Morning Mail: Trump's first speech to Congress, penalty rate cuts debate, UN says Aleppo forced evacuation was war crime

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Thursday 2 March 2017 g Trump's first speech to Congress Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning: Donald Trump has praised Australia's "merit-based" immigration system as an economic boon to the country, in contrast to the US system which, he argued before Congress, costs America "many billions of dollars a year". As well as the main news story on Trump's first speech to the US Congress, here's a small selection of more coverage: An annotated guide to Trump's speech Fact-checking what Trump said Video highlights of the speech Comment: A heroic effort in contradiction and cliche And much more Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Eric Abetz: no worker should be worse off under penalty rate cut – politics live Former employment minister says penalty rates cut should only apply to new workers while backing Fair Work Commission decision. Follow it live... Trump starts to sound 'presidential' but critics warn he's still anything but President pivoted away from dark vision of 'American carnage' with an optimistic address to Congress that drew praise but Democrats say risks normalising him Noma dishwasher becomes co-owner of world-famous Danish restaurant Ali Sonko, who has worked in restaurant kitchen since 2003, gets share in business in 'recognition of his hard work and enduring smile' Inaction on payday loans 'allowing lenders to exploit vulnerable' Consumer advocates urge government to fulfil promise to strengthen protections for consumers seeking cash advances Three people, believed to be homeless, die in Melbourne factory fire Witnesses heard screaming but were unable to rescue those inside at fire in Footscray Australian news and politics Western Australia's job agencies score worst in national ratings Guardian Australia analysis reveals JobActive providers in WA averaged 1.36 stars, compared with 3.11 national average Infrastructure fund lacks transparency on Adani plans, warns thinktank The Australia Institute says the $5bn northern Australia fund lags behind other agencies in process and disclosure Foreign donations report delayed in search for bipartisan deal Parliamentary report expected to recommend a ban on foreign donations to Australian political parties pushed back as Labor and Liberals negotiate Cousins' gathering a model for pilot program for Aboriginal children in care Victorian initiative inspired by Lowana Moore, who found 42 relatives in child protection system and now helps them connect with country Shorten and Turnbull trade blows over penalty rate cuts – as it happened Australia avoids technical recession based on latest growth figures; George Brandis says he does not recall conversation with WA attorney general on Bell. As it happened Cash Converters facing legal action over 100 high-interest loans to one woman Consumer advocates launch court action against Cash Converters following 2015 investigation into payday loans scheme Cory Bernardi uses 18C impasse to encourage recruitment to Australian Conservatives Breakaway Liberal senator pounces on lack of resolution over 'snowflake-protecting' Racial Discrimination Act to reinforce his new party's commitment to free speech Around the world Forced evacuation of east Aleppo was war crime, says UN Inquiry details 'war crimes' by pro-Assad forces and rebel groups in Aleppo – including use of chemical weapons François Fillon vows to fight on despite formal inquiry into 'fake jobs' French presidential candidate faces formal investigation over claims he paid family members for fake parliamentary jobs Angela Merkel urged to ban Erdoğan over jailed German journalist Chancellor under pressure to stop Turkish president from entering country while reporter is held in Istanbul prison 'Stop bashing the EU', Jean-Claude Juncker tells European leaders EU commission president says politicians should stop blaming the bloc for issues it cannot control as he lays out plan for future Trump hails 'new chapter in American greatness' in Congress speech The president offered upbeat themes in an address that sought to calm his opponents but was swiftly condemned for inaccuracies

One last thing How much pee is in our swimming pools? New urine test reveals the truthOlympic swimmers admit to it and it seems many of the rest us are peeing in the water too, with a new scientific test finding up to 75 litres of urine in public pools. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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