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According to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation, almost 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV. In the past two years alone, the numbers of those living with the virus has increased in every region of the world.

This week, World Aids Day will once again seek to draw attention to a pandemic which, despite medical research and health education, shows few signs of being defeated.

One man who has travelled the world raising awareness of HIV and AIDS, is Gideon Byamugisha, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, Kampala. He knows first hand about the stigma, prejudice and ignorance still surrounding HIV and AIDS.

In 1992 he became the first African priest to be open about the fact he is HIV positive. Canon Gideon joins us from his home in Uganda.

Also on the programme, for many of us the music of the Beatles formed the soundtrack of our lives from the moment they captured the popular imagination back in the 1960s.

This week, 36 years after the Fab Four split up, they're topping the charts again with a remix album. But, according to a new book they're more than just a great listen.

The Gospel According To The Beatles traces their spiritual pilgrimage from the churches in Liverpool, to the Hindu temples and gurus of India. Steve Turner, music journalist, Christian poet and author of the book reflects on that journey.

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