PolicyPoliticsKamalaHQ is relaunching as a Gen Z progressive content hubKamala Harris campaign social media accounts leaned into Gen Z culture and internet memes.Kamala Harris campaign social media accounts leaned into Gen Z culture and internet memes.by Mia SatoFeb 5, 2026, 3:56 PM UTCLinkShareGiftPA Images via Getty ImagesMia Sato is features writer with five years of experience covering the companies that shape technology and the people who use their tools.Kamala Harris social media strategy in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election was filled with Gen Z dog whistles: viral branding based on pop music, memes, camo hats that were a double entendre. It was an effective way to get attention and news coverage, as well as a mountain of user generated content online.

PolicyPoliticsKamalaHQ is relaunching as a Gen Z progressive content hubKamala Harris campaign social media accounts leaned into Gen Z culture and internet memes.Kamala Harris campaign social media accounts leaned into Gen Z culture and internet memes.by Mia SatoFeb 5, 2026, 3:56 PM UTCLinkShareGiftPA Images via Getty ImagesMia Sato is features writer with five years of experience covering the companies that shape technology and the people who use their tools.Kamala Harris social media strategy in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election was filled with Gen Z dog whistles: viral branding based on pop music, memes, camo hats that were a double entendre. It was an effective way to get attention and news coverage, as well as a mountain of user generated content online.

The Trump administration is launching "Project Vault," a $11.7 billion initiative to stockpile critical minerals, signaling a strategic shift towards securing resources for electric technologies and reducing reliance on China. This move, following investments in rare earth producers like USA Rare Earth and MP Materials, aims to stabilize the market amid trade tensions and ensure a consistent supply for U.S. manufacturers. The initiative mirrors the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, highlighting the growing importance of these minerals to the modern economy.

The Trump administration is launching "Project Vault," a $11.7 billion initiative to stockpile critical minerals, signaling a strategic shift towards securing resources for electric technologies and reducing reliance on China. This move, following investments in rare earth producers like USA Rare Earth and MP Materials, aims to stabilize the market amid trade tensions and ensure a consistent supply for U.S. manufacturers. The initiative mirrors the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, highlighting the growing importance of these minerals to the modern economy.

A 20-year-old cyber-security student at De Montfort University, Khaleed Oladipo, tragically died after being stabbed near campus. Police have arrested an 18-year-old suspect and are investigating the incident, highlighting the increasing need for improved safety measures and community support in university environments.

A 20-year-old cyber-security student at De Montfort University, Khaleed Oladipo, tragically died after being stabbed near campus. Police have arrested an 18-year-old suspect and are investigating the incident, highlighting the increasing need for improved safety measures and community support in university environments.

A recent ransomware attack on govtech provider Conduent has exposed the personal data of potentially tens of millions of Americans, far exceeding initial estimates. The breach, which compromised names, Social Security numbers, and medical information, highlights the vulnerability of sensitive government data handled by third-party contractors and raises concerns about the security practices of companies managing large-scale public sector operations. With at least 15.4 million Texans and 10.5 million Oregonians affected, the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within the govtech industry.

A recent ransomware attack on govtech provider Conduent has exposed the personal data of potentially tens of millions of Americans, far exceeding initial estimates. The breach, which compromised names, Social Security numbers, and medical information, highlights the vulnerability of sensitive government data handled by third-party contractors and raises concerns about the security practices of companies managing large-scale public sector operations. With at least 15.4 million Texans and 10.5 million Oregonians affected, the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within the govtech industry.

Valve's highly anticipated Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset face delays due to a RAM crisis mirroring the industry-wide shortage fueled by AI demands. This setback echoes the challenges faced during the early console wars when component scarcity often dictated release schedules and pricing, leaving gamers in suspense. Valve assures fans that both devices, along with the new Steam Controller, are still slated for release in the first half of the year, but pricing and launch dates remain uncertain.

Valve's highly anticipated Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset face delays due to a RAM crisis mirroring the industry-wide shortage fueled by AI demands. This setback echoes the challenges faced during the early console wars when component scarcity often dictated release schedules and pricing, leaving gamers in suspense. Valve assures fans that both devices, along with the new Steam Controller, are still slated for release in the first half of the year, but pricing and launch dates remain uncertain.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse array of current events, ranging from geopolitical conflicts and privacy concerns to social debates and technological advancements. These sources cover topics such as Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, debates on transgender athletes, the potential for AI-driven skill obsolescence, investigations into figures connected to prominent individuals, a Pentagon leak, and advancements in smart home technology like the low-power Thread protocol.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse array of current events, ranging from geopolitical conflicts and privacy concerns to social debates and technological advancements. These sources cover topics such as Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, debates on transgender athletes, the potential for AI-driven skill obsolescence, investigations into figures connected to prominent individuals, a Pentagon leak, and advancements in smart home technology like the low-power Thread protocol.

Multiple news sources highlight the growing influence of the "Stripe Mafia," a network of former Stripe employees who are founding successful startups, with fintech company Duna being the latest example, securing $30 million in Series A funding led by Alphabet's CapitalG. Duna, co-founded by Stripe alumni, focuses on streamlining business identity verification for fintech companies and has attracted investment from prominent figures within Stripe and even its competitor, Adyen, validating the startup's unique position in serving enterprise clients.

Multiple news sources highlight the growing influence of the "Stripe Mafia," a network of former Stripe employees who are founding successful startups, with fintech company Duna being the latest example, securing $30 million in Series A funding led by Alphabet's CapitalG. Duna, co-founded by Stripe alumni, focuses on streamlining business identity verification for fintech companies and has attracted investment from prominent figures within Stripe and even its competitor, Adyen, validating the startup's unique position in serving enterprise clients.

Multiple news sources report that over 160 people were killed in attacks on two villages in Kwara State, Nigeria, with a local politician attributing the violence to the Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with Islamic State; the Nigerian military launched an offensive in the state last month. Residents claim the attackers were jihadists demanding allegiance to Sharia law, and Amnesty International reports widespread looting and destruction in addition to the high death toll.

Multiple news sources report that over 160 people were killed in attacks on two villages in Kwara State, Nigeria, with a local politician attributing the violence to the Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with Islamic State; the Nigerian military launched an offensive in the state last month. Residents claim the attackers were jihadists demanding allegiance to Sharia law, and Amnesty International reports widespread looting and destruction in addition to the high death toll.

Multiple news sources report that an Australian man has been charged with 596 child abuse-related offenses after a Queensland Police investigation, Operation Xray Wick, uncovered over 23,000 images and videos of 459 victims, some as young as seven, whom he allegedly groomed on social media and gaming platforms between 2018 and 2025. The 27-year-old suspect, initially arrested in February 2025, used multiple online profiles to target children, and authorities are working with international partners to identify and support all victims.

Multiple news sources report that an Australian man has been charged with 596 child abuse-related offenses after a Queensland Police investigation, Operation Xray Wick, uncovered over 23,000 images and videos of 459 victims, some as young as seven, whom he allegedly groomed on social media and gaming platforms between 2018 and 2025. The 27-year-old suspect, initially arrested in February 2025, used multiple online profiles to target children, and authorities are working with international partners to identify and support all victims.

Prediction markets, which allow users to bet on various world events, have experienced a surge in popularity, particularly since the Trump administration, raising concerns about their potential to influence media coverage and even sway political outcomes. These platforms, explored by Saahil Desai in an interview, function similarly to stock markets, enabling individuals to profit from predicting future events, but their increasing integration with media organizations raises ethical questions about objectivity and manipulation.

Prediction markets, which allow users to bet on various world events, have experienced a surge in popularity, particularly since the Trump administration, raising concerns about their potential to influence media coverage and even sway political outcomes. These platforms, explored by Saahil Desai in an interview, function similarly to stock markets, enabling individuals to profit from predicting future events, but their increasing integration with media organizations raises ethical questions about objectivity and manipulation.

As athletes prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the value of gold and silver Olympic medals has significantly increased due to soaring precious metal prices, with gold nearly doubling and silver increasing by 182% since early 2025. This surge means that the raw material value of each gold and silver medal will be thousands of dollars, although the symbolic and historical value of the medals far surpasses their material worth, according to multiple news sources.

As athletes prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the value of gold and silver Olympic medals has significantly increased due to soaring precious metal prices, with gold nearly doubling and silver increasing by 182% since early 2025. This surge means that the raw material value of each gold and silver medal will be thousands of dollars, although the symbolic and historical value of the medals far surpasses their material worth, according to multiple news sources.

Multiple news sources report that U.S. border czar Tom Homan announced a partial drawdown of 700 federal agents from Minnesota following weeks of operations and the fatal shooting of two protesters, though the remaining 2,300 agents still represent a significant presence. An NPR/PBS NewsMarist poll also reveals that a majority of Americans believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement has gone too far.

Multiple news sources report that U.S. border czar Tom Homan announced a partial drawdown of 700 federal agents from Minnesota following weeks of operations and the fatal shooting of two protesters, though the remaining 2,300 agents still represent a significant presence. An NPR/PBS NewsMarist poll also reveals that a majority of Americans believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement has gone too far.