US President Joe Biden on Wednesday challenged his Republican rival, Donald Trump, to two televised debates ahead of what is expected to be a close race on election day in November.
“Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate,” Mr Biden said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again,” he said. “Make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice.”
Hours later, Mr Trump accepted the offer, issuing his own barbs.
“Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced – He can’t put two sentences together!” he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September.”
He added that he would recommend more than two debates “for excitement purposes”.
The first debate has been set for June 27, with CNN hosting the event from the battleground state of Georgia.
The second debate is scheduled for September 10, hosted by ABC News.
The development comes as US election season heats up ahead of the vote, scheduled for November 5.
The vote would be a rematch between Mr Biden, who is running for re-election, and Mr Trump, his one-term predecessor.
Mr Biden, 81, faces low approval ratings amid concerns by American voters over his age, the economy and his handling of the Israel-Gaza war.
Polls show Mr Biden trailing Mr Trump in key battleground states.
But Mr Trump also faces challenges of his own.
He has been charged in four separate criminal cases, including a continuing hush-money trial in New York that requires him to attend court nearly every day.
“So let's pick the dates, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays,” Mr Biden said in the video, seemingly taking a swipe at the weekly breaks on Wednesday in Mr Trump's court sessions.
During the Republican primary race, Mr Trump, who was leading his rivals by double digits, refused to participate in party debates, but in recent weeks, he has been challenging Mr Biden to take on a one-on-one debate with him.
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
The%20specs
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Dunki
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Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
