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Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the movie X-Men, which opens nationally in theaters today. Based on the popular Marvel comic book series, the cast includes Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Francis Xavier and Anna Paquin as Rogue. The film is directed by Bryan Singer the man behind the 1995 movie The Usual Suspects.

Linda speaks with two people who participated in this year's world conference on AIDS in Durban, South Africa. Geeta Rao Gupta is from the International Center for Research on Women in Washington, DC. Natal Ngubane is a 27-year-old man who works with the Department of Health as well as with The AIDS Foundation in South Africa. He tested positive for HIV in 1996. Among the big issues at this year's conference were the effect of the disease on women, and the lack of available medicine for HIV infected people in developing nations. Geeta Rao Gupta says women in many parts of the word are vulnerable because they lack the power and status to resist unwanted sex with infected partners, or to ask for treatment. Transmission to children through pregnancy is also a big problem. Natal Ngubane is working on a grass roots level -- talking with people one on one about the necessity to practice safe sex and not spread the disease. Both Gupta and Ngubane say the conference provided an important opportunity to hear about scientific progress, and to meet other people struggling to fight the spread of HIV.

WINNIFORD AND UBEL CONTINUED.Pop Music Critic KEN TUCKER reviews the newest CD by rapper Eminem. Its called The Marshall Mathers LP.12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next fresh air we talk with two doctors about prescription medicines the high costs, the problems for the elderly who have no insurance coverage for their medicines, dealing with side effects when youre taking several medicines, drug advertising on TV, and more. Join us for the next fresh air.

NPR's Brenda Wilson reports from the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa on advancements in caring for newborn babies infected with HIV.

Host John Ydstie talks with Pamela Haag about spawning new interest in technology among women and girls. While the number of technology jobs is skyrocketing, the number of women interested in those jobs is on the decline.

NPR's David Welna reports on the 20th anniversary of the Mariel Boatlift, the massive wave of immigration from Cuba to Florida in 1980. Over a five-month period, 125-thousand Cuban refugees left Cuba from the port of Mariel, and traveled to the United States in small boats. Processing the huge influx overwhelmed the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The INS task was even harder because the refugees included convicted criminals who had been released from prison and mental patients freed from institutions.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on French chef Alain Ducasse and his new restaurant, where every detail counts. Ducasse is the only chef to earn a three-star rating at two different establishments, so New York gourmets have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Alain Ducasse at the Essex House. It's the city's most expensive restaurant where one meal averages about one hundred and sixty dollars. And it limits its number of customers with just two lunches per week, dinner Monday through Friday, and just one seating per meal.

From West Virginia Public Radio, Jeff Young reports on the murder of a gay black man in the northeastern hill community of Grant Town. The death of 26 year old Arthur "JR" Warren Jr. is still under investigation, and two teenagers from a nearby town have been charged with murder.

Host John Ydstie talks to alternative country musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore about his new album, One Endless Night. The Texas singer/songwriter's been a tough artist to categorize: country music stations are not likely to put him in heavy rotation, but stations with American roots-type shows have been interested in Gilmore's twangy take on several non-country tunes, including Mac the Knife and the Grateful Dead's Ripple.

On the final day of the International AIDS conference in Durban, South Africa, former president Nelson Mandela urged scientists and political leaders to set aside their differences about whether HIV causes AIDS. As NPR's Brenda Wilson reports, Mandela said the dispute was distracting from efforts to help people who have AIDS.