United States: BRASILIA/BOGOTA - Latin American governments urged the United States on Wednesday to be more forthcoming in answering allegations of U.S. spying programs there that have set off a wave of outrage that could damage its standing in the region. , according to Reuters. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said it would be "totally unacceptable" if it were revealed that the United States had spied on in its neighbor and largest Latin American business partner. By Anthony Boadle and Helen Murphy Colombia, Washington's closest military ally in Latin America, joined the chorus of governments seeking answers following reports the United States used surveillance programs to monitor Internet traffic in most of the region's countries. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Senators Patrick Brazeau: LeBreton is the government's leader in the Senate and has been dealing for months with the Senate expense scandal involving the housing and travel claims of Senators Patrick Brazeau, Mike Duffy, Mac Harb and Pam Wallin, according to CBC. But she's also vice-chair of an important cabinet committee and it's that position that makes her the number one minister who can fill in for Harper if the need arises. That's about to change and Senator Marjory LeBreton is in her final days as Canada's substitute prime minister because when Stephen Harper shuffles his cabinet, she'll be bumped out of that role. She announced last week that she is stepping down as Senate leader but didn't say when. The date is still to be determined. LeBreton intends to remain a senator; she is only quitting her job as the Conservatives' leader in the Senate. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sayeed Abbas: JAKARTA, Indonesia - An Indonesian court on Thursday rejected Australia's request to extradite an Afghan man accused of smuggling asylum seekers to Australia in dozens of boats, including one involved in an accident that killed about 200 people. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. The panel ordered authorities to release Abbas from custody. Alleged people smuggler Sayeed Abbas sits on the defendant's chair before the start of his extradition hearing at a district court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, July 11, 2013. The court denied extradition request by Australian government for Abbas who is wanted in Australia to face charges related to people smuggling he committed between 2009-2011. AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana In its ruling, a three-judge panel from the South Jakarta District Court said Sayeed Abbas should not be extradited to face trial in Australia because people smuggling is not included in the extradition treaty between the two countries. It also noted that Abbas is not accused of committing any crimes in Australia. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nova Scotia: The changes provide job protection for parents and guardians who need to take leave from work when faced with a family crisis, according to CTV. Nova Scotia is the third province to bring its labour code in line with federal changes in employment insurance benefits and HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government has changed to its labour code to protect the jobs of parents whose children become critically ill or victims of a serious crime. Labour Minister Frank Corbett said the changes were prompted by appeals from Valerie Loveys of New Waterford, whose daughter Stephanie died of cancer in 2008. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Chris Hadfield: For much of its history, Canada has been a beacon in a busy world. From insulin to Rom o Dallaire, from immigration to Chris Hadfield, from medical isotopes to peacekeeping, Canada has been punching above its weight. , according to Times Colonist. Pip, pip old chap. Shall we toodle on down to the club for a G T? Re: British-style ranks, designations return to the Canadian army, July 9. But in the latest move of the Harper gang to return the army to English pips and crowns and ranks, the goal appears to be to return the nation to colonial status. With royal this and royal that, the photo of a royal potentate ordered to hang in every government office, this bunch wants us to return to the subservient role of a sub-department of England. They have gutted science, they have gutted justice, they have gutted democracy and now they want to gut the nation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Homeland Security Advisory Council: Def Con takes place Aug. 1-4 at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It has long welcomed academics and federal agents, including those from the NSA, to "meet, share ideas and party on neutral territory" with hackers of all stripes, wrote conference founder Jeff Moss, known online as "The Dark Tangent," in a blog post Wednesday, according to CBC. Moss , who is a member of the U.S. government's Homeland Security Advisory Council, told Reuters that the decision was a "tough call," but that "a little bit of time and distance can be a healthy thing, especially when emotions are running high." 15,000 each year One of the oldest and largest hacker conventions in the world has asked U.S. government agents to stay away this year, following the leak of documents revealing that the National Security Agency has a program that spies on the internet activities of foreign nationals overseas when they use U.S. providers such as Microsoft and Apple. "When it comes to sharing and socializing with feds, recent revelations have made many in the community uncomfortable about this relationship," he added. "Therefore, I think it would be best for everyone involved if the feds call a 'time-out' and not attend Def Con this year. This will give everybody time to think about how we got here and what comes next." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Tom Smeraldo: The two are the first gay couple living outside the States to have their green card petition approved after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defence of Marriage Act a federal law against same-sex marriage last month, according to The Star. When we found out, we literally fell and started crying, said Ojedo, who until recently had lived in Toronto with his spouse and Tom Smeraldo and Emilio Ojedo are ecstatic the U.S. government now recognizes what Ontario has recognized for years: the love between them. The notice of permanent visa approval came late Tuesday via a phone call to Ojedo, 50, a Venezuelan immigrant who lives with his husband Smeraldo, 46, in Warkworth, Ont. While Smeraldo is a U.S. citizen, the couple had been exiled in Canada after Ojedos previous green card application was rejected in 2011 because of DOMA. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

human trafficking: Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas identified 42-year-old Meshael Alayban as a Saudi princess who was charged with one count of human trafficking. If convicted, she faces up to 12 years in prison. In Canada, the fight against human trafficking recently received a $200,000 boost, according to CBC. The 30-year-old woman told authorities she was hired in Kenya in 2012 and her passport was taken from her on arrival in Saudi Arabia. She was forced to work excessive hours and was paid less than she was promised and not allowed to leave, authorities said. 'This is not a contract dispute' A Saudi princess has been charged with human trafficking for allegedly holding a domestic worker against her will and forcing her to work at an Orange County condominium, prosecutors said. Alayban was arrested Wednesday after a Kenyan woman carrying a suitcase flagged down a bus Tuesday and told a passenger she believed she was a human trafficking victim. The passenger helped her contact police, who searched the Irvine condo where Alayban and her family were staying, authorities said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: "We communicated last week, we made an offer and so far we haven't received a reply," Jaua said on the sidelines of a regional foreign ministers' meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay, according to Reuters. Snowden has been stuck in the transit area of Moscow's international airport since June 23 amid mounting speculation that he might board a flight at any moment to travel to Latin America and MONTEVIDEO - Venezuela has still not received a formal response to its offer of asylum to former U.S. spy contractor Edward Snowden, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua told on Thursday. Venezuela along with leftist allies Bolivia and Nicaragua have offered asylum to Snowden, who is wanted by Washington on espionage charges for divulging details of extensive, secret U.S. surveillance programs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Paula Deen: A spokeswoman for Washington-based Grace Speights confirmed Thursday that she had been retained as lead counsel for Paula Deen Enterprises Inc., and other defendants in an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by Lisa Jackson. Jackson once worked as a manager at Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House, which Deen co-owns with her brother, Bubba Hiers, according to CTV and SAVANNAH, Ga. - Paula Deen is replacing her lead legal team weeks after admitting she had used racial slurs in the past, a revelation that prompted several of her lucrative business deals to collapse. Deen was questioned under oath as part of the lawsuit and admitted to using the N-word in the past, though she insisted she had not used it for a long time. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.