News Wrap: Bolton pleads not guilty to charges he mishandled classified information

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other headlines: John Bolton pleaded not guilty today to federal charges that he mishandled classified documents. The former national security adviser during President Trump's first term did not speak to reporters as he left a Maryland courthouse.

He faces 18 counts, including transmission and retention of top secret national defense information. It's the third criminal case the administration has pursued in recent weeks against critics of the president. In response, Bolton said the charges are part of Trump's — quote — "effort to intimidate his opponents."

At the White House today, President Trump appeared to confirm recent reports that Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro had offered the U.S. a stake in the country's oil wealth and other natural resources. That offer was first reported by The New York Times and was seen as an effort to ease tensions between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump used coarse language to describe Maduro's motivations.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: He has offered everything. He's offered everything. You're right. You know why? Because he doesn't want to (expletive deleted) around with the United States.

Amna Nawaz:

Those comments come as the Associated Press and others are reporting that the U.S. military has captured the survivors of yet another strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. It's believed to be at least the sixth strike on such vessels since August. The administration has not publicly acknowledged the strike.

The New York Times is pushing back against President Trump's latest legal action against the paper. Yesterday, his team refiled a $15 billion lawsuit alleging that The Times, along with two reporters and book publisher Penguin Random House, had defamed him during the 2024 election.

A judge in Florida threw out the original complaint last month, calling it — quote — "decidedly improper and impermissible." A spokesperson for the paper said the latest filing has no merit, adding that — quote — "Nothing has changed today. This is merely an attempt to stifle independent reporting and generate P.R. attention."

Britain's Prince Andrew says he will give up his royal titles after renewed attention to his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, the younger brother of King Charles said — quote — "The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family."

His announcement comes after the release this week of excerpts from a posthumous memoir from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with Prince Andrew at the age of 17. Andrew has long denied the accusations. He will no longer be known as the duke of York, but remains a prince.

In Madagascar, the army colonel who led a military coup was sworn in as president today. Colonel Michael Randrianirina replaces former leader Andry Rajoelina, who was forced to flee the country after weeks of youth-led protests against his government.

Colonel Randrianirina took his oath of office just three days after armed forces took control of the island nation of some 30 million people. He promised to respect and safeguard the Constitution and the rule of law.

Michael Randrianirina, President of Madagascar (through interpreter): I call upon everyone to uphold peace, unity and solidarity so that we may quickly restore our social and economic systems, which have fallen into distress. We will protect and rebuild the entire system of governance and administration, aligning it with the true aspirations of the people.

Amna Nawaz:

Randrianirina has said he will remain in charge for at least 18 months before any new elections are held. The United Nations has condemned the military takeover as unconstitutional, and Madagascar has been suspended from the African Union.

Back in this country, Ford Motor is recalling more than 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. in two separate actions. The first involves more than 330,000 Ford Mustangs which may have seat belts that don't properly restrain people during a crash. The second involves certain F-Series Super Duty from 2020 to 2022. Those could have problems with their rear-view cameras.

Ford has issued a record number of recalls this year as it works to address a range of safety issues. The automaker says owners should bring their cars in to have them checked, and that related repairs will be done free of charge.

On Wall Street today, stocks cruised to a solid end to the week after President Trump once again tried to ease worries over his China tariffs. The Dow Jones industrial average added nearly 240 points on the day. The Nasdaq rose more than 100 points, and the S&P 500 also posted decent gains.

And Japan's former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama has died. He led a coalition government in the mid-1990s, but is perhaps best remembered for issuing an unprecedented apology on the 50th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. In 1995, he said Japan's — quote — "mistaken national policy caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations."

He resigned the following year, but the Murayama Statement, as it became known, became a part of Japan's political fabric. Officials say Tomiichi Murayama died today in his hometown. He was 101 years old.