Could Syria be headed for another civil war?

Anthony Albanese has been waiting decades to recognise a Palestinian state.  Now, as countries like France, Canada and the UK all declare their own intention to do so, the Prime Minister is weighing up how Australia will respond. It’s a delicate balance – with competing pressures from within his own party, and an opposition denying there’s a starvation crisis in Gaza. Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno on the growing political momentum behind the case for statehood and the private phone calls shaping Albanese’s plans.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul BongiornoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s plan to ban teenagers from social media has been called “world‑leading”. The law, which comes into effect December 10, threatens platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook with fines of up to $50 million if they let under-16s open or keep accounts. But as implementation draws closer, questions remain about how the ban will be enforced, what it means for online privacy, and whether it will reshape the way everyone uses the internet. Today, digital‑rights advocate Samantha Floreani on the risks of the ban amid a global regulatory arms race.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Digital‑rights advocate, Samantha Floreani.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As companies across the world pursue generative AI technology, new forms of manipulation become possible. At the forefront of this are neurotechnologies, which directly connect to your brain and collect your brain data, and persuasive technologies, which can use that data to influence how you feel. In countries like China where the tech industry is controlled by the government, the use of these technologies for disinformation and social control has already taken hold.Today - senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Daria Impiomabato on the rise of persuasive technologies, and the ways we could be exploited without even knowing. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Daria ImpiomabatoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff struck a deal with the AFL to build a brand new stadium in Hobart's historic center, it was a decision made without cabinet, treasury or parliamentary backing. It's that stadium that's kicked off a messy fight over who will lead Tasmania. It’s now been over a week since the election that delivered a hung parliament and neither the Liberal leader or Labor leader have managed to form government. Today, award-winning author Richard Flanagan, on the political crisis in his home state of Tasmania – and why it's a warning for the rest of the country.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Award-winning author Richard FlanaganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countries have a legal obligation to tackle climate change, according to a landmark finding from the world’s highest court.Last week, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion that said climate change is an “urgent and existential threat” to humanity and countries have a “duty to cooperate” on addressing it.For the Pacific Island students who brought their case to the ICJ, the ruling marks the end of a six year fight. They hope it also marks the start of a new chapter where others can apply the ruling to hold polluting governments to account.Today, reporter Cheyne Anderson on what we owe smaller nation states, and the implications for Australia. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Reporter Cheyne AndersonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When parliament returned this week, the seating chart said it all. With 123 Labor members in the parliament – the government is taking up much of the room.  But it was the Nationals taking the oxygen with their growing calls to abandon net zero. Their position is at odds with science, economics and many within the joint party room. Meanwhile Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is trying to keep the Coalition on life support as their popularity sinks to its lowest level in 40 years for the coalition is at the lowest it's been in 40 years. Today, contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy Remeikis, on the mess and mayhem of the first week back in parliament.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy RemeikisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When an Israeli airstrike hit the gate of Syria’s Defence Ministry in central Damascus, the blast echoed far beyond the capital.It was a warning shot in a growing fight over who controls Syria’s fractured south.With sectarian tensions reigniting between Druze militias, Bedouin fighters and government troops, the country’s uneasy calm is close to breaking.Today, Damascus‑based journalist Heidi Pett, on the latest in this conflict – and how it could redraw the map of Syria.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Damascus-based journalist, Heidi Pett.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Federal Police investigate some of  the country's most serious crimes - terrorism, corruption, drugs, and human trafficking.  But a new report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that the one thing the AFP is not good at investigating is itself. It's found that the agency is dismissing complaints that should be investigated, including allegations of corruption and assault within its own ranks. Today, journalist Karen Middleton on allegations inside the AFP, and what it tells us about the culture of the agency.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist Karen MiddletonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When UNESCO voted to put the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in north-west Australia on the World Heritage List, they recognised the ancient rock art as a “masterpiece of human creative genius”.It was a reflection of the work of the Murujuga traditional owners who fought for the carvings to be recognised on the world stage.But what went on behind the scenes shows the limits of a heritage listing when it comes to stopping gas companies, the governments that profit from the burning of fossil fuels, or the effects of climate change  heritage listing does to stop gas companies, the government that profits from them, or the effects of climate change.   Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on UNESCO, Woodside, and the future of the Murujuga.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the second episode in a two part series. If you haven’t yet, start by listening to Part 1: How the Epstein conspiracy turned MAGA against Trump. Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein have a well documented history together. What started off as a friendship eventually turned sour, with Trump claiming he never really liked him. But even though there is no evidence that Trump was involved in any of Epstein’s crimes, the association is now doing damage. Not because they were friends, but because Trump promised answers to his base about Epstein’s connections – and now has failed to give them.  In this episode, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on what it will mean for Trump’s grip on power if even a small number of his supporters lose faith in him.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-EarlySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.