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The iconic spindly plants are under threat from a variety of factors, including climate change and development, and the California legislature is stepping in to help.

The world's astronomers finally voted today on the highly controversial issue of how to define a planet. The official definition means Pluto is no longer a planet. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports on the pandemonium in the convention halls of Prague, where the astronomers are meeting.

Damage estimates in Picher, Okla., where deadly tornadoes struck over the weekend, are complicated by the fact that much of the former lead-mining town was already scheduled for demolition because of ecological concerns.

General Motors and Chrysler say they need to trim their network of franchises so when they emerge from bankruptcy proceedings they will be successful. In a Senate hearing Wednesday, lawmakers questioned whether the companies are abandoning the loyal dealerships and consumers who have supported them.

The New York Times has killed its sports department, saying coverage will be drawn from its online sports site, The Athletic. It acquired the site last year for $550 million.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is arrested and deported hours after landing in his home country after seven years in exile. Sharif had vowed to challenge the country's military ruler, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, in upcoming elections.

The United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. confirm their deal creates a GM-funded, UAW-run trust fund to administer retiree health care, but the two sides gave few details. The agreement ending a two-day strike also includes commitments by GM to keep some manufacturing jobs in the United States.

East Timor's president, Jose Ramos-Horta, is hospitalized after being shot in the stomach at his home during a coup attempt. The nation's prime minister escaped injury in an attack on his motorcade.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announces the formation of a new alliance of Shiite and Kurdish parties in an effort to break Baghdad's political impasse. But no Sunni leaders are involved, and key Shiite groups are also not participating.

In a speech at the Coast Guard Academy this morning, President Bush unveiled new information about al-Qaida plans for attacks on the U.S. and other targets outside Iraq.