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.

 

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Guest: Damascus-based journalist, Heidi Pett.

When an Israeli airstrike hit the gate of Syria&rsquo;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&rsquo;s fractured south. With sectarian tensions reigniting between Druze militias, Bedouin fighters and government troops, the country&rsquo;s uneasy calm is close to breaking. Today, Damascus‑based journalist Heidi Pett, on the latest in this conflict &ndash; and how it could redraw the map of Syria.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
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Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Damascus-based journalist, Heidi Pett.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Could Syria be headed for another civil war?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/630a63ee-b78a-4b40-88d8-b32300612b39/transcript

When Elon Musk first launched his AI tool Grok, he called it “rebellious” and anti-woke.

But over the summer, what that meant took a disturbing turn.

The chatbot, which is embedded in Musk's social media platform X, started creating sexualised images of women and children without their consent.

Anthony Albanese has staked his legacy on keeping children safe online, so what is he doing to protect them from Grok?

Today, associate editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson, on whether it’s time for the government to get off X.

 

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: Associate editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson

Photo: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

When Elon Musk first launched his AI tool Grok, he called it &ldquo;rebellious&rdquo; and anti-woke.
But over the summer, what that meant took a disturbing turn.
The chatbot, which is embedded in Musk's social media platform X, started creating sexualised images of women and children without their consent.
Anthony Albanese has staked his legacy on keeping children safe online, so what is he doing to protect them from Grok?
Today, associate editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson, on whether it&rsquo;s time for the government to get off X.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Associate editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

How Elon Musk's Grok started undressing children

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/681a26d7-f3bf-4a81-820c-b3d800684a3f/transcript

In the aftermath of the 1996 massacre at Port Arthur, Prime Minister John Howard donned a bullet proof vest and argued the case for gun control, to crowds of angry protestors. 

His reforms, including a ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and a national buyback scheme, changed the country by getting rid of more than half a million guns.

But in the years since, the number of guns in Australia has skyrocketed, and as Anthony Albanese tries to change that, the Coalition is fighting back, while the Greens have signalled early support. 

Today, deputy director at The Australia Institute Ebony Bennett on why Australia has more guns than ever – and whether Labor’s proposed plan will make us safer.

 

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: Deputy director at The Australia Institute Ebony Bennett 

Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

In the aftermath of the 1996 massacre at Port Arthur, Prime Minister John Howard donned a bullet proof vest and argued the case for gun control, to crowds of angry protestors.&nbsp;
His reforms, including a ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and a national buyback scheme, changed the country by getting rid of more than half a million guns.
But in the years since, the number of guns in Australia has skyrocketed, and as Anthony Albanese tries to change that, the Coalition is fighting back, while the Greens have signalled early support.&nbsp;
Today, deputy director at The Australia Institute Ebony Bennett on why Australia has more guns than ever &ndash; and whether Labor&rsquo;s proposed plan will make us safer.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Deputy director at The Australia Institute Ebony Bennett&nbsp;
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Why Australia has more guns than ever

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/c99709d8-149a-4fd1-a8d7-b3d7005afbb7/transcript

Rex Patrick is a former senator from South Australia. Before that, he was a submariner in the Navy.

Last year, he noticed a reference to a new arm of the Australian Federal Police called the AUKUS Command.

He wanted to know more, so he lodged Freedom of Information requests with the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Federal Police. 

The documents he got back were heavily redacted – but he was able to form a picture of a secretive new command set up to protect AUKUS submarines. 

But hidden in the fine print were plans to surveil protest, manage dissent, and deploy force against it. 

Today, Rex Patrick on the Australian Federal Police, their new powers to protect America’s interests in Australia, and what it means for the future of protest.

 

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: Former submariner and former senator for South Australia, Rex Patrick

Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Colin Murty

Rex Patrick is a former senator from South Australia. Before that, he was a submariner in the Navy.
Last year, he noticed a reference to a new arm of the Australian Federal Police called the AUKUS Command.
He wanted to know more, so he lodged Freedom of Information requests with the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Federal Police.&nbsp;
The documents he got back were heavily redacted &ndash; but he was able to form a picture of a secretive new command set up to protect AUKUS submarines.&nbsp;
But hidden in the fine print were plans to surveil protest, manage dissent, and deploy force against it.&nbsp;
Today, Rex Patrick on the Australian Federal Police, their new powers to protect America&rsquo;s interests in Australia, and what it means for the future of protest.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Former submariner and former senator for South Australia, Rex Patrick
Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Colin Murty

The AFP’s secretive new anti-protest command

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/26ac7605-d469-47da-9c16-b3d4005566ad/transcript

Could Syria be headed for another civil war?

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