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"Smoot" is one of 10,000 new words featured in the fifth edition of The American Heritage Dictionary, out this month. In an era when every definition is just a click away, why publish an enormous book of words? For the answer, host Audie Cornish turns to the dictionary's executive editor, Steve Kleinedler.

Every answer is the name of a world capital. You'll be given a four-letter word. The first two letters are the first two letters of the city's name, and the last two are the last two letters of the country's name. For example, if you were given "loin," the answer would be London, Great Britain.

Proposals to increase Medicare's eligibility age to 67 from 65 have been gaining traction in Congress, and there's little doubt that the shift in health insurance coverage would reduce federal spending. But some experts say the costs could shift to employers and state governments, and actually cause an increase in overall health spending.

A high level of investment in agriculture is driving up land prices, making it harder for new farmers to afford their own. And banks simply aren't lending to higher-risk first-time farmers. Unless young people are left farmland by their family, they're out of luck, one banker explains.

A high level of investment in agriculture is driving up land prices, making it harder for new farmers to afford their own. And banks simply aren't lending to higher-risk first-time farmers. Unless young people are left farmland by their family, they're out of luck, one banker explains.

Everyone says it dozens of times a day, from its Boston birthplace to the far reaches of the Earth. It's the word "OK" — the subject of the book "OK: The Improbable Story of America's Greatest Word."

American Airlines has canceled thousands of flights this week for safety checks. Several other U.S. carriers have had to do the same thing, and they're shuffling passengers, empty planes, mechanics, inspectors — and a lot of paperwork — to try to get through the logistical chaos.

Auditions at Madison Square Garden focus on a walk-on role in a revival of Annie. The character? A stray dog. And no, it's not for the alpha male role of Sandy.

As the U.S., Britain and Spain abandon efforts to win U.N. approval for a new resolution on Iraq, President Bush prepares to address the nation at 8 p.m. ET. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says Bush will issue an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, that the Iraqi leader leave the country or face war. And Secretary of State Powell says the "time for diplomacy has passed." Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara and Michele Kelemen.

Best of 4A 2002 - Christopher O'Riley: Pianist Christopher O'Riley came by NPR last year as well, to play some songs by a band called Radiohead, and he threw in some music George Harrison as well, as a tribute to the late Beatle. We hear O'Riley's arrangement of "Within You Without You" and "Blue Jay Way."