The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

Latest Episodes:

The US journalist who became Putin's political prisoner | with Evan Gershkovich Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

In 2023, US journalist Evan Gershkovich was meeting a source when he was arrested by the FSB, Russia’s notorious spy agency. It made him the first Western reporter to be held on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War.

It would take 16 months before he was released in a historic prisoner swap brokered by President Biden - and he is now telling his story.

He speaks to Yalda about how the atmosphere in Russia changed for journalists, as the state tightened media controls over the war in Ukraine.

And he takes us back to the moment of his arrest, which he describes as being lured into a trap in a classic sting operation.

Also, he explains what life was like among political prisoners inside Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo jail - and why asking Vladimir Putin for an interview on his release was an act of defiance.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on the Sky News app and on our YouTube channel here.

Russell Brand: On Trial – A New Podcast Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

We’re introducing Sky News' new podcast – Russell Brand: On Trial

Listen to Russell Brand: On Trial on your podcast app

What happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway? Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on the press benches of court 3 at Southwark Crown Court.

Outside photographers gather to get images of Russell Brand as he walks in with his wife. No broadcast cameras or recording are allowed inside so Katie Spencer - arts and entertainment correspondent for Sky and crime commentator Martin Brunt - are your eyes and ears in court.

The first development: selecting the jury, the people who will decide if Russell Brand is guilty, or not guilty.

He faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges and the trial continues.

Follow the feed to get every episode.

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skynewspodcasts@sky.uk

Can Europe defend itself from Russia? With Deborah Haynes Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Since 2025, NATO has had to scramble fighter jets about 400 times in response to Russian drones or missiles entering its territory. So, is Europe ready to defend itself against Russia?

Richard, recently back from observing NATO exercises in Latvia, speaks to Sky News’ defence and security editor Deborah Haynes about why some European governments are sending out instruction manuals telling people what to do in the event of an attack from Russia.

They also discuss Russia's growing "hybrid attacks", which include tactics such as cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, and deniable incursions - that can complicate or divide an Article 5 response, the rule where all NATO members are expected to come to the aid of an ally under attack.

Haynes cites concerns from intelligence officials about possible Russian provocations and also describes her podcast-turned-TV show The Wargame, which models a Russian attack on the UK, exposing limited air defences and the narrow gap between conventional weakness and nuclear escalation.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can watch Richard’s NBC News package on the NATO exercises here.

You can listen to The Wargame podcast here.

For information about Sky's TV adaptation of The Wargame, click here.

To subscribe to Sky News’ Defence Insider click here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Pakistan's battle over Imran Khan Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Why is Pakistan so worried about Imran Khan?

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been locked up since 2023 but now a huge planned march demanding his release has sparked a strong reaction from the government.

Three of Imran Khan's sisters have also been detained, roads into Islamabad have been blocked with shipping containers and thousands of police officers have been deployed.

On today's podcast, Yalda speaks to Zulfi Bukhari, the former special advisor to Imran Khan, to find out why the former international cricket star provokes such emotion.

She also speaks to Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist currently living in exile, about what it's like being on the country's "kill list"

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

Could AI really take control of humanity? With ex-NASA scientist Will Marshall Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Space entrepreneur and former NASA scientist, Will Marshall, believes we're on the cusp of "the most profound choice humanity has ever made".

He tells Richard about the extraordinary potential of AI – and the risks it could pose to humanity.

Will, who is co-founder and chief executive of space company Planet, believes there could be a 50% or greater risk of humans losing control of AI if we continue on our current trajectory.

He suggests we could be approaching recursive self-improvement – when machines independently improve their own code and capabilities.

And he discusses what could happen if AI begins to develop at an accelerating pace, and the potential "one-way door" of handing over power.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Can we switch AI off before it's too late? Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Could AI really destroy humanity?

Nate Soares is a former AI scientist and author of If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies. He has been warning for years about the dangers of building AI superintelligence.

Yalda speaks to Nate about what could happen if AI development continues unchecked. Are we past pressing "off" if we had to?

The two also discuss the AI race between China and America as well as Nate's bleak warning for the future.

Check out last week's episode with ex-CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, on this feed.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

Eric Schmidt: Ukraine is changing warfare faster than ever Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

It’s been said this year that Ukraine has had some successes on the battlefield thanks to its use of drone warfare.

But- is that progress starting to slow down as Russia catches up?

This week, Richard is joined by Eric Schmidt, the former CEO and Chairman of Google, and ex-chairman of the US National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

He is now using his experience to advise Ukraine on its use of AI in drone warfare and provides them with advanced AI technology in his role as Chair and CEO of Relativity Space, an American manufacturing company.

Eric talks to Richard about why the use of AI has changed the nature of warfare forever, and why the West should still be worried about Russia’s use of it.

In this episode, Richard cites a NYT report on the alleged use of a Nvidia chip and AI in a Russian drone. For context, the report cites Ukrainian officials.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

A quick message Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

See you in September!

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

The 'Cockroaches': Why are thousands of young Indians protesting? Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Tear gas, baton charges and hunger strikes.

Thousands of young people have descended on New Delhi to demand the resignation of the education minister and a complete overhaul of the education system.

Many of them march under the banner of the ‘Cockroach’ - a movement that started as a satirical joke, but which has now become the symbol of youth resistance. What began online has now moved to the streets.

Yalda talks to Neville Lazarus, our correspondent in India, who has been at the protests, talking to those caught up in the police crackdown.

The two of them discuss the origins of the protests as well as the wider problems facing India's Gen Z.

Warning: today’s episode contains references to suicide and violence against women and girls.

If you have been affected by any of the issues Yalda and Neville discussed you can call The Samaritans, free of charge in the UK, on 116 123.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Inside Iran: Is the war about to escalate? Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Richard has just returned from Iran, where he witnessed the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He shares what he saw inside the country, answers your questions about reporting from Tehran as tensions flared once again, and explains what the funeral revealed about the mood inside Iran after months of conflict.

Richard is also joined by Professor Robert Pape, one of the world's leading experts on war and military strategy.

They look at why the Iranian regime still appears so resilient when the country has suffered such significant military blows. And is the US and Israel's strategy achieving its goals - or risking something much bigger?

Together they unpack Pape's theory of the "escalation trap", explore where Iran still holds leverage, and ask whether this conflict is any closer to ending, or about to accelerate.

Email your questions about to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

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