The Take

There’s a clear winner in Thailand’s election – the Move Forward party came through with three times the vote of the leading government party. That was two weeks ago. The people of Thailand, led by the youth, came out in a move against the ruling elite. But to claim power, Move Forward also needs to win a vote in Thailand’s senate, appointed by the military. Now that Thailand has voted for change, will the country have the opportunity to see it through? In this episode:  Tony Cheng (@TLCBkk), Al Jazeera Bangkok correspondent  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters with Chloe K. Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Tina Turner, whose music career spanned five decades, died last week at the age of 83. With her dynamic stage presence, powerful vocals, and electrifying energy, she consistently delivered unforgettable live performances that captivated audiences around the world. Though she was American, Turner said she felt she was a bigger star outside the United States. There’s been an outpouring of tributes to her from her fans around the world, from Australia to Albania. So what’s behind her international appeal?  In this episode:  Taro Gold (@TaroGold), author and singer Chelsi West Ohueri (@AnthroBalkans), assistant professor of Slavic and Eurasian studies, University of Texas Eileen Shenkmann, Tina Turner fan Andrew Thomas (@and_thomasComms), Al Jazeera correspondent  Jadey O'Regan (@hellodrjadey), lecturer of contemporary music, University of Sydney Scott Dawkins (@dawkins_scott), Tina Turner fan Andrew Coombes, (@andrewcoombes), Al Jazeera producer  Stefanie Batten Bland, assistant professor of theater and dance, Montclair State University  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat and Ashish Malhotra, and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Tim St. Clair. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Are we on the verge of another workplace revolution? It’s possible to work fewer hours and keep the same level of pay and productivity, according to results of the largest-ever trial of a four-day workweek held in the United Kingdom. Traditional work routines were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there’s increased demand for more flexible schedules. But in many parts of the world, even a five-day week is a luxury. So can a four-day workweek work for everyone? In this episode:  Juliet Schor (@JulietSchor) Sociology Professor at Boston College and Lead Researcher, 4-Day Week Global Wen Fan, Associate Professor at Boston College and Researcher, 4-Day Week Global Kıvanç Eliaçık (@Diskinsesi) International Director for the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) Ignacia López, Chilean Labor Lawyer Jaya Dass (@Randstad_SG) Managing Director of Permanent Recruitment in Asia Pacific at Randstad Episode credits: This episode was produced by Miranda Lin and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Tim St. Clair. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.  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, and Facebook

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, has rocked Sudan for six weeks now. The doctors expected to treat the wounded are dealing with crisis after crisis. Supplies are limited and many hospitals that have survived gunfire and shelling are reported to have become military outposts. Doctors also say they face harassment campaigns based on their past political activity. Only a handful of hospitals remain open across the country. The Take hears how medical staff in Sudan are organizing themselves and keeping people alive through the chaos.  In this episode:  Dr. Ahmed Omer, emergency medicine specialist Mat Nashed (@matnashed), journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei, David Enders and our host, Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Will the war in Ukraine hinge on Bakhmut? It’s been almost one year since the fight for the town began. Now, Russia state media is finally claiming victory in the battle, but Ukrainian military officials say the war may soon turn. Newly supplied by NATO countries, Ukraine is preparing for a counteroffensive that might strike a territory at the heart of Russia’s interests. As for Bakhmut, which was largely captured by Russian mercenaries with the Wagner Group, they will be withdrawing – leaving the Russian military to take their place. So what’s next for Ukraine? In this episode:  Mansur Mirovalev (@mirovalev), journalist covering Ukraine for Al Jazeera  Charles Stratford (@stratfordch), Al Jazeera correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, with Chloe K. Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Vinicius Junior, a star footballer for Real Madrid, says Spain’s top league “now belongs to racists.” The Afro-Brazilian player’s declaration comes after a match in which opposing fans from Valencia were filmed chanting the racial epithet “monkey” at him after an altercation on the pitch. This isn’t the first time Vinicius has been targeted by racial abuse this season, and he’s called out Spain’s La Liga for being complicit. Will this latest incident prompt the league to act?  In this episode:  Moha Gerehou (@MohaGerehou) Journalist and anti-racism activist Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) Football journalist based in Brazil Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat with Ashish Malhotra and our host, Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

English rivers are polluted. Could giving them legal rights clean them up? In the town of Lewes, the answer to that question was yes. In February, the town’s council voted yes to a rights of river motion, the first in the UK. This motion is the first step in a two-year long journey to give the River Ouse legal representation and rights. The UK is facing heavy river pollution: most of them are not swimmable, and all failed a quality test in 2019. Since then, government testing of rivers has only plummeted. Lewes’ council now takes on the task of figuring out what exactly rights of a river should be.  In this episode:  Matthew Bird (@mjbirdy), mayor and former councillor of Lewes  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

The battle for the 2024 US election is heating up – and the biggest challenger to former president Donald Trump seems to be Ron DeSantis. He’s the current governor of Florida, a key battleground in nationwide elections. Time and time again, he has promised to bring the blueprint of what he’s accomplished in Florida to a national scale. He gained notice when he lifted COVID-19 regulations earlier than most other US states. As governor, he’s also made sweeping changes to education and immigration, as well as feuded with the Disney Corporation. With a formal campaign announcement expected this week, does he have a chance against former President Trump? In this episode:  Michael Kruse (@michaelkruse), senior staff writer at Politico  Mansoor Adayfi (@mansooradayfi), author and former Guantanamo prisoner  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li with Amy Walters, and our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

It’s not just the southern US border that’s changed policy this year – it’s also happening at the border with Canada. For decades, border crossings like Roxham Road near Quebec have allowed migrants to enter Canada from the United States to seek asylum. In March, the two countries extended a deal known as the Safe Third Country Agreement, which allows Canada to send asylum seekers back to the United States. The deal had previously only applied to official border points. So what will a harder border mean for Canada, and for the people trying to get there? In this episode:  Naqib Sarwary (@SarwaryNaqib), Philanthropy Officer, Amnesty International Canada, and Afghan refugee Alex Neve (@AlexNeve24), Former secretary-general, Amnesty International Canada Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra with Sonia Bhagat and our host, Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Miranda Lin fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Tim St. Clair mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

It’s the first union of its kind on the continent for African content moderators. Moderation is a crucial but thankless job that requires being exposed to the worst parts of the internet. While AI is rapidly developing, it still relies on an army of humans to fine-tune the technology. But especially at outsourcing centers abroad, workers say their Big Tech employers aren’t doing enough to safeguard and support their mental health. The moderators' union was created after a former Facebook moderator in Kenya, Daniel Motaung, sued the social media giant and its subcontractor, saying his work in their Nairobi office caused him to suffer long-term mental trauma.  In this episode:  Martha Dark (@martha__dark), co-founder and director of Foxglove John Kamara (@jjkamara), co-founder of AI Center of Excellence Africa  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Miranda Lin and our host, Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Leaders from seven of the world’s industrial powers – the Group of Seven – are meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. It’s a sobering stage – 77 years ago, the United States dropped the first of two atomic bombs in Hiroshima, and today, the threat of nuclear war is at its highest in years. This year’s G7 agenda will be focused on continued financial support for Ukraine and creating a joint message against Russia. But will there be time or money at the summit in Hiroshima to get the world closer to peace?  In this episode:  James Bays (@baysontheroad), Al Jazeera diplomatic editor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, with Chloe K. Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

It’s a new era for US migration. The controversial policy known as Title 42 expired last week after three years. It allowed border authorities to reject people looking to seek asylum in the US on the spot and turn them back, on the grounds that they might be carrying COVID-19. The end of Title 42 has many expecting an increase in migration in the next few months, under the belief that it will now be easier for people to seek asylum in the US. But others believe the policy replacing Title 42 will actually be stricter.  So what does the end of Title 42 actually mean for people trying to get asylum in the United States? In this episode:  John Holman (@johnholman100), Al Jazeera Mexico correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and our host, Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Greece is gearing up for a vote on May 21, but several major scandals could pave the way for other political parties to gain ground from the ruling New Democracy party. From a tragic train collision to a government wiretapping, some argue this may be the most unpredictable election in over a decade. To make things more uncertain, an estimated 440,000 young people are set to vote for the first time. How decisive will their vote be? In this episode:  Moira Lavelle (@Alohamoira), Athens-based journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat with Negin Owliaei and our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

The last week has been a whirlwind in Pakistan. On May 9, former Prime Minister Imran Khan – one of the most popular leaders in the nation’s history – was arrested. The video of the arrest went viral, showing military forces barging into a courtroom where Khan was sitting. Khan has now been released on bail, but he has called for his supporters to protest across the country. So what exactly happened last week in Pakistan? And what does Imran Khan’s relationship with the military have to do with it?  In this episode:  Abid Hussain (@abidhussayn), Al Jazeera journalist in Pakistan  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters, with Chloe K. Li and Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan.  Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

May 15th is when Palestinians mark ‘the catastrophe’, or their forced expulsion from the land that became the state of Israel. Those living in Gaza say every day is an ongoing catastrophe. About 70% of Gazans are Palestinian refugees. For the last 16 years, Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza. Travel is heavily controlled, jobs are scarce and the threat of escalation of violence is constant. While the older generations still dream of a return to their homeland, the younger generations say their futures have been stolen.  In this episode:  Maram Humaid (@MaramGaza) Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza Episode credits: This episode was produced by Miranda Lin and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.  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, and Facebook

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spent nearly two decades at the top of Turkey’s democracy – first as prime minister, now as president. On May 14, Turkey will head to the polls in the first round of the country’s presidential elections, and it’s highly contested after the last few years. As for his main challenger, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, he once won an award as Turkey’s “bureaucrat of the year.” Now, he is the face of a broad coalition, representing everyone from right to left – all with the goal of turning the page on Erdogan’s presidency. Will they succeed?  In this episode:  Sandra Gathmann (@sandragathmann) Presenter, Start Here For more:  Why the Turkish elections are a big test for Erdoğan – Start Here Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei with Sonia Bhagat and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.  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, and Facebook

It’s been one year since Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces while doing her job. Independent investigations into the killing have found it was Israeli forces who shot her. After Israeli and US investigations found the killing was unintentional, Shireen’s family and colleagues continued to call for an independent investigation. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation announced an investigation in November, but it’s unclear where the probe stands. So what happened to that investigation, and will there ever be justice for Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing? In this episode:  Ali Harb, (@harbpeace) Al Jazeera English journalist Rania Zabaneh (@RZabaneh), Al Jazeera English journalist, Occupied West Bank Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters with Ashish Malhotra and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.  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, and Facebook

There's an island in the Indian Ocean that's part of France. It's called Mayotte, and it's become a front line in the story of those seeking asylum in the European Union. Mayotte was part of neighboring Comoros until 1975. Now, Comorians and others are fleeing to Mayotte by boat seeking asylum or a better life. About 1,800 security officers have been deployed from mainland France as part of Operation Wuambushu, which means “take back” in Mayotte’s local language. The government says that the shantytowns full of people are becoming economy, safety, and health concerns. The move has sparked demonstrations for and against the operation. In this episode:  Dawud Bumaye (@dawudbumaye), Afro-feminist and Comoran activist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan.  Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

TV and film writers in the US – 11,500 of them – have walked off the job for the first time in 15 years. On May 2, their negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down. One of the bargaining points: the role of AI in writing a script. The Writers Guild wants to put regulations on artificial intelligence into their contract, and they say the studios have turned them down – leading to the question of how studios envision future writers’ rooms. The Take explores the balance of power between writers and studios.  In this episode:  John August (@johnaugust), Screenwriter and member, Writers Guild of America negotiating committee Episode credits: This episode was produced by Negin Owliaei with Sonia Bhagat and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Special thanks to the Scriptnotes podcast and Drew Marquardt. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan.  Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers. 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, and Facebook

Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Iran has looked abandoned for years. It was stormed by Iranian protesters back in 2016, and it closed – an extreme low point in the two countries’ relations. A dramatic breakthrough in March led to a landmark agreement to restore ties, brokered in China. Now, both countries’ embassies are set to reopen, turning a page on seven frosty years. So what does restoring relations mean for these two powerful neighbors whose historically fractious relationship has defined the region – and, at times, the globe? In this episode:  Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera correspondent Aziz Alghashian (@AzizAlghashian), Fellow, Project SEPAD Episode credits: This episode was produced by Amy Walters with Ashish Malhotra and our host, Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.  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, and Facebook