we'll have a look at the fourth tower coming into place this week at the bay bridge and what it might mean for your commute. good night. inside libya, gadhafi tries to show he is still in charge. tonight, what he wanted us to see. and what he found at tripoli's front door. the battle lines at home over teachers in a city that fired every teacher on its payroll. and the real story of a little boy who first heard the king's speech and convinced the real queen to someday let the king's speech and convinced the real queen to someday let the story be told. captions paid for by nbc-universal television

good evening. even as the libyan government today tried to demonstrate it is still in control of the country, there were clear and ominous signs that the noose is tightening around moammar gadhafi's regime. today, anti-government forces in dramatic fashion consolidated their grip on zawiyah, a key city just 30 miles from the capital and both side appear to be arming themselves for a make-or-break battle for libya's seat of power. nbc's jim maceda traveled from tripoli today and found a lot more than the government bargained for. >> reporter: this is what the libyan government wanted us to see, traffic jams in downtown tripoli, libyans going about their normal business. and as our press convoy left the capital, rings of pro-gadhafi forces at fortified checkpoints, with tanks and anti-aircraft artillery, looking firmly in charge. but when we approached zawiyah,

supposedly under government control, gadhafi's public relations mission backfired. we found makeshift barricades built by rebels. shots were fired in celebration, a pre-gadhafi flag flew once again over this, chants of "down with gadhafi." in fact, this is what we found, a town in the hands of the opposition and protected by soldiers who have defected. and not just any town. zawiyah is in the libyan leader's very heartland. >> now, here, all the people together, we left together. we love libya, i hate moammar gadhafi. reporter: the tides turned yesterday. the forces fired on unarmed libyans holding an anti-government sit-in next to a mosque, seven protesters killed, the mosque scarred by bullets. it was enough to make some troops switch sides. >> today in libya, no casualties. >> reporter: gadhafi's son appeared on state-run tv called

zawiyah only a minor problem, offering to pull back troops if the people compromised. later, our government handlers did find a pro-gadhafi demonstration outside of town. several hundred proclaimed their love for a their hero, but the damage was already done. after all the propaganda, this is what's in store for gadhafi and his regime. less than 30 miles from the capital of tripoli, these people are willing to die to unseat him. jim maceda, nbc news, zawiyah, libya. meantime, germany says it has conducted a secret military air mission into the libyan desert to extract some of its citizens from the embattled country. britain's royal air force has also staged its own stealthy evacuations amid fierce violence and it is about to get even worse. nbc's richard engel is in the key rebel stronghold of benghazi. richard, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, lester. as you mentioned, foreign governments are extracting their citizens here.

everyone on the ground expects this conflict will escalate even further. foreign workers are escaping libya in droves. according to the united nations, 100,000 people have fled libya since fighting began, all but stopping libya's economy. foreign workers ran libya's oil industry. now, oil fields are still. exports largely halted. people are leaving because of scenes like this. an internet video appears to show gadhafi's forces executing rebels in the streets of tripoli. the violence may have been too much, even for gadhafi's ukrainian nurse, once described in a leaked u.s. cable as a voluptuous blonde, always at his side. now, she has returned to kiev. but gadhafi's son denies the

opposition is killing the rebels in interviews with media with itn's channel four. your father lost control of benghazi, he must be disappointed. he must feel this is a big blow. >> in benghazi, there's 1.5 million people and they are talking to us and calling us, people that are afraid of the militia on the ground, because the militia, armed militia. >> do you think he will ever get back the parts of libya that he has lost? >> libya -- benghazi is part of libya. >> and what spirits is your father in? >> very good. morales are very high. >> reporter: but in benghazi, the people don't seem frightened. they are building a new country here. today, the opposition distributed food, banks reopened. the opposition even named an independent government of what they now call free libya. and free libya is building an army. at an old court building in benghazi, they have already collected the names of thousands of volunteers. most want to go to the frontlines.

others donate money, cars and weapons. the rebels are keeping some of the heavy weapons here. there are artillery rounds, rocket-propelled grenades and what appears to be a box of live grenades. they say that most of the weapons have already been sent to tripoli. the rebels know gadhafi and his family will hang on to tripoli as long as they can. they say they plan to take the city by force. both sides now seem to be consolidating their forces, lester. the rebels here in benghazi and there are reports tonight that gadhafi's forces are planning a counteroffensive around tripoli. >> richard, have any of the rebels you've spoken to, are any talking about what a post-gadhafi government might look like and the risk that libya could become a failed state? >> reporter: there is a risk that it could become a failed state. for 41 years, this country has had no real institutions at all.

gadhafi has run it like a cult of personality. there's no constitution. there's no parliament to speak of. so they know they will have to start from scratch. right now, today, they were trying to put a leadership together, even here in benghazi, but so far, they don't have a consolidated leadership in this city alone, let alone a national plan. lester? >> richard engel tonight. richard, thank you. and benghazi now may now be a rebel stronghold, but for decades, it was a top target of gadhafi's wrath. tonight, nbc's stephanie gosk has the story of one man who faced years of torment. >> reporter: just outside benghazi's courthouse, a banner waves with 1200 faces, political prisoners killed in a notorious libyan prison. their case helped spark the revolution here. gadhafi seized power in 1969. since then, benghazi has been the center of the opposition. those that took part in it, even friends of those that took part

in it, faced constant threat of arrest. this man was arrested in 1989, just 23 years old, accused of being a dissident. he had friends in the opposition. you never had a trial. >> no. >> did you ever have a chance to speak to your family? >> after two years by phone. >> but basically, they had no idea? you went out one day, you didn't come back. they had no idea? >> no, no idea. >> reporter: six years later, he was released. that's when gadhafi's secret police started following him and documenting his every move here. >> i was held here. >> you don't know which room? >> no. >> reporter: one of many government buildings burned down in the uprising, now it is being used by rebel forces to stockpile weapons, machine gun ammunition, anti-aircraft rounds and rpgs. before the fire, a friend found his file. you knew they were following you, but you didn't know that it was happening like this? >> no. >> reporter: a list of his friends and family, details of every business trip, handwritten

notes that he's dangerous. now, for the first time in 20 years, he is not being watched and is hopeful about his future and his children's. >> this ruined my life. you know, you get me? now, the happiest days in my life. >> reporter: a feeling many peopole who gather outside benghazi's courthouse daily seem to share. stephanie gosk, nbc news, benghazi. more strong words and action this weekend from the united states and the united nations. both tried to increase pressure on moammar gadhafi and pave the way for a post-gadhafi libya. nbc's mike viqueira has our report. >> reporter: it was a rare display of international unity. by a vote of 15-0, the u.n. security council slapped sanctions on the gadhafi regime. >> this is a clear warning to the libyan government that it must stop the killing. >> reporter: the sanctions would freeze the assets of the gadhafi family and close officials. that follows a similar move by

the white house. restrict travel outside of libya and ask the international criminal court to investigate possible gadhafi war crimes, including the killing of his own citizens. sent by president obama to consult allies in europe, today, secretary of state hillary clinton said the u.s. is reaching out to libyans trying to organize in cities now held by anti-gadhafi forces. and is ready and prepared to offer any kind of assistance to a post-gadhafi government. this weekend, president obama, for the first time, publicly called for gadhafi's ouster. while backing that call, today, republican john mccain said the u.s. needs to go further. >> we could impose and could have imposed a no-fly zone. they would have stopped flying if that had been imposed. they are using air power and helicopters to continue these massacres. >> reporter: and lester, another senator, independent joe lieberman, says the united states government should recognize those opposition leaders in benghazi as the legitimate libyan government and arm them.

and meanwhile, consultations will continue this week at the white house. the president meets tomorrow with ban ki-moon, the u.n. secretary-general. lester? >> mike viqueira at the white house. thank you. we want to turn now to the tragedy in christchurch, new zealand. the death toll from this week's earthquake is now around 150, but officials warn the number could go well over 200 by the time all of the bodies are found in the rubble. but tonight, rescue workers remain focused on trying to find survivors. and as nbc's george lewis reports, this sunday brought no day of rest. >> reporter: it is a delicate and dangerous task, pulling apart the concrete layer by layer, looking for signs of life. teams from japan and china concentrate on the wreckage of the canterbury tv building that housed a language school. 28 japanese and 20 chinese students are believed buried inside. an american team from the los angeles county fire department is part of the international effort. >> we are very fortunate to be able to assist and give our

services when new zealand's in their time of need. >> reporter: they have been assisting at the iconic christchurch cathedral. as many as 22 people feared beneath the rubble. here in the hardest-hit area, the christchurch central business district, it's a race against time. rescuers know that with each passing hour, the chances for finding people alive grow increasingly dim. many of the stately old stone houses of worship in christchurch now face demolition. the members of st. barnabas anglican church held sunday services just outside the cracked walls of their sanctuary. >> fortunately, the weather has been fantastic and we have been able to share our experiences with each other. >> reporter: in other churches

hymns and prayers for the healing of this community. >> i'm noticing in more recent days, the revival of courage, neighborliness, mutual support, spontaneous acts of kindness. it's as if the city is trying to recover its spirit in the face of a devastating tragedy. >> reporter: and so, as they deal with their grief and overwhelming task of rebuilding, the people lean on each other and on their faith. george lewis, nbc news, christchurch, new zealand. when "nbc nightly news" continues this sunday evening, the national fight over teachers and the city that just fired every teacher on its payroll. plus, on hollywood's biggest night, we will look at the man behind oscar favorite "the king's speech," whose own struggle and triumph inspires, too.

in madison, wisconsin, protesters have camped out at the state capitol for more than a week were under orders to clean up and get out today, meaning remove their sleeping bags, their signs and themselves. tonight, hundreds have done so. wisconsin is one of many states public employees find themselves under fire. and there's one profession getting hit surprisingly hard, as nbc's kevin tibbles reports. [ applause ] >> reporter: school board members in providence, rhode island, voted thursday not to lay off teachers, but to fire them all. >> they fired 1926 teachers with no plan. >> reporter: the city says it will rehire the teachers it needs and let the rest go. staring at a crippling deficit, the mayor says it is time for drastic action. >> we are facing an unprecedented, unprecedented fiscal crisis in our city. >> reporter: budget deficits and seemingly ironclad benefits packages now have teachers

nationwide, including here in new york, under scrutiny. >> when i say we have a budget deficit -- >> reporter: mayor mike bloomberg says he is a supporter of unions, but his new city budget suggests close to 4700 teachers could lose their jobs. the teachers responded with this ad. >> mayor bloomberg sees things differently than the rest of us. our schools are short of money, yet he refuses to ask millionaires to pay their fair share. >> reporter: and in new jersey, the governor has made teachers a central theme. >> really, there's two places left in america where there's a profession where there is no reward for excellence and no consequence for failure. of course, we all know the first one is weathermen. [ laughter ] unfortunately, the second one is teaching. >> the current situation is undesirable, both fiscally and educationally. it's not good for kids. it's not good for taxpayers. >> reporter: but there is concern as cities ask schools to do more with less, the children will suffer.

>> schools are seen as the last bastion of a kind of social order. and so to have them subject to this had kind of upheaval can't be good for kids. >> reporter: doing the math in a fiscal crisis may leave schools feeling the pinch. kevin tibbles, nbc news, new york. when we come back here tonight, you've scrimped and saved for retirement. now comes word you may not have saved nearly enough. how much money do you need in your 401(k)?

the economic turmoil of recent years is putting a comfortable retirement at risk for many americans. those who saved and invested money in 401(k)s and other plans and thought they had it made, a new analysis finds many haven't saved nearly enough. nbc's lisa myers on how it happened and whether there's time to turn things around. >> reporter: 64-year-old gloria moss faithfully put aside money

in her 401(k) for most of her working years and thought she'd be happily retired by now. but three years ago, this divorced mother of two with a ph.d. went to a financial adviser and received the shock of her life. she had only half the money she needed to retire and maintain her lifestyle. >> it was frightening and upsetting. and i have to say, it's on my mind, it's in the back of my mind all the time. >> reporter: many baby boomers are in even worse shape. a "wall street journal" analysis found that the average couple nearing retirement has less than one-fourth of what's needed in their 401(k) to retire at the same standard of living. the average 401(k) nest egg, about $150,000, enough to generate about $9,000 a year in retirement. experts say there's a huge lesson here for the next generation. annette simon is a financial planner. >> save more than you think you have to, at least 15% of your income. you can't save too much.

>> reporter: experts say many baby boomers bought too much house, and spent too much on their children and lifestyle. the key rule for younger workers is live beneath your means. what fact do you think would shock people most? >> probably that $1 million is not as much as you think it is. >> reporter: experts say $1 million translates into 40 to $60,000 a year in retirement. so, what if you're near retirement and haven't saved enough? >> they need to save more by cutting back on their expenses and, two, defer retirement, work at least three to five more years. >> reporter: exactly what gloria moss is doing. >> those nice things that i looked forward to doing, like traveling and -- have had to be eliminated. >> reporter: even then, it won't be the retirement she had hoped for but she says she will find a way to enjoy it. lisa myers, nbc news, washington. driving got a lot more expensive in the past week. aaa says prices rose 19 cents a gallon. the national average for a gallon of regular is now 3.35, that's the highest level since october 2008.

up next, on oscar night, the decades-long drama that led up to "the king's speech" and the moving story of the man who wrote it.

tonight is oscar night and many people predict "the king's speech" could win it all. while much has been made of the true story behind the film, king george vi overcoming his stammer, many people don't know the story of the man who wrote the screenplay. his triumph is just as inspiring. here's nbc's lee cowan. >> reporter: by now, even if you haven't seen "the king's speech," chances are, you've heard it. that debilitating stammer that in a way, is the film's star. >> why are you here then? >> because i bloody well stammer! >> reporter: it was a real-life affliction george vi was forced to battle publicly. in listening to wartime broadcasts like that was a young british boy, who like the king, had a lot to say, but a hard time getting it out. >> i'm still a stutterer. you're always a stutterer. >> reporter: his name is david seidler.

he spent his childhood afraid of what might not come out of his mouth, but if his king could get over his stammer, why couldn't he? >> i was told listen to him. his stutter was much worse than yours, david, and listen to him now. and it gave me hope. >> reporter: he not only grew up with the king's story, he lived it. and when he finally became a screenwriter, he wanted to write about it. but there was one problem. he needed to get permission from king george vi's widow, the queen mother. so he wrote her at clarence house and got back this astonishing answer. >> please, mr. seidler, not in my lifetime. the memory of these events is still too painful. when the queen mother says to an englishman you wait, you wait. >> reporter: 28 years passed before the queen mother died at the age of 101. seidler had kept his word and could now finally write the script he wanted to write all his life.

>> i had to do a great deal of thinking about it a lot of remembering it, a lot of the pain came back. >> reporter: but it was worth it. at the age of 73, seidler is now the talk of hollywood. he has either won or been nominated for every screenwriting award out there. >> thank you. >> reporter: and tonight, he waits to see if oscar will smile on him, too. >> to be heard, at last, to have a voice, is a very marvelous thing. >> reporter: a young boy and a british monarch, joined by words that neither could get out, at first. lee cowan, nbc news, hollywood. before we leave you here, we have this program note. tomorrow morning, the day after hollywood's big night, an exclusive interview with charlie sheen, his first television sit-down since the cancellation of his hit series. sheen says he is clean and wants to go back to work, but he has one big demand. you can see the exclusive interview tomorrow morning on "today." that's "nbc nightly news" for this sunday. brian williams will be here tomorrow. i'm lester holt reporting from