Empty shelves, rising food and fuel costs along with power cuts are unifying much of Sri Lanka against its president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. And now, the economic crisis may be even worse. Rajapaksa’s government is announcing the country is no longer able to repay billions in loans. How did this happen? And what is in store for the people of Sri Lanka as the country continues to struggle with this new economic reality? 

In this episode:
Marisa DeSilva, Activist
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar, Senior Lecturer at the University of Jaffna
Dr. Vasan Ratnasingam, Media representative, Government Medical Officers’ Association

Connect with The Take: 

Twitter (@AJTheTake), Instagram (@ajthetake) and Facebook (@TheTakePod)

Empty shelves, rising food and fuel costs along with power cuts are unifying much of Sri Lanka against its president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. And now, the economic crisis may be even worse. Rajapaksa&rsquo;s government is announcing the country is no longer able to repay billions in loans. How did this happen? And what is in store for the people of Sri Lanka as the country continues to struggle with this new economic reality?&nbsp;
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Marisa DeSilva, Activist</li>
<li>Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar, Senior Lecturer at the University of Jaffna</li>
<li>Dr. Vasan Ratnasingam, Media representative, Government Medical Officers&rsquo; Association</li>
</ul>
Connect with The Take:&nbsp;
Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/AJTheTake">@AJTheTake</a>), Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajthetake/?hl=en">@ajthetake</a>) and Facebook (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheTakePod/">@TheTakePod</a>)

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 Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

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 Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take

The Take - Disco

Protesters, power cuts and Sri Lanka’s persistent president

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 7, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

United States President Donald Trump has initiated sweeping tariffs against even some of his country’s closest allies. It has caused alarm from analysts, consumers and trading partners. But who will be the biggest loser of Trump’s trade war?

In this episode: 
Vina Nadjibulla (@VinaNadjibulla),  Vice President of Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Sonia Bhagat. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Sarí el-Khalili, Marcos Bartolome, Noor Wazwaz and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 7, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
United States President Donald Trump has initiated sweeping tariffs against even some of his country&rsquo;s closest allies. It has caused alarm from analysts, consumers and trading partners. But who will be the biggest loser of Trump&rsquo;s trade war?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Vina Nadjibulla (<a href="https://x.com/VinaNadjibulla">@VinaNadjibulla</a>),  Vice President of Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Sonia Bhagat. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Marcos Bartolome, Noor Wazwaz and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. 
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio.&nbsp;Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>

Another Take: How Trump’s tariffs are changing the rules of global trade

Sudan’s civil war is shifting into a drone-driven phase, erasing the lines between battlefield and civilian life. As Ramadan begins under famine conditions, how do the people of Sudan mark the holy month in the midst of war?

In this episode: 
Hiba Morgan (@hiba_morgan), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili and Melanie Marich with Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Ney Alvarez. 

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Sudan&rsquo;s civil war is shifting into a drone-driven phase, erasing the lines between battlefield and civilian life. As Ramadan begins under famine conditions, how do the people of Sudan mark the holy month in the midst of war?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Hiba Morgan (<a href="https://x.com/hiba_morgan?lang=en">@hiba_morgan</a>), Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili and Melanie Marich with Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Ney Alvarez.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>

How are killer drones reshaping the conflict in Sudan

The Board of Peace is set to hold its first meeting, chaired by US President Donald Trump. On the table is the ceasefire in Gaza and fundraising for its reconstruction. Around two dozen countries have signed on to the Board of Peace – but many key US allies have not. Meanwhile, Trump has said the vision for Gaza extends “far beyond” it. Who’s in, who’s out, and what does it mean for Gaza and the world?

In this episode: 
Ali Harb (@harbpeace), Al Jazeera Journalist 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, with Sonia Bhagat, Melanie Marich, Tuleen Barakat, and Maya Hamadeh. 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Board of Peace is set to hold its first meeting, chaired by US President Donald Trump. On the table is the ceasefire in Gaza and fundraising for its reconstruction. Around two dozen countries have signed on to the Board of Peace &ndash; but many key US allies have not. Meanwhile, Trump has said the vision for Gaza extends &ldquo;far beyond&rdquo; it. Who&rsquo;s in, who&rsquo;s out, and what does it mean for Gaza and the world?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Ali Harb (<a href="https://x.com/Harbpeace">@harbpeace</a>), Al Jazeera Journalist&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, with Sonia Bhagat, Melanie Marich, Tuleen Barakat, and Maya Hamadeh. 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&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>

Protesters, power cuts and Sri Lanka’s persistent president

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