Tens of thousands of Australians paralyzed several major cities in the country Thursday, in protest of controversial new labor laws

As the internet gets bigger, crossing the 100 millionth website not long ago, a need for sites regulation aroused. In an unusual cooperation, rivals Google, Yahoo and Microsoft will work together and support a shared standard regarding sitemaps.

There are people who believe that high-tech workers are the sweatshops workers of our times. These people won`t be surprised to hear that Sun Microsystems is alleged, by programmers working for the company, of violating California Labor Laws and not paying overtime.

New version of AdventNet`s Zoho Virtual Office was announced this week. The new Zoho Virtual Office is groupware and collaboration software that supports both Windows and Linux operating system.

Cargo industry officials are concerned that a relatively new federal ID system aimed at boosting national security could cost many port workers their jobs. Illegal immigrants and people convicted of certain crimes might be barred from the positions they now hold.

France is facing a nationwide strike on Tuesday that threatens to disrupt much of the transportation system. Students and unions insist they will go ahead with the one-day walkout - and more street protests - unless the government withdraws a controversial new youth labor law.

French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy blames the violence on a group of delinquents from the far left and far right, but said the vast majority had demonstrated peacefully. However, in various incidents more than 50 police officers have been injured in the protests against the initiative.

In January, the European Commission will publish its evaluation report on the impact of enlargement on the labour market of the old member states, and it will most likely call on all member states to lift their barriers.

IBM and Google Inc. have joined forces to help office workers search local documents, corporate databases and personal e-mail. The two companies are prepared to merge IBM`s OmniFind corporate search system to Google`s free desktop search.

BellSouth announced an internetworking agreement with Sprint Nextel Corporation this week. Officials say the nationwide service will effortlessly transport data across both BellSouth and Sprint MPLS networks.

Tabu Ultra Lounge, part of the MGM Grande Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, was recently voted the best ultra lounge in the world. This Labor Day weekend, beginning September 3, Tabu will host well-known DJ Richard Scotti from New York, to give a live performance and raise the roof.

World famous DJ Vibe will spin for the attendees of the upcoming White Party to be thrown by P Diddy in the Hamptons, New York on Labor Day Sunday 2005.

The 2004 edition of "The State of California Labor" examines issues that relate to the state`s lowest-paid workers, yet have implications for all Californians.