Russia has threatened to release a "massive military strike" in the centre of Ukraine's capital if the nation breaches two separate ceasefires put in place by both countries.

Earlier this week, Russia and Ukraine declared unilateral pauses in their four-year war, which has become the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Russia announced on social media that the ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin would extend from May 8 to May 9, coinciding with the nation's annual military parade in Moscow marking Victory Day.

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"We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly after that he had not received an official notice from Russia, but that Ukraine would observe a separate ceasefire from May 5 to May 6.

"As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media," Zelenskyy wrote.

He added that "human life is incomparably more valuable than the 'celebration' of any anniversary".

"It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war," he said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said in the lead-up to the parade that it would take measures to ensure the event's safety.

"If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv," it said.

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"We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly."

Russia called the ceasefire a precautionary measure given the threat of Ukrainian strikes during the Victory Day anniversary.

Putin said he first suggested a ceasefire last week in a call with US President Donald Trump.

Ukraine said it would await details from the US, and would support a lasting ceasefire and peace settlement between the two nations backed by security guarantees.

Zelenskyy said earlier this week in a meeting with European Union leaders that Russia's decision not to display military equipment at the parade was due to fear of Ukraine's drones and proof of the nation's growing weakness.

"This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy. And we must push him toward diplomacy," Zelenskyy said.

"Russia has announced a May 9 parade in Moscow without military equipment.

"If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment – and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square.

"This is telling. It shows they are not strong now," Zelenskyy said.

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Welcome to nine.com.au's coverage of the 2026 Met Gala – the most compelling and star-studded fashion event of the year.

Donald Trump has called on all presidential candidates to take a cognitive test, as he faces questions on his own capacity to do the job.

Speaking today, Trump said he was the only president to take such a test, having done it three times.

"I've aced each one," Trump said.

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"Whenever they get a little sassy, saying 'Does he still have it? Does it still have what it takes,' I say 'I'll take another one'."

Trump pointed out the tests were "hard".

"The first question is very easy," he said.

"You have a lion, a bear, an alligator, and a, what's another good..? A squirrel."

"Which is the squirrel?"

"By the time you get to the middle they're very tough."

He bragged about his results.

"One doctor said, 'It's the first time I've ever seen anyone get all questions right,'" Trump said.

"That's a doctor, who does this stuff for a living."

The test the president is referring to is the Montreal Cognitive Test.

The ten-minute test developed by Canadian neurologist Ziad Nasreddine is intended to determine if a person has conditions like Alzheimer's or dementia.

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Sample questions include drawing an analogue clock with the correct time, with points given for correct numbering.

Another question is to name as many words as they can in a minute beginning with the letter B.

A failing grade would be less than 11 words.

The final questions are to know the date, day of the week, their location and what city they are in.

"It wasn't designed to be a test of IQ," Nasreddine told nine.com.au.

"It was designed to assess normal cognitive performance."

The test is used in about 200 countries, including Australia.

The average person scores 26 out of 30 on the test. Nasreddine said about ten per cent of people who are Trump's age get all the answers right.

"I think he's proud that he is able to demonstrate that his cognition is fine.

"Obviously, he likes to maybe boast about it because of his age, and people might think that at his age, you might have more difficulty with your cognition."

Nasreddine was quick to point out that while many people attempt to take the Montreal Cognitive Test by themselves, that was not how it was designed.

Another test developed by Nasreddine is designed to be done by individuals.

A poll for the Washington Post this week found 59 per cent of Americans do not believe Trump has the mental sharpness to do his job.

Only 40 per cent believed he did.

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The same poll showed 55 per cent of people believed he was not in good enough physical health to do the job.

No other president has taken a cognitive test while in office.

Joe Biden was also dogged by questions about his cognitive ability, but did not take a test.

The New York Times reported that while his staff were confident Biden would pass the test, the mere act of taking it would reflect poorly on his mental state.

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A South African policeman has bravely helped winch a massive crocodile from a river, with later testing showing the croc contained human remains.

Video footage, shared on social media by South African police, showed Captain Johan Potgieter being winched on a helicopter over the "crocodile-infested" Komati River before helping attach a large crocodile to the rope.

The river is located in the east of the country, near the border with Mozambique.

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The statement said the crocodile, which was already euthanised, was taken away, and a study of the crocodile's body found the remains of a missing person.

According to local media reports, the crocodile was around 4.5 metres long and weighed 500 kilograms.

The same reports said the remains are believed to be of a missing 59-year-old businessman, who went missing last week.

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Potgieter's actions and bravery were met with praise.

"Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane commends the extraordinary bravery and selflessness displayed," the statement on social media read.

"He courageously secured a crocodile using a rope under extremely dangerous conditions."

Police said they would now carry out a DNA analysis of the remains to confirm the identity of the deceased.

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