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Robert talks to Defense Secretary William Cohen, about tonight's test, and the pros and cons of developing a missile defense system.

NPR's Brenda Wilson has a special report on South Africa's explosive AIDS epidemic. The crisis is rooted in South Africa's history and the movement of its people. Labor migrations have occurred in South Africa since the beginning of the century. In the decade of the 1970's, under Apartheid, three-and-a-half-million black South Africans were forcibly relocated to rural homelands. The number of men who moved to industrial centers for work, living away from their wives and families for months at a time, significantly increased. Then, in the late 1980's, as white South Africans were being forced to relinquish political power, AIDS hit the country. Greater freedom for blacks brought an increase in travel between homelands and industrial centers and the AIDS epidemic moved with the people. Dependence on cheap, black labor and the removal of black South Africans to the homelands is continuing to drive the epidemic. A tenth of the population of South Africa is now infected with the AIDS virus.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports the Pentagon will test a missile defense system over the Pacific Ocean tonight. A rocket -- armed with a dummy warhead -- will be launched from California. Another rocket will be launched from an island hundreds of miles away, carrying an "interceptor" that's intended to shoot down the first rocket. The operation is part of a series of tests that will ultimately be used in deciding whether to proceed with the deployment of such a defense system.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on Toysmart, an online toy retailer that is declaring bankruptcy and wants to sell its customer list, despite the privacy policy posted on its Web site that said it wouldn't do that. The federal government could take action, if it decides the company deceived customers.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that Hong Kong, in response to its experience during the Asian economic crisis is trying to diversify its economy. The city has become rich over the years on the basis of real estate speculation and finance. Now, it is building a huge cyberport in hopes of turning Hong Kong into the internet hub of Asia. The problem is that internet startups are based on speculation and wild speculation is what got Hong Kong into trouble during the Asian economic crisis.

We hear a portion of a stump speech by Vice President Al Gore to the National Council of La Raza in San Diego, California earlier this week.

The governing body of world soccer competition is investigating the circumstances surrounding yesterday's vote which awarded Germany the right to host the 2006 World Cup. A key delegate from New Zealand -- who had been expected to vote for South Africa to host the competition -- abstained, and Germany ended up winning by one vote. New Zealand delegate Charles Dempsey says he abstained because he came under intolerable pressure for his vote, receiving bribe attempts and letters of intimidation. Robert talks to Simon Greenberg, Sports Editor for the London Evening Standard about the story.

Reviewer Mark Jenkins reviews the CD by Indian Sitarist Ananda Shankar and a British DJ known as State of Bengal. It's a pop mix of hip beats and Indian pop music. (3:30) Note: The CD is "Ananda Shankar and the State of Bengal." It's on the Real World Records label.

Ever wonder why ants manage to get to your food so quickly at a picnic? NPR science reporter John Nielsen has the answer, and more from the world of science.

Ten years ago, musician David Byrne followed a passion of his and started a world music label. The unassuming Luaka Bop Records was originally created to release a few Brazilian compilations, but it has grown to include music from Cuba, Africa, the Far East, and beyond. Host Jacki Lyden travels to the Luaka Bop offices in David Byrne's townhouse in Greenwich Village, and encourages him to dig out a few of the records that inspired him. (19:00) (Featured music appears on the CD's Tom Ze - Best of Tom Ze - Volume 4 [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49049]; Various Artists - Cuba Classics 3 - Diabla Al Infierno: New Directions in Cuban Music [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49028]; Various Artists - Cuba Classics 1 - Greatest Hits of Silvio Rodriguez: Canciones Urgentes [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49026]; Los Amigos Invisibiles - The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49042].