WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, August 4, 2018 to 0800 GMT, August 5, 2018.

Venezuela assassination attempt

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has survived an assassination attempt during a military ceremony in the capital Caracas. Venezuela's information minister also said seven members of the Bolivarian National Guard were wounded in the assault. Maduro was delivering a speech at the time of the incident.

Trump defending trade war

The US president says his plan of imposing steep tariffs on imports of goods from China is working much better than expected. Donald Trump made the comments in a tweet. He also mentioned losses in China's stock market, making predictions that the US market could "go up dramatically" once trade deals were renegotiated. Trump also said Beijing was talking to the United States about trade. Earlier, Trump threatened to slap tariffs on almost all of China's exports to the United States. Washington and Beijing are locked in a trade war over US accusations that China's economy benefits from unfair policies and subsidies while stealing American technological know-how.

Protests in US's Portland

Scuffles have broken out in the US city of Portland after police tried to disperse a far-right demonstration and a counter rally. The far-right protesters gathered in a riverfront park. Their rally was organized by two groups, Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, both supporters of US President Donald Trump. Protesters were marching to back Republican nominee for the US Senate, Joey Gibson. Hundreds of rival demonstrators faced them from across the street, shouting anti-Nazi and anti-fascist slogans. Police ordered the protesters to disperse after they threw rocks and bottles at officers. Security forces made several arrests.

UK-EU Brexit row

The British trade minister says the UK is likely to leave the European Union without a trade deal. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Liam Fox said the European Commission’s unwillingness to compromise is pushing the UK toward a no-deal Brexit. He said it was up to the EU’s policy-making body whether it wants to put “ideological purity" ahead of its economy. Fox said the chances of Britain divorcing the bloc without a deal are at 60 percent. Britain has until March 2019 to negotiate a divorce deal with Brussels. If the talks fail, the UK’s relations with the EU could sour, affecting trade and immigration among several other ties.

Activists in Israeli custody

An activist vessel which has been on a mission to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip remains in the Israeli navy’s custody for a second day. The boat named Freedom was intercepted and raided in international waters on Saturday. The Israeli navy says it has taken the Swedish-flagged vessel to the military port of Ashdod in the south of the occupied Palestinian territories. No information is available regarding the well-being of the 12 people on board the boat which includes Press TV correspondent Richard Sudan. The boat is the second vessel from Gaza Freedom Flotilla which has been intercepted by Israeli forces in less than a week. The flotilla aimed to deliver humanitarian relief to the people of the impoverished Palestinian enclave.

California wildfire

The death toll has risen to seven in a devastating wildfire that is raging through parts of the US state of California. The new fatality reported in the Carr region in northern California, where flames have taken six other lives over the past two weeks. The Carr fire has been the most serious of the wildfires burning across the state. Officials said the bushfires expanded by more than 25 percent overnight, triggering more evacuations. The California fire department said they expect the scorched area to further widen. The department warned that the blazes have already consumed twice the average amount of land burned in the entire fire seasons of the past five years.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir