Chinese land, US radar and ties to Taiwan: The geopolitics rattling a tiny Pacific nation

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to designate specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, focusing on chapters in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. The responsibility for completing this designation has been assigned to senior US diplomats and Treasury officials.

President Trump announced plans to visit China in April and host Chinese President Xi Jinping later next year, following a discussion that focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and U.S. agricultural exports, particularly soybeans.

President Donald Trump has ordered the blacklisting of certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood, designating them as terrorist organizations due to their alleged support for Hamas and activities against U.S. interests. This decision follows an executive order that delegates the responsibility to key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have resumed trade negotiations to address unresolved issues from a tariff deal reached in July. The US has urged the EU to reconsider its digital regulations to facilitate a reduction in import duties on steel and aluminum. Additionally, global discussions on wildlife protection and sustainable trade have commenced in Uzbekistan, with the EU advocating for stricter regulations on eel trade, facing opposition from Japan.

An Ethiopian volcano has erupted after being dormant for 12,000 years, with reports indicating that smoke from the eruption is heading towards China. This significant geological event marks a notable change in the region's volcanic activity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a phone call to discuss critical issues, including Taiwan and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as efforts to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine war intensify.

The US and Ukraine are currently engaged in peace talks in Switzerland, aiming to finalize a 28-point peace plan that has faced criticism for aligning closely with Russian demands. This plan, which modifies an earlier US proposal deemed unacceptable by Kyiv and its European allies, raises concerns about potential concessions from Ukraine, including territorial cessions.

The Trump administration has officially ended the temporary protected status for Myanmar citizens, a decision made amid the ongoing civil war in Myanmar that has resulted in significant displacement and humanitarian concerns. The U.S. government has also issued warnings against travel to the country due to the escalating violence and instability.