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Alan Cheuse reviews Robert Littell's newest novel of a CIA agent turned private investigator, A Nasty Piece of Work.

After gaining 109 points Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 16,000 for the first time in history. The index touched the mark earlier this week but fell short by day's end.

The real reason Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid changed the rules Thursday was the proliferation of the filibuster's use — and the near-total separation of the tactic from any real objections to the nominee being blocked.

The week's tech coverage was dominated by Bitcoin, the cyber-currency that was the focus of a congressional hearing, and by video games, which were the subject NPR explored in its weekly tech theme. And a few other things caught our eye.

The Grammy-winning musician's new recording, "We Are America," protests the controversial detention center. But she tells NPR she doesn't like to call it a protest song. It's more of a "let's get together and do something pro-active, creative and productive" song.

Pakistani doctor Shakil Afridi, who was recruited to collect DNA samples to help the U.S. zero in on Osama bin Laden, has been charged with murder in a case stemming from a surgery he performed on a teenage boy several years ago.

Doctor Who fans have yet another thing to occupy their time. On the eve of the good doctor's 50th anniversary, Google has a doodle — or Whodle — just for them. Watch out for the Dalek.

The U.S. lost an average of 80,000 acres of coastal wetlands from 2004 to 2009, according to recent government data. In a recent period, more than 70 percent of the estimated loss came in the Gulf of Mexico.

The banking giant has agreed to pay a record sum to the U.S. government over charges that it knew it was selling risky mortgage products. But it's not clear exactly what, if anything, the bank is admitting to — or if the government's case would have held up in a jury trial.

Celebrating a holiday in another country, Americans sometimes have to make do or do without.