April 28, 2022

*) Putin warns West of lightning retaliation Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that if any other country intervenes in Moscow's operations in Ukraine, Russia will launch a quick-fire military response. Putin said: "If anyone sets out to intervene … and creates unacceptable threats for us that are strategic in nature, they should know that our response... will be lightning-fast". "We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having. We won't boast about it: we'll use them if needed," he added. *) Germany biggest buyer of Russian energy An independent research group has found that Germany is the biggest buyer of Russian energy in the first two months of Moscow’s assault on Ukraine. The study published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air calculates that Russia earned 66.5 billion dollars from fossil fuel exports since the offensive began. Of the 66.5 billion, the researchers reckon that 9.6 billion dollars came from Germany. Berlin says it can't comment on estimates and declines to provide any figures of its own. *) Muslims across world observe Islam’s holy night of Laylat al Qadr Muslims around the world have observed Laylat al Qadr or the "Night of Power". It is on this night that Muslims believe Allah sent the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed the first verses of the holy Quran. The exact day of the night is not officially known but Muslims are told to search for Laylat al Qadr during the last odd nights of Ramadan. It is widely believed to be the 27th night of Ramadan. *) Palestinians subjected to ‘racial segregation’ in E Jerusalem Israel's housing policies in occupied East Jerusalem amount to "racial segregation and discrimination" against the Palestinian people and a violation of their human rights, a group of UN experts has said. "The discriminatory zoning and planning regime in occupied East Jerusalem clearly amounts to segregation based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin," the experts said in a statement. "Racially