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More or Less: Behind the Stats - Why it matters that Trump fired data chief

On Friday 1st August the US Bureau of Labor Statistics put out their job report data for August. It included revisions to their estimates for the jobs created in May and June which stated there were 258,000 fewer jobs than they had previously estimated. This news was not received well by the White House. President Trump fired the head of the bureau, Erika McEntarfer, calling the numbers ‘phony, rigged, a scam’ and spreading conspiracy theories that McEntarfer had fudged the data. We speak to economist Michael Strain from the American Enterprise Institute, to understand why the revisions happened and the potential consequences of throwing doubt on one of the US’s most important statistical agencies. If you’ve seen a number in the news you think we should take a look at, email the team: moreorless@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Lizzy McNeill Producer: Lizzy McNeill Series Producer: Tom Colls Production Co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Sound mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Sam Bonham

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It Could Happen Here - It Could Happen Here Weekly 194

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file. 

- Anti-War Movements feat. Andrew

- Aid as a Tool of War in Gaza feat. Dana El Kurd

- Mapping Border Deaths

- Dogwhistle Politics and Nazi Code Hunting

- Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #28

You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today!

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Sources/Links:

Anti-War Movements feat. Andrew

Anarchist Encyclopedia by Sebastien Faure et al

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/james-herod-the-weakness-of-a-politics-of-protest

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/jeff-shantz-p-j-lilley-striking-against-the-work-war-machine

Aid as a Tool of War in Gaza feat. Dana El Kurd

Oxfam statement about Gaza Humanitarian Foundation - https://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/more-than-100-organizations-are-sounding-the-alarm-to-allow-lifesaving-aid-into-gaza/

Fogbow in Uganda and Sudan - https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigations/2025/06/16/fogbow-operations-south-sudan-raise-red-flags-aid-private-sector

Bezalel Smotrich’s “Decisive Plan” - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/09/israel-leaders-palestinian-territories-bezalel-smotrich-gaza-7-october

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on dismantling UNRWA - https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/notes/unrwa-may-be-forced-stop-saving-lives-gaza-will-world-let-happen

NPR report on famine in Gaza - https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/07/25/g-s1-78968/what-does-it-take-for-a-famine-to-be-declared-in-gaza

US Green Beret on what he saw at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites - https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-26/ty-article/i-witnessed-war-crimes-in-gaza-u-s-veteran-and-former-ghf-worker-tells-bbc/00000198-47e0-d6be-a1bd-4ffd67f90000

Aljazeera op-ed by former UN official - https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/7/21/why-is-the-un-not-declaring-famine-in-gaza

UN reporting on deaths at aid sites - https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165396

Dr. Nick Maynard on what he witnessed in Gaza - https://www.channel4.com/news/teenagers-being-shot-by-israeli-soldiers-british-surgeon-in-gaza

Suppressing Dissent edited volume - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Suppressing-Dissent/Zaha-Hassan/9781836430971

Mapping Border Deaths

https://nomoredeaths.org/migrant-death-mapping/

Dogwhistle Politics and Nazi Code Hunting

https://harpers.org/archive/1964/11/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics/

https://files.libcom.org/files/[Mark_Fisher]_Capitalist_Realism_Is_There_no_Alte(BookZZ.org).pdf

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trumps-immigration-record-far-high-arrests-low-deportations-rcna217752

https://michiganadvance.com/2025/04/09/ice-director-envisions-amazon-like-mass-deportation-system-prime-but-with-human-beings/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20p36e62gyo

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-refuses-us-military-flight-deporting-migrants-sources-say-2025-01-25/

https://bsky.app/profile/bishonentype.bsky.social/post/3luq3qktltc2n

Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #28

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/economy/tariff-more-expensive

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-hikes-india-tariffs-50-percent-buying-russian-oil-rcna223374

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25#cme17o5l400003b6ns7mwdwnv

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/tech/apple-investment-us-trump

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-tariffs-latest-round-takes-effect-thursday-august-7-2025-rcna223461

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/tech/apple-investment-us-trump

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/i-wont-humiliate-myself-brazils-president-sees-no-point-tariff-talks-with-trump-2025-08-06/

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/aug/05/yvette-cooper-small-boats-migrants-uk-france-home-office-uk-politics-live

https://bsky.app/profile/yougov.co.uk/post/3lvnr5fixc22l

https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalNY/

https://apnews.com/article/florida-immigration-alligator-alcatraz-27fbae217427be730f589323df7cf656

https://sam.gov/opp/53dc2fa997954c1d8acf8888fd8f0b56/view

https://bi2technologies.com/service/iris/

https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/cision/20250519NE91508/bi2-technologies-and-support-our-sheriffs-foundation-partner-with-singlecare-to-create-sheriff-rx/ 

https://www.secureidnews.com/news-item/el-paso-sheriff-to-use-iris-scanners/?ref=404media.co

https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000040_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-

https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CTD025FR0000036_7012_NNG15SC82B_8000

https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSD25P00000047_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-

https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000042_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/02/capsule-review-ford-svt-raptor-united-states-border-patrol-edition/

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/senator-cornyn-says-fbi-will-help-track-down-texas-democrats-who-fled-over-2025-08-07/

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-quorum-breaks-history/

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-democrats-house-warrants-arrest-quorum-break/

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/06/nx-s1-5493544/rfk-defunding-mrna-vaccine-research

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/04/nasa-china-space-station-duffy-directives-00492172

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Planet Money - What happens when governments cook the books

After President Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists and statisticians across the board were horrified. Because the firing raises the spectre of potential manipulation – and it raises the worry that, in the future, the numbers won't be as trustworthy.

So: we looked at two countries that have some experience with data manipulation. To ask what happens when governments get tempted to cook the books. And...once they cook the books... how hard is it to UN-cook them?

It's two statistical historical cautionary tales. First, we learn how Argentina tried to mask its true inflation rate, and how that effort backfired. Then, we hear about the difficult process of cleaning up the post-cooked-book mess, in Greece.

For more:
- Can we just change how we measure GDP?
 - The price of lettuce in Brooklyn
 - What really goes on at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Update)
 - Can we still trust the monthly jobs report? (Update)
 - How office politics could take down Europe
 - The amazing shrinking economy might stop shrinking

Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.

Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.

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Global News Podcast - UN Security Council calls emergency meeting on Gaza

The UN Security Council is to meet on Sunday to discuss the Israeli government's decision to expand its war against Hamas by taking control of Gaza City. The announcement follows widespread condemnation of the Israeli plan. The UN Secretary General's chief spokesman described it as a "dangerous escalation". Saudi Arabia has said it "categorically condemns" Israel's announcement while Turkey has called for global pressure to prevent the plan from going ahead. Also: President Trump and the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to meet in Alaska next Friday for Ukraine war talks; and the Nasa astronaut Jim Lovell, who guided Apollo 13 safely back to Earth, dies aged 97.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

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CBS News Roundup - 08/08/2025 | World News Roundup Late Edition

Active shooter situation near the campus of Emory University in Atlanta; reports of shots fired at a building housing the CDC. President Trump to meet with Russian President Putin in Alaska on August 15. Firefighters make progress on Canyon wildfire California wildfire north of Los Angeles.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

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PBS News Hour - World - Israel’s government decides to take Gaza City, sparking condemnation and protests

Israel’s security cabinet announced it plans to take control of Gaza City. The move comes nearly two years into a conflict that has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, leveled large parts of the territory and left starvation rampant across the strip. Israel's decision drew condemnation from the U.K., Saudi Arabia, Germany and others, and sparked protests inside Israel. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
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PBS News Hour - World - Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover won’t end Hamas influence in the region, Mideast analyst says

For perspective on the Israeli government's decision to launch a military takeover in Gaza City, Geoff Bennett spoke with Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former State Department official. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
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PBS News Hour - World - Trump will meet with Putin in Alaska for talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine

President Trump said he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska. Friday was Trump's initial deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine or face new sanctions, including tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil. But it's still unclear how or whether Trump intends to follow through on his threat. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Thomas Graham. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
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Marketplace All-in-One - In health care sector, dread over worker deportations

The U.S. health care sector will lose crucial long-term care providers if the Trump administration suceeds in slashing the Temporary Protected Status program. In this episode, we visit Massachusetts, where many Haitian immigrants at risk of deportation fill critical, low-paid care roles. Plus: Developing economies will suffer if U.S. consumption is stymied by tariffs, and we check in with an artist in Nebraska and retirees in New England.


Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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PBS News Hour - Science - Scientists face ecological and economic hurdles to save Mississippi River Delta

The iconic Mississippi River Delta is of enormous importance to the country, especially near the Gulf Coast. It's an economic engine and a key wildlife habitat. But it's shrinking considerably due to a variety of factors, including engineering done decades ago. Science Correspondent Miles O'Brien looks at those problems and efforts to prevent further loss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders