9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: The Department of Justice's Board of Immigration Appeals was wrong when it concluded that the man had failed to show that government officials in Russia were either unwilling or unable to control his attackers, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, according to Times Colonist. "The government failed to present any evidence to rebut Doe's undisputed testimony that he suffered serious assaults at the hands of individuals on account of his homosexuality or to show that the Russian government was able and willing to control non-governmental actors who attack homosexuals," the court said and SAN FRANCISCO - A U.S. appeals court has ordered immigration officials to review their decision not to grant asylum to a gay man who said he was attacked for his sexual orientation in 2002 and 2003 in his native Russia and feared he would be persecuted if forced to return there. The man was only identified as "John Doe" in the opinion. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Manitoba Taxicab Board: On Wednesday in the legislature, PC Leader Brian Pallister raised the suspensions by the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union MGEU of two of its senior employees. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Buckley is the NDP-appointed chairman of the Manitoba Taxicab Board, which regulates the taxi industry. Dewar, a one-time chief of staff to former premier Gary Doer, is an appointee to the board of directors of the Workers Compensation Board. The Progressive Conservative Opposition says the NDP government should examine whether two of its patronage appointees are fit to fulfil their roles after being suspended by their employer. Bruce Buckley and Bob Dewar, both longtime union staffers, were suspended without pay in September. The MGEU has not publicly explained the reasons for its actions, although it has said no criminal charges or misappropriation of funds were involved. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

National Security Agency NSA: Citing secret documents released by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden , CBC reported Wednesday evening that Prime Minister Stephen Harpers government allowed the National Security Agency NSA to conduct a six-day operation, turning the American embassy in Ottawa into a security command post to spy as dozens of delegates flocked to Canada during the global summits in June 2010, according to The Star. A spokesperson for the prime minister declined to comment on the report and The federal government let an American spy agency conduct surveillance in Canada during the G8 and G20 summits in 2010, the CBC reports. The documents said the U.S. plans for the G20 in Toronto were closely co-ordinated with the Canadian partner Communications Security Establishment Canada, or CSEC but do not reveal the targets of the surveillance, according to CBCs report. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ministry of International Trade: An all-party apology over the Chinese head tax fell apart last March when news broke about a controversial ethnic outreach strategy, according to Times Colonist. But work has begun again on an new apology, with the Ministry of International Trade announcing it will host community forums to discuss the wording and delivery, as well as legacy efforts and VICTORIA - British Columbia's government is once again trying to correct some historical wrongs committed against the province's Chinese community. The strategy suggested formal apologies in the legislature to ethnic communities for historic wrongs could result in quick wins at the ballot box. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Barack Obama: The plan, still subject to final approval, would involve destroying the weapons, likely aboard the MV Cape Ray in the Mediterranean Sea, with U.S. Navy warships patrolling nearby, according to Huffington Post. The Obama administration has used international oceans in other sensitive cases where land-based options were precluded. The U.S. Navy buried al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden at sea to avoid his tomb becoming an attraction for extremists. The government has been questioning terror suspects for as long as it takes aboard Navy ships since the CIA closed its secret prisons overseas and President Barack Obama has refused to send more prisoners to the detention centre at the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is offering to destroy some of Syria's deadliest chemical weapons in international waters aboard a nearly 700-foot 213-meter , U.S. government-owned ship, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. This approach would avoid the vexing diplomatic, environmental and security problems posed by disposing of the materials on any nation's soil. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Denis Coderre: Coderre announced Tuesday his intention to make former journalist Philippe Schnobb head of the STM, according to CTV. Bergeron was among the critics of Coderres decision, saying Schnobb, a former Radio Canada journalist, doesnt have the experience to run the organization, which is trying to increase its ridership and is dealing with a predicted deficit of $60 million for 2014 and In his first council meeting as mayor, Denis Coderre faced criticism over an appointment that some consider a prime example of political patronage. Schnobb ran for city councillor as part of Equipe Denis Coderre in Ville Maries St. Jacques district, but lost by 36 votes to Projet Montreal leader Richard Bergeron. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Don Brownrigg: Its easy to get a little lost in the sound of It Takes All Kinds to Make This World, I Find, the new album by Halifax musician Don Brownrigg , according to The Chronicle Herald. Not wanting to repeat himself, Brownrigg digs deeper and aims his vision higher on It Takes All Kinds, tapping into the local music community in a big way with the help of Daniel Ledwell, recently named Music Nova Scotias 2013 producer of the year and Its been more than four years since the Codroy Valley, Newfoundland-natives impressive Wander Songs, and theres been a lot of wandering and pondering since then, with the results on display at his CD release shows this weekend at the Bus Stop Theatre. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Don Cherry: The high-profile hockey commentator's employment status is in doubt after Rogers took control of "Hockey Night in Canada" on Tuesday in a new 12-year, $5.2-billion agreement between the telecommunications giant and the NHL, according to CTV. "I have no idea what's going on. I haven't talked to CBC, I didn't see the press conference, I was en route somewhere," Cherry said to reporters on Tuesday night. "So I'm asking you guys -- do I have a job?" TORONTO -- Don Cherry knows as much about his future on "Hockey Night in Canada," as his fans -- nothing. CBC's iconic hockey broadcast will remain on TV for at least the next four years, but the public broadcaster will not have editorial control of the show. That raises questions about the future of on-air personalities like Cherry and his Coach's Corner sidekick Ron MacLean. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong: Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced Wednesday that the provincial surplus will grow $29 million, to a projected $165 million this fiscal year, despite weak economic growth and a drop in tax revenue. , according to Times Colonist. Achieving our objective and achieving that balance and modest surplus will require continued vigilance and will not leave any room for extravagance or additional spending beyond what you see laid out in the fiscal plan, he said. The B.C. government has dipped into its rainy-day economic allowance in order to bump up the budget surplus. The government pulled $50 million out of its forecast allowance in the second quarter to help very modestly boost the surplus, de Jong said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Hewlett-Packard: The Dow Jones industrial average rose 27 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 16,100, at midday Wednesday. The Standard Poors 500 index rose four points, also 0.2 per cent, to 1,806. The Nasdaq composite gained the most rising 19 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 4,037, according to 660 News. Hewlett-Packard surged $1.76, or 7 per cent, to $26.85. The worlds second-largest maker of PCs forecast a strong profit for the current quarter late Tuesday and NEW YORK, N.Y. The stock market is rising in midday trading after some encouraging news about the U.S. economy. In a sign that workers are in less danger of being laid off, the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped 10,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 316,000, the Labor Department said. Also, a private survey showed that consumer confidence rose in November. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.