1. Trump

Russia has once again thrown Donald Trump's infant presidency into turmoil and crashed shut the tiny window of good media coverage in response to his speech to congress on Tuesday night.

Late on Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that Trump's Attorney-General Jeff Sessions met with Russia's ambassador twice last year, but did not mention that during his confirmation hearing before the Senate. [Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima, Greg Miller]

House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi led the strongest attack on Sessions, accusing him of lying under oath, describing him as "unqualified and unfit" to serve and calling for his head.

But the more significant criticism came from the growing number of Republicans who lined up to criticise Sessions saying he should recuse himself from the investigation into whether Russia interfered in the US election via hacking. [Louis Nelson/Politico]

Sessions said: "I will recuse myself" if necessary. [NBC]

The Kremlin's line? Nothing to see here. Naturally. [Russia Today]

2. ISIS pushed out of Palymra

Russian-backed Syrian troops have pushed back Islamic State militants from the historic city of Palmyra. 

But suicide bombers and mines remain. 

Syrian antiquities director Maamoun Abdul Karim sums up the feeling best:

"I feel a mix of joy and fear. Joy, because we're sure that there will be no more damage to the archaeological site at Palmyra, and apprehension to see what has happened to the city." [AFP]

Russia Today broadcast what it said was exclusive footage of the operation. 

3. She Decides

Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Sharman Stone, speaks with Afghanistan's Minister for Women's Affairs Alhaj Delbar Nazari, at the She Decides conference. Photo: AP

A major international conference was held today to raise funds to make up for the shortfall in funding created by Donald Trump's reinstatement of the "global gag rule" - which prevents US aid from non-government organisations which either offer or provide advice on abortions or family planning. 

Many countries pledged funds, but Australia turned up empty-handed. More than a quarter of a billion dollars was raised but this was well short of the $US600 million target. [My report/Fairfax]

4. One in 5 chance of recession

The OECD's first major review of Australia in three years says there is a one in five chance of recession, with the biggest threat wrapped up in soaring house prices. [Peter Martin/The Age] [Jacob Greber/Financial Review]

5. Aust politics

65 per cent of voters polled by ReachTel for the unions say they want the government to legislate to protect penalty rates. [Mark Kenny/Fairfax]

Sensibly, in this climate, Turnbull will ask his MPs to forgo any pay rise the independent Remuneration Tribunal might recommend. [Renee Viellaris/Courier Mail]

Tony Abbott during Question Time at Parliament House. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

And Tony Abbott is back at it. 

His latest offering of free advice to his successor is to fight harder for the cuts to penalty rates by making the issue not about lower take-home pay but about the number of businesses which will now open on Sundays.

"The issue is not higher wages versus lower wages. The issue is businesses that are open on Sundays and public holidays or businesses that are closed," Abbott says.

Abbott is right and his clearer messaging on this issue, where Turnbull has really struggled, almost looks like another audition for the leadership. [Joe Kelly/The Australian]

But former Labor party powerbroker Graham Richardson says a senior Liberal has phoned him to tell him Julie Bishop still carries the leadership baton but that she hides it in her "Prada knapsack." The foreign minister could be a compromise candidate, neither moderate or conservative, unlike Peter Dutton who is touted as the Conservative's candidate. 

It could very well be that the senior Liberal briefing this does not have Bishop's interests at heart here and is seeking to put her squarely into the middle of any leadership talk. Either way, a very interesting column. [The Australian]

Bishop is still damaged internally from the Turnbull-Abbott coup, although remains a competent, tireless and hard-working foreign minister with a star-like quality in the public's eye. But only to a degree.

Julie Bishop with popstar Mariah Carey and billionaire James Packer.

Members of the partyroom have been known to unkindly refer to her as "Hollywood," a reference to her penchant for hanging out with celebrities, and inside the bureaucracy she is taken less seriously and is nicknamed "Kardashian." Double ouch. 

The Coalition's squabbling continues on Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act. [Rosie Lewis/The Australian]

There certainly seems a prevailing view that Turnbull's goose is cooked - either at the ballot box or in the partyroom.

Michelle Grattan reports the WA Liberals don't want Turnbull campaigning for them ahead of the state poll. [The Conversation]

Fairfax Media commissioned polling shows the Barnett government could hold on. [Brendan Foster/WA Today]

6. Sweden

Sweden is bringing back the military draft, worried about a resurgent Russia. [Reuters]

Conscription in Sweden was abolished in 2010, to the region's surprise. Previously conscription only applied to men, but under the revived model, women will be called up as well. [Richard Milne/Financial Times]

And that's it from me for this week, you can follow me on Facebook for more. Have a great weekend.