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Research explores the consequences of boosting self-esteem when it is not justified. When self-esteem is artificially boosted, it reduces performance and effort — as people seek to protect the fragile gain in self-esteem by withdrawing from effort and the risk of failure. When self-esteem is diminished without justification, people appear to work harder to retrieve lost feelings of self-worth.

In Iran's presidential election, former president Hashemi Rafsanjani and Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are set to contest a run-off election Friday. But one of the losing candidates has charged that the vote was rigged, prompting authorities to order a partial recount.

Peso Pluma is YouTube's most viewed artist of the year in the U.S. The Mexican music phenom beat out Taylor Swift, Drake, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Bad Bunny for the top spot.

Also: Suspect in ricin letters described as conspiracist and Elvis impersonator; North Korea "sets conditions" for return to talks; and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords expresses her anger after gun bills fail in Senate.

Also: There are reports that Boko Haram killed hundreds of Nigerians in one attack; pinging is heard from a submerged AirAsia jet; and gospel legend Andrae Crouch has died.

Also: There's a report that Syria used chemical weapons in the civil war; France's embassy in Libya is bombed; a hearing continues today for the suspect in the ricin letters case; and the beloved oaks at Auburn University can't be saved from poisoning and must be cut down.

Also: New bride, four other women die in California limo fire; jury resumes deliberations in murder trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor; cooler weather helps in fight against California wildfires; and the Senate is expected to OK internet sales tax legislation.

Also: Microsoft will buy online networking firm, LinkedIn; former Ohio Senator George Voinovich dies; and Game Five of the NBA Finals is tonight.

Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker offers his picks for the best music of the year, including Fiona Apple's latest album and a Bob Dylan DVD. He also addresses the topic of women in music, and he talks about the year in hip-hop. Tucker is the film critic for New York magazine.

The James Beard award-winning chef was the youngest ever to receive a three-star review from The New York Times. His new memoir, Yes, Chef, explains what it takes to be a master chef — and describes his journey from Ethiopia to Sweden to some of America's finest restaurants.

Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi won the men's and women's races respectively. It was Lokedi's first-ever marathon.

There's a pumped-up sports anthem by a star cricket player, a moody Latin duet and a Malaysian song flavored with American rock, Chinese folk and Malay opera.