The Wall Street Journal says TechNet urged the Trump administration to withdraw a proposal that would impose a $103,265 fee on most new H‑1B visa petitions. TechNet filed public comments on Thursday opposing the Department of Homeland Security's proposed H‑1B fee rule. The group represents major US internet platforms and leading AI firms including OpenAI and ANTHROPIC.

China's first large-scale deployment of 18 MW offshore turbines has begun full-capacity operation, advancing the sector toward larger units and lower costs. The commissioned CGN Guangdong Yangjiang Fanshi 2 GW offshore wind project comprises two 1 GW subprojects and features 33 18 MW turbines, the largest single-unit capacity domestically deployed. Each rotor is 292 m in diameter with a swept area of about 66,000 sq m (roughly nine football pitches). At scale, 18 MW units reduce required turbine counts and are expected to lower costs for subsea cable laying, offshore foundation construction and sea-area occupation.

White House NEC Director HASSETT on Wednesday criticized recent Federal Reserve officials advocating further rate hikes, saying additional tightening is worrying with core inflation near 2% and asking “why raise rates.” He questioned comments from officials not appointed by Trump and said Fed Chair KEVIN WARSH is running a “highly politicized” Fed, calling restoration of the central bank’s independence a key priority. HASSETT also criticized senior Fed officials remaining in post after leaving leadership roles, naming Powell and Barr as departures from past transition norms. Several Fed officials have sent hawkish signals recently: Barr said further hikes may be needed to bring inflation back to 2%, and Collins and Musallam also expressed support for additional tightening. The Fed’s latest projections show 16 officials expect at least one more rate hike this year.