ACOUSTICAL spy tapes made by an American submarine in the Barents Sea support the theory that a faulty torpedo apparently exploded and sank the Russian submarine Kursk, US officials said. The officials confirmed a New York Times report that sonar tapes and other recordings that captured sounds of two explosions believed to have sunk the Kursk on August 12, killing all 118 persons aboard, contained the strongest evidence of the US theory of a torpedo accident. US experts believe a new rocket-propelled torpedo, being loaded or launched as part of the exercise, misfired and its engine or fuel exploded. That was followed a few minutes later by a larger blast, apparently the torpedo’s warhead, which tore a gaping hole in the bow and killed most, if not all, of the crew instantly. – Reuters