The Take

The battle over the investigation files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has reached a new turn with the US Congress voting for the Department of Justice to release its information on the case. As the world waits for what the full files may reveal, what do we know about the rich and elite who surrounded Epstein?

In this episode: 

• Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker), political correspondent and columnist, Zeteo 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sarí el-Khalili and Melanie Marich, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Diana Ferrero, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, Tamara Khandaker 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. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is operating in an unprecedented way during US President Donald Trump’s second term. The agency has existed for over 20 years, but now operates as a masked force. Imposters posing as agents have committed crimes such as kidnapping and sexual assault. The FBI has urged ICE officers to unmask and identify themselves. How did the agency get here?

In this episode:

•  Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam), reporter, ProPublica

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Sarí el-Khalili, and Diana Ferrero, with Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, Tamara Khandaker, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during a violent crackdown in 2024. Amid an unstable political landscape, will Hasina’s sentencing be a step forward for Bangladesh, or will it spark more unrest in the country?

In this episode:

• Ahmede Hussain, Editor, The Deltagram

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Farhan Rafid and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Diana Ferrero, Fatima Shafiq, Sarí el-Khalili, and our host, Manuel Rápalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The United States healthcare system is in crisis. With federal funding cuts and costs set to rise if government subsidies are allowed to expire, millions might not be able to afford health insurance next year. How did healthcare get to be so expensive and complicated in the world’s richest country?

In this episode:

• Dylan Scott (@dylanlscott), Senior Correspondent, Vox

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, Noor Wazwaz and Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Diana Ferrero, Farhan Rafid and Fatima Shafiq, Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Malika Billal. 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, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid, and Fatima Shafiq. Our host is Malika Bilal. 

Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner 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

This week: 39 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 260 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians from Gaza were sent to South Africa under unclear circumstances. Exchanges of remains continued between Hamas and Israel. Israel has killed more than 69,192 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:

• Bernard Smith, (@JazeeraBernard) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Nour Odeh, (@nour_odeh) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Hind Khoudary (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

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

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on Nov 3, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

‘Wait for the Great Nakba’ – a warning of forced mass displacement that vigilante settlers have been spreading, as Israeli violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank reaches levels not seen in decades. The Take speaks to Palestinian activist Issa Amro, who was kidnapped, tortured, and assaulted by armed settlers and soldiers in the city of Hebron.

In this episode:

• Issa Amro (@Issaamro), Activist and Human Rights Defender 
• Nida Ibrahim (nida_journo), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, Fahrinisa Campana, Miranda Lin, and our guest host Natasha Del Toro. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

After years of hype and sky-high bets, artificial intelligence (AI) may be heading for a crash. Jobs, investments, and faith in the technology could all suffer. But could a burst bubble be good for the field’s long-term outlook? We speak to an AI industry insider.

In this episode:

• Paul Ford (@ftrain), president and co-founder, Aboard

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Marcos Bartolomé, with Phillip Lanos, Tamara Khandaker, Diana Ferrero, Farhan Rafid and Fatima Shafiq, and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. 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

After two weeks of being held in a US immigration detention center, British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi is set to be released. In this episode, we hear from his wife, Soumaya Hamdi, about Sami's pro-Palestine advocacy, her family's ordeal and what her husband's arrest says about free speech under Donald Trump.

In this episode: 

• Soumaya Hamdi, wife of Sami Hamdi
• Hussam Ayloush, CEO of CAIR-CA

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Noor Wazwaz and Melanie Marich with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Diana Ferraro, Farhan Rafid and Fatime Shafiq and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Special thanks to Abubakr al Shamahi.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. 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

Days after Shein opened its first location in Paris, France is threatening to ban the Chinese fast-fashion giant. The threat follows months of hand-wringing over Shein’s growing footprint in France, topped off by the discovery of child-like sex dolls and weapons from third-party sellers on its website. on its third-party online marketplace. With growing backlash, will the controversial company survive in Europe’s fashion capital?

In this episode:

• Claire Roussel (@claire_roussel), fashion journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Noor Wazwaz, Tracie Hunte, and Melanie Marich, with Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, Tamara Khandaker, and guest host, Natasha del Toro. 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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

A long siege by al-Qaeda-linked fighters has left Bamako low on fuel, food and power. Life has stalled and fear is growing across Mali. The crisis now tests a military government that has promised safety yet cannot break the blockade. What does this mean for Mali and the wider region?

In this episode:

• Beverly Ochieng (@BeverlyOchieng), analyst at Control Risks

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Diana Ferrero, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, Tamara Khandaker, and our 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. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube