The Take

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Betar US claims responsibility for giving names of pro-Palestinian activists, including Mahmoud Khalil, to the Trump administration. We examine Betar’s roots, reach, and the institutions that surround it. Who’s backing this group, and why are students its latest target? In this episode: @jonahmv Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolomé, Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Kisaa Zehra, 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 Melanie Marich, Remas Alhawari, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarrete. Our guest host is Kevin Hirten. 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

We're coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria continues. Video emerged showing Israel killing Palestinian medics, contradicting official Israeli claims about what happened to them. Americans protested at the White House. It is day 555 of the war there, where more than 50,912 Palestinians have been killed. In this episode: @HeidiZhouCastro@TareqAzzom@nour_odeh@shihab_rattansi 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

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 11, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Interest in tax resistance is spiking in the US, ahead of the April 15 deadline when most Americans’ tax bills will come due. How many of them know where those tax dollars go, and how much of those taxes fund wars around the world? In this episode: @lindsaykosh Episode credits: This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was David Enders, Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, Sonia Bhagat, and our host Natasha Del Toro. 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

Many of the images that have been seen from Israel’s war in Gaza have already been seen for the last time. With Gaza under siege from the Israeli military and tech companies censoring and taking down material, the responsibility falls on the people of Gaza to document and archive their own evidence of war crimes and genocide. How will it survive? In this episode: @lilahass Episode credits: This episode was produced by Melanie Marich and Sonia Bhagat, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Sarí el-Khallili, and 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

Ecuador heads to the polls gripped by spiraling violence and political uncertainty. Once one of South America’s safest nations, it now has the highest homicide rate in the region. The presidential run-off pits Daniel Noboa, the incumbent who’s militarised the streets, against Luisa Gonzalez, a left-winger promising social reform. Both offer starkly different futures. Which will voters choose? In this episode: @lamanuelapicq Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, and Ashish Malhotra, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled Soltan, Mariana Navarrete, Melanie Marich, 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 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

Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine has not halted the surrogacy boom there. Instead, the industry has adapted, despite the war risking surrogate mothers’ physical and mental wellbeing. Why is Ukraine the main surrogacy hub in Europe – and at what cost? In this episode: @patriciasimonn Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Melanie Marich, Hanah Shokeir, Remas Alhawari, Kisaa Zehra, Ashish Malhotra, and our 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 Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube