Juin 8, 2026

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À Bientôt! — Zack (Zaki) 🇫🇷🇺🇸

Monday/Lundi June/Juin 1, 2026

June 01, 2026 by Zaki (Zack) Qayoumi in blog, music, music therapy, reading

Monday · June 1, 2026 · Lundi · Juin · Major Content Curation Day

World in Focus

Technology, world affairs, diplomacy, science, culture, and everything worth knowing — curated every Monday by Zack

AI · Geopolitics · Science · Culture · California Primary Eve

What's up, everybody! Happy Monday (Lundi), June 1, 2026! Welcome to a brand-new month — Juin is here and I could not be more excited. It's Major Content Curation Day, which means I've been working hard to bring you the most important stories from across the world. Enjoy the fruits of that labor.

Congratulations to PSG for winning the Champions League over the weekend — what a historic back-to-back! I'll be talking about it at length in my upcoming "Coffee with Zaki" VLOG in French. And speaking of Coffee — I am recording the latest "Coffee with Zack" VLOG in English whenever I can. Stay tuned on YouTube @iamzaki for both.

One more thing: the California Democratic Primary is TOMORROW. Please vote. I'm casting my ballot for Tom Steyer for Governor. Visit tomsteyer.com and ourrevolution.com for more. Now — let's get into the content.

📚 Elk Grove, CA · Coming in Less Than 2 Weeks!

Welcome to June — Barnes & Noble Elk Grove Opens Soon! ☕

June is here and that means one thing above all else: the Barnes & Noble Elk Grove bookstore — complete with a Café — is opening in less than two weeks. I am genuinely thrilled. If there's enough seating like in Folsom, this becomes my new Saturday ritual: laptop open, Starbucks in hand, journal out, DJ podcasts in the ears, surrounded by books and fellow readers. Sacramento / Elk Grove bookworms — come say hi. Fans of all kinds welcome. June is already the best month.

AI & Technology

The Week That Shook Silicon Valley

🚨 Breaking — TechCrunch · June 1, 2026

Anthropic Files to Go Public

The creator of Claude AI has filed for its IPO — a landmark moment in the artificial intelligence industry. This changes the AI landscape permanently. One to watch very closely.

The Economist Can the Stock Market Swallow Anthropic, SpaceX, and OpenAI? Three of the most valuable private companies on Earth are eyeing public markets simultaneously. The Economist asks whether Wall Street can handle that much disruption at once. Business Insider Amazon's $8B Anthropic Investment Is Now Worth $74 Billion Amazon made a $8 billion bet on Anthropic. As the IPO approaches, that stake has ballooned to $74 billion. The AI jackpot is real. Bloomberg Alphabet to Raise $80 Billion in Equity for AI Spending Google's parent company is raising $80 billion in new equity to fuel its AI buildout. The arms race has a new price tag and it has nine zeros. Harvard Business Review How People Are Really Using AI in 2026 Beyond the hype — HBR surveys how individuals and organizations are actually integrating AI into daily workflows. The reality is more nuanced and more interesting than the headlines suggest. MIT Technology Review China Has Approved the World's First Invasive Brain-Computer Chip — Here's What's Next A watershed moment in neurotechnology. China's regulatory approval of an invasive BCI chip raises profound questions about where brain-machine interfaces go from here. The Verge This Could Be Windows' M1 Moment — But Expect It to Cost a Ton Nvidia's RTX Spark 'superchip' shows real promise for Windows laptops — but the pricing situation may undermine what could have been a genuine Apple M1 rival moment. Mashable Thank the AI Industry for Tech Price Increases: The Full List AI infrastructure spending is trickling down to consumers in the worst way. Mashable documents every major tech price increase of 2026 — "Ramageddon" is a fitting name for it. Emmanuel Macron · LinkedIn · #ChooseFrance SoftBank Choisit la France — 45 Milliards Confirmés Avant 2031 SoftBank commits €45 billion to France before 2031 for AI infrastructure, making France the leading datacenter nation in Europe. Macron shares the historic news personally. ありがとう。 NPR Remote Work — Not AI — Has Sidelined Recent College Graduates, Research Finds New research pushes back on the AI-kills-jobs narrative for young workers. The culprit keeping recent graduates out of the workforce may actually be remote work itself.

World Affairs · Diplomatie

Geopolitics & Global Dispatches

1843 Magazine · The Economist · Longform

What I Did in Gaza: An Israeli Soldier's Reckoning

Jonathan was enthusiastic about serving after October 7th. Now he is ashamed. A deeply personal and morally serious account of one soldier's experience and the reckoning that followed. Essential reading for anyone grappling with the ongoing conflict.

BBC News Lebanon Says Hezbollah Agrees to Reciprocal Halt to Attacks on Israel A potentially significant development in the Lebanon-Israel conflict as Hezbollah reportedly agrees to a reciprocal ceasefire arrangement. Al-Jazeera Trump Says Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Halt Hostilities Washington proposes a de-escalation roadmap for Lebanon. If the agreement holds, this represents a major diplomatic development in one of the region's most volatile flashpoints. Foreign Affairs Ukraine Turns the Tide — Why a Cease-Fire Is Now a Real Possibility Foreign Affairs argues that the battlefield calculus in Ukraine has shifted enough to make a genuine ceasefire agreement politically and militarily conceivable for the first time. Foreign Policy Pakistan's Diplomatic Pivot Makes It a Trump-Era Power Player Islamabad is strategically positioning itself as an indispensable ally in the Trump era — giving the administration the optics it craves while quietly expanding its own regional leverage. Le Monde Upcoming G7 in Évian Puts Serious Strain on France-Switzerland Relations The G7 summit in Évian is creating unusual diplomatic friction between two usually harmonious neighbors. Le Monde examines why hosting rights have become a flashpoint. CFR.org Democracies Are Scrambling to Respond as Transnational Repression Worsens Authoritarian regimes are increasingly reaching across borders to silence dissidents. The Council on Foreign Relations tracks how democracies are — and aren't — pushing back. Afghanistan International Taliban Publish Law on Property of Missing Persons The Taliban regime introduces legislation governing the property of missing persons — a move that raises immediate concerns among human rights observers monitoring conditions in Afghanistan. The Diplomat Why Does Okinawa Have So Many US Military Bases? A clear-eyed explainer on the history, strategic logic, and ongoing tensions around the dense concentration of American military installations on Okinawa. Intelligence Online FR Hongrie — Vaste Purge à Venir dans les Services de Renseignement Hongrois Intelligence Online révèle qu'une purge de grande envergure est en préparation au sein des services secrets hongrois. Les implications pour la sécurité européenne sont importantes. Le Monde Diplomatique À l'École Française des Espions Le Monde Diplomatique lève le voile sur la formation des agents de renseignement français — institutions, méthodes, et les questions que soulève ce monde opaque. The Cipher Brief How America's Adversaries Compete Across Peace and War A strategic intelligence analysis of how Russia, China, Iran, and others exploit the grey zone between open conflict and formal diplomacy to advance their interests. The Economist · Insider A Former CIA Boss on How to Handle America's Adversaries A former CIA director shares a frank assessment of the strategic toolkit available to the United States in managing its most consequential adversarial relationships.

Nuclear & Security

Defence, Intelligence & Arms

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Russian Nuclear Weapons, 2026 — The Full Assessment Air & Space Forces Magazine F-35 Airmen Decorated for Combat Ops in Midnight Hammer and Rough Rider INTERPOL 3,300+ Illegal Firearms and 56 Tonnes of Drugs Seized in Americas Operation VICE · Investigation 'The Demon, the Devil, The Beast': How 'Gas Station Heroin' Got Americans in a Headlock

U.S. Politics

Democracy, Elections & Accountability

⚠️ The New York Times · Zack's Note: HRC & NAACP — Please Act

Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List

This is deeply wrong and I am personally very upset about it. I am formally calling on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the NAACP to file complaints on behalf of those affected — and on behalf of my complaint. Discrimination in military promotions is unacceptable. Full stop.

POLITICO And the Next Governor of California Will Be… POLITICO's pre-primary roundtable lays out the landscape heading into tomorrow's California Democratic Primary. The race is tighter than expected — every vote counts. ABC News Burned Ballots and Vandalized Voting Center Spark Investigations Ahead of California Primary Disturbing reports of ballot burning and a vandalized voting center are under investigation ahead of Tuesday's primary. Democracy requires vigilance — show up and vote. HuffPost Trump Dropping $1.8 Billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' After Bipartisan Backlash The $1.776 billion compensation fund is being abandoned amid rare bipartisan pushback. A notable retreat for an administration not known for reversing course. The Atlantic Why Did Donald Trump Get So Suddenly Shy? As signature efforts falter, The Atlantic examines a president increasingly asking critics to pipe down and pay less attention to his stumbling initiatives. Vox Trump's Freedom 250 Fest Crashout Proves He's the Only True MAGA Celebrity Trump loves stars. Too bad they all hate him. Vox breaks down the spectacular implosion of the Freedom 250 festival and what it says about celebrity politics in 2026. Washington Post · Opinion Trump Betrayed Farmers. Now Real Signs of Anger Show. Trade policy fallout and the Iran situation are generating genuine anger in rural America — constituencies Trump can't afford to lose in 2026 and beyond. The Intercept The Los Angeles Left Is at War With Itself Over the Mayor's Race Progressive factions in Los Angeles are in open conflict over the mayoral race. The Intercept maps the ideological terrain of a city that can't agree on its own future. Cap Radio News · Sacramento Will Measure V Solve Davis' Housing Shortage — Or Be a Major Mistake? Sacramento area voters weigh in on Measure V and whether it addresses Davis's housing crisis or creates new problems. Local democracy in action.

Health & Science

Medicine, Space & the Natural World

The Guardian · Medical Breakthrough

Smart Drug That Strips Cancer Cells of Their 'Invisibility Cloak' Can Shrink Tumours by 30%

A genuinely exciting clinical trial result: a new targeted therapy strips cancer cells of the mechanism they use to evade the immune system, shrinking tumours by up to 30% in trial data. This is the kind of science that gives real hope.

Reuters · Health Moderna and Partners Get $60 Million to Develop Ebola Bundibugyo Vaccine Critical funding for a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine — the strain at the center of the current DRC outbreak. Read my full LongRead on the Ebola crisis at zack.coffee/ebola. The Economist · The Intelligence Mistrusting the Process: Containing Congo's Ebola Outbreak The Economist podcast explores the critical trust deficit that is hampering containment efforts in the DRC Ebola outbreak — a dimension my LongRead covers in depth. NASA Stem Cell Research for Cancer and Spacesuit Work Kick Off June Aboard the ISS June begins with exciting science on the International Space Station — cancer stem cell research and critical spacesuit systems work launching simultaneously. Quanta Magazine How We See the Beautiful, Violent Sun A stunning deep-dive into solar observation — how scientists are developing increasingly sophisticated tools to study our star's dynamic, often violent surface. CERN · France & Suisse Public Consultation on the Future Circular Collider (FCC) Begins in Switzerland and France CERN launches citizen participation on the FCC — the proposed successor to the LHC. The future of particle physics is being built across France and Switzerland, and the public has a say. ESA · European Space Agency Week in Images: 25–29 May 2026 The European Space Agency's weekly visual digest — breathtaking images from orbit, Earth observation, and deep space. A reminder that the universe is extraordinary. National Geographic How Do Pigeons Sense Earth's Magnetic Field? Scientists Say They've Solved the Mystery. One of biology's long-standing puzzles may finally have an answer. Scientists believe they've identified the mechanism behind pigeons' extraordinary magnetic navigation ability.

Culture & Society

Sport, Identity & the World

The New Yorker · Culture & Football

Italy Has Failed to Qualify for Three Straight World Cups. Are the Country's Immigration Policies to Blame?

After winning the tournament in 2006, gli Azzurri have become a national embarrassment. The New Yorker opens a fascinating conversation about identity, citizenship, and who gets to represent a nation on the world's biggest sporting stage.

Board Games · Strategy

Chess, Go & the Art of Strategy

Chess.com Blog · History

Endre Steiner — Some Games and Pictures: Another of the Forgotten

A beautiful piece of chess history rescued from obscurity. Endre Steiner was a gifted player whose contributions to the game have been largely overlooked by history — until now. Essential reading for anyone who loves the depth of this game.

🎯 Amazon Affiliate Pick · Chess Millennium ChessGenius Pro M815 — Electronic Chess Computer 2200 ELO adaptive AI skill levels, color display, built-in trainer, magnetic travel design. Whether you're a beginner or a club player, this is a superb practice companion. View on Amazon →

🎯 Amazon Affiliate Pick · Go WE Games Go Set 12 Inch — Traditional Go Board with Pull-Out Storage Portable wood veneer Goban with pull-out storage drawers. One of the oldest and deepest strategy games in the world — beautifully presented. For adults and serious players. View on Amazon →

Automotive

Cars Worth Knowing About

MotorTrend · First Drive 2026 Polestar 5 First Drive: Proving EVs Can Have Soul MotorTrend gets behind the wheel of the 2026 Polestar 5 and comes away impressed. This might be the EV that finally convinces the holdouts that electric doesn't mean soulless.

🎧 10,000+ episodes · 16+ channels · zack.coffee

JETLAG RADIO 4600 — Latest Episode Out Now

The flagship is live. Over 4,600 curated episodes of electronic music — no algorithm, no corporate filter. Monday needs a great soundtrack. Stream it now on Spotify.

JETLAG RADIO EP. 4600 · Spotify OMEGA RADIO EP. 1680 · Spotify MU RADIO EP. 654 · Spotify All 16+ Channels zack.coffee

🚗 Support Zack — The Car Fund

25 Years of Work. Nearly 8 Years Without a Paycheck.
Please Help Me Get My First New Car.

I have been building Zack Technology LLC — this website, these podcasts, these articles, these longreads — entirely without a salary for nearly 8 years. Over 10,000 podcast episodes. Hundreds of curated blog posts. Major investigative longreads. All of it unpaid. In 25 years of professional life, I have never owned a brand-new car. It's that simple.

My dream is an Audi S8, fully loaded. I'm open to anything solid — RS5, RS6, RS7, BMW M5 Touring, Nissan NISMO Z, or a clean gently used vehicle no older than 2020. I am an official #RazerCreator with Razer Gaming as my first potential sponsor. If your brand wants to be part of this journey, let's talk.

If this work — any post, any podcast, any longread — has ever added value to your day, please consider a donation via Venmo. Every single dollar matters and is genuinely appreciated.

💸 Donate via Venmo @iamzaki 💌 Sponsor / Partner Inquiry

🏎️ Dream Car: Audi S8 (all options) · Audi RS5 / RS6 / RS7 · BMW M5 Touring · BMW M9 · Nissan NISMO Z · Gently used 2020+ welcome · Razer Gaming = Sponsor #1 · Your brand could be next

🎁 Find Zack Everywhere

YouTube @iamzaki · Coffee with Zack VLOG

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JETLAG RADIO 4600 Spotify · Latest Now

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Coffee with Zack zack.coffee · All Content

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LongRead: Ebola Crisis zack.coffee/ebola

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Email Zack superfrenchbigz@gmail.com

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Saturday/Samedi May/Mai 30, 2026

May 30, 2026 by Zaki (Zack) Qayoumi in blog, music, music therapy, reading

Saturday · May 30, 2026 · Samedi · Weekend Sports & World Edition

The Beautiful Game & Then Some

Football, motorsport, basketball, anime, lifestyle, and everything that makes weekends worth it — curated by Zack

UCL Final · F1 · NBA · NFL · Bundesliga · Ligue 1

What's up, everybody! Happy Saturday (Samedi), May 30, 2026! What an incredible morning — the Champions League Final was played today on the West Coast and it was an absolute rollercoaster. PSG defeated Arsenal on penalties. I was glued to it. Massive match, incredible atmosphere, historic result.

On top of that, I finally had some much-deserved privacy this weekend, which means I've been livestreaming LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight on PS5 in peace and tranquility. New videos are already up on my YouTube channel — check the full playlist here. As a #RazerCreator, getting Razer's attention is the mission — follow, like, and subscribe to make it happen together. Also a quick personal note: my shoulder bruise from the fall is still healing. Grateful it wasn't worse. Please — always be aware of your surroundings. Stay safe out there.

⚽ UEFA Champions League Final 2025–2026

PSG Back-to-Back Champions — Arsenal Fall on Penalties

Paris Saint-Germain claim back-to-back European titles in one of the most dramatic finals in recent memory. Arsenal put up a brilliant fight, but the penalty shootout was ruthless. PSG join the pantheon of truly great Champions League sides. Histoire!

PSG Official Match Report BBC Sport: PSG Join the Greats Arsenal Reaction: The Short Fuse Rennes Academy at the Summit

Football

Around the Beautiful Game

L'Équipe · Longform Investigation

Michael Schumacher, Classé Secret Médical — Aux origines du plus grand secret de l'histoire du sport

L'Équipe's landmark investigation into the most closely guarded secret in sporting history. Years after his accident, Michael Schumacher's condition remains classified. This is the story of why, and of the extraordinary effort to protect one of sport's greatest figures.

The Busby Babe · Man Utd Bruno Fernandes' Legacy Is Secure. Now Build Him a Winning Team. Bruno's individual brilliance is undeniable — but how long can one man carry a club? The Busby Babe makes the case for building properly around him at last. Man Utd Official Birthday Boy Benjamin Offers So Much Promise Happy Birthday to Benjamin! A young talent with real upside — Manchester United spotlight the promise of one of their bright young players. FourFourTwo Nemanja Vidic Reveals His Best Friends in Football — Including a Man Utd Hero The Serbian defensive legend opens up about the bonds formed across his career, including an iconic Manchester United partnership that will never be forgotten. Real Madrid · Forbes Real Madrid: World's Most Valuable Football Club for the Fifth Consecutive Year Forbes confirms it again. Real Madrid sits atop the global football valuation rankings for five straight years. The business of the beautiful game, at its most elite. Managing Madrid · Tactics What Is Tactical Periodisation — and How Does Mourinho Use It? A deep tactical explainer on one of football's most studied coaching philosophies. Understanding Mourinho means understanding this system. Al-Nassr FC A Vintage Finish to a Flawless Season Al-Nassr cap their season in style. The Saudi Pro League continues to evolve — and moments like these show exactly why the world is paying attention. We Ain't Got No History · Chelsea Everton 'Still Weighing Up' Tyrique George Loan Option Chelsea's Tyrique George could head to Everton on loan — reports suggest the deal isn't done yet. Development pathway or distraction? The debate continues. Olympique de Marseille 2025–2026 : Le Best of Mason Greenwood Marseille looks back at Mason Greenwood's season with a highlight reel. Whatever the controversy, the football has been hard to argue with. Toulouse FC · In Memoriam Carnet Noir — Toulouse FC en Deuil Après la Disparition de Bryan Bergougnoux Le Toulouse Football Club pleure la perte de Bryan Bergougnoux. Nos pensées vont à sa famille et à ses proches. Repose en paix.

Ligue 1 & France

Les Clubs Français

FC Nantes Les Dates de la Campagne d'Abonnement FC Nantes annonce les dates de sa campagne d'abonnement pour la prochaine saison. Les Canaris préparent l'avenir — abonnez-vous, fidèles supporters. FC Lorient Taxe d'Apprentissage — Soutenez l'École des Merlus FC Lorient invite les entreprises à orienter leur taxe d'apprentissage vers leur centre de formation. Investir dans les jeunes, c'est investir dans l'avenir du club. Stade Rochelais · Rugby USM Sapiac 15 – 71 Stade Rochelais La Rochelle demolishes USM Sapiac 71–15. Stade Rochelais continues to be one of the most dominant forces in French rugby. Immense. France Rugby · Documentaire Amateurs de Rugby — Épisode 3 : Un Club Engagé France Rugby's grassroots documentary series continues with Episode 3, spotlighting a club defined by commitment, community, and a deep love of the game.

Motorsport

Formula 1 & WEC

FIA WEC · Alpine Alpine: Minor Mistakes at Key Moments Cost Them Spa Success Peugeot Sport · WEC Spa-Francorchamps 2026 Wallpaper Pack — 40+ High-Res Shots Available Formula 1 Official Which Football Team Does Each F1 Driver Support? Alpine · Taste Drive Taste Drive: When Flavour Meets Performance Toyota GAZOO Racing G(餃子) R(料理) 対決 — Pro Racers Battle It Out in the Kitchen

Basketball & Baseball

NBA, NCAA & MLB

Fear the Sword · Cavaliers Cavs Lose Valuable Front Office Member to the 76ers Cleveland loses Mike Gansey to Philadelphia — a front office blow the Cavaliers will need to address heading into the offseason. Blazer's Edge · Trail Blazers Should the Blazers Trade Into the First Round of the Draft? Portland faces a pivotal draft decision — move up for a blue-chip prospect or stand pat? Blazer's Edge breaks down the options. King's Herald · Sacramento Kings 2026 Kings Herald Draft Board: Pick No. 5 Your Sacramento Kings are building. King's Herald breaks down the ideal pick at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft. Local pride, big stakes. SB Nation · College Basketball Men's College Basketball Top-25 Rankings Updated After NBA Draft Withdrawals The early 2026-27 season rankings shift as key players withdraw from — or return to — the NBA Draft. Who's on the move? Red Reporter · Cincinnati Reds Game 57: Reds vs. Braves — Singer vs. Perez (7:15 PM ET) Brady Singer takes the mound against Atlanta's Martin Perez. Cincinnati keeps grinding. Game recap and discussion thread over at Red Reporter. Sacramento Republic FC Match Recap: Republic FC 0 – 2 Phoenix Rising FC A tough night at home for Sacramento Republic FC, falling 0–2 to Phoenix Rising. Local pride on the line — the squad bounces back.

🏈 Eleven Warriors · Ohio State · #GoBucks

Remember When: Ohio State — Not Michigan — Introduced Winged Helmets to College Football in the 1930s

History corrected. It was the Buckeyes who brought the iconic winged helmet to college football first. The record stands. Go Bucks. 🌰

MLS & Soccer

Portland & Around the League

Portland Timbers · Feature Finn Surman: Journey to Dream — Inside Soccer City The Portland Timbers spotlight Finn Surman's journey inside Soccer City. A beautiful human story about the road to professional football — well worth watching.

Anime

From the Screen

IGN · Anime · Theatrical Trailer

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity · Official Theatrical Trailer (English Subtitles)

The official theatrical trailer for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity has dropped and it is stunning. Soul Society is under siege like never before. If you have not been watching this arc, correct that immediately. Watch the trailer on YouTube now.

Automotive

Cars, Drives & Dreams

AutoBlog Which 2026 Genesis G80 Gives You the Most for the Money? Genesis continues to impress at the value end of the luxury segment. AutoBlog breaks down which G80 trim offers the best bang for the buck in 2026. MotorWeek · First Drive 2026 Lexus ES — First Impressions MotorWeek gets behind the wheel of the 2026 Lexus ES. Refined, quiet, well-appointed — is this the understated luxury sedan that the market has been waiting for? Thomas Sieber · YouTube I Went to a Toyota Dealership — These Prices Are Crazy The Toyota dealership experience in 2026, documented. Markups, wait lists, and sticker shock — the content says what we're all thinking at the lot.

Campus Life · #GoBucks

Ohio State University

The Lantern · Ohio State Meal Swipes to Increase to $9 Value for the Upcoming Autumn Semester Good news for Buckeyes heading back to campus in Autumn 2026 — meal swipe values are going up to $9. Small win, but a win. Go Bucks!

🔴 Now Streaming · YouTube Gaming · #RazerCreator

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight — PS5 Playlist Live Now

New episodes are up! I've been streaming in peace this weekend and the content is flowing. Rated E for Everyone — the whole family is welcome. Follow, like, and subscribe. Let's get to 300,000 together so Razer notices and sends the gear. The mission continues. 🎮

▶ Watch the Full Playlist Subscribe @iamzaki →

🛡️ From Zack — A Guardian's Message

Graduation Weekend: A Word to Every Young Person Reading This

It's the last High School Graduation weekend of May, and I have something to say directly to every middle schooler and young teenager out there. Do not be around older teenagers drinking alcohol unsupervised. You can spend time with your friends — supervised, responsibly, safely. No alcohol under 21. No illicit drugs. No cigarettes. No weed. No vaping. Please do not make irreparable damage to your lungs and your future.

Listen to your Mom and your Dad. Listen to Yoga/Grogu. ☕ Be smart. Be safe. The world needs you at your best. And if you ever need inspiration, you know where to find me. I'm always going to try to do the right thing — that's what a Guardian does. Have a wonderful weekend, and a wonderful June ahead.

📚 Coming Soon to Elk Grove, CA

Barnes & Noble Elk Grove — With a Café! — Opening Soon

I genuinely cannot wait. The new Barnes & Noble in Elk Grove is opening soon — and it will have a Café. If there are enough seats like in Folsom, I plan to make this a regular spot: laptop open, Starbucks in hand, journal out, DJ podcasts in my ears, surrounded by books and bookworms. If you're a fellow reader in the Elk Grove / Sacramento area — come say hi. I welcome fans of all kinds, and yes, I'm looking for a girlfriend, so female bookworms especially encouraged to introduce themselves! 😄 June cannot come fast enough.

Now Streaming

JETLAG RADIO & All Podcasts

🎧 10,000+ episodes · 16+ channels · zack.coffee

JETLAG RADIO 4600 — Latest Episode Out Now

The flagship is live. Don't miss it. Over 4,600 curated episodes of electronic music — no algorithm, no filler, no compromise. Stream it now on Spotify and tell a friend.

JETLAG RADIO EP. 4600 · Spotify OMEGA RADIO EP. 1680 · Spotify MU RADIO EP. 654 · Spotify All 16+ Channels zack.coffee

🚗 Support Zack — The Car Fund

25 Years of Work. 8 Years Without a Paycheck.
Time for My First Brand-New Car.

It has been over 11 years since my first day at Intel Corporation and nearly 8 years since my last paycheck. Since then I've built Zack Technology LLC entirely without salary — 16+ podcast channels, thousands of articles, longreads, editorial content, and now a growing YouTube Gaming presence. All of it. Unpaid.

In 25 years of professional life I have never owned a brand-new car. Not once. My dream is an Audi S8, fully loaded. I'm open to anything solid — an RS5, RS6, RS7, a BMW M5 Touring, a Nissan NISMO Z, or a clean gently used vehicle no older than 2020. I am an official #RazerCreator — Razer Gaming is my first potential sponsor. If your brand wants in on this journey, reach out.

If this content — any of it — has ever meant something to you, please consider a donation via Venmo. Every dollar goes toward keeping this operation alive and getting me that car. Thank you for the support. Always.

💸 Donate via Venmo @iamzaki 💌 Sponsor / Partner Inquiry

🏎️ Dream Car: Audi S8 (all options) · Audi RS5 / RS6 / RS7 · BMW M5 Touring · BMW M9 · Nissan NISMO Z (RIP Maxima 😔) · Gently used 2020+ welcome · I'd always take a Supra over a Ferrari · Razer = Sponsor #1

🎁 Find Zack Everywhere

YouTube — LEGO Batman Playlist PS5 Livestreams · Now Live

YouTube Gaming Channel @iamzaki · Subscribe & Like!

Razer Amazon Affiliate zack.coffee/razer-creator

JETLAG RADIO 4600 Spotify · Latest Episode Now

OMEGA RADIO 1680 Spotify

MU RADIO 654 Spotify

Coffee with Zack zack.coffee · All Content

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Email Zack superfrenchbigz@gmail.com

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Friday/Vendredi May/Mai 29, 2026

May 29, 2026 by Zaki (Zack) Qayoumi in blog, music, music therapy, reading

Friday · May 30, 2026 · Vendredi · TGIF · Weekly Gaming & Tech Edition

Game On & Level Up

Videogames, tech, anime, and the culture of play — curated by Zack every Friday

PS5 · Xbox · PC Gaming · Anime · Big Tech

What's up, everybody — TGIF! Happy Friday (Vendredi), May 30, 2026! Today we celebrate videogames, and I have a very personal reason to be excited this weekend: I'm live-streaming LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight on PS5 — a game I received as a birthday gift. It's rated E for Everyone, so the whole family can tune in. If you're underage, get your parents' permission and then come hang with us.

Catch all my livestreams at youtube.com/@iamzaki. Follow, like, subscribe — and let's get to 300,000 together. As a #RazerCreator on YouTube Gaming, I need that number to unlock the next level of this journey. Also, don't miss the brand-new JETLAG RADIO 4600 — the link is below. Let's go.

🔴 Live This Weekend — YouTube Gaming

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight — PS5 Livestream

Birthday gift unlocked. Rated E for Everyone. Grab the kids, grab a snack, and come watch Zack play. All ages welcome — parents encouraged to join. Follow, like, and subscribe to help this channel go viral and get Razer's attention. Together we hit 300K.

▶ Watch Live @iamzaki PlayStation Blog Feature →

🎯 GOAL: 300,000 views, likes & subscribers → Razer partnership & swag for the community

Game News

What's Moving in Gaming This Week

Xbox Wire · Exclusive First Look

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 — First Details on the Next Epic Campaign

Xbox Wire drops the first official details on the Modern Warfare 4 campaign. If the early intel is anything to go by, this could be the most ambitious CoD story mode in years. Read the breakdown before everyone else.

Gaming Bible Xbox Fans Relieved as Helix Delays Keep New-Gen Console Off 2026 Showcase The Xbox next-gen Helix console was nowhere to be seen at the 2026 showcase — and the fanbase is oddly relieved. Sometimes waiting for right beats rushing to release. Kotaku Sweeney vs. Newell: The Steam Deck Price Hike Drama Gets Messy Epic's Tim Sweeney dunked on Gabe Newell over Steam Deck price increases — then people turned around and pointed at Sweeney's $500M super yacht and the 1,000 Epic layoffs. The gaming internet had opinions. IGN Destiny 2 Fans Plan Mass Server Protest to Beat Marathon's All-Time Record The Destiny 2 community plans to flood the servers in a mass protest that doubles as a record attempt against Marathon's all-time player count. Community power at its wildest. PC Gamer 007 First Light Review — Bond Is Back and It Shows PC Gamer weighs in on the Bond revival that's got everyone talking. After years of mediocre licensed games, is 007 First Light really as good as the hype suggests? Short answer: yes. GameSpot 50 Video Game Movies In The Works — How Many Will Actually Come Out? Hollywood is betting big on gaming IP with 50 adaptations currently in development. GameSpot asks the real question: which of these actually makes it to screens, and which quietly disappears? Polygon The 10 Most Anticipated Board Games & TTRPGs of Summer 2026 Not everything happens on a screen. Polygon's summer board game and tabletop RPG roundup has something for everyone — from casual families to hardcore dungeon crawlers. Steam The Elder Scrolls Franchise Sale 2026 — Up to 75% Off Steam is running a massive Elder Scrolls franchise sale with up to 75% off. Whether you've never played Morrowind or want to revisit Skyrim for the 100th time — now is the time. PCGamesN Counter-Strike's Co-Creator on Low Player Counts: "Those People Will Never Play Your Game" A refreshingly honest take on player count anxiety from CS's co-creator. Not every game needs millions of players to be successful, sustainable, or meaningful.

Hardware & Tech

Gear, Laptops & PC Components

Tom's Hardware Corsair 3200D RS ARGB Mid-Tower: Budget Chassis, Three Fans, No Wallet Pain PC World Watch Out, MacBook Neo: Affordable Windows Laptops Are Getting Seriously Good Again Computer Weekly Microsoft Hits Out Over Irresponsible Vulnerability Disclosure Apple Newsroom Cherokee Language Learners Bridge Generations with iPad and Mac

#Wishlist · #DreamLaptop · #RazerCreator

Razer Blade 18 — Next-Gen · Built for Gaming, Creation & Local AI

The next-generation Razer Blade 18 is everything I need as a creator, streamer, and AI-powered content producer. Built for gaming, content creation, and local AI workflows — this is the machine that would change my output completely. If anyone wants to make a #RazerCreator very happy, you know the link. 🙏

View the Razer Blade 18 →

Anime

From the Screen & Beyond

Crunchyroll · #GUNDAM

[Alexandros] Releases "ENDROLL" Cover — Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Film Insert Song MV

[Alexandros] drops a stunning music video for their cover of "ENDROLL," the insert song from the new Gundam Hathaway film. The intersection of mecha legend and indie rock artistry — essential for any Gundam fan. Watch it now on Crunchyroll.

Anime News Network · In Memoriam

Scriptwriter Hiroyuki Kawasaki Has Passed Away

The anime world mourns the passing of Hiroyuki Kawasaki, a talented scriptwriter whose work touched generations of fans. We honor his contributions to the stories and worlds that shaped so many of us. Rest in peace.

From the Desk of Zack

On Intel, Big Tech, and Why This Work Matters

✍️ Personal Editorial — Zack Technology LLC

Eleven Years. One Week. A Lot of Unfinished Business.

This week is a significant one for me personally. Over 11 years ago, I walked onto the Intel Corporation campus for my very first day. I was a Green Badge — a contractor — not a Blue Badge. But I didn't care. I was on a Big Tech campus. I was working hard alongside brilliant people. I was genuinely happy. I loved my co-workers. I poured everything into those two contracts.

I was hoping for a third contract. Maybe even a Blue Badge offer. Neither materialized. What did materialize: my work was absorbed, the company thrived, and in the years that followed, Intel laid off tens of thousands of employees and saved billions. Then AI lifted the stock from roughly $18/share in late 2025 to nearly $130 — driven in part by the U.S. Government's involvement, NVIDIA partnerships, and new industry deals. I'm not bitter about Intel's success. I still respect that company. I still want to return. But I want the waiting game to end, and I want the informal practice of blacklisting candidates — what some call "don't hire my guy" — to stop. It is illegal. It is wrong. It has cost me years.

I am the Founder, President, CEO, Director, and Senior Project Manager of Zack Technology LLC. We cover Technology, World Affairs, Electronic Music, Diplomacy, Mental Health, Emotional Support, and Music Therapy. For years, entities have benefited from my technology, my words, my podcasts — without offering a single cent in return. That era is over. Either support this work with a donation, engage me with a contract or invoice, or acknowledge what you've taken. I've filed complaints. I'm documenting everything. I'm tired — but I'm still here.

To any VC, angel investor, or Series A partner reading this: it is time. Zack Technology LLC is ready for funding. The track record is there. The audience is there. The content is there. Come find me. And to AMD, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Apple, SAP, Salesforce, and any startup worth its salt — my inbox is open. Let's build something real.

Now Streaming

JETLAG RADIO & All Podcasts

🎧 10,000+ episodes · 16+ channels · zack.coffee

JETLAG RADIO 4600 — Latest Episode Out Now

The flagship is live. Over 4,600 episodes of electronic music curated without compromise. No algorithm, no corporate filter — just the music. Stream it now on Spotify.

JETLAG RADIO EP. 4600 · Spotify OMEGA RADIO EP. 1680 · Spotify MU RADIO EP. 654 · Spotify All 16+ Channels zack.coffee

🚗 Support Zack — The Car Fund

25 Years of Work. 8 Years Without a Salary.
Time for My First Brand-New Car.

I have been building this — all of it — without a paycheck for 7 years and 11 months. Over 10,000 podcast episodes. Hundreds of articles, longreads, and editorial posts. A full media and technology startup. All unpaid. In 25 years of professional life, I have never owned a brand-new car. Not once.

My dream is an Audi S8, fully loaded. I am open to anything solid: an RS5, RS6, RS7, a BMW M5 Touring, or a Nissan NISMO Z. I would also very happily take a clean gently used vehicle no older than 2020. I am an official #RazerCreator — Razer Gaming is my first potential sponsor. Your brand, your company, or your contribution could be next.

If any episode, any article, any piece of this work has ever mattered to you — please consider donating via Venmo. Every dollar moves this forward. Thank you for 11+ years of support.

💸 Donate via Venmo @iamzaki 💌 Sponsor / Partner Inquiry

🏎️ Dream Car: Audi S8 (all options) · Also: Audi RS5 / RS6 / RS7 · BMW M5 Touring · BMW M9 · Nissan NISMO Z (yes, I know they killed the Maxima — still not over it) · Gently used 2020+ welcome · Razer = Sponsor #1

🎁 Find Zack Everywhere

YouTube — Watch Live! @iamzaki · LEGO Batman PS5 this weekend

Razer Creator Affiliate zack.coffee/razer-creator

JETLAG RADIO 4600 Spotify · Latest Episode Now

OMEGA RADIO 1680 Spotify · Electronic Music

MU RADIO 654 Spotify · Streaming Now

Coffee with Zack zack.coffee · All Content

📖

LongRead: Ebola zack.coffee/ebola

📧

Email Zack superfrenchbigz@gmail.com

Thursday/Jeudi May/Mai 28, 2026

May 28, 2026 by Zaki (Zack) Qayoumi in blog, music, music therapy, reading

Thursday · May 28, 2026 · Jeudi · Weekly Medicine & Health Edition

Body, Mind & Resilience

Medicine, mental health, rare diseases, and the science of healing — curated by Zack

EDS · Bipolar · Music Therapy · Video Game Therapy

What's up, everybody — happy Thursday (Jeudi)! It's May 28, 2026 and today at zack.coffee we go deep on Medicine and health. I've been watching a few episodes of Euphoria Season 3 and let me tell you — it was quite something. Not in a good way. We urgently need more PSA content to reach teenagers before illicit substances do. More on that below.

I also just published my new #LongReads piece on Ebola — available now at zack.coffee/ebola. Go read it. And to everyone working in the medical world right now — I see you, I hear you, I deeply respect the work you do. The shortage is real, the burnout is real. I have thoughts on that too.

📖 New #LongReads — Published Now

Ebola: The Virus, The Outbreaks, and What We Still Don't Know

My latest longform piece dives into one of the most feared pathogens in modern history — its origins, the humanitarian devastation of past outbreaks, the science of containment, and the ongoing global preparedness gap. Available now, exclusively at zack.coffee.

Read the LongRead →

Rare Diseases

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes

The Ehlers-Danlos Society · Event

Precision Medicine for Genetically Defined Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes — Ghent, Belgium · Sept. 3–4, 2026

A landmark hybrid event bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, scientists, patient representatives, policy-makers, and leaders from pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, and digital health. Viewable from anywhere in the world in 60+ languages. The call for abstracts is open — deadline June 7.

#EhlersDanlosSyndromes · #RareDiseases · Register Now

Mental Health

Youth, Mind & Awareness

Child Mind Institute Early Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Teens Recognizing the early warning signs of bipolar disorder in adolescents can be life-changing. The Child Mind Institute breaks down what parents, educators, and caregivers need to know — and what to do next. BBC Future 'You're not just recalling words, but an emotion': The Lifelong Benefits of Making Music Science confirms what musicians have always felt: engaging with music rewires the brain, deepens emotional memory, and protects mental health across a lifetime. A beautiful, essential read. NIH / PMC · Research Putting the Gaming Experience at the Center of Therapy — The Video Game Therapy® Approach Peer-reviewed research explores how structured video game engagement can serve as a genuine therapeutic modality — not just distraction, but healing. Relevant for autism, ADHD, mood disorders, and beyond.

⚠️ Public Service Announcement — From Zack

To Every Parent, Teacher, and Creator: Make More Drug PSAs. Now.

I've been watching Euphoria Season 3 and it honestly unsettled me. Not because of the artistry — the show is technically impressive — but because of what it depicts and the audience that consumes it. Teenagers are watching. Some of them are struggling already. The last thing they need is a glamorized portrait of substance use without consequence.

I'm calling on content creators, public health organizations, school districts, and social media platforms: please fund, produce, and amplify PSA content aimed at teenagers about the real cost of illicit drug use. Not preachy, not condescending — real stories, real consequences, real support. The culture war over this content has gone on too long. Lives are at stake. Thank you in advance.

Open to Work

A Note to UC Davis, Sutter Health & the Medical World

💼 Senior Project Manager · Business Analyst · Available Now

I Understand the Shortage. I Can Help.

To every administrator, department head, and HR lead at a healthcare organization in the Sacramento region and beyond — I hear you. The staffing crisis in medicine is real and it affects every layer of the system, including operations and project management. While I am not an M.D., I bring 25 years of professional experience, including work at Alphabet (Google), Intel Corporation, BMW Financial Services, and my own tech startup. I have led projects, managed teams, analyzed data, and delivered results under pressure.

I am genuinely interested in bringing those skills to UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Health, or any major healthcare system that needs a Senior PM or Business Analyst who can get things done. I have a demonstrated ability to work with young people navigating Bipolar Disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and those on the Spectrum. I bring patience, creativity, and respect. And yes — I will absolutely wear Marvel and DC costumes if that's what it takes to connect with young patients. No hesitation.

Look me up on LinkedIn, reach out directly, and let's talk. I just ask one thing: can I wear my HardTuned Fuji3 kicks to the office?

Senior Project Manager Business Analyst Data Analysis (SQL) Agile / Scrum Healthcare Ops Bilingual EN/FR Youth-Facing Work EDS-Aware Neurodiversity-Friendly

View LinkedIn Profile Email Zack Directly

🚗 Support Zack — The Car Fund

11 Years Since Intel.
7 Years & 11 Months Without a Paycheck.
I've Earned My First New Car.

Eleven years ago I started at Intel Corporation. My last paycheck from them was 7 years and 11 months ago. Since then I have built this entire operation — zack.coffee, Zack Technology LLC, over 16 podcast channels, thousands of articles, longreads, and editorial pieces — entirely without salary. No VC funding. No paychecks. Just the work and the belief that it matters.

In 25 years of professional life, I have never owned a brand-new car. Not once. My dream is an Audi S8 — fully optioned. I am open to anything good: an RS5, RS6, RS7, a BMW M5 Touring, or honestly a clean Nissan NISMO Z would absolutely make my day. I am already officially a #RazerCreator, with Razer Gaming as my first potential sponsor. If your brand wants to be part of the journey, reach out. Let's talk.

If my work — any of it — has ever meant something to you, please consider a donation via Venmo. Every dollar goes toward keeping this going and getting me that first new car after a quarter century of work. Thank you, genuinely.

💸 Donate via Venmo @iamzaki 💌 Sponsor / Partner Inquiry

🏎️ Dream Car: Audi S8 (all options) · Also: Audi RS5 / RS6 / RS7 · BMW M5 Touring · BMW M9 · Nissan NISMO Z · Gently used 2020 or newer welcome · Razer Gaming = Sponsor #1 · Your brand could be next.

🎁 Find Zack Everywhere

YouTube @iamzaki · Zaki VLOG