The people of 23 April

United States president Donald Trump orders the navy to open fire on any Iranian vessels placing mines along the Strait of Hormuz, after the military reportedly observed an Iranian mine-laying operation.

Conflict · 23 Apr

U.S. president Donald Trump says that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended to three weeks.

Conflict · 23 Apr

Italian soldiers install a new statue of Jesus in the Christian village of Debel, southern Lebanon, in place of a previous statue given by the Israeli military, who destroyed the previous statue with a sledgehammer, drawing widespread outrage.

Culture · 23 Apr

An Israeli security source says that Israel is not conducting airstrikes in Iran following reports of explosions over Tehran, while defense minister Israel Katz states that the country is prepared to resume military action pending approval from the U.S.

Conflict · 23 Apr

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa suspends national police commissioner Fannie Masemola pending investigation into allegations of procurement violations linked to a R332 million (US$20 million) police health services tender.

Crime & Justice · 23 Apr · with Fannie Masemola

Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi is splashed with red liquid after leaving a federal press conference building in Berlin, Germany in which he criticized the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S.

Crime & Justice · 23 Apr

U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio states that Iran's national football team can participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, while indicating that entry restrictions may apply to non-athlete delegation members with alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Sport · 23 Apr

In American football, the 91st edition of the NFL draft is held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.

Sport · 23 Apr