Has Blue Origin blown its reputation?

Has Blue Origin blown its reputation?

Author: BBC World Service May 30, 2026 Duration: 26:25

With an uncrewed Blue Origin rocket exploding during a hot fire test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, we speak to former NASA engineer Sinead O’Sullivan about how much of a setback it is for Jeff Bezos business in the space race while Elon Musk's SpaceX firm's IPO gets ever closer.

Leanne Byrne finds out why the US travel industry is warning that plans being considered by Donald Trump's administration could cost the economy billions of dollars and disrupt one of America's busiest international gateways just weeks before the FIFA World Cup.

Elsewhere, we discuss why tech companies in Silicon Valley are hiring philosophers, and do Africa's wealthiest people have a responsibility to help tackle inequality?

Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Africa, Europe and the USA.

(Picture: Fire during an explosion of the uncrewed Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket during a test on a launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US, on 28 May 2026. Credit: NASASpaceflight.com / Reuters.)


Every weekday, the World Business Report from the BBC World Service cuts through the noise to deliver essential global business and finance intelligence. This isn't just a summary of market movements; it's a grounded analysis of the forces shaping economies, industries, and livelihoods across continents. You'll hear directly from the BBC's unparalleled network of correspondents, on the ground in financial hubs and emerging markets alike, providing context that turns headlines into understanding. Each episode focuses on the day's most pressing stories, from corporate mergers and policy shifts to technological disruptions and trade dynamics, all explained with the BBC's trademark clarity and depth. Tuning into this podcast means getting a truly international perspective, hearing how decisions in one corner of the world ripple out to affect prices, jobs, and opportunities elsewhere. It's designed for anyone who needs to grasp the interconnected nature of modern commerce, whether you're directly involved in the business world or simply want to comprehend the economic currents influencing daily life. The reporting is timely, authoritative, and always prioritizes factual accuracy, making it a reliable resource in a fast-changing landscape. For a concise yet comprehensive daily briefing on global economic affairs, the World Business Report delivers consistent insight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 98

World Business Report
Podcast Episodes
Oil hits new highs - how bad will it get? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
We hear how oil prices have been swinging sharply, with Brent crude briefly hitting 126 dollars a barrel as tensions in the Gulf raise concerns about supply and the wider global economy. Saudi Arabia is to stop funding t…
Oil prices on a rollercoaster ride [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:56
The price of Brent crude hit a four year high on Thursday before falling back. Markets were reacting to comments from President Trump about maintaining Strait of Hormuz blockade.Gulf oil producers are running out of stor…
Powell says he will stay on as Federal Reserve Governor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
Jerome Powell says he will continue to stay on as Federal Reserve Governor, even after his chairmanship ends. We look at what this means for the future of the US central banking system. Three ships have been hijacked off…
How will leaving OPEC impact the UAE's oil production? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
The United Arab Emirates is leaving OPEC and OPEC+ after nearly 60 years of membership, we find out what triggered them to leave. In the US, we hear what is being said in the major court battle between Elon Musk and Chat…
United Arab Emirates is quitting the Opec and Opec+ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:56
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said it is quitting the Opec and Opec+ groups of major oil producing nations after nearly 60 years.As people continue to feel the pain at the pumps, energy giant BP has announced massiv…
Is Sierra Leone's diamond industry under threat? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
Diamond mines across Sierra Leone are closing, deepening economic uncertainty and raising fears of further conflict. Our presenter Ed Butler travels to the country’s mining region to uncover what’s behind the shutdowns.I…
US consumer confidence and electric vehicles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:25
US consumers are feeling less confident about their economy than at any other time. We hear from researchers and businesses about why war in the Middle East is making households fearful of the cost of living and rising e…
Expect global markets to fall, says Bank of England [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:57
The Bank of England expects stock markets around the world to fall as share prices are not reflecting the many risks facing the world economy, so says the Bank of England Deputy Governor and head of financial stability S…