Briefly

UNITED STATES

Trump nominates next Federal Reserve chair

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will nominate former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Fed, a pick likely to result in sharp changes to the agency. Warsh's appointment would be a major step toward Trump asserting more control over the Fed, one of the few remaining independent federal agencies. While all presidents influence Fed policy through appointments, Trump's rhetorical attacks on the central bank have raised concerns about its status as an independent institution. The position requires confirmation by the US Senate, The Associated Press said.

CUBA

US order to threaten oil sellers slammed

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned US latest executive order, calling it a "brutal act of aggression against Cuba and its people." He accused the US of resorting to "blackmail and coercion to try to force other countries to join its universally condemned blockade policy against Cuba". US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. The order would primarily put pressure on Mexico, a country that has served as Cuba's oil lifeline.

DENMARK

King Frederik to visit Greenland amid tensions

Denmark's King Frederik said on Thursday he will visit Greenland from Feb 18 to 20 in response to the US' repeated demands for control. The king, who last visited the autonomous territory in April 2025, said he hopes to give Greenlanders a morale boost at a difficult time. "We feel very deeply for the Greenlandic people and we have been deeply affected by what has been happening in Greenland in recent weeks," King Frederik said.

Agencies Via Xinhua