World 24h/7: China retaliates against Canada over Huawei; Russian bombers arrive in America's "backyard"

Highlights at climate change talks:On December 14, at the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP24 in Katowice, Poland, the EU and many developing countries pledged to step up their existing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to allow the world to keep global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius. These commitments are the most positive message to come out of the ongoing negotiations in Poland. This is the result of scientists' efforts to warn about the increasingly serious situation of global warming. Photo: Reuters

US Senate calls for end to support for military campaign in Yemen:On December 12, in a move seen as a challenge to US President Donald Trump, the US Senate voted 56-41 to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition that is intervening in the conflict in Yemen. Accordingly, the US Senate used the War Powers Act to demand an end to military support for Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen. In the photo: Smoke rises from a military base after being attacked by Saudi-led airstrikes in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. Photo: Reuters

The US does not deploy troops to the coalition, but regularly supplies fuel to Saudi Arabian fighter jets that attack rebels in Yemen. The US also supplies bombs, missiles, and grenades to Saudi Arabia. In a statement on November 20, Mr. Trump said that canceling major arms contracts with the Saudis would be foolish, and that: "Russia and China would be huge beneficiaries" if the US stopped selling. In the photo: King Salman welcomes President Trump during a visit to Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters

China retaliates against Canada over Huawei executive arrest:Following the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, Beijing authorities have detained Canadian citizens, businessman Michael Spavor (left) and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, on charges of endangering the country's national security. This move by China is believed to be to put pressure on Canada after Ms. Meng was arrested by Canada on December 1 at the request of the US. In the photo: Huawei's research facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Photo: Reuters/AP/ICG

British Prime Minister "survives" no-confidence vote:British Prime Minister Theresa May on December 12 overcame a political crisis over the Brexit deal, winning a vote of no confidence initiated by Conservative lawmakers who wanted to end her leadership of the party as well as the UK. However, according to AP, the 200-117 vote left Mrs. May a weak leader, losing support from her own party in the Brexit process. She also paid a heavy price when she pledged not to run for re-election in 2022. British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at Downing Street after overcoming the vote of no confidence. Photo: Reuters

Russian Tu-160 bombers arrive in America's "backyard":On December 10, two Russian bombers, along with an An-124 heavy transport aircraft, an Il-62 passenger plane and 100 Russian air force officers traveled 10,000 km to visit Venezuela. The arrival of Russian heavy bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons in Venezuela has drawn harsh criticism from the US, as it is seen as a move to strengthen Moscow's position in South America, a region considered Washington's backyard. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Russia for "sending planes halfway around the world to waste public funds". In photo: Russian aircraft at Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia, Vargas, Venezuela. Photo: Reuters

On December 12, two Tupolev Tu-160 bombers flew for more than 10 hours in international airspace over the Caribbean Sea, escorted by Venezuelan F-16 fighters. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino affirmed that this deployment was "a completely new experience", helping to increase the ability to coordinate operations between the aerospace defense systems of both countries. Russia and Venezuela have been strengthening defense relations in recent years. Caracas has spent billions of dollars to buy 24 Su-30MK2 fighters, 53 Mi-24 armed helicopters and 100,000 AK rifles from Moscow. Photo: AFP

"Yellow Vests" continue protests despite Macronconcession:President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of measures to calm the yellow vest protest movement on December 10. The French president announced a minimum wage increase for workers of $113 per month. The Elysee Palace boss also announced a halt to a tax increase package aimed at retirees and a tax exemption for overtime pay. In the photo: Protesters watch Emmanuel Macron's television address in Bouguenais. Photo: Reuters

Protests continued after French President Macron's speech. Barricades were still appearing at roundabouts and toll booths across France. Believing that concessions from French President Emmanuel Macron were not enough to calm their anger and sense of social injustice, the "yellow vests" continued to take to the streets for the fifth consecutive weekend in Paris on Saturday (December 15). Pictured: Riot police try to remove barricades set up by yellow vest protesters in Aimargues, near Montpellier, on December 11. Photo: Reuters

Korean and North Korean soldiers cross border for first time:On December 12, 11 teams of North Korean inspectors completed their verification of the destruction of 11 South Korean guard posts on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) to return to Pyongyang. Earlier that morning, South Korea also sent 11 teams to verify on-site the dismantling of weapons and withdrawal of soldiers at 11 guard posts on the North Korean side. In the photo: North Korean soldiers (top row) cross the Military Demarcation Line inside the DMZ in Cheorwon. Photo: Reuters

The move shows the goodwill of the military authorities of South Korea and North Korea in implementing the comprehensive military agreement reached earlier. The two countries also completed the removal of 10 guard posts each in the DMZ near the border in November, part of an inter-Korean agreement to ease tensions. In this photo: A South Korean soldier stands guard at a dismantled guard post inside the DMZ in Cheorwon. Photo: Reuters