The Take

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on October 24, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

The World Cup is about to head to the Middle East for the first time. Ever since it was announced back in 2010 that the tournament would be held in Qatar, the country has been getting ready to host the world’s biggest sporting event. In this episode, the first in The Take’s coverage of the World Cup, we look at some of the preparations for the tournament, their asso...

Colombia just had the closest vote in its history. A right-wing political outsider with a Trump endorsement beat a left-wing veteran by less than a point. What does this mean for Colombia, and for the Latin American left?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sonia Bhagat with Spencer Cline, Jana Dabliz, Catherine Nouhan, Noor Wazwaz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu...

A UN inquiry has documented the scale of child deaths in Gaza since October 2023. It lays out mass killings, destroyed hospitals, and blocked aid, even accusing Israel of war crimes and possible genocidal acts. What does accountability look like now?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana with Marcos Bartolomé, Tamara Khandaker, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video ed...

The excitement of the World Cup has arrived in North America. But behind it have been stories of fans being denied visas, players being searched by sniffer dogs, and Iran’s team being forced to base itself outside the US. What happens when a global tournament collides with US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies?

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat and Tamara Khandaker with Marcos Bartolomé, Spencer Cline, Jana Dabliz, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal...

Gaza’s footballers have lost teammates, stadiums and entire seasons. Some have lost limbs. Yet they continue to play. As the World Cup unfolds across North America, Maram Humaid reports from Gaza on the athletes, coaches and fans determined to keep football alive.

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé with Noor Wazwaz, Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. 

The Take...

This week: 263 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 983 Palestinians in Gaza. Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after Israel continues to attack Lebanon. More than 4000 people killed in Lebanon since March. Israel aims to continue its military occupation in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza. Israel has killed at least 73,018  Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Episode cre...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on December 12, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Lionel Messi - considered by many to be the greatest football player of all time - is two wins away from finally winning a World Cup. And though much of his native Argentina is behind him - they are not the only ones. Continents away, in parts of India and Bangladesh, Argentina and Messi superfans also hope to see him lift the cup. So what’s behind the Messi ma...

Artificial intelligence education now starts at the age of 6 in China. The Ministry of Education has rolled out new guidelines to teach AI at every grade level. For President Xi Jinping, AI is a priority. Will the toddlers of today be the tech titans of the future?

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 18, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

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This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bh...

A ceasefire has been reached. The Strait of Hormuz is reopening. Markets are moving. But Israel is still fighting, Iran's nuclear program is unresolved, and the hardest talks haven't even started. What does this deal actually mean?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Sal...

A remote Albanian island has a new nickname: Kushner Island. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and founder of investment firm Affinity Partners, plans to build a $14bn luxury resort there. The project has sparked large protests, with crowds chanting, “Albania is not for sale.” Is this the future Albanians want, or a sellout of their land to foreign wealth?

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz and Marcos Bartolomé with Spencer Cline, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal...

This week: 256 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 983 Palestinians in Gaza. Iran and US to agree on deal. Israel launches new attacks on Lebanon. Amnesty International accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing. Israel has killed at least 72,993  Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 13, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

It's still spring in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, but the world faces scorching hot temperatures. Summer heat has arrived early, setting records, claiming lives, and expected to get worse. Who's responsible and what should be done about it?

In this episode: 

Episod...

Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer has spent years using humor to face pain, break silence, and speak for a people under fire. In a moment of deep loss, he turns to the stage again. What can comedy still cut through?

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 7, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

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Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Noor Wazwaz. The original production team was Melanie Marich, Sonia Bh...

Israel and Iran may have stepped back from the brink for now, but Lebanon is still under fire. As families remain displaced and Israeli strikes continue, why do Lebanese civilians remain caught in the crossfire with no end in sight? 

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed thi...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in history, with controversies to match. From the US mass deportation campaign and travel restrictions to the war with Iran, football’s biggest stage is raising questions far beyond the game. 

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Rick Rush mixed this episode.

The Take...

This week: 249 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 951 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel attacks tent camp in Gaza city. 100 days since US and Israel launched war on Iran. Israel continues to strike Lebanon despite ceasefire. Israel has killed at least 72,961 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Hani Mahmoud, (Ahaniabuishaiba), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Ali Hashem, (@Alihashem), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Almigdad Alruhaid, (@AlMigdadAruhaid), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera correspondent

Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Senior Co...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 21, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Los Angeles, California is home to the second largest unhoused population in the United States. As an end to the pandemic and eviction moratoriums draw nearer, we’re asking: what will it take to resolve LA’s crisis of homelessness?

In this episode:

Episo...

A fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has crossed borders, raising alarms far beyond Central Africa. This time, the virus is a strain with no approved vaccine or treatment. As cases rise and governments scramble to respond, can the outbreak be contained before it spreads further?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 

Our soun...

Getting a visa can be expensive, frustrating, and for many people, unsuccessful. So what happens when governments outsource that process to private companies? An investigation by Lighthouse Reports examines VFS Global, the world’s largest visa processing firm, revealing how billions in applications generate enormous profits, even when visas are denied.

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by our guest host, David Enders, Sarí el-Khalili, and Catherine Nouhan. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush...

A video showing Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian prisoner has shaken Israel’s military and judiciary, leading to the arrest of the prosecutor who leaked it. But as the fallout centers on the leak, and not the events in the video, what does it mean for the victim of the so-called Sde Teiman affair?  

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 10th, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

...

This week: 242 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 922 Palestinians in Gaza.  Israel announced it would increase its control over Gaza. Israeli troops advanced further into Lebanon than they have in more than 25 years. Iran and the US continued indirect negotiations. Israel has killed more than 72,900 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 18th, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

The Australian government is set to implement the world’s strictest ban on social media for children. The law would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing sites like TikTok, X, and Facebook. It will be introduced to parliament in the coming weeks, but wouldn’t be implemented until next year. What’s behind it – and how could it work?

In this episode:

Canada is facing a separatist push unlike anything it has seen in decades. In Alberta, after hundreds of thousands signed a petition demanding a vote, a once fringe movement is now headed toward a government-backed referendum. Prime Minister Mark Carney warns this could become Canada’s Brexit moment. But how far could this movement really go?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili with Marcos Bartolomé, Catherine Nouhan and our guest host, Tamara Khandakar. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

US President Donald Trump is tightening the screws on Cuba, with an indictment against former Cuban President Raul Castro and military threats that echo Washington’s playbook in Venezuela. But after surviving decades of US pressure, Cuba is preparing. As blackouts spread and tensions rise, is this just political theater, or the beginning of a major confrontation?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Al...

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on March 28, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

Palestinians in Gaza are preparing to mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr. The holiday is happening during the escalation of Israel's war on Gaza, with aid blocked and families forced to flee again. Even focused on avoiding starvation, people are finding a way to mark the holiday during war.

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by...

US President Donald Trump claimed a deal with Iran was “largely negotiated”, before later saying talks were still ongoing. A draft US-Iran memorandum of understanding has sparked backlash in Washington, alarm in Israel and fresh questions over sanctions, nuclear talks and the shaky ceasefire. So how close are the two sides to a real agreement?

In this episode:  

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Sarí el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandak...

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 19, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

With nearly three million Twitch followers, Hasan Piker is one of the internet’s biggest political streamers. He blends humor, culture, and masculinity talk with sharp political commentary, drawing young men away from the US alt-right. And on Gaza, he has become one of the loudest US voices for Palestine.

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was upda...

This week: 235 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 880 Palestinians in Gaza. The Iran and US were said to be making progress in negotiations. World Central Kitchen reduces its work in Gaza. Israel deports international activists. Israel has killed more than 72,775 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 21, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Two viruses, two vaccines, one unequal system: Guinean health officials declared an Ebola epidemic after reporting the first cases of the virus since West Africa’s deadly outbreak ended in 2016. One thing that has changed since that last outbreak: the availability of a vaccine. But like we have seen with the coronavirus pandemic, the existence of a vaccine does not necessarily mean access to one.

In this ep...

We hear how San Diego’s Muslim community is grieving, supporting one another, and trying to move forward after an attack that shattered their sense of safety. How does a community begin healing after unimaginable loss?

In this episode:  

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexa...

From mosques to temples, old religious battles are back in India’s courts. A law passed after the Babri Masjid dispute was meant to stop exactly this. But new claims are moving forward again, as Hindu nationalism grows and many Muslims fear the protections once promised to them are slipping away.

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Noor Wazwaz, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker.  

Our sound...

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing the biggest crisis of his leadership after Labour’s bruising election losses sparked panic inside the party. As Nigel Farage and Reform UK gain ground, we examine why Starmer’s authority appears to be slipping before any formal challenge has even begun and whether Britain is entering another period of political instability.

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan and our host, Malika Bilal. It was e...

Ecuadorians say civilians are being abducted off the street as part of the military crackdown on drug cartels. President Daniel Noboa deployed Ecuador’s military to combat gangs after declaring an ‘internal armed conflict’ in 2024.  A new film from Al Jazeera's Faultlines hears from the family members of those who have been taken and human rights groups about the growing calls for justice.

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Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Tuleen Barakat, Marcos Bartolomé and our guest...

What is it actually like on board a flotilla to Gaza, knowing you'll likely be targeted and imprisoned? Until now, it's a story that's been told mostly in fragments, one vertical video at a time. This is the inside story of what it is like on the Global Sumud Flotilla: the drone attacks, the safety drills, the calls home, and the Palestinians in Gaza waiting to see if civilians can break a siege backed by a superpower. This episode is part of a three-part documentary series, The Flotillas, by The Take and AJ+.

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This week: 228 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 870 Palestinians in Gaza. Ceasefire extension in Lebanon doesn’t stop Israeli bombing. Palestinians mark 78 years since the Nakba. Iran to present plan on Strait of Hormuz. Israel has killed more than 72,757 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf...

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 1, 2020. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

When coronavirus hit the cruise industry, many passengers were allowed to disembark and were repatriated to their home countries. But as of mid-May, about 100,000 crew members were still at sea, trying to get home.

We speak with Sterling Howell, musician and cruise line entertainer crew member who was able to go home, Krista Thomas, former guest services director for Norwegian Cruises, and with many who are still...

Three people have died after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which provoked global concern and revived memories of COVID-19. Experts stress it is not the same virus, but after the pandemic, trust is fragile. What does this cruise ship outbreak reveal? 

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili with Chloe K. Li, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our v...

US President Donald Trump returns to Beijing after nine years to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trade war, conflict in Iran, and rising fears over Taiwan shape the talks. With global tensions mounting, can the two leaders find common ground, or will rivalry push the world further into crisis?

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, Alexandra Locke, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 

Our sound...

The University of Southern California has been selling bodies donated for scientific research and education to the U.S. Navy. Some are being used to train Israeli military surgical teams in Los Angeles – all without the donors’ consent. 

Watch the AJ+ documentary here and read the students' reporting here. 

In this episode: 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan...

The US Department of Defense released 162 files on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), following an order from President Donald Trump. The files included documents from the FBI, NASA, and the US State Department. As conspiracy theories soar all over the internet, what’s really in the files, and how significant is the release?

In this episode:

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edit...