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According to the World Health Organization, about 36 million people worldwide currently suffer from some degree of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Experts predict the number is set to double by 2030. Most families and health care systems are largely unprepared.

The central bank says conditions continued to improve, though not dramatically, in recent weeks. The report adds to other evidence that the economy is moving along fast enough to keep unemployment from rising, but not fast enough to bring the jobless rate down sharply.

President Obama goes before a joint session of Congress Tuesday evening to deliver his State of the Union message. White House briefers say the president plans to bring the national conversation back to the economy after weeks of focusing on immigration and gun violence.

Also: our pick of the best books coming out this week; the 50th anniversary of Sylvia Plath's death; and the real identity of a popular romance novelist.

Many of the canines that have flocked to Manhattan are staying at the Hotel Pennsylvania. And there the pooches are treated like VIPs — very important pooches, that is. From spinach pizza to a doggie concierge, it's a pampered life for a show dog.

It's Oscar season, meaning that classic toe-tapper "Hooray for Hollywood" will soon be booming out of TV speakers everywhere. But the cheery cinema hymn has a more complicated compositional past, as NPR's special correspondent Susan Stamberg explains.

Citing his age (85) and diminished strength, the pontiff plans to step down effective Feb. 28. It's likely that a conclave to elect a new pope will be held by mid-March. A pope hasn't stepped down this way since 1415.

Pope Benedict announced Monday morning he is retiring at the end of the month. He will be the first pontiff to step aside in six centuries.

The New York Post reports that Brooklyn-based Wonton Food is nixing its slightly suggestive fortunes after parents complained about children reading them.

A car exploded, killing at least several people and wounding many more, according to news reports. NPR's Deborah Amos, who was at the border crossing, says the blast caused panic.