in Ukraine. »

South Carolina senator introduces bill to ban smoking in cars with children under 12

Authored by abcnews4.com

State Sen. Darrell Jackson, a Democrat from Richland, announced the introduction of a bill aimed at protecting South Carolina's children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

The proposed legislation would prohibit smoking in vehicles when a child under the age of 12 is present.

"This bill is a common-sense measure to protect our children's health, just as we already do with car seat and seatbelt laws.". »

Funko Fusion was a "complete commercial and critical failure", studio confirms job losses

Authored by eurogamer.net

10:10 Games has initiated redundancies following the "complete commercial and critical failure" of Funko Fusion.

Because of this, some colleagues were notified that their jobs were at risk whilst on leave.

Whilst unconfirmed, it's thought around 20 people have been impacted by the cuts, bringing the estimated number of developers who have lost their jobs across the games industry to around 900 in 2025 alone. »

Former Biden advisor reveals challenges of negotiating with Hamas

Authored by jpost.com

"[Former] President Joe Biden was right to stand firmly by Israel and demand the release of hostages by Hamas.

US PRESIDENT Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House last month.

The final negotiations began in December 2024, Biden and Trump joined forces and secured a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. »