The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

The World and This Is Why join forces for a special episode on Israel's election - a contest that could have significant consequences for the Middle East and the wider world.Niall Paterson is joined live from Israel by Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel, asking why pollsters seem to have got it so wrong, why this might be the world's first AI election, and why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after 19 years, looks like he might continue to be the most powerful man in the country.Have you got a question for Niall? Email [email protected] can email questions to Richard and Yalda at [email protected] can watch our podcasts on the Sky News app and on our YouTube channel here.

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who covered Russia and Ukraine, recounts his 16 months as a political prisoner. He describes the FSB’s restaurant sting, life inside Lefortovo jail, and the agonizing wait for a historic prisoner swap. He also discusses Russia’s media crackdown, hostage diplomacy, courtroom defiance, and why asking Vladimir Putin for an interview became an act of protest.

We’re introducing Sky News' new podcast – Russell Brand: On TrialListen to Russell Brand: On Trial on your podcast appWhat 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.Email us with your [email protected]

Deborah Haynes, Sky News’ defence and security editor, joins the conversation on Europe’s readiness for a possible Russian attack. They explore NATO’s scramble responses, Baltic war games, civil-defense manuals and Russia’s hybrid tactics, from cyberattacks to sabotage and disinformation. Haynes also discusses The Wargame, her simulation of a Russian assault on Britain and the risks of escalation.

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]. You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

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 [email protected]

Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO and chair of the U.S. AI security commission, discusses Ukraine’s rapidly evolving drone battlefield. He explores autonomous swarms, AI targeting, human oversight and the growing need for Western technology and funding. Schmidt also considers Russia’s advances, AI’s potential to transform warfare, and the urgent risks of innovation outpacing safeguards.

A brief summer break announcement and return plans are discussed. Listeners are invited to send questions by email. Information is shared about where to watch future shows online.

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 [email protected] can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.