We define a countable antichain condition (ccc) property for partial orderings, weaker than precalibre-ℵ₁, and show that Martin's axiom restricted to the class of partial orderings that have the property does not imply Martin's axiom for σ-linked partial orderings. This yields a new solution to an old question of the first author about the relative strength of Martin's axiom for σ-centered partial orderings together with the assertion that every Aronszajn tree is special. We also answer a question...

We prove that the Tree Property at ω₂ together with BPFA is equiconsistent with the existence of a weakly compact reflecting cardinal, and if BPFA is replaced by BPFA(ω₁) then it is equiconsistent with the existence of just a weakly compact cardinal. Similarly, we show that the Special Tree Property for ω₂ together with BPFA is equiconsistent with the existence of a reflecting Mahlo cardinal, and if BPFA is replaced by BPFA(ω₁) then it is equiconsistent with the existence of just a Mahlo cardinal....