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NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that American Airlines made it official today. It will acquire financially-troubled TWA. In a separate deal, American also announced that it is buying some of US Airways assets and will take a major stake in a startup airline, DC Air. American's parent corporation, AMR, gets TWA's 190 planes and 175 gates at airports around the country. American has also agreed to provide employment to almost all of TWA's 20,000 employees.

Scott Horsley of member station KPBS reports on the latest developments in California's electricity crisis. The US Department of Energy Department refuses to extend an emergency order that requires out-of-state power companies to supply electricity to California. The order expires at midnight tonight. California's electric system has been dangerously close to collapse, and some industrial customers have been asked to cut back in order to prevent rolling blackouts.

NPR's Pam Fessler reports on President-elect Bush's selection of a new Labor Secretary-designate and a US Trade Representative-designate. Elaine Chao is being tapped to follow Linda Chavez, who withdrew her name for the Labor Department. Robert Zoellick is in line for U.S. Trade Representative. At a news conference today, Bush also defended two other nominees, saying he will stand by John Ashcroft for Attorney General and Gayle Norton for Interior Secretary.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports American Airlines is in talks to acquire Trans World Airlines, as part of a complex deal in which American would also agree to buy significant assets from US Airways. No deal is certain and the talks may still fall apart. TWA is the nation's eighth-largest airline. It has struggled for years and would have to file bankruptcy for a third time before any deal could go forward.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the withdrawal from consideration of George W. Bush's nominee for Labor Secretary. Linda Chavez's nomination ran into trouble after it was revealed that an illegal immigrant once lived in her home and did some chores. Chavez held a press conference this afternoon, announcing her decision to withdraw, but highlighting her intent to help people, and introducing several of the immigrants who she has helped establish themselves in the U.S.

NPR's Brenda Wilson reports on 11-year-old Nkosi Johnson, South Africa's youngest AIDS activist. At last summer's International AIDS conference, Nkosi made a moving speech, a plea really, for acceptance of people with AIDS. Now, he's in a coma, dying of the disease. But his courage and activism have left a mark on the country.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that the second most senior figure in Hong Kong's government has resigned. Anson Chan was appointed by the outgoing British administration, before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. She was known as a ardent supporter of democracy and civil liberties. However, she denies she left her post because of any disagreement with the Beijing-appointed chief executive of Hong Kong.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that a Chinese government spokesman said Tuesday that Gao Zhan, a U.S.- based academic, had confessed to spying. The husband of the American University professor detained in China denies Chinese accusations that she spied for foreign intelligence agencies. The couple and their son were detained on February 11th, although the husband and son were later released.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports Mexico's President Vicente Fox has proposed an ambitious plan for economic development in the south of Mexico. NAFTA -- the North American Free Trade Agreement -- has so-far only benefited the northern part of the country. In the south, Fox has proposed building a trade corridor to attract factories and investment. But workers in the south are worried about being exploited. And Zapatista Indians say the plan will disrupt their way of life.

NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports on the information war waged by the Pentagon since the collision between a U.S. Navy surveillance plane and a Chinese fighter jet. The Pentagon released video of previous reconnaissance craft encounters with Chinese fighters. In doing so, they've steered the discussion toward the cause of the crash -- rather than the right of the U.S. plane to conduct its surveillance.