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Host Madeleine Brand talks to Daniel Williams, correspondent for the Washington Post about the Russian nuclear submarine that sunk to the bottom of the Barents sea during naval exercises off Russia's north coast this past weekend. More than 100 crew members are trapped inside.

In part three of a weekly series of essays about his life in France, Commentator David Sedaris examines the French healthcare system from the inside.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports the Russian navy has begun a rescue operation to save the 116 men trapped in the nuclear-powered submarine "Kursk" at the bottom of the Barents Sea. The Russians are trying to send a rescue capsule down to the stranded sub. The first try to do this failed. It's a difficult, time-consuming operation, particularly since the sub is buffeted by strong currents. The capsule can bring up only 20 men at a time and must ascend very slowly, to avoid the risk of decompression sickness.

Paul Chapman reports from London that British Airways today grounded its fleet of Concorde supersonic jets, following the example of Air France. British Airways took the step after learning that airline safety officials were about to revoke the plane's airworthiness certificate. Air France stopped flying its Concordes after one of the planes crashed last month outside Paris, killing 113 people.

Noah has a brief note on claims by the Democratic National Convention Committee that this is the first "green power" political convention. The Dems are utilizing alternative energy sources and recycled and biodegradable materials.

Commentator Michelle Serros says despite the hue and cry over pop culture's Latin American Explosion recently, the phrase reminds her instead of childhood experiences long before Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez.

Phil Ittner reports from Moscow that the Russian navy is frantically trying to save more than 100 sailors trapped on board a submarine lying on the bottom of the Barents Sea in Russia's arctic north. The boat fell 480 feet to the sea floor Sunday, during naval exercises. A spokesman for the Russian navy's general staff said the accident could have been caused by a collision with a foreign submarine, although he gave no evidence for this.

As time runs out for the stricken Russian submarine, NPR's David Kestenbaum examines the logistics of efforts to rescue its crew.

Vice President Al Gore is talking issues with voters this week as he heads slowly toward Los Angeles and the Democratic National Convention there. The Democrats hope the substance-rich rhetoric will draw a sharp contrast to the Republican convention last week, which Gore and his backers criticized as all show. Gore brought his pitch to a group of seniors today in Harry Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri. NPR's Anthony Brooks talks with us from event.

ATC Host Linda Wertheimer talks with a group of suburban women from Ohio about the presidential candidates -- George W. Bush and Al Gore. These middle class working women with children are considered a key part of the so-called swing vote. They also reside in a crucial state -- Ohio -- which remains up-for-grabs. The group includes: Gina Cronin, Anne Stevenson, Jennifer Lang and Kristi Gallup. The four ladies remain on the fence about whom to vote for -- as they find both candidates attractive for different reasons.