World News Briefs -- March 3, 2011 (Evening Edition)

President Barack Obama addresses the situation in Libya at the start of a joint press conference with President Felipe Calderon of Mexico, left, in the East Room of the White House, March 3, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Obama Keeps Door Open To Military Options In Libya -- L.A. Times

President Obama, speaking at a news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, says he is looking at the 'full range' of options to defend the Libyan people against attacks from Moammar Kadafi's forces. Obama also says the U.S. is asking Mexico to extradite the alleged killer of a Border Patrol agent.

WASHINGTON – President Obama says he is looking at the "full range" of military and non-military options to defend the Libyan people against attacks from the forces of Col. Moammar Kadafi, explicitly including the possibility of enforcing a no-fly zone over the country and not ruling out the possibility of air strikes.

Obama said he will charter military and civilian aircraft to help Egyptians and others leave the war-torn country.

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MIDDLE EAST

Shi'ites stage protests in Saudi oil province.

Iranian naval ships re-enter Suez canal.

Yemeni opposition suggests way out of crisis. Yemeni President on verge of quitting after opposition demands.

Syria OKs April 1 visit by UN nuclear agency.

Fuel remains in Bushehr reactor: Iran.

Turkish police crack down on journalists.

Years after vanishing in Iran, US man proven alive.

ASIA

Philippines sends warplanes near disputed islands.

China places stability, strength above all.

Christchurch earthquake: Death toll rises to 163.

Obama regrets civilian deaths in Afghanistan: Kabul. Coalition apologizes for deaths of Afghan children.

This time, murder of Pakistan minister spurs condemnation from Islamic clerics.

South Korea, U.S. to seek U.N. statement on North Korea.

Fiji torture claim as military cracks down.

Chinese activists disappear amid calls for protests.

China warns foreign media not to cover protests. China threatens to expel foreign journalists.

AFRICA

Libyan rebels push west as Gaddafi receives crimes warning. International criminal court begins Libya inquiry. Nations weigh imposing no-fly zone on Libya. Rebels deploy around strategic Libyan oil port. Libya holds Dutch soldiers as refugees flee to borders.
On board a bus fleeing Libya's growing humanitarian crisis.

Ivorian forces kill 7, post-election toll hits 365.

Exclusive: U.N. probes Zimbabwe arms transfers to Ivory Coast.

'Mubarak to be questioned on corruption charges'.

Armed guards save Dutch couple from Somali pirates.

Egypt replaces Prime Minister as region's protesters show tenacity. Egypt's Prime Minister Shafiq steps down. Egypt still waiting for someone to lead.

Tunisia, site of the first Arab revolt, seeks a way forward.

UN says hundreds Of thousands flee Ivory Coast fighting.

EUROPE

Kosovan Muslim who 'shouted Islamic slogans' before shooting dead two U.S. airmen at Frankfurt airport was an employee.

Islamist rebel urges 'total war' with Russia.

Milestone nears for European missile defense plan.

WikiLeaks' Assange appeals against UK extradition.

Pope exonerates Jews for Jesus' death in new book.

AMERICAS

UN: worrisome rise in Mexico heroin trade to US.

U.S. home prices: The double-dip is near.

Heads of U.S., Mexico to meet as tensions rise.

Obama signs short-term spending bill, averting federal shutdown.

What happens to America – and the NFL – if there's no football?

Venezuela: Chavez discusses mediation with Gadhafi.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Two plead guilty to conspiring to murder for terrorist group.

US rejects proposal of swap for Raymond Davis.

Frankfurt airport shooting may have Islamist link, say police. Frankfurt airport shooting an act of Islamic terror, European officials say. Germany: Suspect admits targeting American troops.

Afghan tells of ordeal at the ‘Center of Al Qaeda’.

Al Qaeda in Arabian peninsula is greatest terror threat to U.S., experts warn.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Gallup finds U.S. unemployment hitting 10.3% in February.

Economists: U.S. government pension funds underestimating shortfall by $1.5 trillion or more.

Geithner: We can tap oil reserves if we need them.

Market turmoil as IEA warns 'age of cheap oil is over'.

Wall Street stirs as America looks to get rid of its rusty infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia contagion triggers Gulf rout. Mideast unrest leaves markets in panic.

Lack of information, not lack of oil, driving price rise.

Alberta ranked as world's top mining jurisdiction.