NATION & WORLD WATCH

Agency: Trump is due $1M tax refund for Chicago skyscraper

An Illinois tax agency has ruled that former President Donald Trump is due a $1 million refund on the 2011 tax bill for his Chicago skyscraper, but local officials are trying to block the refund. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that at issue is the Cook County Board of Review’s estimation of the value of the the Trump International Hotel & Tower’s rooms and retail space. In June, the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board voted 5-0 to reduce the assessment on the building’s commercial property. The vote means that Trump is owed $1.03 million.

Turkey evacuates panicked tourists by boat from wildfires

ISTANBUL – Panicked tourists in Turkey hurried to the seashore to wait for rescue boats Saturday after being told to evacuate some hotels in the Aegean resort of Bodrum due to the dangers posed by nearby wildfires, Turkish media reported. Coast guard units were leading the operation and authorities asked private boats and yachts to assist in evacuation efforts from the sea as new wildfires erupted. The death toll from wildfires raging in Turkey’s Mediterranean towns rose to six Saturday after two forest workers were killed.

French police clash with anti-virus pass protesters in Paris

PARIS – Thousands in France protesting a special virus pass marched through Paris on Saturday, with French police in full riot gear using their fists to push some demonstrators back and firing tear gas against some crowds. Some 3,000 security forces deployed around the French capital for a third weekend of protests against the pass that will be needed to enter restaurants and other places. Police took up posts along Paris’ Champs-Elysees to guard against an invasion of the famed avenue by violent demonstrators.

Chinese pop star detained on suspicion of rape

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu has been detained by Beijing police on suspicion of rape, police announced Saturday, following an accusation the former member of the Korean boy band EXO lured young women into sexual relationships. Wu, 30, earlier was accused by a teenager of having sex with her while she was drunk. Wu denied the accusation. The teenager said seven other women contacted her to say Wu seduced them with promises of jobs and other opportunities.