Business Daily

They’re the kind of mega vessels which only a handful of people on the planet can afford. We go to the Netherlands, where building and maintaining the most expensive yachts in the world is big business. We visit Dutch yacht builder Heesen to look at the intricate design of these vessels, their opulence, and the huge amounts of money involved in building and selling them. Plus we hear from those who actually help put the boats together.And we get an expert view on the importance of the Superyacht sector to the country's overall maritime industry, and hear how politics, public perceptions, regulation and international sanctions have impacted the industry in recent years.Presented and produced by Matthew Kenyon(Image: Vida superyacht 55m built by Heesen Yachts and owned by Brooks Smith moored in Malaga, Spain in April 2023 (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images)

It's a familiar feature of our oceans and beaches and yet its environmental impact has largely been overlooked. Now supporters say seaweed can help us address climate change by reducing our reliance on fertilisers, and by reducing the methane emissions produced by cows. On top of that, proponents say a new material produced from the sugars in seaweed could provide a biodegradable alternative to the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic we throw away each year. No wonder the World Bank is predicting a global seaweed boom worth $12bn this decade.We hear from scientists and entrepreneurs from Australia to Zanzibar who say we are only just beginning to understand the exciting possibilities posed by this ubiquitous underwater species. The Irish folk tune Dúlamán, about the island’s traditional seaweed gatherers, is used with the permission of musician Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh. Produced and presented by Vivienne Nunis. (Picture: Seaweed farm. Sumbawa. Indonesia. Credit: Getty Images)

We explore the largest infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic states - a new high-speed line connecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with their Western allies.The project is supposed to be an economic boost to the region, and yet getting it on track hasn't been straightforward. We speak to those in charge of the project, and to businesses in the cities en-route.Produced and presented by Lisa Louis.(Image: The partly-built Rail Baltica Riga central hub in Riga, Latvia, in June 2024. Credit: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In this programme, we look at some of the key issues for voters in the crucial, so-called ‘swing states’ in the 2024 US Presidential Election. From Pennsylvania and the battle for blue-collar workers’ votes in Pittsburgh, to the cost of living in Nevada and the auto industry in Michigan. While for voters in Georgia, housing is proving to be a key issue. We hear from people in each of these states about what matters to them and what could bring in those crucial votes for each candidate. Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Hannah Mullane(Picture: A 'Welcome to Nevada' road sign next to a Nevada State boundary sign. Credit: Getty Images)

On the character's 50th birthday, we hear from the boss of the Japanese company which created her. Sanrio CEO Tomokuni Tsuji took over from his grandfather who founded the company in Japan. The company struggled to be profitable for years - we find out how under the leadership of Tomokuni Tsuji, the brand has grown to a trillion yen company, and speak about some of the challenges around counterfeits.Produced and presented by Mariko Oi(Image: A woman poses with Hello Kitty plushies at the exhibition CUTE in London, United Kingdom on January 24, 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

Once difficult to find outside of Japan, the green tea has made it onto the menus of major coffee chains. The matcha tea industry is projected to reach US$5bn in revenue by 2031.We look at the role TikTok, celebrity and wellness endorsements have played, and ask whether the matcha we drink in the west is healthy.Plus we hear from producers who say the industry needs regulation.Presented and produced by Megan Lawton(Image: Matcha tea in a cup. Credit: Getty Images)

They’re the interactive games where players race against the clock to solve puzzles and break free. And now major brands are tapping into the trend. Companies are investing in escape rooms to enhance internal communications and team-building, and they’re now being seen as a powerful external communication tool too. And we learn how escape rooms are being used to engage customers and showcase their products, crafting unusual marketing experiences.Presented and produced by Deborah Weitzmann

It has already inspired the hit HBO television series Succession, but now Rupert Murdoch’s family drama is playing out in real life in a courtroom in the US state of Nevada. The 93-year-old media mogul is trying to change the terms of a family trust he made years ago that states that after his death, his four eldest children should get equal voting rights in his empire. Murdoch wants to alter it to give his eldest son Lachlan greater control. We hear from outside the courtroom, look back at Murdoch’s extraordinary career, and talk to two people who know the Murdoch family story well. And we reflect on what the court case might mean for one of the world’s most powerful media empires. (Picture: Rupert Murdoch arriving at a courthouse in Reno, Nevada. Credit: Reuters)Presented and produced by Gideon Long

We look at how some leaders in the battleground state of Pennsylvania are fighting for the approval of a deal for a Japanese company to purchase US Steel Corporation. That’s despite strong opposition from the unions and both presidential candidates.(Picture: Edgar Thompson Plant in Braddock, PA. Credit: Getty Images/Washington Post)Presented and produced by Monica Miller

From growing up as a refugee to leading the most recognised sustainability label in the world, Sandra Uwera talks about the challenges she's faced, and her drive to improve the lives of around two million farmers and workers around the world, through Fairtrade International. (Picture: Sandra Uwera. Credit: Fairtrade International)Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

In today’s episode we look at some ingenious solutions to water related problems. We start our aquatic journey by going on a tour of one of Victorian England’s most important feats of engineering. We discover a cheap and easy way to test for water quality, and learn about one of the biggest and most ambitious flood defence and general infrastructure projects in the world. And we hear how a water and sanitation engineer in Nairobi, Kenya, is trying to prevent huge volumes of H2O being wasted in leaks.(Image: The Octagon at Crossness Pumping Station, London. Credit: P. Scrimshaw)Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

In the second of a two-part series, we travel to the US-Canada border to find out what people, businesses and industries are thinking ahead of the US election. From one of North America’s busiest border crossings, to Canada’s energy capital, we hear from those who might be impacted by November’s result.South of the border, in Mexico, we hear how tension with China is benefitting America’s closest neighbours.Presenter: Sam Gruet Producer: Megan Lawton(Photo:: A road sign in Fort Erie, Ontario points in the direction of the Peace Bridge crossing to New York. Credit: Getty Images)

The US presidential election on 5 November 2024 will have major consequences for its neighbours, Canada and Mexico. Trade, immigration, and diplomatic relations all hinge on the election's outcome. This episode explores how the two countries are preparing for either a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris presidency. From business owners and farmers to international trade specialists, we learn what is at stake for North America’s economies.Presenter: Sam Gruet Production: Sam Gruet and Megan Lawton(Photo: Canadian farmer Dave Braden who produces organic grass-fed beef from his 50-acre Ontario farm. Credit: Megan Lawton)

Theo Leggett reports on the latest trends and concerns preoccupying the automobile industry at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have established that they can manufacture vehicles more cheaply than their European counterparts, and now they are looking to move into that market. Theo hears from Chinese and French car manufacturers about what this will mean for consumers. China is not the only country selling EVs to European consumers, a big American name is reviving a classic brand with a new electric offering. And in a city where driving and parking is always a challenge, Theo checks out the latest solution – a tiny car produced by a toy manufacturer.Producer/presenter: Theo Leggett(Photo: visitors browsing the manufacturer displays at the Paris Motor Show 2024. Credit: Nathan Laine/Getty Images)

We meet the Team Principal at Williams Racing - who says he's determined to restore one of Formula 1’s most historic teams to its former glory.From facing rejection early in his career to working with Honda, Brawn GP and Mercedes, James Vowles recounts his journey in the sport.He is now focussed on transforming Williams, who have not claimed a championship since the late 1990’s. Presenter: Theo Leggett Producer: Amber Mehmood(Image: James Vowles at Williams Racing HQ in Oxfordshire. Credit: Amber Mehmood)

We look at a growing trend using artificial intelligence (AI) to 'connect' people to loved ones who have died.The grief tech sector, also called "death tech", is now valued at more than £100bn globally, according to tech news website TechRound.We hear from the people using technology, from the businesses building it, and we find out about the ethical challenges they face. Is it going too far?Produced and presented by Isabel Woodford(Image: Woman looking at her phone in the dark. Credit: Getty Images)

We get the views of three American retailers - how do they see the economy and what do they want from the next US president?We hear from a department store owner in Indiana, a bookshop owner in Texas and a snack company based in New York City.Produced and presented by Ed Butler Additional production by Matt Lines(Image: A shop owner holding an open sign. Credit: Getty Images)

We look into the implications of what has been described as sport's 'trial of the century'If Manchester City are found guilty of breaching the English Premier League's financial rules - allegations Manchester City and the club strongly deny - the team could face relegation, while the Premier League risks serious reputational damage.Produced and presented by Alex Capstick(Manchester City celebrate winning the 2023/24 Premier League title. Credit: Getty Images)

People have been participating in mass rallies in India seeking justice for a young medical trainee who was raped and murdered in a hospital. It’s put a spotlight once again on women’s safety at work - particularly for those women doing night shifts. There are laws to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace, but campaigners say it can be slow to get justice. So what more can be done to improve women's safety and encourage female participation in the workforce? We talk to some night shift workers about their experiences.(Picture: Activists and medical professionals shout slogans during a protest march to condemn the rape and murder of a doctor. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

Ruth Alexander talks to Nagi Maehashi, founder of the hit food site, RecipeTin Eats. Back in 2014, Nagi gave up a high-flying job in corporate finance to start her blog. The gamble paid off and her blog now gets half a billion hits a year. She is also the author of two cookery books.Nagi tells Ruth what those early days were like, how she built the business, and what mistakes she made along the way.Plus - we hear about the crucial role of the blog's co-star Dozer, Nagi's much-loved Golden Retriever. (Picture: Nagi Maehashi with her dog Dozer, surrounded by print-outs of her recipes. Credit: Rob Palmer)Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Lexy O'Connor