Until late last year, the United States had a US$10 million bounty on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

A former leader of the al-Nusra Front and al-Qaeda in Iraq, al-Sharaa was once an enemy of America.

Now Syria’s transitional leader, al-Sharaa has just met US President Donald Trump, who called him “an attractive young guy” with “a strong past” and pledged to lift sanctions on Damascus.

Today, Damascus-based correspondent, Heidi Pett, on meeting al-Sharaa in person, how he won an audience with Trump and what it means for Syria’s future.

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Guest: Damascus-based correspondent, Heidi Pett.

Photo: PA/Alamy

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Tony Abbott was on a layover in Dubai when he phoned Natasha Griggs – the president of the Country Liberal Party – and set off a chain reaction inside the Coalition.

Hours later, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defected to the Liberals and a surprise leadership ticket was taking shape.

For moderates, it was another sign that the former prime minister and his confidante, Peta Credlin, are still pulling the party’s levers from the outside.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on Tony Abbott, the shadow network steering the Liberals and why insiders say it’s a cancer that’s killing the party.

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: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: Supplied

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Australia has a new environment minister – and he has a big job ahead of him: fixing the country’s broken environment laws.

Murray Watt has replaced Tanya Plibersek, whose efforts at reform were famously thwarted by the prime minister.

But before Watt can begin that task, he faces another critical decision: whether to let Woodside Energy extend its North West Shelf gas project to 2070 – opening new gas fields and unleashing a “carbon bomb” worth roughly 10 times Australia’s current annual emissions.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe, on Murray Watt, his plans for the environment and the decision that could define his tenure.

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 Seccombe.

Photo: AAP Image / Darren England

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