WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, November 23, 2018.

Afghanistan blast

A huge explosion has killed at least 26 people in eastern Afghanistan. The bombing happened in Ismail Khel district of Khost province. It left 50 other people wounded. The victims had all gathered to attend Friday prayers at a mosque inside an army base when the bomb went off. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. But Taliban militants and Daesh terrorists have carried out similar acts of terror across Afghanistan in recent months.

Pakistan attacks  

Several gunmen have stormed the Chinese consulate in the Pakistani city of Karachi. Officials say three assailants tried to enter the consulate but were intercepted by security guards at a checkpoint. The exchange of fire resulted in the death of two policemen. Another officer has been injured and is in critical condition. The assailants have been killed and security forces say the situation is under control. Pakistan’s foreign ministry says all 21 Chinese staff inside the consulate are safe. A separatist militant group from the Pakistani province of Balochistan has claimed responsibility for the attack. China has strongly condemned the attack and called in Islamabad to ensure the safety of all Chinese citizens. Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and for years, it has been the scene of militant attacks.

Bahrain elections

Opposition groups in Bahrain are calling for a campaign of civil disobedience during the Persian Gulf Kingdom's parliamentary elections. Al-Wafaq and al-Haq have called on people to take up the measure until the elections are over on Saturday. The two parties have described the ballot as mock elections. They have also welcomed statements Bahrain has heavily cracked down on opposition parties and dissent. The kingdom has the longest-serving current prime minister in the world having held the post since 1970.

Saudi war on Yemen

Finland plans to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Finland says it has made the decision over the murder of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi by the kingdom as well as Riyadh’s war on Yemen. The move comes after Denmark on Thursday halted future arms exports to Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, Germany also started a boycotting campaign including sales that have already been approved. US President Donald Trump has turned a blind eye to the Saudi regime’s human rights violations, saying Washington cannot abandon Saudi Arabia.

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