Bill Gates’s reputation faces scrutiny following renewed revelations regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Expedia Group achieved record $119 billion in bookings in 2025 under CEO Ariane Gorin, while a US federal judge ordered Circle to blacklist Zama’s cUSDC, freezing $12.6 million. In tech, an enthusiast boosted their PC’s VRAM to 32GB using a £150 Tesla GPU, and a new Odin library provides modern color transforms.
💻 Software & Development
You Must Fix Your Asserts
The author argues that disabling assertions in production is a dangerous practice that can replace controlled program crashes with unpredictable “unchecked illegal behavior.” In the Zig programming language, while removing asserts through unchecked build modes can optimize performance, it risks causing the program to misbehave in ways not guaranteed by the compiler.
- You Must Fix Your Asserts — kristoff.it
A pragmatic set of modern colour space transforms for the Odin language
colourspace is a new library for the Odin programming language that provides accurate color space transforms for OKLCh, OKLab, sRGB, Display P3, and Rec. 2020. Designed for UI frameworks and creative tools, it utilizes a cusp-projection approach for gamut mapping to prevent hue drift.
The S in interoperability
Using the Subresource Integrity (SRI) specification as a case study, the article explores the challenges of maintaining long-term interoperability and security in web standards. It details how a discrepancy in base64 encoding between browsers led to a standard update that accepts both standard and URL-safe variants to ensure web compatibility.
- The S in interoperability — frederikbraun.de
Website Specification and Checklist
These technical resources, including a website checklist and the Website Specification, provide comprehensive frameworks for auditing and improving website quality. They outline essential standards for areas such as SEO, accessibility, and security to assist both human developers and AI agents in ensuring optimal site performance and visibility.
- Website checklist — specification.website
- The Website Specification — specification.website
A simple project switcher for Kakoune
A simple project switcher has been implemented for the Kakoune editor using its scripting primitives and a plaintext file to store directory paths. The tool allows users to easily add new projects and quickly switch between registered directories through custom commands.
- A simple project switcher for Kakoune — bhoot.org
Why Custom Attributes in .NET give me Nightmares
The author critiques the design of .NET Custom Attributes, arguing that their underlying storage mechanism is fundamentally flawed. Specifically, the post highlights the significant difficulties encountered when parsing the binary representation of attribute arguments within .NET binaries.
- Why Custom Attributes in .NET give me Nightmares — blog.washi.dev
Netflix wiz creates app to slash AI bills, then open sources it
A former Netflix expert has released Project Headroom, an open-source application designed to significantly reduce AI-related expenses. The tool aims to help users slash their costs when utilizing AI models.
- Netflix wiz creates app to slash AI bills, then open sources it — theregister.com
My wife tried to log 1k phone-free hours but quit. So I vibe-coded an app
GreenDot is a new app designed to foster healthier digital habits by tracking the duration of phone-free periods rather than total screen time. Users earn “Green Dots” for every 60 minutes spent away from their devices, which can be used to set goals, track streaks, and unlock virtual companion animals.
A simple Common Lisp web app (2025)
To address the challenge of limited documentation in Common Lisp, a new tutorial demonstrates how to build a simple web application. Using libraries like Lack and Clack, the guide walks through creating a guestbook demo that features template rendering and database integration.
- A simple Common Lisp web app (2025) — scotto.me
86Box v6.0
86Box v6.0 introduces new hardware capabilities, including hard disk sounds and SCSI tape drive emulation. The update also features a new local switch for simplified networking between emulated machines and a redesigned user interface with organized, tabbed settings.
- 86Box v6.0 — 86box.net
🤖 AI & Robotics
GitHub Copilot’s June 1 shift to token-usage billing ends flat rates, sparking developer outcry
Starting June 1, Microsoft will transition GitHub Copilot from a flat-rate subscription to a token-usage billing model. The change has sparked backlash from developers fearing massive cost increases, though some users argue the higher expenses will only impact inefficient coding practices.
- GitHub Copilot’s June 1 shift to token-usage billing ends flat rates, sparking developer outcry — techcrunch.com
Growing Backlash Against US Robotaxis
As robotaxi companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Zoox expand their autonomous services across the U.S., they are facing mounting scrutiny from local governments, law enforcement, and drivers. This growing backlash is driven by an increase in documented vehicle collisions and viral social media incidents.
- US robotaxi expansion faces growing criticism from drivers, police, and local governments. — wsj.com
- Robotaxis Are Spreading Across the U.S.–and So Is the Backlash — wsj.com
Komi-learn – continuous memory and self-improvement for coding agents
Komi-learn is a tool designed to provide coding agents, such as Claude Code and Codex, with continuous memory and self-improvement capabilities. It automatically distills and recalls relevant lessons from coding sessions in the background without requiring manual user commands. The tool also includes an optional, privacy-focused community pool for sharing general agent insights.
AI grifters are creating fake Black people to sell Shein junk
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated influencers on social media platforms to promote mass-produced products through deceptive “empathy bait” tactics. These fake personas often pretend to be struggling small business owners to manipulate viewers into purchasing overpriced, dropshipped goods.
🔒 Security & Privacy
securix: NixOS-based secure OS: hardening, isolation, reproducibility, and policy-driven configs
Sécurix is an alpha-stage, NixOS-based operating system developed by DINUM for securing critical workstations. The project implements ANSSI-recommended security hardening and features advanced authentication via TPM2 and FIDO2 to support various re-instantiable, high-security use cases.
- securix: NixOS-based secure OS: hardening, isolation, reproducibility, and policy-driven configs — github.com
A $3 pair of shoes just sparked fears of surveillance pricing – here’s why
A viral incident involving a significant price jump for shoes at Walmart has sparked fears of “surveillance pricing,” an AI-driven practice that uses personal data to adjust costs based on an individual’s perceived willingness to pay. This practice has triggered widespread consumer anxiety and growing calls for new regulations to prevent algorithmic exploitation.
Estonian police could soon gain powers to demand your photos and videos
Estonia is considering amendments to its Law Enforcement Act that would empower police to demand photos and videos from individuals to investigate public order violations and potential threats. The proposal also seeks to legalize drone surveillance for specific purposes, such as rescue operations and monitoring public gatherings, while explicitly prohibiting routine surveillance.
⚙️ Hardware & Engineering
I Put a Datacenter GPU in My Gaming PC for £200
An enthusiast expanded their RTX 4080 gaming PC’s VRAM to 32GB by adding a £150 Tesla V100 SXM2 datacenter GPU using a specialized adapter. While this £200 setup provides high memory bandwidth for running large language models, it introduces significant noise from an extremely loud fan.
- I Put a Datacenter GPU in My Gaming PC for £200 — blog.tymscar.com
Mechanical Pencin: A website about the hidden engineering in everyday objects
Created by mechanical engineer and artist Bryan, “Mechanical Pencil” is a website that features animated, illustrated tear-downs of common everyday objects. The site uses CAD to provide detailed visual deep-dives into the internal mechanisms of various products to demonstrate how they function.
- Mechanical Pencin: A website about the hidden engineering in everyday objects — mechanical-pencil.com
💼 Business & Industry
Expedia CEO Ariane Gorin drives record $119B bookings in 2025
Since becoming CEO of Expedia Group Inc. in 2024, Ariane Gorin has overseen back-to-back years of revenue growth, including record gross bookings of $119 billion in 2025. While monitoring global geopolitical risks, Gorin remains optimistic about the future of the travel booking giant.
- Expedia CEO Ariane Gorin drives record $119B bookings in 2025 — bloomberg.com
Bill Gates snubbed from Microsoft CEO Summit amid Epstein tie controversy
Bill Gates’s carefully cultivated image as an approachable global philanthropist is being eroded by revelations regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Details of his meetings with the late sex offender have challenged years of strategic efforts to maintain his public reputation.
US Court Orders Circle to Blacklist Zama’s cUSDC, Freezing $12.6M in DAO Lawsuit
A U.S. federal judge has ordered Circle to blacklist Zama’s confidential USDC (cUSDC) contract, freezing approximately $12.6 million in funds. The freeze is part of a class-action lawsuit against Overnight Finance creator Maxim Ermilov, who is accused of diverting treasury funds to evade a liquidation vote.
China to launch new online food delivery rules on June 1, mandating business verification.
Starting June 1, China will implement new regulations for online food delivery platforms to crack down on fraudulent businesses. These measures will involve unannounced inspections to identify and remove restaurants operating without proper licenses or using fake physical locations.
- China to launch new online food delivery rules on June 1, mandating business verification. — asia.nikkei.com
The SpaceX IPO is great for Elon Musk and terrible for you
The article criticizes the SpaceX IPO, arguing that its $1 trillion valuation and $28.5 trillion projected total addressable market are unrealistic. The author warns that the offering relies on Elon Musk’s influence and risks turning retail investors into “bagholders” in a potential meme-stock frenzy.
- The SpaceX IPO is great for Elon Musk and terrible for you — theverge.com
Anyone can build a platform now. Almost nobody can get people to find it
With the advent of AI coding tools, the primary challenge for solo founders has shifted from software development to achieving distribution. As the cost of building platforms collapses, the resulting explosion in supply has created intense competition for a finite amount of human attention.
- Anyone can build a platform now. Almost nobody can get people to find it — claudefolio.com
🌌 Science & Society
UFO hype explodes after White House tease
A cryptic White House video featuring otherworldly terrain has ignited widespread speculation and debate within the UFO community. Additionally, former aviation security official Brett Feddersen claimed that UFO technology is not man-made, while NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Donald Trump’s commitment to the disclosure movement.
- UFO hype explodes after White House tease — cybernews.com
The dangerous delusion of modern warfare
Modern warfare is increasingly defined by “tactical transparency” driven by advancements in drones, sensors, and integrated data networks. Despite these technological shifts, recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrate how great powers often enter wars under the delusion of easy victory, frequently resulting in costly stalemates.
- The dangerous delusion of modern warfare — economist.com
London’s Free Roof Terraces
The article reviews several free public roof terraces in London’s City district, including Sky Garden and Horizon 22. It specifically highlights a visit to the newly opened Terrace at 1 Leadenhall, which offers views of Leadenhall Market and surrounding skyscrapers from its fourth-floor location.
- London’s Free Roof Terraces — diamondgeezer.blogspot.com
Avian Visitors
Avian Visitors is a Raspberry Pi-based project that uses a USB microphone and BirdNET-Pi to identify bird species and display them in a kachō-e style collage. The article provides a detailed guide, including a bill of materials and an automated installation script, for building a personal bird-tracking station.
- Avian Visitors — theodore.net
A pictorial introduction to differential geometry (2017)
This article offers a purely pictorial introduction to the foundations of differential geometry, avoiding equations to build intuition for students. It focuses on the geometric tools required to represent Maxwell’s equations as three distinct pictures.