• 2025 in Review: How Elon Musk’s Trump alliance triggered backlash against Tesla
    Dec 24 2025

    As 2025 wraps up, we're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined our year at The Take. This originally aired on March 21. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.

    Backlash to Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s alliance is hitting Tesla hard. The company is facing boycotts, protests, and attacks on cars, showrooms and charging stations. Tesla stock is plummeting. The US attorney general and Trump called the attacks “domestic terrorism”. In this episode, we look at what is driving public opposition to Tesla.

    In this episode:

    • Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn), Tech Correspondent, NPR
    • Jen Cousins, Tesla Takedown Activist

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Tamara Khandaker, with Ashish Malhotra, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 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.

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    @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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    23 mins
  • 2025 in Review: Why did Bad Bunny's anthem to Puerto Rico strike a global chord?
    Dec 23 2025

    We’re looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on February 10. None of the dates or references have been changed.

    Bad Bunny’s new album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, became the number-one streamed album worldwide. It mixes different Puerto Rican music genres and touches on themes of gentrification and a loss of cultural identity. How is the album bringing the Puerto Rican fight for survival to the world?

    In this episode:

    • Jorell Meléndez-Badillo (@jorellmelendezb), Author of “Puerto Rico: A National History”

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, with Hanah Shokeir, Hagir Saleh, Melanie Marich 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.

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    @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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    26 mins
  • 2025 in Review: Rwanda, M23, and the battle for Goma
    Dec 22 2025

    We're looking back at 10 of the episodes that defined 2025 at The Take. This originally aired on January 30. None of the dates or references have been changed.

    Bodies are lining the streets of Goma and hospitals are overwhelmed after an escalation in the long-simmering conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwandan-backed M23 group claims it took control of the city, and the DRC has called it a declaration of war by Rwanda. But why is Rwanda involved and what are its interests?

    In this episode:

    • Kambale Musavuli (@kambale), Analyst, Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.

    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.

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    23 mins
  • Brief: Mediators say Israeli ceasefire violations threaten deal
    Dec 21 2025

    This week: 81 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 394 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza continued to struggle to find food. Israel further expanded its presence in Syria. Israel has killed more than 70,925 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

    In this episode:

    • Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
    • Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent
    • Gabriel Elizondo, (@elizondogabriel) Al Jazeera Correspondent
    • Gemma Nash, (@GemmaNash10) Al Jazeera Presenter

    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 Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

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    6 mins
  • Another Take: What US tariffs mean for Shein and Temu shoppers
    Dec 20 2025

    Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 6. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

    Are US tariffs about to end the “add to cart” era? United States President Donald Trump’s move to end the de minimis exemption closes a loophole used by Shein, Temu and others to ship duty-free. With costs likely passed to shoppers, consumers are starting to rethink the real price of ultra-cheap clothing.

    In this episode:

    • Aja Barber (@ajabarber), author, Consumed

    Episode credits:

    This episode was updated by Tracie Hunt. The original production team was Noor Wazwaz, Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marya Khan, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

    Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

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    25 mins
  • What’s driving Cuba’s largest exodus in decades?
    Dec 19 2025

    Beset by food shortages, blackouts, and severe inflation, a growing number of Cubans are leaving the island. What’s driving them, where are they going, and why is the government no longer trying to stop it from happening?

    In this episode:

    • Andrés Pertierra (@ASPertierra), historian

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

    Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad el-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

    Connect with us:

    @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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    22 mins
  • Imani Barbarin on disability rights, COVID and the war on Gaza
    Dec 18 2025

    Why does the public understanding of disability lag so far behind reality? TikTok influencer and disability activist Imani Barbarin lays this out for her audiences on social media, where she has amassed nearly a million followers across platforms. In this episode, Barbarin shares her perspectives on disability at the intersection of issues, including COVID and the genocidal war on Gaza.

    In this episode:

    • Imani Barbarin (@Imani_Barbarin), Disability Advocate

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Melanie Marich and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tracie Hunte, Diana Ferrero, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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    23 mins
  • Bethlehem marks Christmas under shadow of Gaza war
    Dec 17 2025

    Christmas lights are back on in Bethlehem for the first time since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began. Yet behind the celebrations, deep economic hardships and mounting pressure from Israeli military incursions and settler violence continue to shape daily life for Palestinian Christians across the occupied West Bank.

    In this episode:

    • Rev Dr Fares Abraham (@faresabraham), Founder and President, Levant Ministries

    Episode credits:

    This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Haleema Shah, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, Tamara Khandaker, 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 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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    23 mins