WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, March 23, 2019.

New Zealand mosques reopened

The two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, which were targeted by a terrorist, open their doors to the public. Muslims prayed at al-Noor mosque after the authorities handed it back to the Muslim community. They gather there for the first time since a white supremacist opened fire at worshipers and killed 50 people in al-Noor and a nearby small mosque. The survivors of March 15 attacks were also among those who went to the scenes of massacre. Meanwhile, thousands of New Zealanders have staged rallies across the country to call for peace and love in Christchurch.

Afghan blast

Afghan government officials say four people have been killed in two explosions in southern Helmand province. The blasts, which occurred during a celebration at a stadium in the city of Lashkar Gah, also left over 30 injured. The provincial governor, who was at the venue, also suffered minor injuries. The explosions appear to have been caused by planted explosives. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. But Helmand has been a hot bed of the Taliban. Violence is on the rise across the country despite recent peace talks between the US and the Taliban. Last month, the UN said a record number of civilians were killed in Afghanistan in 2018.

Iran floods

Rescue operations are underway in Iran’s northern provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan, following devastating floods triggered by days of lashing rains and snowfalls. Officials say over 56,000 people are affected and aid workers delivered help to some 50,000 so far. Makeshift camps have been set up to help the displaced people. The flooding has claimed the lives of five people and destroyed hundreds of home in the past few days. The city of Gonbad-e Kavous in Golestan is the hardest hit as torrential rains caused a river to burst its banks and inundated half of the city.

Anti-Brexit protest

As the British government still has no idea how to secede the UK from the European Union, tens of thousands of people have hit the streets of London to say NO to Brexit. People have turned out in the British capital from across the country. They are demanding a second referendum on leaving the 28-nation bloc. Organizers say the march could be the biggest anti-Brexit protest ever. The protest comes as Prime Minister Theresa May is battling to get the UK’s divorce deal approved by the parliament next week before the deadline. The deal was already rejected twice by lawmakers. EU leaders this week granted a delay to Brexit, giving a chance to May to make a renewed bid to win MPs' backing for the deal.

Mogadishu militant attack

The death toll from two powerful explosions and ensuing gun battle in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, rises to at least 15. A Somali deputy minister is among the dead. Several others were also injured after al-Shabab militants blew up an explosive-lade car near a government building. There was also a second blast. Police said the hours-long clashes between security forces and the militants ended after four gunmen were killed. The al-Qaeda affiliated group withdrew from Mogadishu in 2011, but maintains its presence in regions outside the capital. The militants have long sought to topple Somalia’s government.

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