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The falling value of the U.S. dollar has generated a lot of attention among world leaders lately, but what does it really mean for the American economy? Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and David Wessel of The Wall Street Journal.

A new play about Iraq is drawing strong reviews in New York. Nine Parts of Desire is a solo performance by Iraqi-American actor Heather Raffo, who gives voice to nine different Iraqi women. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

Three U.N. workers kidnapped in Afghanistan are freed. Afghan Interior Minister Ahmad Jalali made the announcement Tuesday. The workers were helping with the Afghan election won by incumbent President Hamid Karzai. Hear NPR's Paul Brown.

Health officials are urging a crackdown on candies and snacks imported from Mexico because many brands are contaminated by trace levels of lead. But the ban might prove difficult to enforce, because kids love the tart-hot-sweet flavors of Mexican snacks, and street vendors are difficult to regulate.

As Jay Allison — curator of the "Quest for Hidden Kitchens" — says, "If there is a single unifying theme to the hours of phone messages we've received, it's not about food, but fellowship." We end the year by sharing some of the hundreds of messages that have come in to the Hidden Kitchens phone line.

Florida's biggest agricultural crop is nursery plants, which suffered losses when four major hurricanes swept through the state this year. Many nursery owners are single entrepreneurs or families who can't bounce back from a natural disaster as easily as big businesses. Hear NPR's Ari Shapiro.

Chris J. Strolin and his team of contributors from around the world are attempting to redefine each and every word in the English language with a limerick. So far, they've completed 6,228 limericks. The dictionary is called The Omnificent English Dictionary in Limerick Form. Mr. Strolin tells NPR's Scott Simon how he came up with the idea and how they've redefined antidisestablishmentarianism.

The Filbert Steps create a steep spine that runs up and down San Francisco's historic Telegraph Hill, leading visitors past some of the city's oldest houses and most sublime, secret gardens. The gardens are heavy with blossoms -- and local history. NPR's Ketzel Levine reports.

As Ukraine's Supreme Court prepares to address election fraud charges, opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko tells his supporters to stay in Kiev's streets. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, the declared winner, rallies supporters in eastern Ukraine, where local politicians are calling for a split from the central government. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

President Bush begins his second term, urging Americans to expand the frontiers of freedom around the world and challenging young people in particular to "serve in a cause larger than your wants." The speech was the centerpiece of a day devoted to tradition and tribute.