WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 2, 2019 to 0800 GMT, February 3, 2019.

US-led attack in Syria

The US-led coalition has attacked a position of the Syrian army near the city of Bukamal in Dayr al-Zawr province. The airstrike left two soldiers injured. Our correspondent Mohamad Ali tells us more about the attack.

France scuffles

French police have clashed with yellow vest protesters in several cities across the country. The rallies were held for the twelfth consecutive weekend against President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies. However, this week they were more focused on police brutality and the use of violence against protesters. Some of the demonstrators symbolically put bandages on their eyes in memory of a protester who sustained a serious eye injury during earlier rallies. Police made some 40 arrests. The yellow vest movement emerged in November 2018 after Macron announced hikes in fuel taxes. The government suspended the increases after the protests snowballed into a general movement against the president and the high cost of living. However, protesters are still taking to streets, demanding more concessions from the government.

Venezuela's rival rallies

The Venezuelan president has called for holding congressional elections as the Latin American country grapples with a political crisis. Nicolas Maduro made the comments while addressing his supporters during a rally in the capital Caracas. He said the National Assembly must be re-legitimized in the next congressional elections. Meanwhile, a rival demonstration was held against the Venezuelan government. During the march, Venezuela’s opposition leader, Juan Guaido, has called for a massive anti-Maduro rally.

Lebanon cabinet meeting

In Lebanon, cabinet ministers, President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri attended the first meeting of the first government since the parliamentary elections in May 2018. The meeting came amid growing calls for major reforms as the country faces serious economic and financial challenges. Mariam Saleh reports from Beirut.

Racism row in US

In the United States, the governor of Virginia State, Ralph Northam, is facing intense pressure to step down over a racist photo of his. Protesters gathered in front of the governor’s mansion to denounce the offensive photo. Top US Democrats, including former vice president Joe Biden, have called for Northam’s resignation, arguing he no longer has the moral authority to stay in office. The student yearbook photo, which had been taken back in 1984, showed Northam blackening his face to impersonate an African-American singer. The embattled governor initially apologized, but later said it was not him in the photo. Northam said he does not intend to quit.

US intervention in Venezuela

The US national security adviser has called on Venezuela's military to join the opposition. John Bolton asked all Venezuelan military personnel to follow the lead of a general who has sided with opposition leader Juan Guaido against President Nicolas Maduro. The US has been pushing hard to force Maduro out of power through economic sanctions. Meanwhile, rival rallies for and against Maduro were held in Venezuela on Saturday. Addressing his supporters in the capital Caracas, Maduro called for holding congressional elections in order to re-legitimize the National Assembly. The opposition leader called for a massive anti-Maduro rally and urged people to support what he called free elections and a transitional government.

Brexit disorder fears

British media speculate about chaos and rioting in the UK in case of a disruptive departure from the European Union. Reports say officials are planning to revive a Cold War emergency mechanism to relocate the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth, in the event of civil disorder. This, as the government is struggling to get parliamentary support for a Brexit transition agreement with the EU before March 29, when Britain is set to officially leave the European bloc. Last month, Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a record parliament defeat over her Brexit plans. She was later instructed by lawmakers to renegotiate arrangements for the Irish border and the future customs union. But several EU countries, including Germany, are against plans to renegotiate the deal. Business groups have warned of widespread disruption if there are lengthy delays to EU imports due to new customs checks.

Australia floods

Massive flooding, unleashed by heavy rain, has hit northeast Australia, turning streets into rivers. Thousands of people in the city of Townsville in tropical Queensland had to abandon their inundated homes to higher ground and many more are without power. Authorities have warned of further downpours over the next few days, saying some areas could see record-breaking levels of rainfall. Soldiers have delivered tens of thousands of sandbags to affected locals in the city and its suburbs to fortify their homes against rising floodwaters. Queensland’s premier has described the deluge as a once in a century disaster.