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The cost of AIDS drugs keeps going down in the countries hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. Yesterday, the giant pharmeceutical company Merck announced that it would lower prices for three important AIDS drugs, and just after that, two other companies that make generic AIDS drugs offered to sell their versions to the government of South Africa. There's a price war going on. NPR's Brenda Wilson in Johannesburg talks with host Robert Siegel about the issue.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports from Jerusalem that Ariel Sharon took office as Israel's prime minister today. Security forces were deployed around the country to guard against bomb attacks during the annual Jewish holiday of Purim. The holiday is normally the most festive on Israel's calender, but the mood this year is somber.

The BBC's Andrew Harding reports on a new novel by John LeCarre that has been banned by the Kenyan government. The book is set in that nation and describes deep corruption within the government.

The professionals who design and build the nation's infrastructure say vital systems are decaying. The American Society of Civil Engineers reports that, in report card terms, U.S. bridges, roads and schools get a grade of D-plus. The group says the country should start fixing the problems, with an investment of $1.3 trillion dollars over five years. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that the "Big Box" has landed in Japan. Huge discount warehouse stores are just beginnning to open up there. Japanese consumers are unaccustomed to both the cutrate deals on household items, and the no-frills atmosphere. Stores such as CostCo are providing stiff competition to Mom-and-Pop retailers, who pride themselves on personal service, right down to delivering a single bottle of sake to a customer's front door.

NPR's Richard Knox reports on Merck's decision to offer discounted AIDS drugs to developing countries. While the drug company has improved its image by dropping profit margins in these poorer markets, the move will have minimal effect on the high cost of comprehensive AIDS treatment.

NPR's Brenda Wilson reports on efforts to treat AIDS in Senegal. The West African nation was one of the first to strike a deal with drug companies to reduce the cost of AIDS drugs and its healthcare system is one of the continent's best. But the AIDS epidemic is proving too extensive and too deadly for even the most accomplished doctors to control.

The Bush administration has made missile defense a priority. During the Clinton years, the program was working to develop the means to destroy warheads in mid-course. Some analysts believe the Pentagon may consider an alternative; intercepting enemy missiles within the first few minutes of launch. NPR's David Kestenbaum has the story.

Robert Siegel talks with Arthur Peacocke, an Englishman who won this year's Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. Peacocke is a theologian and a scientist.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports that despite vows to quell bipartisan rancor, President Bush's brand of compassionate conservatism is still drawing lines of division between Democrats and Republicans.