Top tech and startup stories this week
Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped — our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.
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Lawsuit seeks to stop Trump’s $100,000 fee for H-1B visas
The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in San Francisco, said the H-1B program is a critical pathway to hiring healthcare workers and educators. It drives innovation and economic growth in the US, and allows employers to fill jobs in…
Newsom signs bill giving 800,000 Uber and Lyft drivers in California the right to unionise
Supporters said the new law will open a path for the largest expansion of private sector collective bargaining rights in the state’s history. The legislation is a significant compromise in the yearslong battle between labor unions and tech companies.
AI maps how a new antibiotic targets gut bacteria
For patients with inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotics can be a double-edged sword. The broad-spectrum drugs often prescribed for gut flare-ups can kill helpful microbes alongside harmful ones, sometimes worsening symptoms over time. When fighting gut inflammation, you don’t always want…
The Download: using AI to discover “zero day” vulnerabilities, and Apple’s ICE app removal
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Microsoft says AI can create “zero day” threats in biology A team at Microsoft says it used artificial…
China trials ‘energy-saving’ underwater data centres
To cut energy use by data centres, a Chinese firm plans to place a server pod underwater near Shanghai. The yellow capsule aims to solve the high power demands of data centres, which heat up during use. Rising AI use…
Apple removes ICE tracking apps after pressure by Trump administration
Apple has taken down ICEBlock and similar apps after pressure from President Trump’s administration. The app warned users about nearby immigration officers. Apple said it removed the apps due to law enforcement concerns about safety risks, as ICE agents play…
OpenAI asks court to dismiss trade-secret lawsuit from Elon Musk’s xAI
OpenAI has asked a judge to throw out xAI’s lawsuit, calling it part of Elon Musk’s ongoing attacks. xAI accused OpenAI of poaching staff to steal secrets about its chatbot Grok. OpenAI denied the claims, saying employees are free to…
Google, NBCUniversal reach agreement to keep shows on YouTube TV
Google’s YouTube TV and NBCUniversal have signed a multi-year deal after a difficult negotiation, keeping popular shows like Sunday Night Football on the platform. The agreement includes NBC channels and access to Peacock through YouTube’s app. YouTube also extended Peacock’s…
Mexican fintech Kapital plans IPO within three years, CEO says
Mexican fintech firm Kapital may go public within three years, according to CEO Rene Saul. He mentioned plans for a possible dual listing in both Mexico and the US. Kapital recently became a unicorn, valued over $1 billion, after raising…