The Daily Populous

Sunday May 17th, 2026 night edition

image for Bill to block publishers from killing online games advances in California

A bill focused on maintaining long-term playable access to online games has passed out of the California Assembly’s appropriations committee, setting up a floor vote by the full legislative body.

The advancement is a major win for Stop Killing Games‘ grassroots game preservation movement and comes over the objections of industry lobbyists at the Entertainment Software Association.

The act would also require publishers to notify players 60 days before the cessation of “services necessary for the ordinary use of the digital game.”.

As currently amended, the act would not apply to completely free games and games offered “solely for the duration of [a] subscription.

Any other game offered for sale in California on or after January 1, 2027, would be subject to the law if it passes.

SKG wrote last month that it “advised on the drafting” of the bill before it was first introduced by Assemblyman Chris Ward earlier this year.

“It has been an honor to take part in drafting this bill on behalf of the SKG community: gamers, developers, and publishers alike. »

Xi Jinping Was Only Humoring Trump

Authored by theatlantic.com
image for

After President Trump arrived in Beijing this week, Xi Jinping showered him with pomp befitting a summit of great powers.

Xi used the visit to humor the lame-duck president, waiting for his time to pass.

Like many of his counterparts around the world, Xi has begun to assume that it’s not just Trump who is term-limited; it’s also his nation. »

Iran parliament working on bill that proposes €50m reward for killing Trump

Authored by iranintl.com

Western media reports indicate Trump plans to press Xi over China’s economic and strategic ties with Iran, particularly oil purchases and alleged military assistance.

In a CNBC interview, Trump criticized what he described as China’s “unexpected support for Iran,” saying he had anticipated greater understanding from Beijing.

The US Treasury Department also sanctioned several companies in mainland China and Hong Kong accused of helping supply weapons-related materials to Iran. »

Once dismissed as weeds, native plants are now flying off the shelves

Authored by grist.org

For a long time, native plants were seen as little more than weeds, but their value has grown significantly in recent years.

Over 110,000 native plants were sold last year through the organization’s 107 plant sales, according to Josh Nelson, development director with the Wild Ones.

He added that another 40,000 native plants were distributed as part of the group’s various programs. »