state employees: Judges voted 2-1 to reject a lawsuit filed by labour unions representing state workers. In a state with a heavier presence of organized labour than most, thousands of protesters came to the Capitol late last year as the Republican-backed measure was passed quickly, according to 660 News. The majority said legislators have the broader authority to pass laws dealing with union fees and LANSING, Mich. Michigans right-to-work law applies to 35,000 state employees, a divided state appeals court ruled Thursday in the first major legal decision on the much-debated measure eight months after it passed. The law prohibits forcing public and private workers in Michigan to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment, and applies to labour contracts extended or renewed after late March. It went to court after questions were raised whether it can apply to state employees, since the Michigan Civil Service Commission, which sets compensation for state employees, has separate powers under the state constitution. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Joe Black: "There was blood all over the place," said Black, recalling the events that unfolded on Aug. 16, 1933, during a baseball game at the Christie Pits Park in the city's west end, according to CTV. "When they raised the Nazi flag, all hell broke loose," said Black and TORONTO -- Joe Black still remembers that warm summer night 80 years ago when he stood watching in shock as one of the worst riots in Toronto's history transformed his favourite neighbourhood park into a battleground. The game -- between the predominantly Jewish Harbord Playground team and the mostly Protestant St. Peter's Church team -- was almost over, when a group of men unfurled a white bed sheet with a black swastika painted on it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart said on Thursday that more prudent spending, unseasonably cool weather and flooding in Alberta all conspired to dampen its second quarter. Same-store sales dropped 0.4 per cent at outlets open a year or more, a key retail measure. Traffic to its stores slipped 0.6 per cent, although customers spent a little more 0.2 per cent cent during each trip. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Macys reports unexpected sales drop, blames hesitant consumers Soft summer sales at Wal-Mart Canada Corp. signal sluggish times for retailers and underscore the urgency for them to make up for shortfalls in the critical back-to-school season. Grocery wars spur industry consolidation (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

search warrant: According to a search warrant, a seven-week-old infant identified only as Baby Y was brought into a local hospital in February, crying and upset because of glue found in and around his ears, according to CBC. They claimed that in Chinese culture males were valued higher than females, and that Wang allegedly said she wouldn't receive any inheritance if she didn't produce a son and A Richmond, B.C., woman has been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly putting glue in her infant nephew's ears. The baby lived in a home with his parents and their extended family. Several family members claimed the sister-in-law Wei Wang was jealous of Baby Y because she had two daughters. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Manuela Gruber Hersch: There is now a $275 processing fee for each temporary foreign worker position that an employer requests through a labour market opinion, which is usually required to prove the need to hire a temporary foreign worker over a Canadian one, according to CBC. Manuela Gruber Hersch, president of the Association of Caregiver Nanny Agencies Canada, told News: "We find it unfair that families are required to pay the same amount." Canadian families looking to hire nannies and caregivers from abroad will be financially stung by recent changes made to temporary foreign worker program, opposition and industry critics say. The new fee also applies to employers looking to hire a live-in caregiver, but an industry association that connects Canadian employers with foreign workers through the live-in caregiver program said individuals should not be required to pay the same fee as businesses. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

King Abdullah II of Jordan: In daylong meetings, General Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, King Abdullah II of Jordan and General Mashal al-Zaben, the countrys top military officer, also discussed the need to increase humanitarian assistance to help Jordan cope with a refugee population that is straining water and food supplies, as well as schools and hospitals. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Canada pledges $100-million aid to Jordan to help with Syrian refugees With no end in sight to the violence in Syria, which has already sent a half-million refugees into Jordan, authorities here appealed to the United States Wednesday for surveillance airplanes and intelligence help to secure a border that is favoured by arms smugglers. Wounded Syrians risk everything seeking treatment in Israel (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Russian President Vladimir Putin: The two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in St Petersburg scheduled for September 5-6, the agency quoted a senior state official as saying. , according to Reuters. Moscow and Beijing have progressively strengthened political and commercial ties since the Soviet era, when relations were often strained. Both countries now say they need a counterweight to U.S. influence in the world. MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping next month, Interfax said on Thursday. U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this month canceled a meeting with Putin due to be held ahead of the same summit, in retaliation for Moscow granting ex-spy agency contractor Edward Snowden asylum. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Advantage Communications: The company plans on adding the first 40 new jobs to its existing Amherst workforce of 55 within the next 90 days, company president Kent MacPhee said Wednesday, according to The Chronicle Herald. The expansion is the result of steady, organic growth, MacPhee said and Advantage Communications is expanding its Amherst call centre, and promising to create 130 new jobs over five years. To accommodate the expansion, the firm has renovated a building on Lawrence Street and is moving its operations there from its former location in Centennial Plaza. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Deepak Sharma: The 33-year-old corporal, based at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario, has been unsuccessful in obtaining a visa for his parents in India to visit their two-year-old grandson, Akarsh, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder, according to The Star. In rejecting the applications, the visa office in Chandigarh, India, cited his parents lack of travel history abroad, family ties in Canada and purpose of visit as reasons to believe they would not leave the country after their visit. A Citizenship and Immigration spokesperson said she couldnt discuss details, because the required consent form from the family was incomplete and Deepak Sharma has fought for Canada in Afghanistan and Libya, but the air force veteran just cannot beat Canadian immigration officials. Twice, in March and May, Sharma applied to invite his father, Ashok Kumar, and mother Renu, both in their late 50s, to visit Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Toronto Blue Jays: One winner was chosen for each MLB team and Kerr represented the Toronto Blue Jays. People voted online, choosing among three nominees for each team. , according to Times Colonist. Here is Kerrs journal of the trip: Nick Kerr, a 31-year-old war veteran, was chosen one of 30 winners of the Tribute to Heroes contest, sponsored by Major League Baseball and People magazine. He and the other winners were honoured at the July 13 MLB All-Star Game and related events. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.