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GOP laughs off Biden’s 'ultra-MAGA' attack, calling it 'hilarious'

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Biden officials, though, are digging in. "The term ‘MAGA’ is repellent to swing voters," a source familiar with the White House strategy told NBC News. “Ultra MAGA.” “MAGA King.” President Joe Biden, who dodged the words “Donald Trump” for more than a year, has suddenly integrated the Trump political movement into his daily lexicon. While the White House is employing the tactic purposefully, it doesn’t mean it’s about to engage in culture wars. “It’s hilarious. They’re highlighting their single biggest vulnerability,” said Curt Anderson, a top political adviser and founder of the firm OnMessage Inc., which consults for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and numerous senators and candidates. “It’s almost like they are trying to harm themselves.” Whether it's the subject of ridicule from Republicans, though, doesn't matter to the White House.

Black hole: First picture of Milky Way monster

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This is the gargantuan black hole that lives at the centre of our galaxy, pictured for the very first time. Known as Sagittarius A*, the object is a staggering four million times the mass of our Sun. What you see is a central dark region where the hole resides, circled by the light coming from super-heated gas accelerated by immense gravitational forces. For scale, the ring is roughly the size of Mercury's orbit around our star. That's about 60 million km, or 40 million miles, across. Fortunately, this monster is a long, long way away - some 26,000 light-years in the distance - so there's no possibility of us ever coming to any danger. The image was produced by an international team called the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration.

What will happen tomorrow - Putin !

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President Vladimir Putin takes Russian anniversaries seriously. It was no coincidence that his invasion of Ukraine came a day after Defender of the Fatherland Day, a celebration of Russia's military achievements. It was on that same occasion in 2014 that Putin took the first step in annexing Crimea from Ukraine, through orchestrated pro-Russian protests on the peninsula. The leader had clearly hoped to have more to celebrate by this Victory Day on Monday, the country's most patriotic of dates, marking the Soviet Union's role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II. It was on May 8, 1945, (May 9 in Moscow's time zone) that Germany signed its Instrument of Surrender in Berlin, ending the fighting in Europe. The USSR suffered the biggest losses of any nation -- around 27 million soldiers and civilians died. Russia's justification for war in Ukraine suggested a deadline for success by Victory Day. Putin and his government have repeatedly said the aim of their so-

Who is Alina Kabaeva, Putin's alleged girlfriend?

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Russia is already under unprecedented sanctions and now the EU could target Alina Kabaeva, a politician, media boss, former Olympic gymnast, and - if the rumours are true - Vladimir Putin's girlfriend and mother to some of his children. The sanctions imposed by the EU and others are designed to punish those closest to Mr Putin - the oligarchs, politicians and other officials said to have benefited from their proximity to the president. Last month, the US and UK imposed sanctions on his daughters Maria Vorontsova, 36, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35. They are his children with ex-wife Lyudmila. Until now, Ms Kabaeva has escaped, despite her reported status. She might have felt something was coming: an online petition in March demanded her expulsion from her residence in Switzerland.

UEFA imposes more sanctions on Russian teams over war in Ukraine 

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UEFA has increased its sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine by ejecting the country from more football competitions. Russian teams will not be allowed to compete in the Women’s European Championship this summer, as well as qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the next men's Champions League. Russian sides had already been suspended by FIFA and UEFA from playing in international competitions "until further notice". The latest sanctions will likely once again be appealed by Russia at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Putin could declare World War III within days, says UK defence secretary

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Russian President Vladimir Putin could declare World War 3 in just two days' time, according to the UK defence secretary. Ben Wallace said that the despot will "probably" attempt to "mobilise the Russian people" amid his failing "special military operation". Putin has also threatened to use nuclear weapons against western powers if they get in his way, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying the threat of nuclear war "is serious". Brit hero killed in Ukraine was dad of 2 who 'showed commando spirit right to very end' He said: "I would not be surprised . . . that he is probably going to declare on May Day that, 'We are now at war with the world’s Nazis and we need to mass mobilise the Russian people'." "Putin, having failed in nearly all objectives, may seek to consolidate what he's got . . . and just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country. "We have to help Ukrainians ef

Real Madrid vs Man City highlights and reaction as Rodrygo and Benzema send Blues out of Champions League

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Manchester City were seconds away from a Champions League final but suffered a heartbreaking exit as Real Madrid came back late on to turn their semi-final around. City beat Real 4-3 in last week's first leg at the Etihad, had a foot in the Champions League final when Riyad Mahrez put them ahead at the Bernabeu. Pep Guardiola recalled Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo after the first leg, and were brilliant for 89 minutes in this second leg. Guardiola said Walker was a risky inclusion, but he lasted 60 minutes before going off, and Mahrez's well-taken goal put them two goals ahead on aggregate. However, Rodrygo scored on the stroke of 90 minutes and then in injury time to shock City and send the game to extra time. Then, Karim Benzema won a penalty and converted it to send City out in unbelievable circumstances. Follow below for pre-match build-up, live match updates and post-match reaction from the Bernabeu.