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NPR's Sarah Chayes reports from outside Paris that an Air France Concorde jet crashed just after takeoff today from Charles de Gaulle airport. All 109 people on board and four on the ground are believed dead. A German tour company had chartered the flight, so most of those on board were Germans.

Fewer flights are being cancelled by United Airlines now that it's reached a tentative settlement with its pilots. The airline is still negotiating a new contract with the union representing its mechanics and ground workers. But Chicago Public Radio's Jason DeRose reports the carrier is already striving to win back angry travelers.

Charles de Ledesma reviews the new CD from Trilok Gurtu, called African Fantasy. Gurtu is a composer and percussionist from Bombay, well known for incorporating the sounds of his native India with other music, like jazz and rock. This CD explores the common musical ground of India and Africa. The Label Is The Verve Music Group.

Noah talks with NPR's Mara Liasson about the latest developments in the budget negotiations. Republican congresional leaders today called off scheduled budget talks at the White House, saying they want a "firm budget offer" from President Clinton that moves toward "bipartisan common ground." But Liasson says the White House is insisting the president already has shown flexibility.

Ray talks with NPR's Phillip Davis about the case against Army Staff Sergeant Delmar Simpson, who is accused of raping 19 female trainees at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The prosecution rested today. Then a defense lawyer tried and failed to get most of the rape charges dismissed, saying the women had not tried to resist Simpson's advances.

NPR's Eric Westervelt reports on the arraignments of an Army captain and two staff sergeants at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The charges include rape, sodomy and sexual assualt. The accusations - which surfaced last month - touched off a wave of sexual misconduct reports throughout the Army. The soldiers will face trial early next year.

This week, Chicago's O'Hare airport joins New York's LaGuardia airport in a test of a new weather prediction system that's designed to keep ice off planes in the air and on the ground. Aviation experts say it will keep planes flying on time and improve safety too. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports.

America West paves new ground in cost-cutting. The airline will serve food on flights -- from snacks to hot dinners -- but customers will have to pay for it. NPR's Janet Babin reports.

In an expected vote in the Senate Wednesday, 30 of the 45 Democrats plan to oppose the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as the next attorney general. Democrats accuse Gonzales of having played a leading role in providing legal grounds for the torture of foreign detainees.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dismisses claims the United States was unprepared for the ground war in Iraq and says there will be no delay in the push toward Baghdad. NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Tom Ricks of The Washington Post.