Ethan Schroader with Owensboro Municipal Utilities flushes a fire hydrant on Alexandria Drive while performing routine maintenance on hydrants throughout the city, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)

NATION

Maryland

Bolton pleads not guilty in DOJ case

GREENBELT — John Bolton has pleaded not guilty in the Justice Department case accusing him of sharing classified information. Bolton was ordered released from custody after making his appearance Friday before a judge in the third Justice Department case brought in recent weeks against an adversary of President Donald Trump.

Bolton has signaled he will argue he is being targeted because of his criticism of the president, describing the charges as part of a Trump “effort to intimidate his opponents.” The case, however, appears to have followed a more conventional path toward indictment than other recent cases against perceived Trump enemies.

People walk in a park among seasonal colored trees on an sunny autumn day in Tallinn, Estonia, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

New York

Gold prices topped $4,300 this week

NEW YORK — As economic uncertainty deepens, the rush for gold continues — with prices for the precious metal topping $4,300 for the first time this week. The going price for New York spot closed at a record $4,326 per troy ounce on Thursday.

Futures also traded as high at more than $4,344 per troy ounce Thursday, before falling below the $4,300 mark Friday morning. Still, gold is up 6.7% over the last week, marking one of its best weeks to date.

WORLD

Lebanon

Son of late Libya leader ordered released

BEIRUT — A Lebanese judge has ordered the release of the son of Libya’s late leader Moammar Gadhafi on condition he pay $11 million bail. Hannibal Gadhafi has been held in Lebanon for a decade without charge. His lawyers have said he has been ill in his cell at police headquarters.

Judicial officials said he was taken to the Justice Palace in Beirut, where Judge Zaher Hamadeh ordered his release once the bail condition is met. One of his lawyers said Gadhafi does not have the money or access to accounts to pay the bail.