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 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 on a range of global and domestic events, including a partial drawdown of federal agents in Minnesota amid public concern over ICE, the CIA's discontinuation of the World Factbook, and significant global events such as conflict in Gaza and the reported death of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi. US Vice President JD Vance is also set to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan to promote a peace framework and trade corridor, while YouTube experiences growth in subscriptions and ad revenue, and concerns rise about the effectiveness of the new Wildland Fire Service.

Multiple news sources report on a range of global and domestic events, including a partial drawdown of federal agents in Minnesota amid public concern over ICE, the CIA's discontinuation of the World Factbook, and significant global events such as conflict in Gaza and the reported death of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi. US Vice President JD Vance is also set to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan to promote a peace framework and trade corridor, while YouTube experiences growth in subscriptions and ad revenue, and concerns rise about the effectiveness of the new Wildland Fire Service.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the global landscape is marked by political tensions and human rights concerns, including controversies surrounding immigration policies, the situation in Venezuela, and a deadly attack in Nigeria. Simultaneously, excitement builds for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, which will feature ski mountaineering as a new sport, while Laura Poitras will be a special guest at a documentary festival, highlighting politically engaged artistry.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the global landscape is marked by political tensions and human rights concerns, including controversies surrounding immigration policies, the situation in Venezuela, and a deadly attack in Nigeria. Simultaneously, excitement builds for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, which will feature ski mountaineering as a new sport, while Laura Poitras will be a special guest at a documentary festival, highlighting politically engaged artistry.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics previewed team uniforms blending Italian style and performance, while Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine remains in hiding after a disputed election, sparking a social media feud. Additionally, Venezuela's acting president plans to convert the infamous El Helicoide prison into a cultural center, a move seen by critics as an attempt to erase the regime's history of repression, and Bad Bunny is bringing Puerto Rican culture and style to the global stage.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics previewed team uniforms blending Italian style and performance, while Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine remains in hiding after a disputed election, sparking a social media feud. Additionally, Venezuela's acting president plans to convert the infamous El Helicoide prison into a cultural center, a move seen by critics as an attempt to erase the regime's history of repression, and Bad Bunny is bringing Puerto Rican culture and style to the global stage.

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.

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.

Multiple news sources report that Spotify is expanding its audiobook business, despite recent price hikes, by partnering with Bookshop.org to allow U.S. and UK users to purchase physical books through the app, supporting independent bookstores. To enhance the user experience, Spotify is introducing features like Page Match, which syncs physical books with audiobooks using the phone's camera, positioning itself as a comprehensive platform for book lovers and a competitor to major booksellers.

Multiple news sources report that Spotify is expanding its audiobook business, despite recent price hikes, by partnering with Bookshop.org to allow U.S. and UK users to purchase physical books through the app, supporting independent bookstores. To enhance the user experience, Spotify is introducing features like Page Match, which syncs physical books with audiobooks using the phone's camera, positioning itself as a comprehensive platform for book lovers and a competitor to major booksellers.