RUSSIA: Prosecutors sought a 15-year sentence today for a Russian-US woman who has pleaded guilty to treason.

Ksenia Khavana was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February and accused of collecting money for Ukraine’s military. Human rights group The First Department said the charges stem from a $51 (£40) donation to a US charity that helps Ukraine.

Ms Khavana obtained US citizenship through marriage and moved to Los Angeles. She had returned to Russia to visit her family.

SYRIA: Violence surged in opposition-held areas on Wednesday as government-backed fighters killed at least two people in the east, while a lorry bomb in the northern city of Azaz killed nine.

Fghters attacked eastern areas held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, killing at least two people and wounding others.

The attack in Azaz, held by Turkish-backed fighters, injured 11 people.

KENYA: Police hurled tear gas today at protesters calling for President William Ruto’s resignation as a new cabinet was sworn in.

The demonstrations in the capital in Nairobi were organised by activists who remain angry with Mr Ruto even after he dismissed almost all of his ministers and added opposition members to what he called a “broad-based” government.

Other population centres in Kenya remained calm.

NIGERIA: Security forces have detained six Polish students and a lecturer for allegedly displaying Russian flags during protests against economic hardship, Nigerian and Polish authorities said on Wednesday.

The seven were arrested on Monday in the northern state of Kano, said secret service spokesman Peter Afunanya.