US will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States. The department said Wednesday it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become “public charges” in the U.S. The suspension will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant, or temporary tourist or business, visas. The department says it’s “bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system.” The suspension begins Jan. 21.

Danish official says there’s a ‘fundamental disagreement’ with Trump over Greenland

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Danish official says a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains with President Donald Trump after talks in Washington with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two sides did agree to create a working group to discuss ways to work through differences as Trump continues to call for a U.S. takeover of the Denmark’s Arctic territory of Greenland. Denmark’s foreign minister tells reporters that it’s “clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.” Meanwhile, Denmark has announced plans to boost the country’s military presence in Arctic and North Atlantic.

Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in November

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers increased their spending in November from October as holiday shopping kicked into full gear. Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in November, following a revised 0.1% decline October, according to the Commerce Department. The report on Wednesday was delayed more than a month because of the 43-day government shutdown. Retail sales rose 0.1% increase in September, but jumped 0.6% in July and August and 1% in June. The federal government is gradually catching up on economic reports that were postponed by the shutdown. The retail sales figures, which are not adjusted for inflation, showed that in most cases shoppers focused on gifts and pulled away from other areas.

Gaza is entering the second phase of the ceasefire plan Trump helped broker, US says

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States says it’s moving into the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan involving disarming Hamas, rebuilding the war-ravaged territory and establishing the group of Palestinian experts that will administer daily affairs. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff says on social media the ceasefire the Republican president helped broker was entering its second phase following two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Witkoff didn’t offer any details Wednesday about a new transitional Palestinian administration that would govern Gaza. But other mediators Egypt, Turkey and Qatar said the committee to administer Gaza would be led by a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.