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 September 25, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

TikTok’s feed is famous for knowing users better than they know themselves. Now, a US deal could put that power in the hands of Trump allies and tech giants. What might change for the 170 million Americans on the app – and what does this fight reveal about control of speech and data?

In this episode: 
Robert Rogowsky, Professor of Trade and Economic Diplomacy, Middlebury Institute for International Studies

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sari el-Khalili, and Chloe K Li, with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolome, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

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

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 25, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
TikTok&rsquo;s feed is famous for knowing users better than they know themselves. Now, a US deal could put that power in the hands of Trump allies and tech giants. What might change for the 170 million Americans on the app &ndash; and what does this fight reveal about control of speech and data?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Robert Rogowsky, Professor of Trade and Economic Diplomacy, Middlebury Institute for International Studies</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sari el-Khalili, and Chloe K Li, with Manny Panaretos, Melanie Marich, Marcos Bartolome, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 
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&rsquo;s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Another Take: Inside the TikTok deal – the politics of the algorithm 

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?

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 11, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

In this episode: 
Lila Hassan (@lilahass), Investigative Journalist

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 X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Many of the images that have been seen from Israel&rsquo;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?
This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on April 11, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.&nbsp;
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Lila Hassan (@lilahass), Investigative Journalist</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Melanie Marich and Sonia Bhagat, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K. Li, Kisaa Zehra, Remas Alhawari, Sar&iacute; el-Khallili, and Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. 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">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Why is evidence of  Israel's war crimes in Gaza disappearing?

What's behind the organization of protests in Minneapolis? The city has seen the mobilization of local rapid response networks, mutual aid groups, and observers like Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents. Organizers are drawing on lessons from movements that emerged after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd, building a sustained movement for community defense.

In this episode: 


Marcia Howard (@marciahoward38thstreet), President of Minneapolis Federation of Educators, Local 59, Community Steward of George Floyd Square 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. 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

What's behind the organization of protests in Minneapolis? The city has seen the mobilization of local rapid response networks, mutual aid groups, and observers like Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents. Organizers are drawing on lessons from movements that emerged after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd, building a sustained movement for community defense.
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
Marcia Howard (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/marciahoward38thstreet/?hl=en">@marciahoward38thstreet</a>), President of Minneapolis Federation of Educators, Local 59, Community Steward of George Floyd Square&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Tamara Khandaker, Tuleen Barakat, and our host, Malika Bilal. 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.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Protesters, power cuts and Sri Lanka’s persistent president

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