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NPR's Margot Adler reports on the various protest groups that showed up in New York for the Millennium Summit this week.

A Columbus, Ohio band called Evolution Control Committee is in a legal battle with CBS, Inc. because of the group's single now on the web called Rocked By Rape which slices and splices Dan Rather's words to heavy metal music.

Tom Rogers of member station WILL reports that in Decatur, Illinois, news that some defective Firestone tires may have been produced at a local plant is another blow to a town swamped by negative news in recent months.

NPR'S Julie McCarthy reports from London on the continuing campaign of protests against high fuel prices in Britain. Protestors are blockading nine refineries, and panic buying is depleting gasoline supplies at the pump. Prime Minister Tony Blair said his government has told oil companies to get their tankers moving -- and ordered police to protect drivers from intimidation.

NASA scientists report today that they have discovered a new kind of black hole. These are much larger than black holes caused by collapsing stars, but much smaller than the ones in the centers of galaxies. Black holes are so dense, not even light can escape their gravity. The new discovery could help explain how these bizarre objects come into being. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush campaigned again today in Florida, but his appearances were dominated by questions about a television ad being run by his party. The ad includes the word "rats," which appears on screen for less than one second, while the ad is talks about government bureaucrats. Bush said today the ad was not an attempt to send a subliminal message, but he added that it would not air again. NPR's Steve Inskeep is traveling with the Bush campaign and filed this report.

Some of the highest gas prices in the United Kingdom are in Wales. Some people are stocking up on groceries, fearing that later, they may not be able to get to the store by car. Robert talks to BBC Wales Correspondent Wyre Davies about the effect the prices are having there. He joins us from Cardiff, the Capitol of Wales.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports from Sydney on Australia, the Olympic medal powerhouse. Per capita, Australia wins more Olympic medals than any other country and one reason is its Institute of Sport, created after the country's dismal Olympic performance in 1976. The Institute's laboratories have the latest technology. Sports physiologists closely monitor athletes' immune systems, and the Institute administers aptitude tests to almost all high school students in the country. Critics say the system resembles the old East German program. Supporters say it's the only way Australia can compete against countries like China and the U.S.

Firestone underwent a similar tire recall in the late 1970s. NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports the recall brought proposals for stricter regulations -- but the proposals were dropped when the Reagan Administration took over in 1981, carrying the banner of deregulation. Some of those who supported more regulation then, are crying "I told you so" now. But not everyone agrees.

Commentator Hallie Deaktor finds evidence on the subway that aliens are among us. Her suspicion is reconfirmed by another strange being on the street. She says she's ready to join them. After recent news of evidence there might once have been microbial life on Mars, she's not sure of anything anymore.

NPR's Madeleine Brand examines the controversy over the Republican ad that criticizes Vice President Gore's prescription drug plan and which critics charge contains a "subliminal" message. The split-second appearance on the screen of the word "RATS," in large capital letters, then becomes part of the word "bureaucrats." The ad lambastes bureaucracy. Brand looks at the effectiveness of so-called "subliminal" advertising -- in selling candidates as well as other products.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on Senate hearings about the Firestone recall, in which Firestone admitted it doesn't use failure data for safety purposes, Ford said Firestone assured the automaker there were no defects, and Transportation Department officials asked for more regulatory authority.

Linda talks with Rhonda Albom who survived a crash in a 1998 Ford Explorer this spring. Albom describes the harrowing experience when the tread on her tires separated while she was driving her vehicle on April 25th. Her Ford Explorer rolled three times, spun 180-degrees and took out a street sign leaving her 20-day-old baby bloody in the back seat. Linda rejoins the conversation with Rhonda Albom who, along with her 20-day old daughter, survived a crash in her 1998 Ford Explore in April. Albom tells of her surprise about what the companies knew and when. She is suing both Bridgestone/Firestone and the Ford motor Company. She has also begun distributing flyers alerting Firestone tire owners of what happened to her and to her family.

Linda talks with Max Nonnamaker, who has testified as an expert witness for and against Bridgestone/Firestone. Nonnamaker, who runs his own consulting company, and is investigating the current problem with Firestone tires addresses what could have gone wrong in the design and construction of the recalled tires. He also describes the problem of tread separation and how companies test tires to make them safe for consumers.

Meredith Ochs reviews The Best of Broadside a collection of five compact discs filled with 89 songs from folk music legends like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian and Phil Ochs. The CD's are contained in a spiral-bound book based on the bi-weekly folk music journal of the 1960's, Broadside magazine. (8:00) The Best of Broadside five CD set is from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, catalog number SFW CD 40130.

The House failed today to override President Clinton's veto of a bill which would repeal inheritance taxes. The vote was 14 short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. But the Republicans are hoping to use the vote as a wedge issue to run on in the fall. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

School began in most districts across the country today. Many high schools start at 7:30 AM....but in Minneapolis, high schools have, for the fourth year, begun their day later...at 8:40AM. The dramatic change is the result of years of sleep research on adolescents...which finds they naturally fall asleep later, around 11:30PM. And what's more...they need about nine and a half hours of sleep each night. So without the later start times..teens are perpetually in what researchers call "sleep debt." NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports.

Commentator Amy Dickinson tries to find out the recipe for the "secret" sauce that's powered the Methodist barbecue that's been held every summer weekend since 1949 in her hometown in upstate New York. The secret is: there is no secret after all. It's a myth.

As many as 25,000 people from around the world have joined in the fight to put out the wildfires in the western United States. Even with the abundance of manpower, the problem remains — there is a lack of skilled workers on the front line. Kathy Witkowsky reports from Montana's Bitteroot Valley on the what kind of skill and training are needed to fight the fires raging in the West.

Linda talks with reporter Jacky Rowland --who's in Belgrade, about the Yugoslavian police raid on a student-based opposition group and the upcoming elections. The group, called "Otpor" which means "resistance" in Serbian, is known for it's criticism of President Slobodan Milosevic. Although none of the students were arrested, computers and other materials were taken way. Milosevic's biggest challenge is from candidate Vojislav Kostunica, a moderate nationalist. Polls show that in a fair election between him and Milosevic, Kostunica would win.