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 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.

Recent advancements in AI, such as Mistral AI's speech-to-text model and Kilo's coding tool, are progressing rapidly, as highlighted by METR's analysis of Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.5, while other scientific fields are exploring skin regeneration through rete ridge formation research. Drawing from multiple sources, these developments underscore the simultaneous progress and the critical importance of accuracy and safety across technological and scientific domains.

Recent advancements in AI, such as Mistral AI's speech-to-text model and Kilo's coding tool, are progressing rapidly, as highlighted by METR's analysis of Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.5, while other scientific fields are exploring skin regeneration through rete ridge formation research. Drawing from multiple sources, these developments underscore the simultaneous progress and the critical importance of accuracy and safety across technological and scientific domains.

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.

Based on research highlighted by NPR Science and published in Scientific Reports, paleobiologist Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan suggests that previous estimations of dinosaur ages, which relied on counting annual growth rings in fossilized bones, may be overinflated. By examining the bones of young Nile crocodiles, a modern relative of dinosaurs, researchers discovered more growth rings than expected, indicating that dinosaurs may have reached adulthood faster than previously thought.

Based on research highlighted by NPR Science and published in Scientific Reports, paleobiologist Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan suggests that previous estimations of dinosaur ages, which relied on counting annual growth rings in fossilized bones, may be overinflated. By examining the bones of young Nile crocodiles, a modern relative of dinosaurs, researchers discovered more growth rings than expected, indicating that dinosaurs may have reached adulthood faster than previously thought.

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 cover a diverse range of current events, from privacy issues at Pinterest and Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure to debates on transgender athletes and the potential for AI-driven skill obsolescence, alongside investigations into figures connected to prominent individuals and a Pentagon leak. Simultaneously, advancements in smart home technology, such as the low-power Thread protocol, are being explored, raising questions about CPU firmware and security.

Multiple news sources cover a diverse range of current events, from privacy issues at Pinterest and Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure to debates on transgender athletes and the potential for AI-driven skill obsolescence, alongside investigations into figures connected to prominent individuals and a Pentagon leak. Simultaneously, advancements in smart home technology, such as the low-power Thread protocol, are being explored, raising questions about CPU firmware and security.