A massive coastal development project linked to Jared Kushner is facing resistance in Albania. The government claims the development on the Adriatic coast will transform the nation as it seeks high-end tourism and European Union membership. However, environmental campaigners and critics of Prime Minister Edi Rama oppose the venture. The project spans a wildlife reserve and an uninhabited island. Protesters have voiced concerns about the impact on biodiversity. Since late May, heavy machinery has entered the area, sparking further outrage. Albania’s state anti-corruption agency has opened an investigation related to the project but has not disclosed details.
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President Donald Trump is nominating Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, as director of national intelligence. Trump announced the nomination on social media Thursday amid pressure from Congress to name a permanent replacement for Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation last month. Trump faced intense pushback over his decision to name Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director. The resulting uproar led to a standoff in Congress as Democrats said they would refuse to renew foreign intelligence powers unless Trump pulled Pulte’s nomination and named a permanent nominee.
Peru's presidential runoff has left the country without a clear winner. Conservative Keiko Fujimori and nationalist Roberto Sánchez are virtually tied with 93% of ballots counted by Monday. Fujimori has 50.095% of the vote, while Sánchez has 49.905%. The winner will become Peru's ninth president in 10 years. Electoral authorities expect to announce the outcome within 30 days. Voter turnout appeared lower than in previous elections, despite mandatory voting. Crime is a major concern for voters, but neither candidate's proposals have made significant inroads. Both candidates are linked to controversial political figures, affecting their appeal.
Peruvians are chosing between two presidential candidates with starkly different views. Keiko Fujimori, a conservative and daughter of a disgraced former president, faces Roberto Sánchez, a nationalist congressman. Neither candidate secured even 20% support in the first round in April. The results are expected to be close, and official outcomes may take days. Crime, especially extortion, is a major concern. Fujimori promises a tough stance on crime, while Sánchez focuses on police reform and economic progress. Voting is mandatory for Peruvians aged 18 to 70.
Two fired FirstEnergy Corp. executives whose initial prosecutions in the state’s long-running $60 million bribery scandal ended in mistrial earlier this year have been reindicted. Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost detailed a combined 22 new criminal counts Thursday against former CEO Chuck Jones and one-time top lobbyist Michael Dowling, including corruption, bribery, conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Yost said new information came to light through a civil lawsuit against FirstEnergy that has been incorporated into the new allegations. Defense attorneys say the new indictments are overbroad and rely on information either directly excluded or dismissed at trial.
A Philippine senator says he will surrender after a court ordered his arrest on a charge of plunder. The special Sandiganbayan anti-graft court issued a warrant for Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s arrest Friday on a graft charge that was bailable. He then surrendered and was released on bail. Estrada, 63, has strongly denied allegations mainly by a former government public works engineer. The engineer claims Estrada received more than 570 million pesos, or $9.3 million, in kickbacks from flood control projects. Estrada continues to deny any wrongdoing in the case.
A Philippine senator says he will surrender after an anti-graft court ordered his arrest on charge of economic plunder.
Spanish police have mounted a search of the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party as part of an ongoing investigation into possible financial wrongdoing. The Civil Guard told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers were under judicial orders to find material relevant to the National Court probe into accusations of corruption against former party members. The police search of the office in central Madrid marks another blow to the party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose Socialists have been hammered by a series of corruption scandals.
Spanish police search headquarters of ruling Socialist Party as part of corruption probe.
Democrats are increasingly critiquing each other over their personal stock trades as the party looks to hone its anti-corruption message against President Donald Trump in the midterm elections. In primary races across the country, Democrats are critiquing individual stock trades and the personal wealth of their rivals in a bid to build credibility with voters. Polls show the public takes a dim view of insider trading in Washington and supports more guardrails against corruption. The debates have scrambled ideological lines inside the party, with some more moderate lawmakers attacking progressive rivals over past stock trades. Progressives express skepticism that Democrats who have recently highlighted the issue are offering genuine critiques about money in politics.