The Take

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on December 12, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Lionel Messi - considered by many to be the greatest football player of all time - is two wins away from finally winning a World Cup. And though much of his native Argentina is behind him - they are not the only ones. Continents away, in parts of India and Bangladesh, Argentina and Messi superfans also hope to see him lift the cup. So what’s behind the Messi mania in South Asia, and what does it say about the soft power of ‘the beautiful game?’
In this episode:
Somdutta Bhattacharyya, Argentina superfan in India
Tamjidul Hoque (@TamjidulH24v2), Argentina superfan in Bangladesh
Jasmine Garsd (@JasGarsd), Host, The Last Cup
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Chloe K. Li, Ruby Zaman, and Halla Mohieddeen.
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.
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Artificial intelligence education now starts at the age of 6 in China. The Ministry of Education has rolled out new guidelines to teach AI at every grade level. For President Xi Jinping, AI is a priority. Will the toddlers of today be the tech titans of the future?
This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 18, 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed.
In this episode:
Katrina Yu (@Katmyu), Al Jazeera Correspondent
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili, and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Farhan Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
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.
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A ceasefire has been reached. The Strait of Hormuz is reopening. Markets are moving. But Israel is still fighting, Iran's nuclear program is unresolved, and the hardest talks haven't even started. What does this deal actually mean?
In this episode:
Maziar Motamedi (@MotamediMaziar), Al Jazeera correspondent
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili.
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.
Connect with us:
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A remote Albanian island has a new nickname: Kushner Island. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and founder of investment firm Affinity Partners, plans to build a $14bn luxury resort there. The project has sparked large protests, with crowds chanting, “Albania is not for sale.” Is this the future Albanians want, or a sellout of their land to foreign wealth?
In this episode:
Mitchell Prothero (@mitchprothero), Journalist
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Noor Wazwaz and Marcos Bartolomé with Spencer Cline, Jana Dabliz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Rick Rush.
The Take is produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal.
Our editorial intern is Jana Dabliz. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: 256 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 983 Palestinians in Gaza. Iran and US to agree on deal. Israel launches new attacks on Lebanon. Amnesty International accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing. Israel has killed at least 72,993 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:
Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Heidi Pett, (@heidipett_), Al Jazeera Correspondent
Dmitry Medvedenko, (dmitry_aj), Al Jazeera Correspondent
Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera correspondent
Hani Mahmoud, (Ahaniabuishaiba), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube