Good morning, and hope you’re well – I’m taking the reins from Martin Farrer writing your Morning Mail for a few days. Debate over the voice continues, the days are going to get hotter with the return of El Niño and the robots are already getting smarter, as concerns grow over use of AI tools in university exams. Here’s the latest news from across the country and around the world, to get you into the day.
Australia
Training the Chinese military | Government officials were first warned a year and a half ago about alleged attempts to recruit former defence force personnel, the defence department has revealed. But it is unclear what action, if any, the then defence minister, Peter Dutton, took at the time.
Indigenous voice | Attorney general Mark Dreyfus has promised further detail before the voice referendum, but accused Dutton of asking “a lot of questions he knows the answer to”, calling on the opposition leader to show some “national leadership”.
‘Losing the public health battle’ | The Australian Medical Association is calling for nicotine vape products to only be available as a tool to quit smoking and then only as a last resort. In an effort to discourage use, it wants flavours to be removed.
Artificial intelligence | An Australian university lecturer says she has detected the use of computer-generated text in a fifth of the assessments she set, as concerns rise about the use of AI by students to write essays.
Charging for EVs | While there are stations located right across the country, many only have one or two outlets. More government funding is needed, advocates say, to avoid long queues next summer.
World
El Niño set to return | There’s a warning of unprecedented heatwaves in 2023 and beyond. Scientists say the El Niño phenomenon, coupled with the growing climate crisis, is likely to push global temperatures “off the chart”.
14-year-old killed | Israeli forces have shot a Palestinian boy in the head near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, where the army said it opened fire after people threw molotov cocktails.
Ukraine | The death toll from a Russian missile strike on Dnipro has risen to at least 40, as the UK promises to send tanks to Ukraine, and pressures Germany to increase support.
Himalayan crash | The black boxes of a plane that crashed in the mountains of Nepal have been found. Police say they do not expect to find any survivors from the 72 on board. Among the victims was Sydney man Myron Love.
The ‘last godfather’ | Italy’s most-wanted mafia boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, has been arrested after a tipoff about his medical care at a well-known clinic in Palermo.
Farewelling “La Lollo” | Gina Lollobrigida, Italian star of the 1950s and 60s, has died aged 95.
Full Story
Portraits to go and prose like Tim Winton: ChatGPT and the rise of AI
As a Deakin University lecturer who’s detected the use of bots in almost one-fifth of assessments warns the technology is “not going away”, universities are scrambling to combat AI-assisted cheating. Some outlets, like the Australian satirical site the Chaser, will paywall their content to prevent it being used as AI training material.
AI expert Prof Toby Walsh speaks to Laura Murphy-Oates about how artificial intelligence is changing the future.
In-depth
Gas price caps haven’t been the silver bullet the Albanese government was hoping for, Peter Hannam writes. While users say the industry is behaving like a “bunch of bullies” and potentially withholding supply, producers argue intervention has “paralysed the market”.
Not the news
TikTok’s Lucky Girl Syndrome isn’t new, Alyx Gorman writes, and it has a dark side. “This idea has no scientific basis. While that should probably go without saying, it cannot … Manifestation’s flipside is as insidious as it is pervasive: the idea that you get what you deserve.”
The world of sport
Nick Kyrgios out | Emma Kemp explains why the tennis star’s withdrawal affects the Australian Open more than it does the player himself.
Olivia Gadecki rising | In her maiden win in the same tournament, the Australian wildcard is stepping into an Ash Barty-shaped hole.
Phoebe Litchfield steals the show | The 19-year-old joined forces with returning captain Meg Lanning, giving Australia a 1-0 series lead over Pakistan with an eight-wicket victory.
Media roundup
According to the Australian, federal treasurer Jim Chalmers is likely to increase the jobseeker rate in his May budget. And the Australian Financial Review reveals a group of fundraisers for the voice yes vote including filmmaker Rachel Perkins, former Wesfarmers boss Michael Chaney and Queensland Labor heavyweight Andrew Fraser.
What’s happening today
Australian Open | The summer grand slam continues in Melbourne – find our latest coverage here.
Greg Lynn | A committal hearing continues for the man charged with the murders of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.
Flood fallout | Submissions are open for the Maribyrnong River flood review.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords and free Wordiply game to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
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