US government says it's shutting down and sanctioning #darknet site Genesis Market "for its part in the theft and sale of device credentials and related sensitive information." Genesis Market operates a criminal marketplace and is believed to be located in #Russia, according to US Treasury #OFAC.

So #Twitter has labeled @NPR as "US state-affiliated media." I just checked to see if @VOANews has any such appellation.

"I never thought anything like this could happen in America," begins Trump and then immediately launches into his list of grievances about previous investigations of him by Democrats. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is a George Soros-backed prosecutor "who vowed to get Trump at any cost," says Trump.

"Thirty-four false statements made to cover up other crimes," says Manhatta D.A. Alvin Bragg. Trump repeatedly made false statement on New York business records" and caused others to make false statements. Trump tried to cover up crimes related to the 2016 presidential election, according to Manhattan DA Bragg.

Former President Trump en route his #NYC arraignment. Helicopters beaming the scene from above the Trump motorcade. nbcnewyork.com

Secretary of State Blinken, in a phone call, tells #Russia of America's grave concern over the unacceptable detention of a Wall Street Journal journalist, who is a US citizen, according to the State Dept. News agencies in #Russia confirm Blinken called Lavrov but have not reported what was discussed. interfax.ru/russia/894035

#Twitter account of #Lawfare co-founder Benjamin Wittes suspended. He explains why. dogshirtdaily.com/p/my-twitter-a… #Twitter

#NYC grand jury reportedly has indicted former President Trump in hush money case. nytimes.com/live/2023/03/3… A lawyer for Trump says he's been told of the indictment.

#Russia FSB detains a Wall Street Journal reporter, US citizen Evan Gershkovich, for what it describes as espionage. wsj.com/articles/russi… National Press Club calls on #Russia to release Wall Street Journal reporter. press.org/newsroom/natio…

Media reports say Thursday events for Pope Francis have been cancelled due to a scheduled hospital visit. Update: Pope Francis has a respiratory infection, according to a #Vatican statement.

#Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removes the defense minister, Yoav Gallant, after he called for a halt to the plan to limit judicial authority. ynetnews.com/article/rk2duw… Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in protest after Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed his defense mister. They are blocking Tel Aviv's main highway and there is a bonfire in the middle of the road. Livestream: kan.org.il/live/tv.aspx?s…

It's official: #Honduras cuts diplomatic ties with #Taiwan.

https://twitter.com/CancilleriaHN/status/1639779225828831232

#Taiwan foreign ministry says #Honduras demanded massive amounts of foreign aid to continue the diplomatic relationship.

"The Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State," former President Trump says at an election rally in Waco, #Texas. "We're heading into World War Three," predicts Trump, saying he's the only candidate who can prevent it.

Severe damage in Rolling Fork, #Mississippi from a #tornado. vicksburgnews.com/south-side-of-… Update: At least 23 people are dead after a #tornado in #Mississippi. wapt.com/article/search…

In joint statement, US and #Canada announce plans for two next generation Over-the-Horizon Radar systems covering the Arctic and Polar approaches, the first by 2028 “to enhance early warning and domain awareness of North American approaches.” #Canada will welcome “an additional 15,000 migrants on a humanitarian basis from the Western Hemisphere over the course of the year to continue expanding safe, regular pathways offered throughout the hemisphere as an alternative to irregular migration, with a path to (1/2)

#Rwanda government annoounces it is commuting the terror sentence of Paul Rusesabagina of “Hotel Rwanda" fame and should free him Saturday. Update: US officials say Paul Rusesabagina of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ fame has been released from custody and will leave #Rwanda soon, reports AP.

Jeffrey Woodke, an American aid worker held hostage in #Africa for six years, has been freed. Meanwhile, it is also reported that a French journalist, Olivier Dubois, who was kidnapped by armed groups in the Sahel nearly two years ago, has been released.

#Turkey President Erdogan asks his country's parliament to decide whether to back the #NATO bid of #Finland. haberturk.com/cumhurbaskani-… At a news conference with his Finnish counterpart, Erdogan said #Turkey will continue discussions with #Sweden on
terrorism-related issues and Turkish support for the Swedish #NATO membership bid
will depend directly on measures taken.

US Defense Secretary Austin says he just was on the phone with his Russian counterpart following Black Sea drone incident. US will continue to fly and operate wherever international law allows, adds Secretary Austin.

President Biden has been briefed on the drone incident over the Black Sea, according to NSC spokesman John Kirby. Several times before the collision, the Russian fighter jets dumped fuel on the MQ-9 and flew in front of it in unsafe maneuvers, according to the US military.

Joint statement from US Treasury Dept, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. Reaction: mastodon.social/@mmasnick/1100…