Kenya is set to confront Russia over the reported recruitment of its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine, while also dealing with other international and domestic issues, including a lawsuit over weight-loss drugs and a drop in profits for a major oil company. According to the BBC, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi called the practice "unacceptable and clandestine" and stated that Nairobi would urge Moscow to sign a deal banning the conscription of Kenyan soldiers. The Kenyan government estimates that around 200 of its nationals have been recruited to fight for Russia, though the exact number remains unclear.
In other international news, a video from the New York Times showed how Ukrainians are coping without heat amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. The video was one of several related to the conflict, including reports on a top Russian general being shot in Moscow and peace talks ending with little progress.
Meanwhile, in the business sector, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, sued a rival firm, Hims & Hers, for selling what it says are "unsafe, knock-off" versions of its weight-loss drugs in the US, as reported by the BBC. The legal drama began after Hims & Hers launched a new weight-loss pill, leading to an initial threat from Novo Nordisk. On Monday, Hims & Hers' share price slumped as it called Novo Nordisk's decision to press ahead with the lawsuit a "blatant attack."
Also in business, BP announced a drop in annual profits and increased its target for cost cutting after being hit by the fall in crude prices last year, according to the BBC. The oil giant reported profits of $7.5 billion in 2023, down from $8.9 billion the year before. BP also said it was suspending its share buyback program and cutting spending. New boss Meg O'Neill, who takes up her position in April, is expected to continue the company's shift away from investment in renewable energy projects to refocus on oil and gas operations.
Finally, the world's largest social media companies are facing scrutiny as a landmark trial began in California examining the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube, as reported by the BBC. In his opening argument, Mark Lanier argued that his client suffered from mental health issues as a result of her social media addiction. "These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose," Lanier said.
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