VIJAY PRASHAD looks at the web of militias and drug-trafficking gangs that emerged in the Sweida region through the Syrian civil war, and how they relate to recent clashes and Israel’s intervention

THIS week, the Australian coalition government led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it will no longer pursue its proposed union-busting legislation “as a sign of good faith.”
Instead Morrison says he will encourage Australian unions and business to take part in a four-month negotiation to try to solve a number of industrial relations issues.
He announced that there would be five priority areas for reform. These include changes to the Australian “awards system”; collective bargaining for workplace pay deals; casualisation and fixed-term employment; compliance and enforcement to ensure workers are paid properly and agreements on greenfield sites and new projects.

This is a remarkable set of hop hip, salsa, reggae, soul, cumbia and traditional Mexican music finds TONY BURKE

New releases from Madalitso Band, Gabriel da Rosa, and Femi Kuti

A New Awakening: Adventures In British Jazz 1966 - 1971, G3, and Buck Owens

TONY BURKE says an International Labour Conference next month will try for a new convention to protect often super-exploited workers providing services such as ride-hailing (taxis) such as Uber as well as fast food and package delivery