The new speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, faces the tough task of uniting a fractured Republican party and preventing a quick-approaching government shutdown. Jonathan Freedland and Marianna Sotomayor of the Washington Post discuss what we have learned about his approach to the job from his first week with the gavel. Plus, as we prepare for next week’s off-year elections, Jonathan speaks to Carter Sherman about Virginia – the last remaining southern state without extensive abortion restrictions. They look at why results there could prove pivotal for Republican chances in 2024 You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

An AI-generated poll on a third-party platform recently compromised the Guardian’s journalism, angering many readers in the process. As advancements in AI gain speed, many news organisations are already using artificially intelligent tools to write articles and create images. But we know these new methods come with risks and can also be used to spread misinformation. Jane Lee speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and national news editor Patrick Keneally about the threat generative AI poses to journalism

In the space of just two weeks, the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will have met with two of the world’s most powerful leaders – US president Joe Biden and China’s president, Xi Jinping. And central to both meetings will be the Aukus deal: a historic defence agreement between the US, Australia and the UK designed to counter China’s military rise in the Pacific. Foreign affairs and defence correspondent Daniel Hurst speaks to Jane Lee about how the deal could affect Australia’s relationship with its biggest defence ally, the US, and its largest trading partner, China. You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

As Israel steps up its military campaign in Gaza, residents trapped in the territory are facing a humanitarian crisis You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

All four big banks are predicting the Reserve Bank will raise interest rates next week. Guardian columnist Greg Jericho tells Jane Lee why a rate hike would increase the pain on households for little gain You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Bruce Lehrmann has been revealed as the ‘high-profile’ man accused of raping a woman in Toowoomba two years ago - a charge that he denies. The former Liberal staffer can now be named in the case after his lawyers lost a legal bid to maintain his anonymity. Reporter Joe Hinchliffe speaks to Laura Murphy-Oates about what to expect as the case proceeds You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

The sun has set on day 20 of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The war began on 7 October when Hamas gunmen poured across the border, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 222 others. Since then, the Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, says Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 6,500 Palestinians, including more than 2,000 children. Anthony Albanese, in a joint press conference with US president Joe Biden, this week announced an additional $15m in humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, taking the total aid from Australia to $25m. Gabrielle Jackson speaks to political editor Katharine Murphy and national news editor Patrick Keneally about what Australians need to know about the government’s position on the Israel-Hamas conflict

Almost 30 tobacco stores in suburban Melbourne and regional Victoria have been set alight in the last seven months. Guardian Australia justice and courts reporter Nino Bucci explains how organised crime syndicates are infiltrating Australia’s tobacco industry

Certain dates are seared into the minds of those who have tried to untangle the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict, be it 1917, 1947, 1967, 1973 – and now 2023. Chris McGreal reports on an escalating war that is only understandable by looking to the past

After spearheading a divisive campaign during the referendum, opposition leader Peter Dutton has moved on to new battlegrounds Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to political editor Katharine Murphy on the next chapter in Dutton’s playbook, and what it means for the temperature of Australian political debate