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The Take

Al Jazeera

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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Al Jazeera

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The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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Episodes
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Civilian aid ship bound for Gaza attacked, Israel bombs Syria

5/4/2025
We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza have starved to death. Drones struck a ship in the Mediterranean with aid bound for Gaza. Israel attacked Syria. It is day 576 of the war in Gaza, where more than 52,495 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @hema.alkhalili@ajimran Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:05:10

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Another Take: Behind Columbia University’s months of tension

5/3/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 24, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Tensions have been mounting at Columbia University for months, even before the school called police to clear a Gaza solidarity encampment. Pro-Palestine students say the administration hasn’t prioritized their safety. In the first of a two-part series, The Take goes behind the protests at Columbia. In this episode: @_asiyahmed Episode credits: This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, David Enders, Zaina Badr, Manahil Naveed, and our host Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:14

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Could Trump tip Australia’s 2025 election?

5/2/2025
Australia heads to the polls facing a cost-of-living crisis and two familiar faces: Labor’s Anthony Albanese and the Conservative Coalition’s Peter Dutton. But United States President Donald Trump has emerged as having an unforeseen impact on Australian political discourse. How will the candidates navigate the political realignment across the Pacific? In this episode: @TomMcIlroy Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mariana Navarrete, Kingwell Ma, Remas Alhawari, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:52

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Why has Trump’s Russia-Ukraine deal stalled?

5/1/2025
US President Donald Trump boasted that he could broker a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in his first 24 hours in office. 100 days later, fighting continues, and both sides are questioning the plan the Trump administration has laid out. Why is there still no agreement on a ceasefire proposal, and what does it reveal about the limits of American power? In this episode: Anatol Lieven (@Lieven_Anatol), Director of Eurasia Project at Quincy Institute Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Khaled Soltan, Kingwell Ma, Mariana Navarrete and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:26

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What happens to the children of deportees from the US?

4/30/2025
As the administration of US President Donald Trump continues its immigration crackdown across the United States, children are often caught in the middle. Some are deported with their parents to countries they never knew, while others are separated from their parents and remain in the US. What happens to them? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Ashish Malhotra, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra, Kingwell Ma, Remas Alhawari, and our guest host, Natasha DelToro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:53

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After deadly attack in Kashmir, what’s next for India and Pakistan?

4/29/2025
Tensions are growing between India and Pakistan after an attack killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir. As the exchange of accusations and gunfire continues, Kashmiris fear for what is to come. In this episode: Assed Baig (@AssedBaig), Al Jazeera correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Kingwell Ma, Mariana Navarrete, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:27

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Canadians head to the polls as Trump looms over the election

4/28/2025
Canadians head to the polls in an election that could change the country by redefining its relationship with the United States. The leading candidate, Prime Minister Mark Carney, has already faced off with US President Donald Trump over tariffs, while Conservative Party candidate Pierre Poilievre has drawn comparisons with the US leader. So, who will Canadians choose? In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra, and Chloe K Li, with Amy Walters, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kingwell Ma, Mariana Navarette, and me, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Remas Alhawari, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra, and Kingwell Ma. I’m your host, Natasha Del Toro. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. We’ll be back tomorrow. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:25:06

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UN out of food in Gaza, Pope laid to rest

4/27/2025
We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. The UN announced its food stocks in Gaza are completely depleted. Israel further isolated Jenin refugee camp. The world bid Farewell to a pope who advocated for Palestinians. It is day 569 of the war in Gaza, where more than 51,495 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @RyleeCarlson@virtualzein@alihashem_tv Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:05:56

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Another Take: A crackdown on press in Kashmir

4/26/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 11, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Journalist Fahad Shah's arrest is the latest in a string of attacks on press freedom in Indian-administered Kashmir. Reporters there say the government is actively trying to shut down any independent media. In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Priyanka Tilve, Negin Owlieai, Amy Walters, Alexandra Locke, Ruby Zaman, Ney Alvarez, and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:19:25

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UK court defines 'woman'; trans women left in limbo

4/25/2025
The United Kingdom’s Supreme Court has ruled that a woman is defined by “biological sex” under equality law. The decision could limit transgender women’s access to essential services and set a lasting legal precedent. As hate crimes rise, what will this mean for the daily lives and rights of transgender women in the UK? In this episode: Jess O’Thomson, Journalist and legal researcher Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, and Amy Walters with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Mariana Navarrete, Kingwell Ma, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:41

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Could a US-banned pesticide be behind mass sterilization?

4/24/2025
Approximately 1,500 former banana workers in Costa Rica say a US-made pesticide has left them sterile. Though banned in the United States in the 1970s, the chemical DBCP was still used by US fruit companies in countries with lax regulations. Decades later, those affected are still fighting for justice. In this episode: @yelmjouie Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Remas Alhawari, Khaled Soltan, Sarí el-Khalili, Noor Wazwaz, and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:10

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US-Iran nuclear talks resume: What’s at stake now?

4/23/2025
Iran and the United States are holding indirect nuclear talks, mediated by Oman, with the next round set for Saturday. Both sides report progress, but major gaps remain. Iran seeks sanctions relief and civilian uranium enrichment, while the US insists on stricter limits. Could this be the moment the long-stalled negotiations finally produce a breakthrough? In this episode: @DorsaJabbari Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Khaled Soltan, and Tamara Khandaker with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Kingwell Ma, Marcos Bartolomé, Manuel Rapalo, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:01

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What's next for the Catholic Church after Pope Francis?

4/21/2025
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has died at age 88. His papacy broke barriers and redefined the Catholic Church’s global image — but also left tough questions unanswered. We look back on his legacy, the controversies that followed him, and what comes next for the church. In this episode: Virginia Pietromarchi (@vpietromarchi), Al Jazeera journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li, Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Amy Walters, with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:23:09

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What does the US military want in Guam, Japan and Hawaii?

4/21/2025
The United States military is ramping up its presence in Japan, Guam and Hawaii as tensions with China grow over Taiwan. A new documentary reveals how this buildup is affecting local communities. In a region that is also a staging ground for potential conflict, how are some residents pushing back? In this episode: @DanMing Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolome, Marina Navarrete, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Remas Alhawari, Kisaa Zehra, and Mariana Navarrete. Our guest host is Natasha Del Toro. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:36

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Six weeks without aid in Gaza, US bombs Yemen

4/20/2025
We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. Israel continued to bomb Palestinians in Gaza sheltering in tents. The US and Iran met again to negotiate. A picture of a Palestinian amputee won a major award. It is day 562 of the war in Gaza, where more than 51,065 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @Hind_Gaza@kahlout_moath@baysontheroad@stradfordch@stepvaessen Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:06:03

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Another Take: The meaning of Easter in Palestine

4/19/2025
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on March 29, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Easter holds special meaning for Christian Palestinians. For Good Friday, we speak to a Palestinian pastor raised in Bethlehem who underlines the parallels between the Israeli oppression of his people and the crucifixion of Jesus at the center of his faith. In this episode: @MuntherIsaac Episode credits: This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Khaled Soltan with Chloe K. Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:22:49

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Why did ICE deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

4/18/2025
What happens when the US ignores its own courts? Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported despite a judge’s order and imprisoned in El Salvador in one of the most notorious prisons in the world. The case reveals how gang allegations – often baseless – are still being used to deport immigrants. We unpack the decisions making it possible to turn Abrego Garcia’s life upside down. In this episode: @nayna_gupta Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat and Amy Walters, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarrete, and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:31

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Held without justice: A look inside Israeli prisons

4/17/2025
As Israel continues its assault on Gaza and military raids in the occupied West Bank, thousands of Palestinians - including children - remain in Israeli prisons, many without charge. It’s not a new phenomenon, with more than 800,000 Palestinians detained by Israel since the occupation began in 1967. On the 51st Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, we speak to a former prisoner about his experience. In this episode: @walidhabbas Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Ashish Malhotra, with Mariana Navarrete, Remas Alhawari, Kisaa Zehra, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:20:35

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Traveling to the US? Here's what you should know

4/16/2025
From scientists to students, travellers to the US are being stopped, searched and sometimes sent home for what is on their phones. What is the new reality at US borders under President Donald Trump – and how should you navigate it? In this episode: @albertmokhiber Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Kandakhar with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolomé, Sarí el-Khalili, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, and our host, Natasha del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:24:31

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Two years into Sudan’s civil war: What lies ahead?

4/15/2025
Sudan’s civil war has entered its third year. The Sudanese military has retaken the capital, Khartoum, but fighting is escalating in Darfur, where the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group is attacking the country’s largest camp for displaced people. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, is there any hope for peace? In this episode: @hiba_morgan Episode credits: This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Marcos Bartolme, Sonia Baghat, Mariana Navarrete, Kisaa Zehra, Remas AlHawari, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Duration:00:20:09