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Shiites in Bahrain have been protesting what they say is harsh discrimination at the hands of the Sunni-run government. The king of Bahrain over the weekend ordered the release of nearly 200 prisoners. Among them are two Shiite opposition leaders, who have been set free in an apparent move to diffuse tension in the tiny kingdom.

The lawyer for Roxana Saberi, an American journalist charged with espionage by Iranian authorities, says he has not seen any of the evidence against her. Saberi, a freelance reporter for several news organizations, including NPR, was charged Wednesday with spying for U.S. intelligence services.

Roxana Saberi, a U.S.-born journalist, has reported for the BBC, NPR and other media. She was arrested in late January.

North Korea may launch a controversial three-stage rocket as early as Saturday. The long-range rocket would be similar to an intercontinental ballistic missile, but would carry a satellite. Obama has said the launch would strain the diplomatic process with North Korea, and Japan has already sent warships toward the North Korean coast.

Experts say President Obama's strategy for the war in Afghanistan has limitations. Leslie Gelb, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, says he likes parts of the new strategy — although he says the plan is hardly new. Gelb is a former U.S. diplomat and author of the book Power Rules.

Washington and Moscow have often inched toward rapprochement. Amid the Cold War, one iconic episode of detente took place 50 years ago this summer. It has special significance for NPR's Moscow correspondent.

If James Stavridis, the top U.S. commander for Latin America and the Caribbean, is confirmed, he'll be the first Navy officer to fill a post traditionally held by Army generals. Defense Secretary Robert Gates calls him "one of the best senior military officers we have."

The sports world is drowning in March Madness. And while Duke's men's basketball team is a force to be reckoned with, the Duke women's team, the Blue Devils, are a powerhouse in their own right. Head coach Joanne P. McCallie talks about bringing the heat.

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us and to pursuing constructive ties," the president tells a nation once branded as part of an "axis of evil."

Sudan kicked out more than a dozen groups helping people in Darfur after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for its president. Now, President Omar al-Bashir says he wants all foreign aid groups out within a year. Activists are calling for President Obama to take action.