The Daily Populous

Tuesday June 16th, 2026 morning edition

image for Xbox is reportedly considering closing South of Midnight studio, Compulsion Games, with Double Fine and Ninja Theory also allegedly at risk

Xbox is allegedly shuttering We Happy Few and South of Midnight developer, Compulsion Games, with Tim Schafer's Double Fine and Hellblade developer Ninja Theory also reportedly at risk of closure.

It's unclear how many positions are at risk or how many people could be impacted.

Further reporting from Bloomberg suggests "several Xbox studios" are in similar crisis talks, including Double Fine and Hellblade developer Ninja Theory, as management fight to spin off the studios to avoid closure.

Microsoft's games arm is also reportedly planning for further layoffs, with Microsoft allegedly considering spinning off Xbox as a separate entity or restructuring the games division as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Earlier today, we also reported that Craig Duncan, the leader of Xbox Games Studios, has departed the business after eighteen months in the role.

South of Midnight recently secured Game of the Year Award at last week's Gayming Awards and Best New Intellectual Property at the BAFTA Awards 2026.

Double Fine - best known for its Psychonauts series - and Ninja Theory have also developed award-winning games. »

B-52 bomber: 8 crew members dead after crash at California’s Edwards Air Force Base

Authored by cnn.com

Summary Eight crew members died when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Eight crew members are dead in a B-52 bomber crash shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base, northeast of Los Angeles, on Monday morning, the base said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also offered his sympathies to “the entire Edwards Air Force Base community” and thanked first responders. »

Portugal’s last circus elephant to begin new chapter at Pangea

Authored by bornfree.org.uk

Born Free’s supporters have played a vital role in making this possible, generously contributing to help bring her to Pangea.

Circo Víctor Hugo Cardinali and the Pangea Trust are today jointly announcing the relocation of Julie, Portugal’s last circus elephant, to Pangea’s sanctuary in the Alentejo, southern Portugal.

It was Virginia’s original vision that Europe’s captive elephants needed the option of a transformative, life-changing Sanctuary. »

America has lost its war with Iran

Authored by independent.co.uk

However, having falsely declared 39 times since he went to war with Iran in February that peace was at hand, this time might really be different.

MoU or not, an unstable region has been rendered even more dangerous by the unforced war of choice launched by Israel and America.

And that is why America has lost this war. »

India plans mission to recover ‘Green Boots’, the mountaineer whose body serves as Everest warning

Authored by independent.co.uk

And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls.

We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Indian authorities are looking to recover the body of a climber known as “Green Boots” from the upper slopes of Mount Everest nearly 30 years after a fatal expedition. »