More or Less

Uncovering 'pig butchering' cyber scams in Cambodia that potentially take half of the country's GDP. Heartbreaking story of Cindy falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam. Delving into the challenges of estimating cyber scam revenue globally and their impact on victims. Investigating the scale of these illicit operations and the difficulty in verifying the estimated losses. Previewing the next installment and inviting audience feedback on the questionable figures.

Investigating the validity of political claims on mortgages, primary school reading abilities, and potholes in the UK. Highlighting discrepancies in financial projections and campaign strategies between Labour and Conservatives. Examining the impact of excluding gold bullion on trade statistics and the comparison of potholes on British roads to craters on the moon.

Author Rob Eastaway discusses the mathematical references in Shakespeare's works, highlighting the use of numbers for dramatic effect and the intriguing connection between Shakespeare's portrayals of currency and finance. The conversation delves into the intersection of mathematics and literature, shedding light on the hidden numerical depths of Shakespearean texts.

Investigating misleading bar charts in political leaflets, tax promises, potential job losses for oil workers, and impact on class sizes in state schools. Tim Harford delves into the numbers in the news with Kate Lamble.

Professor Mary Dixon-Woods from Cambridge University debunks the claim that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US. The discussion explores instances of medical errors, challenges in attributing deaths solely to mistakes, controversies in research methods, and the importance of accurate reporting for patient safety in healthcare.

The podcast delves into suspicious claims in election debates, Reform UK's policy documents, cracking down on tax evasion, and the intriguing question of whether all humans weigh more than ants. Tune in for a mix of politics, statistics, and an amusing segment on ants.

Chennai-based data communicator Rukmini S discusses India's election data trends and the impact on governing party, focusing on fertility rates, healthcare improvements, development progress, and challenges in female empowerment and economic participation.

Dr Madeleine Sumption from the Migration Observatory at Oxford talks about falling net migration. The podcast also debunks claims about Taylor Swift's economic impact and explores the reasons behind the rising UK prison population.

Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones discusses the misconceptions of intermittent fasting, highlighting its benefits for weight management and health. The podcast explores the controversy of time-restricted eating and cardiovascular health, analyzing studies on the risks associated with consuming meals within an 8-hour window. The discussion also delves into associations in epidemiology and the need for further research on the implications of time-restricted eating on cardiovascular health.

Investigating the accuracy of statistics on pregnancy chances, MP misconduct investigations, and NHS waiting lists. Debunking claims of 685 years to clear NHS waitlists and 10% of MPs under investigation. Exploring the impact of gold on UK export figures and the correct method for calculating pregnancy probabilities. Delving into the decline in UK's goods trade post-Brexit and during the pandemic.