Trump Steps Up Attacks on Biden, Challenges Him to Another Debate

Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Tuesday evening at his luxury golf resort in Doral, Florida (AFP)
Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Tuesday evening at his luxury golf resort in Doral, Florida (AFP)
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Trump Steps Up Attacks on Biden, Challenges Him to Another Debate

Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Tuesday evening at his luxury golf resort in Doral, Florida (AFP)
Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Tuesday evening at his luxury golf resort in Doral, Florida (AFP)

Former US President Donald Trump returned to the campaign rally after spending much of the last week out of public view enjoying the Democratic Party’s tussles over whether President Joe Biden should remain in the race.
At a rally on Tuesday evening at his luxury golf resort in Doral, Florida, Trump lashed out at Biden and challenged him to a second debate, or even a golf game on the course where he was giving his speech.
“Joe’s own party wants him to throw in the towel and surrender the presidency after a single 90-minute performance,” Trump said, speaking about the first presidential debate he held with Biden on June 27.
He then criticized the way the US government is run, saying that Biden’s son, Hunter, is “running our government” and first lady Jill Biden “is helping.”
Biden has repeatedly insisted he won't withdraw from the race.



Repatriation Flights Start for Israelis Stranded in Cyprus 

Passengers from the Crown Iris a cruise ship board a bus, at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Passengers from the Crown Iris a cruise ship board a bus, at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Repatriation Flights Start for Israelis Stranded in Cyprus 

Passengers from the Crown Iris a cruise ship board a bus, at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Passengers from the Crown Iris a cruise ship board a bus, at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)

Flights took off for Israel on Wednesday from Cyprus, airport sources and web flight tracking sites showed, ferrying home Israelis stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran.

Israel's airspace has been closed since the two countries began trading attacks on Friday, stranding tens of thousands whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled.

Israel announced special flights for the repatriation of its nationals on Tuesday.

One flight operated by Arkia left Cyprus's Larnaca airport at 07:25 a.m. (0425 GMT) for Tel Aviv. Nine more were expected to depart Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources in airport operator Hermes said.

Israel's Transportation Ministry has said as many as 150,000 Israelis are abroad, with about a third trying to get home.

Large numbers have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member nation closest to Israel. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants in a Jewish heritage program who had left Israel on Tuesday.