Thousands more Australians will head to the movies in the coming days to lay their eyes on Barbie. 

But what does the frenzy over the film say about our culture, consumerism and feminism? 

Today, TV and film critic Wenlei Ma on why a movie about a plastic doll has so many of us talking.

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Wenlei Ma, film and TV critic

The Matildas will take to the field again tonight in the FIFA Women’s World Cup where they’ll be hoping for their second win.

The team has won legions of fans and is boosting the profile of the women’s competition across Australia, but it hasn’t come easily.  

Today, ABC Sport football writer Samantha Lewis on how the Matildas have helped pave the way for diversity and inclusion in a sport tightly controlled by its governing body. 

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Samantha Lewis, ABC Sport football writer

China’s been caught spying on the largest ever joint Australia-US military exercises. 

Australia and its allies expected the intrusion and this week released images of a Chinese surveillance ship in the Coral Sea. 

Today, Stephen Dziedzic on what it means at a time when we’re trying to patch up our relationship with Beijing and repair trade. 

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Stephen Dziedzic, ABC foreign affairs reporter

Other countries are turning to sugar taxes to address the rise in obesity, increasing the price of sugary drinks so consumers seek out cheaper and healthier alternatives. 

So why don’t we have a sugar tax here even though the medical profession is pleading for it? 

Today, investigative reporter Linton Besser on the powerful food and beverage industry and how it lobbies politicians to block change. 

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Linton Besser, ABC investigative reporter

Billions of our taxpayers dollars are going to the big four accounting firms every year, but should we really be outsourcing what can in some cases be top secret work to private firms like Deloitte and PwC?

Today, investigative journalist and business columnist, Adele Ferguson on how the firms have infiltrated government departments. 

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Adele Ferguson, ABC investigative journalist

With two new Hollywood blockbusters just out, you might be thinking of heading to the movies.

Make the most of it because if US-based actors and writers stay on strike much longer the pipeline of film and television production will dry up. 

Today, Meg James, senior entertainment writer at the LA Times on the worldwide impact of the strikes and why Artificial Intelligence is a big reason why Hollywood stars have downed tools. 

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Meg James, Los Angeles Times senior entertainment writer

Almost 400-thousand Australians have dementia, so chances are you either have it or know someone who does. 

This week’s news that an experimental drug has been found to slow the advance of Alzheimer’s disease has raised hopes that sufferers could enjoy more good months. 

Today, an expert in the field on how the drug works and how soon patients here might have access to it. 

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Associate Professor Yen Ying Lim, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University

We love watching the Commonwealth Games, especially when we’re winning gold, but Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews thinks they’re too expensive. 

Blaming cost blow-outs, he’s cancelling the 2026 games in Victoria, putting the future of the games at risk.

Today, national sport reporter David Mark on the anger the decision sparked and what it means for our sporting reputation. 

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David Mark, ABC National Sport Reporter

Opening your power bill can come as real a shock and it’s only going to get worse with prices rising by up to a quarter this month.  

But if you’re lucky enough to have solar panels on your roof you’re having a much better time of it.

The problem is there’s a growing divide between those who have them and those who don’t. 

Today, energy reporter Dan Mercer on the Australians being left behind by the energy transition and the deep discontent the gap is likely to fuel.

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Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter

As construction firms across the country collapse, thousands of people are losing their life savings, their businesses and homes. 

The cascading effects of surging costs, worker shortages and rising interest rates include home dreams turning to nightmares and subcontractors often left hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket. 

Today, Four Corners reporter Stephen Long on his investigation into the ailing sector and what could be done to fix it. 

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Stephen Long, Four Corners reporter