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Lessons from a past pandemic

In the 1980s, the HIV/AIDS pandemic called for a clear, bold public health message. David Aaronovitch explores whether there are lessons to be learned for the government's response to Covid-19.

Guests:

Malcolm Gaskin, designer who created the UK's 1987 'Aids: Don't Die of Ignorance' campaign.

Simon Fanshawe is a broadcaster and activist. He is one of the founders of Stonewall.

Host:

David Aaronovitch 

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  • The Sunday Edition: Why young Brits are turning to Dubai

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    This episode was originally published last November.As inquiries about relocating to the Emirati city from the UK have risen four-fold in the past five years; what does its allure say about life back home?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryFurther reading: Dubai’s allure to UK youth should raise alarmhttps://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/allure-dubai-uk-youth-raise-alarm-xq7s8d8sgGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.ukGuest: Will Lloyd, reporter at The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Will Roe.Photo: Getty images.
  • How To Run Number 10

    41:08|
    10 Downing Street is a rabbit warren of offices in a Georgian townhouse, and the centre of power in Britain. But how much control does it really exert over the rest of government, does it matter who has what job, and should we turn the whole thing into a museum?The political masterminds discuss how number 10 really works, and Polly explains why her husband thinks Canada is worse than North Korea.Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.
  • How China is playing Trump

    26:20|
    Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are locked in a tit-for-tat trade war, as both sides refuse to back down from retaliatory tariffs. China was hit with a whopping 125 per cent levy on exports to the US, and has fought back with 84% tariffs on American goods. So who will blink first? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Clips: Reuters, CBS News. Photo: Times Design.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 
  • Trump vs Iran: deal or war?

    31:19|
    As news unexpectedly emerged that the US and Iran are to hold talks in Oman this weekend, President Trump warned Tehran that it must either cut a deal to cease all nuclear weapons development, or face the very real threat of military strikes. But just as the Trump Administration is divided on whether or not to attack, so Iranian society is split between those who fear war and those who support removal of the regime at any cost.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Sanam Vakil, Director of Middle East and North Africa programme, Chatham House and Holly Dagres, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edith Rousselot.Further reading: Iran has every incentive to make a nuclear deal with TrumpClips: Sky News, Fox News, TikTok, Al Jazeera, Straight Arrow News, Reuters.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 
  • How to buy a happy chicken

    23:52|
    Britain’s obsessed with chicken - we eat more than a billion birds a year. And to (literally) feed our hunger, many farmers have turned to fast-growing birds. But now, a new initiative is persuading supermarkets and restaurants to try a slower-growing breed. Will it mean higher-welfare birds? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Harry Wallop, Columist and Feature Writer, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: Internet Archive / Prelinger Archives / The Chicken of Tomorrow (1948).Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com
  • How Trump’s tariffs are splitting his base

    29:31|
    Stock markets around the world have taken a beating since Donald Trump unveiled his new tariffs. And it's not just the president's blue-collar base who'll feel the pain, so will his billionaire backers. As many in the MAGA coalition become more vocal, will Trump back down or hold fast to his 'medicine'?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Gerard Baker, columnist, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Edward Drummond and Sam Chantarasak. Further reading: Trump tests America’s threshold for painClips: CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Bloomberg, NBC News, CNBC, BBC News, New York Post. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com
  • The problem with the theory behind Trump's tariffs

    30:57|
    Last week, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly all countries, including ones that don't have any human inhabitants. In the process, Trump remade the global economy in a single press conference. But the economic theory that Trump is basing this new world order on might be entirely false.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Clips: WSJ News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 
  • The Sunday Edition: The Chagos Islands deal that could threaten the special relationship

    32:56|
    This episode was originally published in February.Having ruled the Chagos Islands since the 1800s, the UK now wants to cede sovereignty of the tiny archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. But one island is home to a secretive US military base and, with the growing threat of Chinese influence in the region, America is worried. Yesterday, the Mauritian PM said Sir Keir Starmer intends to “push ahead” with his deal - Whitehall suggested the same. But if it does happen, might it risk the relationship between Donald Trump and the British Prime Minister?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: Trump’s secretary of state warns UK of China’s ‘malign influence.’Further listening: Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump.Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, parliamentlive.tv, The Guardian, Reuters.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com
  • Harry's war of words continues as a new Court appearance looms

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    This week has provided no respite in the saga surrounding Prince Harry's resignation from the charity he founded, as news broke that he he will be in the Court of Appeal next week in his fight for tax funded police protection on UK visits. Plus, an update on the King's diary following his hospital visit and the Queen meets domestic violence campaigners.