News in Brief -2024-08-05

FE Team | Published: August 04, 2024 23:08:12

Biggest iceberg spins in ocean trap
LONDON, Aug 04: Something remarkable has happened to A23a, the world's biggest iceberg. For months now it has been spinning on the spot just north of Antarctica when really it should be racing along with Earth's most powerful ocean current. Scientists say the frozen block, which is more than twice the size of Greater London, has been captured on top of a huge rotating cylinder of water. It's a phenomenon oceanographers call a Taylor Column - and it's possible A23a might not escape its jailer for years. — BBC
Two migrants dead after rescue at sea
ROME, Aug 04: Italy's coastguard said Sunday two migrants died after they were rescued along with more than 30 others in the Mediterranean off the eastern coast of Sicily. The coastguard said it received a distress call late Saturday from a boat located about 17 miles southeast of Syracuse carrying Syrian, Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants. Search and rescue operations began after the coastguard dispatched a patrol boat and plane to the area, but "the occupants of the vessel ended up in the water as the patrol boat approached," it said in a statement. — AFP
Trump, Harris at odds over debate
NEW YORK, Aug 04: US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are at odds over their first head-to-head debate, with each in favour of a different broadcaster and date. The Harris campaign is pushing for a debate to take place on ABC News on 10 September, in a slot previously scheduled for a debate between President Joe Biden and Mr Trump. But Mr Trump says the ABC debate has been "terminated" by Mr Biden leaving the race - and has instead pushed for himself and Ms Harris to debate on Fox News on 4 September. —BBC