Donald Trump’s been so busy upending the norms of democracy, igniting trade disputes and failing to end wars, it’s hard to see how he’s had time for renovations. 

But the US president’s real estate development roots are on full show, from splashing gold around the Oval Office, to ripping up the grass in the White House Rose Garden, he’s on a mission to Trumpify the symbol of American democracy and power. 

Today, policy editor at The Bulwark, Mona Charen on what Trump’s up to and what it says about his leadership. 

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Mona Charen, The Bulwark policy editor

Every year tens of thousands of Australians turn to IVF to start or grow a family.

But is it an industry that can be fully trusted given recent revelations of embryo and sperm mix-ups and women giving birth to strangers’ babies?

Today, ABC journalist Grace Tobin on her latest investigation into one couple’s fraught experience and why the rules need to change.

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Grace Tobin, ABC Investigations reporter

Since the fanfare surrounding Donald Trump’s face to face peace talks with the Russian President, perhaps unsurprisingly, the war continues in Ukraine. 

That’s partly because as part of any deal, Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to hand over the entire eastern region of Donbas. It’s a demand that Ukraine rejects.  

So, what is so important to Putin about that region?  

Today, John Haltiwanger from Foreign Policy magazine, explains why Donbas is at the heart of Putin’s war. 

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John Haltiwanger, staff writer at Foreign Policy magazine

It’s one man against the might of the Victorian police force as accused police killer Dezi Freeman remains on the run.  

On Monday, Victoria Police suggested someone might be helping the fugitive and they should contact police. 

So, how are police approaching the search and how long are they willing to keep it going? 

Today, Vince Hurley, a criminologist and former police officer and hostage negotiator on the likely police tactics and whether they should re-consider how they approach so-called sovereign citizens. 

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Dr Vince Hurley, fmr NSW police officer and criminologist at Macquarie University

Could artificial intelligence be key to improving Australia’s living standards?

A Productivity Commission report suggests the roll out of the technology could inject more than a hundred billion dollars into the economy over the next decade. 

But there’s a catch. If AI can take over from workers on some tasks, are swathes of humans set to lose their jobs? 

Today, Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales, on whether it's time for the government to step in. 

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Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at UNSW.ai, the AI Institute of University of New South Wales Sydney

For a long time to buy a home in Australia you needed a 20 per cent deposit or you’d have to pay a big lender's mortgage insurance fee.

It’s asking a lot, given house prices in our major cities are around the million-dollar mark or more. 

This week, the government expanded a five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, with no income caps and more expensive homes now eligible. 

Today, finance expert Alan Kohler on how it works, what it means for house prices and why he’s a huge fan of the scheme. 

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Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert

Victorian police officers had gone to execute a search warrant on a Wednesday morning in a sleepy alpine village. 

But the day turned to tragedy with self-identified ‘sovereign citizen’ Dezi Freeman allegedly killing two of the officers and wounding another. 

Today, Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal who recently spent months investigating the movement and speaking with sovereign citizens on what’s unfolded and what we know about the anti-government movement. 

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Mahmood Fazal, Four Corners reporter

The spy agency ASIO has revealed Iran orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia last year and now all ties with Tehran have been cut.  

The attacks in Sydney and Melbourne terrified the Jewish community and were aimed at undermining social cohesion. 

Now the Iranian ambassador has been expelled and Australian diplomatic staff have quickly left Iran. 

Today, Greg Barton, professor of Global Islamic Politics on why Iran would order these attacks and what could happen next. 

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Greg Barton, professor of Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University

The growth in the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is making it financially unsustainable. 

But is moving some children with autism off the scheme really a good idea? 

The government plans to have a new program called Thriving Kids in place by July next year to support children with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism. 

Today, we speak with Jess Otter, whose son has autism and to the ABC’s disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella. 

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Jess Otter, mother

Nas Campanella, ABC disability affairs reporter

If you happen to visit Washington DC anytime soon, you could notice troops and even armoured vehicles on the streets.

No, America is not at war, President Donald Trump has deployed hundreds of members of the National Guard to crack down on crime.

Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the centre-right think tank the Niskanen Center in Washington on whether DC is actually dangerous and what Trump hopes to achieve. 

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Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center in Washington, DC