The US-Gulf relationship

The US president is flying in to Saudi Arabia for a high profile visit to the region. It's his first official foreign trip in office - apart from a brief visit to Rome. For Saudi Arabia, Trump's visit is about strengthening ties with their longest-standing Western ally - a relationship that grew strained during the Biden years.For President Trump, it is about landing investment deals that can be framed as a win for his economic agenda. So can both sides get what they want?Produced and presented by Sameer Hashmi(Image: President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pictured in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

We’re in the French winemaking region of Burgundy which last year sold 400 million dollars of wine to the United States. The US is the region’s biggest export market, but could import tariffs put paid to that? On the other side of the Atlantic, you might think the winemakers of Oregon and California would be cracking open something special to celebrate. How is the prospect of American tariffs on European wine going down with the US competition? Presented and produced by John Laurenson(Picture: Vineyard worker, Élodie Bonet, in Burgundy, France.)

We're in Galicia, in Northern Spain, at the HQ of the global retailer Zara. It's a rare glimpse behind the scenes of how they create the clothes for a brand that's one of the most successful stories in fast fashion.But is Zara starting to lose its shine after posting slower sales growth at the start of this year? Mainstream rivals are trying to catch up and newer, online brands are disrupting the market. Presenter: Emma Simpson Producer: Danielle Codd(Picture: Inside one of the company's stores in South Korea. Credit: Inditex)

Mobile businesses - or businesses on four wheels - are growing in number. Seen as an affordable and flexible way to set up a venture, more of them are popping up all around the world and in all sorts of industries. We head to rural France, pioneer territory for van-trepreneurs where now, food trucks, mobile pet grooming services and even mobile cinemas are thriving. And we hear from guests in India and Kenya about how the trend has become global.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected] and produced by John Laurenson(Picture: Alisson Zalazar in front of her beauty van in France.)

With tariffs of up to 145% on US imports from China, we take a look at how its playing out in the country. China’s leaders are downplaying the potential impact of the trade war - we speak to Chinese exporters and economists to find out what’s really happening and whether the country’s economy is as resilient as senior officials are saying. The impact is already being felt in factories - so will the US or China blink first?Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Josh Martin(Image: Employees work on a production line of caps that will be exported to the US at a factory in Suqian, in eastern China's Jiangsu province on 7 April 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Millions of people in the country are struggling to find affordable homes. We’ll be looking at why rental costs have been rising so sharply. We hear from some of those affected, and find out why they have been taking to the streets to air their grievances. Plus – what are the solutions? Produced and presented by Guy Hedgecoe(Image: A woman is holding a placard saying "not for sale" in Spanish, as she takes part in a nationwide demonstration in favour of decent housing. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Málaga to protest against the housing crisis caused by rising rental prices, job insecurity, and mass tourism. Credit: Getty Images)

Raising a child is expensive - and in the US, families can pay more than their monthly rent to cover childcare and enable them to get back to work.We find out why costs in the US are so high compared to the rest of the world.We hear from parents who are struggling to make ends meet, and speak to providers who say they're operating in a difficult environment. Produced and presented by Monica Miller(Image: Children running through a daycare centre in the US. Credit: Getty Images)

Judy Faulkner started Epic in 1979 from a basement, with $70,000 in start-up money and two part-time assistants. Now, the company has grown to become a global provider of healthcare technology - with more than half of the US population's medical information stored on its platform. Judy shares how she built the company from the ground up, her insights on industry challenges, and the future of electronic medical records. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image: Judy Faulkner speaking at the Forbes Health Care Summit in 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

Nearly a decade has passed since the Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the Farc, the largest left-wing guerrilla group in Latin America. Thousands of Farc fighters came out of their jungle and mountain hideouts, handed in their weapons, and returned to civilian life. The state has helped them reintegrate into the workforce, find jobs, and start businesses, so how has that process gone? We talk to former members of the Farc who spent years in the guerrilla organisation and in jail, who are now doing jobs like beekeeping and selling beer. How have they found the transition? And we hear from a woman whose mother was kidnapped by the Farc, and who questions why the state is spending so much time and money on former members of a group that committed terrible atrocities. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected] and produced by Gideon Long(Picture: View of bottles of craft beer made by former Farc rebels. Credit: Getty Images)

What gift did you open for your birthday this year? Were you gifted any toys? Lots of adults were.In fact, figures suggest that adults buying toys for themselves is keeping the toy market alive, driving nearly a third of global sales. But what’s behind shift? In this episode we meet the makers, the sellers and the buyers. Produced by: Megan Lawton Presented by: Sam Gruet(Image: A man playing with cars. Credit: Getty Images)