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NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from London that British prime minister Tony Blair remained defiant today, vowing not to give in to protests against high fuel prices. But Blair said the blockades of refineries are posing a "real danger" to the nation's health services. The government says doctors and nurses can't get to work, and operations are being cancelled. Supermarkets are starting to ration food, for fear deliveries will soon be cut because of the gas shortages.

NPR's Tom Goldman reports from Sydney, Australia that drug use by athletes is overshadowing the Olympics. Today three positive drugs tests were announced just two days before the opening ceremony of the millennium Olympics.

NPR's Rick Karr reports that the first Latin Grammy will be held tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is hosting the event.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that two of the biggest names in banking are merging. Chase Manhattan will acquire J.P. Morgan in a deal valued at more than $35 billion. It is the latest such transaction in the rapidly consolidating financial services industry, and is expected to put additional pressure on smaller firms to get bigger fast.

Defenders of the nation's leading entertainment corporations came to Capitol Hill today to say they do not market adult programming to minors. They were responding to the Senate Commerce Committee's hearing on a Federal Trade Commission report. The report indicates mature films, CD's and video games are routinely advertised in places where young children and teens will see them. Many members of Congress were eager to attack the industry's tactics. But they were just as careful to point out that they do not want to violate the First Amendment. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

NPR's Eric Westervelt reports scores of abandoned houses in Philadelphia have crumbled in recent weeks, and engineers say many more are near collapse. The problem has sparked a spate of emergency demolition. Some residents fear their neighborhoods will never be the same.

Jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine died in a New York hospital after suffering a stroke. He was known for his smooth playing and his ability to adapt his style to contemporary audiences. Turrentine started his career playing with Ray Charles and Max Roach. He scored his biggest hit in 1970 with Sugar, which became something of a jazz standard, frequently performed and re-recorded by admirers. He was 66 years old.

Commentator Frank Deford says the perception of drug use among Olympic athletes is so strong that almost every winner and every record is suspect.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr notes that, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that it is dangerous and addictive, the US House of Representatives voted today to aid the export of tobacco.

Janet Heimlich reports that Austin, Texas utility officials are trying out a new program that allows their customers to buy power generated from renewable energy sources such as solar, or wind power. It means slightly higher power bills for customers who choose the program. But the city has long been home to a strong environmental community that supports such initiatives. Also, the rising price of fossil fuels -- oil and natural gas -- has closed the price gap, making the program more attractive to residents.