We consider a new system of differential equations which is at the same time
gradient and locally Hamiltonian. It is obtained by just replacing a factor in
the equations of interaction for N point vortices, and it is interpreted as an
interaction of N point sources. Because of the local Hamiltonian structure and
the symmetries it obeys, it does possess some of the first integrals that
appear in the N vortex problem. We will show that binary collisions are easily
blown up in this case since the equations of motion are of first order. This
method may be easily generalized to the blow up of higher order collisions. We
then generalize the model further to interactions of sources and vortices.Comment: 9 page