Iran Says MSC Aries Vessel Was Seized Due to ‘Maritime Laws Violation’ 

13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
TT

Iran Says MSC Aries Vessel Was Seized Due to ‘Maritime Laws Violation’ 

13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries vessel was seized on April 13 by Iran due to "maritime laws violations", Iran's Foreign Minister Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday, adding that there was no doubt the vessel was linked to Israel.

"Iran strives to create a safe shipping environment in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf," he added.

"The vessel was diverted into Iran's territorial waters as a result of it violating maritime laws and not answering calls made by Iranian authorities," Kanaani said.



Thousands of Australians Without Power as Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds Lash Tasmania

The Coomera river is seen cutting a road at Clagiraba Road on the Gold Coast Tuesday, January 2, 2024. (AAP)
The Coomera river is seen cutting a road at Clagiraba Road on the Gold Coast Tuesday, January 2, 2024. (AAP)
TT

Thousands of Australians Without Power as Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds Lash Tasmania

The Coomera river is seen cutting a road at Clagiraba Road on the Gold Coast Tuesday, January 2, 2024. (AAP)
The Coomera river is seen cutting a road at Clagiraba Road on the Gold Coast Tuesday, January 2, 2024. (AAP)

Tens of thousands of people in Australia's southern island state of Tasmania were without power on Sunday after a cold front brought damaging winds and heavy rains, sparking flood warnings.
"Around 30,000 customers are without power across the state this morning," Tasnetworks, a state-owned power company, said on Facebook on Sunday.
The nation's weather forecaster said on its website that a cold front over Tasmania, population around 570,000 people, was moving away, "although bands of showers and thunderstorms continue to pose a risk of damaging wind gusts."
Properties, power lines and infrastructure had been damaged, Tasmania's emergency management minister Felix Ellis said in a televised media conference, adding that "the damage bill is likely to be significant".
Emergency authorities issued warnings for flooding, which they said could leave Tasmanians isolated for several days, as the state prepared for another cold front forecast to hit on Sunday night, Reuters reported.
“There is potential for properties to be inundated, and roads may not be accessible," executive director of Tasmania State Emergency Service, Mick Lowe, said in a statement.
Authorities had received 330 requests for assistance in the last 24 hours, according to the agency.
Tasmania is a one-hour flight or 10-hour ferry crossing from the mainland city of Melbourne, 445 km (275 miles) away. About 40% of the island is wilderness or protected areas.