The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines. With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal...
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Episode List

Another Take: The biggest rivalry in sport – India and Pakistan in cricket

Feb 14th, 2026 5:00 AM

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 12, 2024. None of the references have been changed. Whenever India and Pakistan meet in cricket, it’s one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, and June 2024 was no different. We went to the stadium for a screening of the highly-anticipated T20 match, played on neutral ground in New York, to capture the sights and sounds, and explain the significance of one of the world’s biggest sporting rivalries. In this episode: Ashish Malhotra (@amalhotra2), producer at The Take Tabish Talib (@tabish_talib), senior producer at AJ+ Episode credits: This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Tabish Talib and Tamara Khandaker, with Duha Mosaad, Chloe K Li, and our host, Malika Bilal.. 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.

Inside India and Pakistan’s explosive cricket rivalry

Feb 13th, 2026 5:00 AM

The biggest cricket match of the Men’s T20 World Cup almost didn’t happen. Pakistan said it would not play India, sending shockwaves through the sport and triggering urgent talks between officials and governments. After days of tense negotiations, the standoff ended and the rivals are set to meet on Sunday. What changed, and what will it mean when they take the field? In this episode: Hafsa Adil (@hafsa_adil), Sports Journalist at Al Jazeera Episode credits: This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Chloe K. Li, Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

How deep do Epstein’s ties to Britain’s elite go?

Feb 12th, 2026 5:00 AM

Ex-Prince Andrew was the tip of the iceberg. The latest trove of Epstein files reveals new details about former UK envoy Peter Mandelson's ‘best pal’ relationship with the convicted sex offender that have pushed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour into a new crisis. Is this the scandal that defines Labour? In this episode: Kieran Andrieu (@kieran_andrieu) Political Economist and Novara Media contributor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, with Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe Li, Spencer Cline, Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat, Sonia Bhagat and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Bangladesh's election tests the power of Gen Z

Feb 11th, 2026 8:02 AM

For the first time since the 2024 uprising, Bangladesh is heading to the polls. Voters will pick a new parliament and weigh in on a controversial "July Charter." With Gen Z now the largest voting bloc, will this election deliver real change? In this episode: Tanvir Chowdhury (@tanvirbengal), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz and Chloe K. Li with Marcos Bartolomé, Tuleen Barakat, Maya Hamadeh, Sonia Bhagat, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. 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. For more: Al Jazeera Investigates - 36 July: Uprising in Bangladesh Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Jeffrey Epstein’s 'one single cause': Israel

Feb 10th, 2026 5:00 AM

What do we know about Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Israel? We talk with Craig Mokhiber, who spent decades inside the UN system, about what millions of newly released files reveal about Epstein's effort to reshape the Middle East in Israel's favor, why this story remains underreported, and what it means for how power operates globally. In this episode: Craig Mokhiber (@craigmokhiber), Human Rights Lawyer and Former UN Official Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Chloe K. Li, and Tamara Khandaker, with Melanie Marich, Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 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. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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