Notes Today:

 

• From a Telegram channel: "Vladimir Putin's general mental state has recently caused alarm among people who can be attributed to the president's inner circle. Putin is in a depressed state, often breaks down on loved ones and withdraws into himself. 

• The U.S. Treasury sanctions African Gold Refinery, one of the continent’s biggest processors of the metal, for allegedly contributing to conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

• Stocks in Mexico hit all time high

• US existing home sales at 6-month low

• South Carolina prisons gives green light to carry out executions by firing squad. 

• Nestle refuses to withdraw from Russia even after a desperate plea from Ukraine’s prime minister. 

• The coldest location on the planet has experienced an episode of warm weather this week unlike any ever observed, with temperatures over the eastern Antarctic ice sheet soaring 50 to 90 degrees above normal. (WP) 

• Remember when former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "Do you think Americans care about fucking Ukraine"? 

• U.S. House of Representatives voted 424-8 to permanently reauthorize the Global Magnitsky Act. The following reps voted against: Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Glenn Grothman, Thomas Massie and Chip Roy.