Russia arrests US reporter on spy charges in further blow to dire relations
PAVEL POLITYUK RUSSIA charged an American correspondent for the Wall Street Journal with spying, in a case certain to worsen Moscow's diplomatic feud with Washington over the war in Ukraine and likely to further isolate Russia. The newspaper denied the allegations and demanded the immediate release of "trusted and dedicated reporter" Evan Gershkovich. The White House said the State Department was in direct contact with the Russian government over his detention and urged U.S. citizens living or travelling in Russia to depart immediately. "We condemn the detention of Mr Gershkovich in the strongest terms," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.…