Ten women who work at McDonald's restaurants in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and six other cities have filed sexual harassment complaints in the past few days with the federal government against the company and its franchisees, which they said ignored or retaliated against them for such complaints.

The complaints, filed with the US&nbsp;Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), are the latest effort by the union-backed Fight for $15 to have McDonald's designated a "joint employer" of workers at McDonald's franchises and thereby liable when its franchisees violate labour laws.

The claimants, including a 15-year-old from St. Louis, said in a conference call with journalists that they were ignored, mocked or terminated for reporting the behaviour. The accusations included claims that co-workers or supervisors sexually propositioned, groped or exposed themselves to the women.

"I felt I had no choice but to tolerate it," Kimberley Lawson, 25, who makes $8.75 per hour at McDonald's in Kansas City, Missouri, said on a conference call with reporters.

The restaurant industry, which employs half of the American women at some point in their lives, has one of the country's largest sexual harassment problems because its low-wage and largely female workforce is vulnerable to mistreatment from customers and colleagues.

The complaints against McDonald's Corp&nbsp;and the franchise operators of the restaurants where the women workers are similar to sexual harassment accusations also filed with the EEOC two years ago and land ahead of the company's annual meeting on Thursday.

McDonald's spokeswoman Terri Hickey said the company was dismissed from the 2016 claims because they did not employ the individuals who filed the complaints.

Hickey said that McDonald's has policies that prohibit sexual harassment at the company and at the restaurants it owns and operates, while franchisees are responsible for setting employment policies for their restaurants.

The TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund, established earlier this year by the National Women's Law Center, is covering legal fees for the women.

The company said in a statement that it takes the accusations seriously and that the franchisees who operate some 90 percent its roughly 14,000 US&nbsp;restaurants "will do the same."

Fight for $15 and TIME'S UP are pressing the world's largest restaurant chain to establish and train employees on a zero-tolerance sexual harassment policy and to create a safe and effective process for receiving and responding to complaints.

If an EEOC review of the cases finds they have merit, the agency would call on the company to engage in informal settlement talks. If that failed, EEOC could sue the company or issue the workers "right to sue" letters.

The US&nbsp;Supreme Court on Monday upheld employers' ability to block workers who signed arbitration agreements from filing class-action lawsuits. Sexual harassment cases are usually not class actions because of the unique facts in each case. If the workers signed arbitration agreements, that could keep individual claims out of court.

Attorneys told reporters on the conference call that they were investigating whether the women had signed arbitration agreements. They said workers in prior cases had not.

The women could find it difficult to hold McDonald's responsible for the actions of its franchisees.

In two earlier labour law cases, federal judges in California have said that McDonald's does not exercise enough control over franchise workers to be considered a joint employer.

Also, McDonald's in April proposed settling a National Labor Relations Board case that allows it to avoid a joint employer ruling without paying any money to franchise workers who claimed they were fired, suspended or had their hours cut for participating in Fight for $15 protests calling for higher wages.

Ten women who work at McDonald's restaurants in Detroit, Chicago, LA and six other cities have filed sexual harassment complaints in the past few days with the federal government against the company and its franchisees

Ten women who work at McDonald's restaurants in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and six other cities have filed sexual harassment complaints in the past few days with the federal government against the company and its franchisees, which they said ignored or retaliated against them for such complaints. The complaints, filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), are the latest effort by the union-backed Fight for $15 to have McDonald's designated a "joint employer" of workers at McDonald's franchises and thereby liable when its franchisees violate labour laws. The claimants, including a 15-year-old from St. Louis, said in a conference call with journalists that they were ignored, mocked or terminated for reporting the behaviour. The accusations included claims that co-workers or supervisors sexually propositioned, groped or exposed themselves to the women. "I felt I had no choice but to tolerate it," Kimberley Lawson, 25, who makes $8.75 per hour at McDonald's in Kansas City, Missouri, said on a conference call with reporters. The restaurant industry, which employs half of the American women at some point in their lives, has one of the country's largest sexual harassment problems because its low-wage and largely female workforce is vulnerable to mistreatment from customers and colleagues. The complaints against McDonald's Corp and the franchise operators of the restaurants where the women workers are similar to sexual harassment accusations also filed with the EEOC two years ago and land ahead of the company's annual meeting on Thursday. McDonald's spokeswoman Terri Hickey said the company was dismissed from the 2016 claims because they did not employ the individuals who filed the complaints. Hickey said that McDonald's has policies that prohibit sexual harassment at the company and at the restaurants it owns and operates, while franchisees are responsible for setting employment policies for their restaurants. The TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund, established earlier this year by the National Women's Law Center, is covering legal fees for the women. The company said in a statement that it takes the accusations seriously and that the franchisees who operate some 90 percent its roughly 14,000 US restaurants "will do the same." Fight for $15 and TIME'S UP are pressing the world's largest restaurant chain to establish and train employees on a zero-tolerance sexual harassment policy and to create a safe and effective process for receiving and responding to complaints. If an EEOC review of the cases finds they have merit, the agency would call on the company to engage in informal settlement talks. If that failed, EEOC could sue the company or issue the workers "right to sue" letters. The US Supreme Court on Monday upheld employers' ability to block workers who signed arbitration agreements from filing class-action lawsuits. Sexual harassment cases are usually not class actions because of the unique facts in each case. If the workers signed arbitration agreements, that could keep individual claims out of court. Attorneys told reporters on the conference call that they were investigating whether the women had signed arbitration agreements. They said workers in prior cases had not. The women could find it difficult to hold McDonald's responsible for the actions of its franchisees. In two earlier labour law cases, federal judges in California have said that McDonald's does not exercise enough control over franchise workers to be considered a joint employer. Also, McDonald's in April proposed settling a National Labor Relations Board case that allows it to avoid a joint employer ruling without paying any money to franchise workers who claimed they were fired, suspended or had their hours cut for participating in Fight for $15 protests calling for higher wages.

McDonald's hit with new sexual harassment claims

Seattle's city council on Monday approved a new tax for the city's biggest companies, including Amazon.com Inc, to combat a housing crisis attributed in part to a local economic boom that has driven up real estate costs at the expense of the working class.

Amazon, the city's largest employer, said after the vote that it would go ahead with planning for a major downtown office building that it earlier had put on hold over its objections to a much stiffer tax plan originally proposed.

As passed on a 9-0 vote after a boisterous public hearing, the measure would apply to most companies grossing at least $20 million a year, levying a tax of roughly 14 cents per employee per hour worked within the city - about $275 annually for each worker.

That "head tax" formula is designed to raise $45 million to $49 million a year over the five-year life of the tax - down from an original $75 million annually - to build more affordable housing and support services for the homeless.

The tax would end after five years unless renewed by the city.

Amazon had led private-sector opposition to the plan, saying earlier this month it was freezing expansion planning for Seattle pending the outcome of Monday's action.

The move by the world's largest online retailer, owned by billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, put in question more than 7,000 new jobs.

Following the council vote, Amazon's vice president, Drew Herdener, said the company has resumed construction planning for its so-called Block 18 project in downtown Seattle, following the pause it announced two weeks ago.

However, he added, "We remain very apprehensive about the future created by the council's hostile approach and rhetoric toward larger businesses, which forces us to question our growth here."

Amazon said it is still evaluating whether to sub-lease space in a second future office tower in Seattle, a project called Rainier Square, meaning it may move some planned jobs elsewhere and thus avoid further raising its tax liability.

The tax also would hit such Seattle-based stalwarts as coffee retailer Starbucks and department store chain Nordstrom, as well as California-based tech giants like Apple, Google and Facebook that have enough of a presence in Seattle that they would be subject to the new levy.

The tax is expected to be borne by about 500 companies, accounting for 3 percent of the city's private sector.

Healthcare companies are exempt, as are non-profits.

Sponsors of the tax said Seattle's biggest-earning businesses should bear some burden for easing a shortage in low-cost housing that they helped create by driving up real estate prices to the point where the working poor and many middle-class families can no longer afford to live in the city.

Supporters cite data showing Seattle's median home prices have soared to $820,000, and more than 41 percent of renters in the city ranked as "rent-burdened," meaning they pay at least 30 percent of their income on housing.

The Seattle metropolitan area also is home to the third-largest concentrations of homeless people, nearly 12,000 counted in a January US&nbsp;government survey, and almost half of them were living on the streets or otherwise unsheltered.

Mayor Jenny Durkan, who expressed concern that the original proposal would lead to an economic backlash, said she would sign the new tax ordinance into law.

She had offered an amendment to essentially cut the original$75 million tax proposal in half, but her proposal was rejected last Friday.

Council members then negotiated over the weekend to craft a compromise that would gain greater support and was certain to win a veto-proof majority.

On Monday, about 40 elected officials from across the United States, some representing local governments in the running to host Amazon's second headquarters, published an open letter to Seattle in support of the head tax and expressing concern that Amazon opposed the measure.

"By threatening Seattle over this tax, Amazon is sending a message to all of our cities: we play by our own rules," the officials wrote.

The head tax approved on Monday is not the first. Denver has enacted a similar tax, and Chicago had one but repealed it.

Seattle itself had a head tax in effect from 2006 to 2009 but it was repealed to help businesses in the midst of the recession.

Amazon had led private-sector opposition to the plan, saying earlier this month it was freezing expansion planning for Seattle pending the outcome of Monday's action

Seattle's city council on Monday approved a new tax for the city's biggest companies, including Amazon.com Inc, to combat a housing crisis attributed in part to a local economic boom that has driven up real estate costs at the expense of the working class. Amazon, the city's largest employer, said after the vote that it would go ahead with planning for a major downtown office building that it earlier had put on hold over its objections to a much stiffer tax plan originally proposed. As passed on a 9-0 vote after a boisterous public hearing, the measure would apply to most companies grossing at least $20 million a year, levying a tax of roughly 14 cents per employee per hour worked within the city - about $275 annually for each worker. That "head tax" formula is designed to raise $45 million to $49 million a year over the five-year life of the tax - down from an original $75 million annually - to build more affordable housing and support services for the homeless. The tax would end after five years unless renewed by the city. Amazon had led private-sector opposition to the plan, saying earlier this month it was freezing expansion planning for Seattle pending the outcome of Monday's action. The move by the world's largest online retailer, owned by billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, put in question more than 7,000 new jobs. Following the council vote, Amazon's vice president, Drew Herdener, said the company has resumed construction planning for its so-called Block 18 project in downtown Seattle, following the pause it announced two weeks ago. However, he added, "We remain very apprehensive about the future created by the council's hostile approach and rhetoric toward larger businesses, which forces us to question our growth here." Amazon said it is still evaluating whether to sub-lease space in a second future office tower in Seattle, a project called Rainier Square, meaning it may move some planned jobs elsewhere and thus avoid further raising its tax liability. The tax also would hit such Seattle-based stalwarts as coffee retailer Starbucks and department store chain Nordstrom, as well as California-based tech giants like Apple, Google and Facebook that have enough of a presence in Seattle that they would be subject to the new levy. The tax is expected to be borne by about 500 companies, accounting for 3 percent of the city's private sector. Healthcare companies are exempt, as are non-profits. Sponsors of the tax said Seattle's biggest-earning businesses should bear some burden for easing a shortage in low-cost housing that they helped create by driving up real estate prices to the point where the working poor and many middle-class families can no longer afford to live in the city. Supporters cite data showing Seattle's median home prices have soared to $820,000, and more than 41 percent of renters in the city ranked as "rent-burdened," meaning they pay at least 30 percent of their income on housing. The Seattle metropolitan area also is home to the third-largest concentrations of homeless people, nearly 12,000 counted in a January US government survey, and almost half of them were living on the streets or otherwise unsheltered. Mayor Jenny Durkan, who expressed concern that the original proposal would lead to an economic backlash, said she would sign the new tax ordinance into law. She had offered an amendment to essentially cut the original$75 million tax proposal in half, but her proposal was rejected last Friday. Council members then negotiated over the weekend to craft a compromise that would gain greater support and was certain to win a veto-proof majority. On Monday, about 40 elected officials from across the United States, some representing local governments in the running to host Amazon's second headquarters, published an open letter to Seattle in support of the head tax and expressing concern that Amazon opposed the measure. "By threatening Seattle over this tax, Amazon is sending a message to all of our cities: we play by our own rules," the officials wrote. The head tax approved on Monday is not the first. Denver has enacted a similar tax, and Chicago had one but repealed it. Seattle itself had a head tax in effect from 2006 to 2009 but it was repealed to help businesses in the midst of the recession.

Seattle passes a scaled-back tax on Amazon, big companies

May Day is celebrated as International Worker’s Day in most countries of the world. The day recognises and honours the labourers globally.&nbsp;

The reason behind this day goes long back to May 1, 1886. On this day the Industrial workers of the United States and Canada decided to go on a strike demanding 8 hours work per day instead of 16 hours.

The protest went peacefully for three consecutive days nut on fourth day 4th May 1886, there was a bomb blast in Chicago's Haymarket Square, the place where the protest was held.

The unfortunate incident led to several deaths and executions. Since then, this incident was termed as 'Haymarket Affairs'.

Although the protest was not successful, yet it helped establish 8 hours work a day in India and many other Countries.&nbsp;

In India, the first Labour Day was celebrated in Chennai on 1st May 1923.

The initiative was taken by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.

The Triumph of Labour also known as Labour statue was erected at the northern end of the Marina beach in Chennai, India. The statue depicts four men struggling to move a rock, illustrating the hard work of the labouring class. It bears a semblance to the famed World War II photograph of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima by the American Marines.

<img alt="Untitled design (2)_1.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/Untitled%20design%20(2)_1.jpg" width="770" />

This great Statue is a creation of Debi Prasad Choudhary.&nbsp;

Labour Day is celebrated as an official holiday globally celebrating the hard work and achievements of Labourers.&nbsp;

In India, the first Labour Day was celebrated in Chennai on 1st May 1923

May Day is celebrated as International Worker’s Day in most countries of the world. The day recognises and honours the labourers globally. The reason behind this day goes long back to May 1, 1886. On this day the Industrial workers of the United States and Canada decided to go on a strike demanding 8 hours work per day instead of 16 hours. The protest went peacefully for three consecutive days nut on fourth day 4th May 1886, there was a bomb blast in Chicago's Haymarket Square, the place where the protest was held. The unfortunate incident led to several deaths and executions. Since then, this incident was termed as 'Haymarket Affairs'. Although the protest was not successful, yet it helped establish 8 hours work a day in India and many other Countries. In India, the first Labour Day was celebrated in Chennai on 1st May 1923. The initiative was taken by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. The Triumph of Labour also known as Labour statue was erected at the northern end of the Marina beach in Chennai, India. The statue depicts four men struggling to move a rock, illustrating the hard work of the labouring class. It bears a semblance to the famed World War II photograph of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima by the American Marines. This great Statue is a creation of Debi Prasad Choudhary. Labour Day is celebrated as an official holiday globally celebrating the hard work and achievements of Labourers.

International Workers' Day: Why 'May Day' is celebrated?

On Sunday, tennis world number 1 Roger Federer ended his 17-match winning streak after losing the finals of Indian Wells to Juan Martin del Potro.

After that, he visited Chicago to help kick-off the countdown to September&rsquo;s Laver Cup.

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Good Morning Chicago! The countdown to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaverCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaverCup</a> 2018 starts here! Follow the action live on Twitter and Periscope <a href="https://twitter.com/LaverCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaverCup</a>. ???? <a href="https://t.co/4OSJf3Cz8p">pic.twitter.com/4OSJf3Cz8p</a>
&mdash; Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/975797609779679232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Swiss tennis star promoted the second Laver Cup, a team competition that debuted last year in Prague with an intention that the tournament will mark its popularity on U.S. soil also.

While interacting with media he said, "Obviously now that we&#39;re sitting in Chicago, being in Chicago for the first time, wonderful city by the way, I can&#39;t wait for September to come around and really kick off the second addition of the Laver Cup."

He further added, "The idea of the Laver Cup was always to honor the legends of the game"

He was joined by tennis legends Rod Laver and John McEnroe, along with young Australian star Nick Kyrgios.

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Delighted to receive a personalised Chicago <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLBlackHawks</a> jersey from ice hockey legend Bobby Hull to commemorate the <a href="https://twitter.com/LaverCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaverCup</a> coming to this great city in 2018. <a href="https://t.co/H21gDjvvR8">pic.twitter.com/H21gDjvvR8</a>
&mdash; Rod Laver (@rodlaver) <a href="https://twitter.com/rodlaver/status/975602955465342976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rod Laver, tennis legend said, "The Laver Cup last year was such a success and, you know, I thank Roger and all the players that competed. It was just unbelievable, the energy on the court with 14,000 people cheering."

Roger Federer&#39;s management team helped in launching the Laver Cup, which pits Team Europe against Team World. Four of the six players on each team are chosen on rankings after Wimbledon. The other two are captain&#39;s picks.

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Delighted to present <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerFederer</a> with my Dunlop Maxply inscribed: &lsquo;To the greatest, from Rod Laver &rsquo;62 &rsquo;69&rsquo; after his SF win today. Onto another final <a href="https://twitter.com/BNPPARIBASOPEN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BNPPARIBASOPEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zg7kH8bIu0">pic.twitter.com/Zg7kH8bIu0</a>
&mdash; Rod Laver (@rodlaver) <a href="https://twitter.com/rodlaver/status/975144976299409408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Laver Cup pits Team Europe against Team World in which four of the six players on each team are chosen on rankings after Wimbledon and the other two are captain's picks

On Sunday, tennis world number 1 Roger Federer ended his 17-match winning streak after losing the finals of Indian Wells to Juan Martin del Potro. After that, he visited Chicago to help kick-off the countdown to September’s Laver Cup. Good Morning Chicago! The countdown to the #LaverCup 2018 starts here! Follow the action live on Twitter and Periscope @LaverCup. ???? pic.twitter.com/4OSJf3Cz8p — Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) March 19, 2018 × Swiss tennis star promoted the second Laver Cup, a team competition that debuted last year in Prague with an intention that the tournament will mark its popularity on U.S. soil also. While interacting with media he said, "Obviously now that we're sitting in Chicago, being in Chicago for the first time, wonderful city by the way, I can't wait for September to come around and really kick off the second addition of the Laver Cup." He further added, "The idea of the Laver Cup was always to honor the legends of the game" He was joined by tennis legends Rod Laver and John McEnroe, along with young Australian star Nick Kyrgios. Delighted to receive a personalised Chicago @NHLBlackHawks jersey from ice hockey legend Bobby Hull to commemorate the @LaverCup coming to this great city in 2018. pic.twitter.com/H21gDjvvR8 — Rod Laver (@rodlaver) March 19, 2018 × Rod Laver, tennis legend said, "The Laver Cup last year was such a success and, you know, I thank Roger and all the players that competed. It was just unbelievable, the energy on the court with 14,000 people cheering." Roger Federer's management team helped in launching the Laver Cup, which pits Team Europe against Team World. Four of the six players on each team are chosen on rankings after Wimbledon. The other two are captain's picks. Delighted to present @RogerFederer with my Dunlop Maxply inscribed: ‘To the greatest, from Rod Laver ’62 ’69’ after his SF win today. Onto another final @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/Zg7kH8bIu0 — Rod Laver (@rodlaver) March 17, 2018 ×

Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios launch 2018 Laver Cup in Chicago

Word on the internet is that Apple may be launching a new range of iPads soon. Some say that it may happen during a special education-focused event at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago on March 27.&nbsp;

Other rumours that have been around the web are that Apple is also planning to unveil a cheaper MacBook Air and a new iPhone SE which could also happen during the event.

A new variant of the MacBook Air is expected to arrive &lsquo;with a lower price tag&rsquo;, a move that will help the company to push MacBook shipments up by 10-15 per cent this year. The MacBook Air has not seen an upgrade for sometime, unlike the MacBook Pro, though in 2017, Apple improved the Graphics and processor clock speed.

New entries in the Eurasian Economic Commission database, discovered by French blog Consomac and noticed by 9to5Mac, indicate Apple is preparing launch two new iPad models.

French blog Consomac unearthed filings for two new iPad models with the Eurasian Economic Commission database. Unfortunately, the official entry doesn&rsquo;t reveal any details about the hardware itself.

However, it does contain two model identifiers - A1893 and A1954.

Apple, on Friday, shared&nbsp;media invites for the event in Chicago, and, was rather vague about it. It features the Apple logo drawn in an artful way, with &#39;Let&#39;s take a field trip&#39; written below it.

Some say that the tech giant is launching the iPads which are in line with the company&#39;s push into the education sector and would be aimed at challenging Google&#39;s lead in classrooms with its Chromebook.&nbsp;

Apple has been pushing the concept of getting more schools to use iPads and some are speculating that the event will be used to reveal a budget version of the popular device aimed at students.

New iPad Pros are also long overdue &mdash; speculations are that this year&#39;s models might have slimmer bezels and Face ID &mdash; but Apple will most likely give out more information during its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 18) in June.

Some say that it may happen during a special education-focused event at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago on March 27

Word on the internet is that Apple may be launching a new range of iPads soon. Some say that it may happen during a special education-focused event at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago on March 27. Other rumours that have been around the web are that Apple is also planning to unveil a cheaper MacBook Air and a new iPhone SE which could also happen during the event. A new variant of the MacBook Air is expected to arrive ‘with a lower price tag’, a move that will help the company to push MacBook shipments up by 10-15 per cent this year. The MacBook Air has not seen an upgrade for sometime, unlike the MacBook Pro, though in 2017, Apple improved the Graphics and processor clock speed. New entries in the Eurasian Economic Commission database, discovered by French blog Consomac and noticed by 9to5Mac, indicate Apple is preparing launch two new iPad models. French blog Consomac unearthed filings for two new iPad models with the Eurasian Economic Commission database. Unfortunately, the official entry doesn’t reveal any details about the hardware itself. However, it does contain two model identifiers - A1893 and A1954. Apple, on Friday, shared media invites for the event in Chicago, and, was rather vague about it. It features the Apple logo drawn in an artful way, with 'Let's take a field trip' written below it. Some say that the tech giant is launching the iPads which are in line with the company's push into the education sector and would be aimed at challenging Google's lead in classrooms with its Chromebook. Apple has been pushing the concept of getting more schools to use iPads and some are speculating that the event will be used to reveal a budget version of the popular device aimed at students. New iPad Pros are also long overdue — speculations are that this year's models might have slimmer bezels and Face ID — but Apple will most likely give out more information during its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 18) in June.

Apple sends out media invites amid new Macbook Air rumour

An Indian-origin student was shot dead during an attempted armed robbery in the US, becoming one of the latest victims of gun violence in the country.

Another Indian was injured in the attack.

Arshad Vhora, 19, was shot dead yesterday at the Clark gas station at 142nd and Langley in Dolton in Chicago, CBS News reported.

Police said two people were shot during an armed robbery attempt inside the convenience store.

The second victim, who was not named, was critically wounded, police said, adding the victims are related.

Vhora was filling in for a family member at the convenience store and gas station, relatives were quoted as saying by the report.

The suspects fled the scene. No one has been arrested yet. A USD 12,000 reward is being offered to help solve the case, the report said.

The shooting comes amidst growing attacks on Indians and Americans of Indian descent in recent months.

&nbsp;

Another relative was critically injured in the incident which took place following a robbery attempt.

An Indian-origin student was shot dead during an attempted armed robbery in the US, becoming one of the latest victims of gun violence in the country. Another Indian was injured in the attack. Arshad Vhora, 19, was shot dead yesterday at the Clark gas station at 142nd and Langley in Dolton in Chicago, CBS News reported. Police said two people were shot during an armed robbery attempt inside the convenience store. The second victim, who was not named, was critically wounded, police said, adding the victims are related. Vhora was filling in for a family member at the convenience store and gas station, relatives were quoted as saying by the report. The suspects fled the scene. No one has been arrested yet. A USD 12,000 reward is being offered to help solve the case, the report said. The shooting comes amidst growing attacks on Indians and Americans of Indian descent in recent months.

19-year-old Gujarati shot dead in Chicago

A Hyderabad student, pursuing an engineering course in Chicago, was allegedly shot at when he was at the parking lot in Alabny Park neighbourhood in Chicago.

The student, identified as Mohammed Akbar, is a resident of Meerpet in the city.&nbsp;

The incident took place when the victim was about to ge into his car. The identity of the assailants and the reasons for the shooting were not known immediately.&nbsp;

&quot;While my brother was walking towards his car, a stranger approached and shot him without any reason. Our request is from the Government of Telangana and from the Central Government to take cognizance in this case,&quot; elder brother Mohammad Shafi told news agency ANI.

Mohammad Shafi said he has contacted the EAM for an emergency visa to visit the ailing brother.

Akbar&rsquo;s father, Mohammed Yousuf, said Akbar was injured in the cheek and was rushed to a local hospital where he is undergoing treatment. According to his family members, Akbar is pursuing masters in computer systems networking and telecommunications.

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Family seeks <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sushmaswaraj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sushmaswaraj</a>&#39;s help after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hyderabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hyderabad</a> student shot at in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chicago?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chicago</a> 
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Meanwhile, Akbar&rsquo;s family met Home Minister Nayini Narsimha Reddy and sought his help in securing visas for the family members who wish to be with him at the hospital. Mr. Yousuf said his son needed them at the hospital as there were no acquaintances to help him there.

Yousuf also urged the Government to take up the issue with the US Government to safeguard Indian students and citizens there as this was not an isolated case.

The victim had gone to the US for higher studies a few months back.

There have been several instances of Indians getting shot in the US in recent times. Some of the students from Telangana who faced violence in the last couple of years were Mubeen Ahmed and V. Vamshichand Reddy, both in California.&nbsp;

The incident that shook the entire country and also raised concern in the US was the killing of Srinivas Kuchibotla in Olathe in Kansas by an American, Adam Purinton, who is now facing trial in the case. In the same incident, Alok Madasani was injured.

The incident took place when the victim was about to ge into his car. The identity of the assailants and the reasons for the shooting were not known immediately.

A Hyderabad student, pursuing an engineering course in Chicago, was allegedly shot at when he was at the parking lot in Alabny Park neighbourhood in Chicago. The student, identified as Mohammed Akbar, is a resident of Meerpet in the city. The incident took place when the victim was about to ge into his car. The identity of the assailants and the reasons for the shooting were not known immediately. "While my brother was walking towards his car, a stranger approached and shot him without any reason. Our request is from the Government of Telangana and from the Central Government to take cognizance in this case," elder brother Mohammad Shafi told news agency ANI. Mohammad Shafi said he has contacted the EAM for an emergency visa to visit the ailing brother. Akbar’s father, Mohammed Yousuf, said Akbar was injured in the cheek and was rushed to a local hospital where he is undergoing treatment. According to his family members, Akbar is pursuing masters in computer systems networking and telecommunications. Family seeks #sushmaswaraj's help after #Hyderabad student shot at in #Chicago Read @ANI story | https://t.co/ziTvuzYeTV pic.twitter.com/NlFMJZYzM4 — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 10, 2017 × Meanwhile, Akbar’s family met Home Minister Nayini Narsimha Reddy and sought his help in securing visas for the family members who wish to be with him at the hospital. Mr. Yousuf said his son needed them at the hospital as there were no acquaintances to help him there. Yousuf also urged the Government to take up the issue with the US Government to safeguard Indian students and citizens there as this was not an isolated case. The victim had gone to the US for higher studies a few months back. There have been several instances of Indians getting shot in the US in recent times. Some of the students from Telangana who faced violence in the last couple of years were Mubeen Ahmed and V. Vamshichand Reddy, both in California. The incident that shook the entire country and also raised concern in the US was the killing of Srinivas Kuchibotla in Olathe in Kansas by an American, Adam Purinton, who is now facing trial in the case. In the same incident, Alok Madasani was injured.

Hyderabad student shot at in US; family seeks government's help to visit him

An Indian student from Hyderabad was shot in Chicago in the United States on Saturday.

The student, who is being treated in hospital, is gravely injured.

According to media reports, the student has been identified as Mohammed Akbar and was shot by an unidentified person while he was walking towards his car in the parking area in Chicago&#39;s Albany Park neighbourhood&nbsp;in the morning.

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Hyderabad youth studying in Chicago (U.S.) shot at by assailants, presently under observation. Family members say &#39;request Government of India to help us&#39; <a href="https://t.co/L6JzZKLGw6">pic.twitter.com/L6JzZKLGw6</a>
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Akbar&#39;s father has claimed that&nbsp;the student was shot after an argument broke out with the unidentified person at a parking lot.

Mohammed, 30, was studying computer systems networking and telecommunications at DeVry University in Illinois.

The family has asked for Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s help with getting an emergency visa to travel to the US on.

In February, an Indian engineer from Hyderabad was shot dead by a man in a bar at Kansas.&nbsp;

The shooter yelled &quot;get out of my country&quot; before opening fire.&nbsp;

The US Navy veteran charged with the crime later pleaded guilty.

In March, an Indian-origin Sikh man was shot outside his home in Washington by a masked gunman who also shouted&nbsp;&quot;go back to your own country.&quot;

The student, who is being treated in hospital, is gravely injured

An Indian student from Hyderabad was shot in Chicago in the United States on Saturday. The student, who is being treated in hospital, is gravely injured. According to media reports, the student has been identified as Mohammed Akbar and was shot by an unidentified person while he was walking towards his car in the parking area in Chicago's Albany Park neighbourhood in the morning. Hyderabad youth studying in Chicago (U.S.) shot at by assailants, presently under observation. Family members say 'request Government of India to help us' pic.twitter.com/L6JzZKLGw6 — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × Akbar's father has claimed that the student was shot after an argument broke out with the unidentified person at a parking lot. Mohammed, 30, was studying computer systems networking and telecommunications at DeVry University in Illinois. The family has asked for Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's help with getting an emergency visa to travel to the US on. In February, an Indian engineer from Hyderabad was shot dead by a man in a bar at Kansas. The shooter yelled "get out of my country" before opening fire. The US Navy veteran charged with the crime later pleaded guilty. In March, an Indian-origin Sikh man was shot outside his home in Washington by a masked gunman who also shouted "go back to your own country."

Indian student from Hyderabad shot in Chicago

Former US President Barack Obama was summoned for jury duty on Wednesday -- he went -- but the Chicago court dismissed him soon after.&nbsp;

Obama was the only potential juror to arrive by motorcade, with tight security.&nbsp;

Several news media and court staff tried to get a picture with him.

&quot;He gorgeous!&quot; one court clerk exclaimed upon spotting the former president, the Chicago Tribune reported.&nbsp;

Potential juror Kelly Bulik told the newspaper she felt like a &quot;piece of melting butter&quot; as she shook his hand.

&quot;Thanks everybody for serving on the jury. Or, at least being willing to,&quot; Obama said. Apparently&nbsp;everybody laughed.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/a-sneak-peek-into-obamas-presidency-539#photo-28352" target="_blank">A sneak-peek into Obama&#39;s presidency</a>

Obama is not the first former US president to be summoned for jury duty, AFP reported.&nbsp;

George W Bush was also summoned in 2015 but like Obama,&nbsp;he too was dismissed.

Oprah Winfrey though served as a juror on a three-day murder trial ending in a conviction in 2004, again in Chicago.&nbsp;

Jury duty&nbsp;is not really thought of as something desirable in the US. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

'He gorgeous!' one court clerk exclaimed upon spotting the former president

Former US President Barack Obama was summoned for jury duty on Wednesday -- he went -- but the Chicago court dismissed him soon after. Obama was the only potential juror to arrive by motorcade, with tight security. Several news media and court staff tried to get a picture with him. "He gorgeous!" one court clerk exclaimed upon spotting the former president, the Chicago Tribune reported. Potential juror Kelly Bulik told the newspaper she felt like a "piece of melting butter" as she shook his hand. "Thanks everybody for serving on the jury. Or, at least being willing to," Obama said. Apparently everybody laughed. Also read: A sneak-peek into Obama's presidency Obama is not the first former US president to be summoned for jury duty, AFP reported. George W Bush was also summoned in 2015 but like Obama, he too was dismissed. Oprah Winfrey though served as a juror on a three-day murder trial ending in a conviction in 2004, again in Chicago. Jury duty is not really thought of as something desirable in the US.

Barack Obama appears for jury duty but court says no thanks

The leaders of Muslim and gay rights groups in Chicago, one of America&#39;s biggest cities, on Monday joined forces to slam Donald Trump in the wake of the Orlando massacre, saying now was not a time for divisions. 
 
On June 12, 49 people were killed and 53 others wounded in the shooting at a gay nightclub in the central Florida city. The shooter Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old Muslim American of Afghan descent, was killed in a shootout with police. 
 
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has since renewed calls for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States and controversially suggested on Sunday that profiling of Muslims was not off the table. 
 
In Chicago, which has both a large Muslim population and a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, leaders said Trump&#39;s comment were divisive and unproductive. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re scared, because it starts rhetorically, and then more people accept it if you don&#39;t nip it in the bud,&quot; Ahmed Rehab, the leader of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told AFP. 
 
&quot;If common sense doesn&#39;t step in right now, people are capable of mass hysteria, and he is fanning those flames,&quot; he said, speaking of Trump. 
 
Rehab said there was fear in Chicago&#39;s Muslim community, one of the largest in the United States, that they could potentially become targets of hate crimes. 
 
In the past week, there have been two threats emailed and phoned into area mosques, he said. 
 
&quot;There is never a time to divide Americans, and of course that is especially true at a time of deep national pain,&quot; James Bennett of Lambda Legal, an LGBT group, told a press conference. 
 
Rehab told reporters that his group and Lambda Legal planned to meet every two weeks with the goal of making &quot;clear statements on a mutual agenda of equal civil rights of all people regardless of their background.&quot; 
 
Bennett chimed in: &quot;I would encourage people to watch Chicago&#39;s example.&quot; 
 
Sending a message 
 
Illinois is home to an estimated 400,000 Muslims and 370,000 LGBT people, most of them located in the greater Chicago area, which has a population of about 5.2 million people. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re trying to send a message that this is not the time to try to pit communities against each other,&quot; said Brian Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, a gay rights group. 
 
&quot;Any public official or media personality who says such things that would not only suggest divides, but suggest putting in place actual divides, is deeply concerning,&quot; Johnson told AFP. 
 
On Sunday, Trump said profiling of Muslims, and racial profiling more generally, was &quot;not the worst thing to do.&quot; 
 
&quot;I hate the concept of profiling. But we have to use common sense. We&#39;re not using common sense,&quot; Trump said. 
 
African-Americans, Latinos, Muslims and other minorities in the United States have complained bitterly for decades about the practice in which police use a person&#39;s race, religion, national origin or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting them of committing a crime. 
 
&quot;He questions Muslims&#39; assimilation into America. I question his assimilation into our American values,&quot; Rehab said.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

'There is never a time to divide Americans and that is especially true at a time of deep national pain,' they said

The leaders of Muslim and gay rights groups in Chicago, one of America's biggest cities, on Monday joined forces to slam Donald Trump in the wake of the Orlando massacre, saying now was not a time for divisions. On June 12, 49 people were killed and 53 others wounded in the shooting at a gay nightclub in the central Florida city. The shooter Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old Muslim American of Afghan descent, was killed in a shootout with police. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has since renewed calls for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States and controversially suggested on Sunday that profiling of Muslims was not off the table. In Chicago, which has both a large Muslim population and a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, leaders said Trump's comment were divisive and unproductive. "We're scared, because it starts rhetorically, and then more people accept it if you don't nip it in the bud," Ahmed Rehab, the leader of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told AFP. "If common sense doesn't step in right now, people are capable of mass hysteria, and he is fanning those flames," he said, speaking of Trump. Rehab said there was fear in Chicago's Muslim community, one of the largest in the United States, that they could potentially become targets of hate crimes. In the past week, there have been two threats emailed and phoned into area mosques, he said. "There is never a time to divide Americans, and of course that is especially true at a time of deep national pain," James Bennett of Lambda Legal, an LGBT group, told a press conference. Rehab told reporters that his group and Lambda Legal planned to meet every two weeks with the goal of making "clear statements on a mutual agenda of equal civil rights of all people regardless of their background." Bennett chimed in: "I would encourage people to watch Chicago's example." Sending a message Illinois is home to an estimated 400,000 Muslims and 370,000 LGBT people, most of them located in the greater Chicago area, which has a population of about 5.2 million people. "We're trying to send a message that this is not the time to try to pit communities against each other," said Brian Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, a gay rights group. "Any public official or media personality who says such things that would not only suggest divides, but suggest putting in place actual divides, is deeply concerning," Johnson told AFP. On Sunday, Trump said profiling of Muslims, and racial profiling more generally, was "not the worst thing to do." "I hate the concept of profiling. But we have to use common sense. We're not using common sense," Trump said. African-Americans, Latinos, Muslims and other minorities in the United States have complained bitterly for decades about the practice in which police use a person's race, religion, national origin or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting them of committing a crime. "He questions Muslims' assimilation into America. I question his assimilation into our American values," Rehab said. (AFP)

In Chicago, Muslim and gay rights leaders take on Trump

Chicago Police superintendent Eddie Johnson said on Saturday that videos of the police shooting of a black man in the city last month indicate three officers may have violated the department&#39;s policies. 
 
Johnson told a news conference it was against departmental policy to fire at or into a moving car when the vehicle was the only potential use of force by a suspect, and police were taking a hard look at training and tactics following the shooting. 
 
Authorities on Friday released videos that captured the moments before and after police shot Paul O&#39;Neal, 18, on July 28, but not the shooting itself because a police officer&#39;s body camera was not recording. No firearms were found on O&#39;Neal who was shot in the back, according to police. 
 
Johnson was named in March to lead the department, which is facing accusations of racism and a federal investigation into its practices after the city waited more than a year to release video of a separate 2014 fatal shooting by officers. 
 
On Saturday, he said the ongoing investigation prevented him from discussing details about the O&#39;Neal shooting. 
 
&quot;I was concerned by some of the things that I saw on the videos and that is why we took such a swift action that we did last week to relieve the three officers of their police powers,&quot; Johnson said. 
 
The video footage released on Friday shows two officers firing at a stolen car driven by O&#39;Neal after it sped past them, the car crashing into a police car, and O&#39;Neal running into a backyard where he was shot. It does not show the shooting. 
 
Johnson said the lack of a body-camera video of the O&#39;Neal shooting is under investigation, though he noted that the officers in that police district had the cameras for only about a week before the shooting. 
 
Civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson said the lack of a complete video accounting of O&#39;Neal&#39;s shooting showed a cover-up and a lawyer for O&#39;Neal&#39;s family called for a special prosecutor to investigate the killing. 
 
The union representing Chicago police officers urged the public not to rush to judgment. 
 
Dozens of protesters demanding swift action against the officers involved in O&#39;Neal&#39;s shooting demonstrated outside Chicago police headquarters on Friday night. 
 
A string of high-profile killings of black men by police in various US cities in the past two years has renewed a national debate about racial discrimination in the criminal justice system and given rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. 
 
(Reuters)

He said it was against policy to fire at or into a moving car if the vehicle was the only potential use of force

Chicago Police superintendent Eddie Johnson said on Saturday that videos of the police shooting of a black man in the city last month indicate three officers may have violated the department's policies. Johnson told a news conference it was against departmental policy to fire at or into a moving car when the vehicle was the only potential use of force by a suspect, and police were taking a hard look at training and tactics following the shooting. Authorities on Friday released videos that captured the moments before and after police shot Paul O'Neal, 18, on July 28, but not the shooting itself because a police officer's body camera was not recording. No firearms were found on O'Neal who was shot in the back, according to police. Johnson was named in March to lead the department, which is facing accusations of racism and a federal investigation into its practices after the city waited more than a year to release video of a separate 2014 fatal shooting by officers. On Saturday, he said the ongoing investigation prevented him from discussing details about the O'Neal shooting. "I was concerned by some of the things that I saw on the videos and that is why we took such a swift action that we did last week to relieve the three officers of their police powers," Johnson said. The video footage released on Friday shows two officers firing at a stolen car driven by O'Neal after it sped past them, the car crashing into a police car, and O'Neal running into a backyard where he was shot. It does not show the shooting. Johnson said the lack of a body-camera video of the O'Neal shooting is under investigation, though he noted that the officers in that police district had the cameras for only about a week before the shooting. Civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson said the lack of a complete video accounting of O'Neal's shooting showed a cover-up and a lawyer for O'Neal's family called for a special prosecutor to investigate the killing. The union representing Chicago police officers urged the public not to rush to judgment. Dozens of protesters demanding swift action against the officers involved in O'Neal's shooting demonstrated outside Chicago police headquarters on Friday night. A string of high-profile killings of black men by police in various US cities in the past two years has renewed a national debate about racial discrimination in the criminal justice system and given rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. (Reuters)

Chicago police may have violated policy in shooting of African American man: Top cop

Colombia became the first side to book a spot in the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals after beating Paraguay in Pasadena yesterday. The United States kept their hopes of advancing alive by thrashing Costa Rica 4-0. 
 
Colombia&#39;s 2-1 win put them top of Group A on six points, with the United States on three and the other two teams on one point each. 
 
After losing their opener 2-0 to Colombia, the United States were in clinical form against the Costa Ricans in Chicago and scored three times in the first half through Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood. 
 
Substitute Graham Zusi added a fourth in the 86th minute to cap the win and improve the hosts&#39; goal difference. 
 
&quot;It was important for us to get off to an early start,&quot; said Dempsey. &quot;Once the second went in and the third we got into a bit of a rhythm.&quot; 
 
Dempsey got the first, his 50th international goal, from the penalty spot after Cristian Gamboa was adjudged to have pushed Wood in the box with six minutes gone. 
 
Dempsey was involved in the Americans&#39; second after 36 minutes when his run at the Costa Rica defence saw the ball fall to Jones, who struck a low shot from the edge of the box past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton. 
 
The third goal came five minutes later and once again it was Dempsey who set it up. Wood won the ball in midfield and played a one-two with Dempsey before turning to strike home a low drive from 15 yards out. 
 
Costa Rica, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014, improved in the second half with captain Bryan Ruiz playing a more influential role, but they were ineffective in the last third of the field. 
 
Ruiz hit the post with a header midway through the second half but Costa Rica lost a fourth goal in the dying moments when Zusi stole the ball in midfield and strode forward before slotting the ball home from 15 yards. 
 
In the second Group A game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Colombia took a 2-0 lead in the first half but were pushed hard in the second. 
 
Carlos Bacca scored the opener in the 12th minute with a header before James Rodriguez doubled Colombia&#39;s lead with a left-foot strike on the half-hour mark. 
 
Paraguay gradually played their way back into the match and hit the woodwork before half-time before forcing David Ospina into a world-class save in the 62nd minute. Colombia&#39;s goalkeeper dived full stretch to turn a header around the post. 
 
Paraguay continued to dominate the second half and were rewarded when midfielder Victor Ayala scored with a stunning 30-yard rocket in the 71st minute. 
 
However, they could not force an equaliser and Colombia hung on to take all three points and claim a berth in the next round. Paraguay must now beat the United States on Saturday to have any chance of advancing to the quarters.

United States player Clint Dempsey scored his 50th international goal in this match apart from assisting two other goals

Colombia became the first side to book a spot in the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals after beating Paraguay in Pasadena yesterday. The United States kept their hopes of advancing alive by thrashing Costa Rica 4-0. Colombia's 2-1 win put them top of Group A on six points, with the United States on three and the other two teams on one point each. After losing their opener 2-0 to Colombia, the United States were in clinical form against the Costa Ricans in Chicago and scored three times in the first half through Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood. Substitute Graham Zusi added a fourth in the 86th minute to cap the win and improve the hosts' goal difference. "It was important for us to get off to an early start," said Dempsey. "Once the second went in and the third we got into a bit of a rhythm." Dempsey got the first, his 50th international goal, from the penalty spot after Cristian Gamboa was adjudged to have pushed Wood in the box with six minutes gone. Dempsey was involved in the Americans' second after 36 minutes when his run at the Costa Rica defence saw the ball fall to Jones, who struck a low shot from the edge of the box past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton. The third goal came five minutes later and once again it was Dempsey who set it up. Wood won the ball in midfield and played a one-two with Dempsey before turning to strike home a low drive from 15 yards out. Costa Rica, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014, improved in the second half with captain Bryan Ruiz playing a more influential role, but they were ineffective in the last third of the field. Ruiz hit the post with a header midway through the second half but Costa Rica lost a fourth goal in the dying moments when Zusi stole the ball in midfield and strode forward before slotting the ball home from 15 yards. In the second Group A game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Colombia took a 2-0 lead in the first half but were pushed hard in the second. Carlos Bacca scored the opener in the 12th minute with a header before James Rodriguez doubled Colombia's lead with a left-foot strike on the half-hour mark. Paraguay gradually played their way back into the match and hit the woodwork before half-time before forcing David Ospina into a world-class save in the 62nd minute. Colombia's goalkeeper dived full stretch to turn a header around the post. Paraguay continued to dominate the second half and were rewarded when midfielder Victor Ayala scored with a stunning 30-yard rocket in the 71st minute. However, they could not force an equaliser and Colombia hung on to take all three points and claim a berth in the next round. Paraguay must now beat the United States on Saturday to have any chance of advancing to the quarters.

US hammer Costa Rica, Colombia advance at Copa America

Chile beat Colombia 2-0 in the Copa America semi-final on Wednesday and will face Argentina in Sunday&#39;s final after surviving a tumultuous match in Chicago that was halted for more than two hours due to a torrential rain storm. 
 
Chile were already two goals up at half time, but the second half was delayed as an electrical storm powered towards Soldier Field and drenched the stadium with rain. 
 
The teams came back to a waterlogged pitch and Colombia, who had a man sent off early in the second period, could not reduce the deficit. 
 
&quot;We played well but Chile are a very strong side,&quot; Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado said after the final whistle. 
 
&quot;We thought a comeback was possible but sometimes things don&#39;t work out like you want.&quot; 
 
The result takes Chile into a mouth-watering final against Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday. The game will be a repeat of last year&#39;s final in Santiago that the host nation won on penalties. 
 
The reigning champions came into the game on a high after beating Mexico 7-0 and took only six minutes to make their mark again. 
 
Former Chelsea midfielder Cuadrado misdirected a header across his own goal straight to Charles Aranguiz and the Leverkusen midfielder had the straightforward task of sidefooting past David Ospina. 
 
Chile doubled their lead four minutes later after an Alexis Sanchez shot rebounded off the post into the path of Jose Pedro Fuenzalida. 
 
With Ospina beaten, the Universidad Catolica full back scored one of the easiest goals of his career by sidefooting into the empty net. 
 
Chile, who were already missing midfielders Arturo Vidal and Marcelo Diaz, lost Pedro Pablo Hernandez after half an hour when he limped off injured and the resulting reshuffle took the wind out of their sails. 
 
Colombia came back into the game, with James Rodriguez coming close with two shots and creating chances for Roger Martinez and Edwin Carmona. 
 
However, Claudio Bravo was in fine form and it stayed 2-0 at the break. 
 
Colombia pushed on after the restart with a lively Rodriguez leading the attack but were dealt a huge blow in the 56th minute when influential midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off for a second yellow card offence. 
 
Colombia did not give up and came close on several occasions but conditions underfoot were difficult for both sides and the score remained 2-0. 
 
The Andean side will now play hosts United States in the third-fourth place playoff on Saturday. 
 
Argentina beat the United States 4-0 on Tuesday night to reach their second consecutive Copa America final. 
 
(Reuters)

Chile were already two goals up at half time, but the second half was delayed as an electrical storm powered towards Soldier Field

Chile beat Colombia 2-0 in the Copa America semi-final on Wednesday and will face Argentina in Sunday's final after surviving a tumultuous match in Chicago that was halted for more than two hours due to a torrential rain storm. Chile were already two goals up at half time, but the second half was delayed as an electrical storm powered towards Soldier Field and drenched the stadium with rain. The teams came back to a waterlogged pitch and Colombia, who had a man sent off early in the second period, could not reduce the deficit. "We played well but Chile are a very strong side," Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado said after the final whistle. "We thought a comeback was possible but sometimes things don't work out like you want." The result takes Chile into a mouth-watering final against Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday. The game will be a repeat of last year's final in Santiago that the host nation won on penalties. The reigning champions came into the game on a high after beating Mexico 7-0 and took only six minutes to make their mark again. Former Chelsea midfielder Cuadrado misdirected a header across his own goal straight to Charles Aranguiz and the Leverkusen midfielder had the straightforward task of sidefooting past David Ospina. Chile doubled their lead four minutes later after an Alexis Sanchez shot rebounded off the post into the path of Jose Pedro Fuenzalida. With Ospina beaten, the Universidad Catolica full back scored one of the easiest goals of his career by sidefooting into the empty net. Chile, who were already missing midfielders Arturo Vidal and Marcelo Diaz, lost Pedro Pablo Hernandez after half an hour when he limped off injured and the resulting reshuffle took the wind out of their sails. Colombia came back into the game, with James Rodriguez coming close with two shots and creating chances for Roger Martinez and Edwin Carmona. However, Claudio Bravo was in fine form and it stayed 2-0 at the break. Colombia pushed on after the restart with a lively Rodriguez leading the attack but were dealt a huge blow in the 56th minute when influential midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off for a second yellow card offence. Colombia did not give up and came close on several occasions but conditions underfoot were difficult for both sides and the score remained 2-0. The Andean side will now play hosts United States in the third-fourth place playoff on Saturday. Argentina beat the United States 4-0 on Tuesday night to reach their second consecutive Copa America final. (Reuters)

Copa America Centenario report: Chile beats Colombia 2-0 to set up final against Argentina

Dozens of protesters in Louisiana yesterday chanted slogans and held up signs demanding justice for a black man fatally shot in an altercation with two police officers hours earlier, video postings on social media showed. 
 
The shooting comes at a time of fierce national debate and heightened scrutiny over the use of excessive force by police, especially against black men, in major US cities, such as New York, Baltimore and Chicago. 
 
Posts on Twitter showed the demonstrators gathered outside the Triple S Food Mart convenience store in Baton Rouge, where, police said in a statement, the man, Alton Sterling, 37, was shot by officers soon after midnight. 
 
&quot;No justice, no peace,&quot; chanted the protesters, who held up signs and occasionally blocked traffic, in images transmitted by media outlets in Baton Rouge. 
 
Police officials were not immediately available to comment on the shooting or the protest. Reuters could not immediately trace relatives of Sterling, or a representative, to seek comment. 
 
The altercation was reported outside a convenience store&nbsp; 
 
At about 12:30 am on Tuesday, two police officers responded to a disturbance at the convenience store where they encountered Sterling, the Baton Rouge Police Department said. 
 
Sterling was shot in the ensuing altercation and died at the scene. The officers where placed on administrative leave, police said. 
 
Several news stations on Tuesday evening aired what they said was cell phone video of the incident. It showed an officer using a stun gun on a red-shirted black man in a store parking lot and ordering him to get on the ground. 
 
The two officers then tackled the man to the ground, and one pulled a gun from his holster to point it at the man&#39;s chest, the video showed. 
 
At least three gunshots then ring out on the video clip, followed by the sound of a woman screaming and crying and a man asking whether &quot;they shot him.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The shooting comes at a time of fierce national debate over use of excessive force by police, especially against black men

Dozens of protesters in Louisiana yesterday chanted slogans and held up signs demanding justice for a black man fatally shot in an altercation with two police officers hours earlier, video postings on social media showed. The shooting comes at a time of fierce national debate and heightened scrutiny over the use of excessive force by police, especially against black men, in major US cities, such as New York, Baltimore and Chicago. Posts on Twitter showed the demonstrators gathered outside the Triple S Food Mart convenience store in Baton Rouge, where, police said in a statement, the man, Alton Sterling, 37, was shot by officers soon after midnight. "No justice, no peace," chanted the protesters, who held up signs and occasionally blocked traffic, in images transmitted by media outlets in Baton Rouge. Police officials were not immediately available to comment on the shooting or the protest. Reuters could not immediately trace relatives of Sterling, or a representative, to seek comment. The altercation was reported outside a convenience store At about 12:30 am on Tuesday, two police officers responded to a disturbance at the convenience store where they encountered Sterling, the Baton Rouge Police Department said. Sterling was shot in the ensuing altercation and died at the scene. The officers where placed on administrative leave, police said. Several news stations on Tuesday evening aired what they said was cell phone video of the incident. It showed an officer using a stun gun on a red-shirted black man in a store parking lot and ordering him to get on the ground. The two officers then tackled the man to the ground, and one pulled a gun from his holster to point it at the man's chest, the video showed. At least three gunshots then ring out on the video clip, followed by the sound of a woman screaming and crying and a man asking whether "they shot him." (Reuters)

Protests erupt in Louisiana after black man gets fatally shot during altercation with police

The United States celebrates Fourth of July on Monday with parades, hotdog eating contests and fireworks shows amid heightened security because of concerns about terrorism in New York and timeworn holiday gun violence in Chicago. 
 
Millions of Americans will mark independence from Britain with celebrations as boisterous as a music-packed party by country music legend Willie Nelson for 10,000 people at a race track in Austin, Texas and as staid as colonial-era costumed actors reading the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives in Washington.&nbsp; 
 
NYPD&#39;s human presence to be increased by 2,000 officers 
 
History may be in the making in the traditional hotdog-eating contest at New York&#39;s Coney Island. Joey &quot;Jaws&quot; Chestnut - a world record holder who ate 69 hotdogs in 10 minutes - attempts to regain his Mustard Yellow International Belt from Matt Stonie, who last year ended Chestnut`s run of eight straight victories. 
 
With the holiday taking place days after the attack at Istanbul&#39;s international airport, the New York Police Department (NYPD) will deploy eight new canines known as vapor wake dogs, trained to sniff out body-worn explosives, Commissioner Bill Bratton said on Friday. 
 
The department`s human presence this holiday will be increased by nearly 2,000 new officers who graduated Friday from the New York City Police Academy.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;As we always have the capacity in New York to put out a lot of resources, that`s the name of the game, in dealing with terrorist threats,&quot; Bratton said.&nbsp; 
 
Police in Chicago, which has seen a spike in gun murders this year, announced a stepped up presence with more than 5,000 officers on patrol over the long weekend, traditionally one of the year`s most violent, said Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Local media reported on Friday that 24 people had been shot over the past 24 hours, three fatally. 
 
Pyrotechnic shows cancelled to prevent fires&nbsp; 
 
Dry weather forecasts across the country thrilled fireworks lovers, although some spots in Michigan have been so rain-starved that pyrotechnic shows were canceled in a handful of communities near Detroit to prevent fires.&nbsp; 
 
NFL star Jason Pierre-Paul, who lost fingers as one of the 12,000 people injured and 11 killed in fireworks accidents last year, appeared in a public service announcement ahead of the 2016 holiday to urge greater caution. 
 
&quot;I lit up a firework, thought I could throw it away real quick and in a split second it blew off my whole hand,&quot; the New York Giants defensive end said in the spot produced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Millions of Americans mark independence from Britain with myriad contests and boisterous celebrations

The United States celebrates Fourth of July on Monday with parades, hotdog eating contests and fireworks shows amid heightened security because of concerns about terrorism in New York and timeworn holiday gun violence in Chicago. Millions of Americans will mark independence from Britain with celebrations as boisterous as a music-packed party by country music legend Willie Nelson for 10,000 people at a race track in Austin, Texas and as staid as colonial-era costumed actors reading the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives in Washington. NYPD's human presence to be increased by 2,000 officers History may be in the making in the traditional hotdog-eating contest at New York's Coney Island. Joey "Jaws" Chestnut - a world record holder who ate 69 hotdogs in 10 minutes - attempts to regain his Mustard Yellow International Belt from Matt Stonie, who last year ended Chestnut`s run of eight straight victories. With the holiday taking place days after the attack at Istanbul's international airport, the New York Police Department (NYPD) will deploy eight new canines known as vapor wake dogs, trained to sniff out body-worn explosives, Commissioner Bill Bratton said on Friday. The department`s human presence this holiday will be increased by nearly 2,000 new officers who graduated Friday from the New York City Police Academy. "As we always have the capacity in New York to put out a lot of resources, that`s the name of the game, in dealing with terrorist threats," Bratton said. Police in Chicago, which has seen a spike in gun murders this year, announced a stepped up presence with more than 5,000 officers on patrol over the long weekend, traditionally one of the year`s most violent, said Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Local media reported on Friday that 24 people had been shot over the past 24 hours, three fatally. Pyrotechnic shows cancelled to prevent fires Dry weather forecasts across the country thrilled fireworks lovers, although some spots in Michigan have been so rain-starved that pyrotechnic shows were canceled in a handful of communities near Detroit to prevent fires. NFL star Jason Pierre-Paul, who lost fingers as one of the 12,000 people injured and 11 killed in fireworks accidents last year, appeared in a public service announcement ahead of the 2016 holiday to urge greater caution. "I lit up a firework, thought I could throw it away real quick and in a split second it blew off my whole hand," the New York Giants defensive end said in the spot produced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Reuters)

Amid heightened security over terrorism concerns, US celebrates Fourth of July

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