In a special festive episode, Sky News' acclaimed international presenters Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim hosted a unique Christmas Q&A session with their audience. The episode, released on Wednesday 24 December 2025, saw the veteran journalists reflect on a monumental year in global affairs and share personal insights.
Reflecting on a Landmark Year in Global News
The podcast, The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim, dedicated this special instalment to answering questions submitted by listeners. With 2025 marked as a huge year for international news, the duo took time to analyse the events that shaped the world and to consider what might lie ahead in 2026.
Among the key topics discussed was the search for the single defining story of 2025. Given the year's events, this likely encompassed major geopolitical shifts and ongoing conflicts, potentially involving figures like Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, who were referenced in the episode's promotional material.
Personal Insights and Lighter Moments
Moving beyond hard news, Engel and Hakim also answered more personal queries, revealing what careers they might have pursued if they weren't journalists. They provided a glimpse into the challenges of their work, specifically discussing how to adjust to life after covering conflict zones—a poignant subject given their extensive frontline reporting.
The conversation took a lighter turn as the presenters shared their favourite cocktails, cities, and personal tips for combating jet lag, offering listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look at their lives on the road.
How to Tune In and Get Involved
The festive episode is available to stream on all major podcast platforms. For those who prefer video, a recording is also accessible on Sky News' YouTube channel. The network has extended an invitation to its audience, encouraging them to submit their own questions for future episodes by writing to theworld@sky.uk.
This Christmas special underscores the enduring value of in-depth, personable journalism, providing both a thoughtful review of a turbulent year and a human connection to the faces that deliver the news from around the globe.
