Labor activist Chris Smalls is back in the US after imprisonment and abuse by Israeli forces for joining the Handala Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. He tells us about his time in detention, the silence from the US, and what the flotilla movement means for worldwide solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide.

In this episode:

• Chris Smalls (@Shut_downAmazon), Founder of The Amazon Labor Union

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat and Julia Muldavin, with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Marya Khan, and our host, Malika Bilal. 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. 

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A student uprising shook Bangladesh, toppling its most powerful leader. After 15 years in office, Sheikh Hasina’s grip on power broke under the pressure of a movement that began with a dispute over government jobs, and ended with her fleeing the country. To mark the anniversary, here’s the first episode of 36 July: Uprising in Bangladesh, the new season of Al Jazeera Investigates.

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Almost two years in, the war in Gaza is the deadliest conflict for journalists ever. With no foreign journalists allowed in, Palestinian reporters on the ground are the only ones who can tell the story to the world. But they face death threats, attacks, and now even starvation. How are reporters in Gaza doing their jobs amid such challenges?

In this episode:

• Hind Khoudary (@Hind_Gaza), Al Jazeera journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Chloe K. Li, Sonia Bhagat, Diana Ferrero, Sarí el-Khalil, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker and Melanie Marich and guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Marya Khan and Kisaa Zehra. Our guest host is Manuel Rápalo. 

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.

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US diplomats visited Gaza where Palestinians continue to die from an Israeli-imposed lack of food. Hezbollah said it would not disarm. It is day 667 of the war in Gaza, where at least 60,430 Palestinians have died.

In this episode:

• Hoda Abdel-Hamid, (@HodaAH) Al Jazeera Correspondent 
• Perry Wilton, Al Jazeera Producer 
• Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAlJaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent

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 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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Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 8, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

There’s been no accountability in the massive Beirut port explosion for five years. But a new hope suddenly emerged for families of the victims, when Judge Tarek Bitar reopened his dormant investigation into the blast, and into the leaders accused of letting it happen. Two days later, Lebanon’s Prosecutor General Ghassan Oweidat – one of those accused – issued his own charges against Bitar. Is this now the nail in the coffin for the blast investigation, or can the victims’ families still get justice?

In this episode:

• Kareem Chehayeb (@chehayebk), Reporter, Associated Press
• Mariana Fodoulian, Sister of Beirut Port Blast Victim

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Negin Owliaei, 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. 

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Tel Aviv nightlife and the Burger King order of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among the talking points of a viral podcast interview with the Nelk Boys. Influencer-driven podcasts are seeing a broader trend of interest in friendly interviews from world leaders and politicians, from Donald Trump to Kamala Harris. What happens when the powerful speak to massive new audiences without journalism?

In this episode:

• Nathan Robinson (@NathanJRobinson), Editor-in-Chief, Current Affairs

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, and Noor Wazwaz, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Marya Khan, 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.

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US President Donald Trump says AI is too “woke.” His executive order targets what he sees as liberal ideology in artificial intelligence tools in federal tech. But what biases already exist in AI tools like chatbots, and can the technology ever truly be neutral?

In this episode:

• Alejandra Montoya-Boyer (@alejandramontyb), Senior Director, Center for Civil Rights and Technology

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Diana Ferrero, Chloe K. Li, Marcos Bartolomé, and Julia Muldavin with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Marya Khan, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

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

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She was accused of having an affair. Then shot dead on camera, allegedly under orders from a tribal council in Balochistan. But only after the video of the killing went viral did authorities in Pakistan arrest suspects. What does the killing of Bano Bibi and Ehsan Ullah reveal about what it takes for victims to get justice?

In this episode:

• Sadia Baloch (@balochsadia2), Human Rights Defender

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Chloe K. Li, and Tamara Khandaker with Marya Khan,  Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra 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. 

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Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire after clashes along their disputed border, home to centuries-old temples and decades-old tensions. The conflict is tied to political dynasties, shifting alliances, and the growing influence of China. Can this ceasefire hold?

In this episode:

• Tony Cheng (@TLCBkk), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marya Khan, Kisaa Zehra, Melanie Marich, Julia Muldavin, Diana Ferrero, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. 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. 

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A choice between starvation or being shot at. That’s the decision many Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to make. More than 900 people have been killed at the GHF's aid distribution sites. Why is this happening, and what is being done to make it stop?

In this episode:

• Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu), Human Rights Lawyer and Analyst

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sarí el-Khalili, and Diana Ferrero, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Tamara Khandaker, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Marya Khan and Kisaa Zehra. Our guest host is Manuel Rapalo. 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube