hope to see you tomorrow! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ this morning on "early today," battle lines drawn. libyan president moammar gadhafi makes a desperate bid to hold on to power. swept away, torrential rains unleash massive floods in bolivia. and actor charlie sheen is dealt a major blow in the custody battle with his estranged wife. captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello and good morning. welcome to our viewers across the nation, including the pacific time zone. i'm lynn berry. today, we begin with a brewing civil war. with no resolution in sight to the rebellion in libya, the country appears to be nearing a

full on conflict. libyan leader moammar gadhafi is now trying to secure a buffer zone around tripoli. jim filed this report from libya late last night. >> reporter: preparing for war, a short drive outside tripoli and one sees the gauntlet close up facing any invading rebel force. hundreds of tanks and anti-artillery pieces have turned the city of 2 million into a fortress. it's fast becoming libyan leader moammar gadhafi's last strong hold. less than 30 miles away in the rebel held town of zawhi, protesters faced down a major counter attack by qadhafi troops and tanks and won. but qadhafi's son took the setback in stride. >> if you have one or two or 3,000, it doesn't mean that everything is gone and it's

over. >> reporter: as the standoff continues, both sides are fighting to win a war of words and images. in benghazi international news cameras were brought to see rebel forces training civilian volunteers and keeping their heavy weapons ready for battle. >> all people here are one heart and they believe in one libya. >> reporter: meanwhile, rumors are flying around tripoli that rebel forces could attack tripoli after friday prayers. that makes an uncertain situation terrifying. i'm jim maceda reporting fromç tripoli. back to you. back here at home, secretary of state hillary clinton told lawmakers yesterday that the obama administration will look into allegations moammar gadhafi is personally responsible for ordering the bombing of pan am flight 193 in lockerbie, scotland, killing 270 people.

tracie potts joins us with more on that from washington. tracie, good morning. >> reporter: lynn, good morning. here's the very latest. qadhafi was on state tv this morning after a fierce gun battle between government forces and rebels retaking one city in libya. also this morning u.s. warships are in the suez canal now headed towards the mediterranean on stand-by. secretary of state hillary clinton is saying that the government, the u.s. government, may consider prosecuting qadhafi for ordering the lockerbie bombing. she says that the administration could seek justice. victims have been asking the obama administration to reopen that investigation. ex official that is have recently left the libyan government say he personally oraled thad bombing. also, the united nations has suspended libya from its human rights council. the first time that's err been done, citing gross and systematic human rights violations. that is not permanent, but libya would need to be restored to

full status. lynn. >> tracie, thanks so much. the senate is expected to approve a temporarily funding bill later today that will prevent a government shutdown this friday. the measure which also cuts spending by $4 billion passed the house yesterday on a bipartisan vote of 335-91. president obama is expected to sign the two-week extension into law, but democrats still remain steadfastly opposed to a longer republican plan which would cut more than $60 billion through september. now here's a look at some other stories making news early today in america. in washington a natural gas explosion earlier this week was caught on cell phone camera. investigators say the eruption of flames was sparked by a fire at a bus fueling island inside a local transportation headquarters. firefighters gained control of the fire within an hour. in massachusetts a store clerk turned the table on a would-be robber's attempt to hold up her store. after being threatened with a

knife, she struck back with a weapon of her own and chased the suspect out of the store. the store clerk says she was afraid, but acted on instinct. police have not yet made an arrest. in kentucky a driver who swerved his truck to avoid a deer instead ran into a river. miraculously he was able to survive byç scrambling out of s car before it washed over a dam. the driver was treated for only minor injuries. sfwlirchlgts and, finally, in "new york times" square is the back drop for five new pieces of art. the sculptures range in size and style and include a super sized rodent. one resembling bubbling sea form and a woman and one entitled counting sheep. the works of art are a part of a week-long public arts exhibition. and now for a look at your national and regional weather. here's nbc meteorologist bill karins with the weather channel forecast. bill, good morning. >> good morning to you, lynn. did you see any of those

sculptures? >> i haven't yet, but, you know, times square, it doesn't need any more characters. i am sure that it is lovely, though. all in the name of art. >> you and the naked cowboy out there, huh? >> exactly. i don't know about the art, bill, but we'll take it. let's talk about what's happening on the west coast. that's where the rain is. the rest of the country is quiet. the other big weather story today is a big arctic air mass that's coming down out of canada. those temperatures are plummeting. look at minneapolis this morning. march is going to be a cool month. you go up and down in a hurry, and you are at negative 2 in minneapolis. some of the cold air is trying to bleed back here into the northern rockies. billings at minus 1 in montana. we're not bad in salt lake city. boise at 42. a lot of the mild air continues right along the pacific. it's because this -- our air finally is coming off the ocean instead of straight down from canada. you can track this storm. it's kind of easy to see as it now slides up the coast. it has brought a cold front on shore, and it's bringing numerous showers to california and the high terrain is getting snow. now, there's want an area of

heavy moisture anywhere. it's very spread out from southern california northward. bakersfield has some showers. fresno. yosemite national park is reporting snow. showers on san francisco north wards all the way up here. you have the idea. you need the umbrella today, but it's not going to be heavy, heavy rain. have a chance to see some wet weather. it's been a soggy week so far in much of the west, and, unfortunately, that continues. the forecast coming up. >> bill, thank you. also coming up, oil seesaws back up. good news on retail, and an apple unveiling. your early morning business headlines are straight ahead. plus, after her arrest hollywood is asking if christina aguilera is the next celebrity pulling a public meltdown. coming up, the magic put a

spell on the knicks. the heat have a new point guard, and an incredible finish with plenty of backbone. you're watching "early today."

good morning, and welcome back to "early today." i'm lynn berry. here are some of your top headlines this morning. three weeks after igniting a heated dispute with unions over his proposal to end collective bargaining, governor scott walker has unveiled a budget containing deep cuts of $1.5 billion to the schools and local governments. meanwhile, an ohio senate panel is considering a measure that would pan all public workers from striking and subject them to fines and possible jail time if they do. a spokesman for potential 2012 presidential candidate mike huckabee says the former arkansas governor, quote, simply misspoke when he said monday in a radio interview that president obama grew up in kenya. huckabee argued the president's childhood in kenya shaped his

world view, despite the fact that obama didn't even visit the country until he was in his 20s. hundreds of residents in bolivia have been left homeless after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide yesterday. at least 400 homes were destroyed, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. 5r holt has scored a win for humanity after trouncing watson, the jeopardy super computer in an untelevised exhibition match earlier this week. holt, a former rocket scientist turned politician netted $2,400 more than watson. rocket scientist probably helped. >> and now here's an early look at how wall street will kick off the day. the dow opens at 12,058. the s&p dropped 20 points. the nasdaq sank 44. taking a look at overseas trading this morning, in tokyo, the nikkei tumbled 261 points while in hong kong, the hang seng plunged 347.

fears mideast unrest could undermine the economic recover rattled markets once genetic. oil uncertainty resurfaced by renewed counterattack forces in libya while reports iran was cracking down on anti-government protesters added to investor fears. oil shot up more than $2 to settle just under $100 a barrel. investors shrugged off ben bernanke's testimony before the senate banking committee that higher prices could impact the recovery, but only temporarily. as for february, new data shows retail sales were up despite rising fuel costs and those nasty winter storms. auto sales are bouncing back with sweeter deals and discounts pushing february sales up an average of 20% over last year. house lawmakers welcomed word from treasury secretary tim geithner that the obama administration plans to resolve -- dissolve failing housing giant fannie mae and freddie

mac. he warns that it has to be done gradually over the next several years. the former director of goldman sachs and procter & gamble has been charged in the largest hedge fund insider trading probe ever. j. crew approved a sale of the firm. apple has decided to unveil its thinner, faster, and camera equipped i pad 2 today, but what's not so certain is whether the company's ailing ceo, steve jobs, will take part. finally, a london council confiscated supplies of so-called baby gaga ice cream made from breast milk over potential health concerns. it was also selling out, even more frightening. coming up, a rare loss for the spurs. the great eight notches a winner, and trickery pays off in women's hoops. plus, the nation's number one team boasts a number one shooter from downtown. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. >> well, just because it's march, winter is not done yet.

a shot of cold air heading for the middle of the country. your wednesday forecast is coming up. you're watching "early today."

good morning. if you're just waking up, this is "early today." in sports, the much improved new york knicks recently beat lebron and company in miami. but it was a different story

last night. here's nbc's fred roggin with aç early look at all your sports headlines. good morning. the knicks may have carmelo anthony, but the one thing they're missing a is a big body in the middle and dwight howard took full advantage. to orlando. the knicks in total control in the first half. chauncey billups knocked down the three. he had 30 and new york was up 11 at the break. however, the imagine iing rallied time after time. howard got the hoop with ease. he also had 30 and 16 boards. jameer nelson interrupted in the second half and gave orlando a nine-point lead. they won it, 116-110. tony parker is out with a calf strain, and the spurs miss him dearly. they had 22 turnovers against the grizzlies. memphis handed san antonio just their 11th loss of the season 109-93. yesterday, we told you about mike bevvy forfeiting $6.2 million after refusing to pay for the wizards. turns out the risk paid off. he's expected to sign for the miami heat. troy murphy had a similar situation. he has signed with the bolt celtics.

college hoops, a senior hit ten three-pointers, a new career high for the buckeye. that's 30 points. buckeyes won it, 82-61. hockey, washington down 1-0 when it was tied with 47 seconds left in the third period. on to overtime, alex ovechkin took things into his own hand, skating coast to coast, powered his way to the net and scored the game winner. the cavs won it 2-1. a miracle finish. .7 second to play. concordia university down one. daniel qualson threw the ball off the back of the defender and hit the jumper for the win. take a look at this incredible play. off the back and through the hoop. just like the coach drew it up. don't turn your back on concordia u. they advance to the naia tournament. that's your early look at sports on "early today." i'm fred roggin. charlie sheen runs up against an authority figure who doesn't have to accept his lifestyle. a judge. your early morning entertainment

headlines are straight ahead. plus, it's all a question of supply and demand of cuteness. you're watching "early today."

welcome back on this wednesday. bring the umbrella with you in san francisco, sacramento.

olympia, portland, tacoma, seattle, everybody has a little bit of rain out there today, but nothing will be too heavy as you go throughout the day. it will turn more to scattered showers as the front moves on shore, and as we go into thursday, another chilly day. more instability showers. not a lot of heavy rain once again. this time it looks like san francisco, some showers for you. maybe a wintry mix headed for salt lake city. luckily, our trifecta down here, phoenix, vegas, and l.a., you're remaining just fine. if you are watching us in honolulu, hawaii, see an artist exhibition that has a striking similarity to landscape. it's at the hawaii state art museum. that's your pacific event of the day. >> thanks so much. now here's an early look at today's headlines in entertainment. now here's a look at this morning's headlines in entertainment. the latest in the ongoing charlie sheen saga.

police came to sheen's home lasç night and removed his twin boys. estranged wife brooke mueller successfully petitioned a judge to remove his sons from his home based on his unique living arrange wmts two girlfriends. charlie sheen said this is not the america i grew up in. shiloh buff is said the be the lead candidate for next year's the bourne legacy. katy holmes is suing a "star magazine" for $50 million over a cover that suggested she couldn't leave husband tom cruise because she was drug addicted. and, finally, christina aguilera was arrested for public intoxication in west hollywood on tuesday morning when according it a police spokesperson she didn't know her address and had trouble standing. she was released when she straightened up and she will not be prosecuted. sort of seems a few things that christina aguilera has done that she's not really in good, you know -- >> does she look too kwunk for a midlife crisis? >> i think in hollywood the midlife crisis comes at around 23, so i don't think that -- >> or 45. >> as we heard at the beginning

of our headlines. this comes to us from kntv nbc 11 in california's bay area where in san francisco a few dogs got a one-way ticket to the big apple. to be the toast of the town. operation chihuahua is a go. over a dozen puppies are headed to new york city. the move helps shelters solve their problem of overcrowding and it answers high demand on the east coast. the purse pups, as they're called, won't have to wait long for adoption. organizers expect loving families and designer bag owners to quickly line up. i'm lynn berry, and this is "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

despite cloudy weather, brazil was able to light up excitement. the famous christ the redeem -- redeemer statue was illuminated yesterday to celebrate rio de janeiro's anniversary. over 300 colored l.e.d. lights were direct odd to the 80-year-old landmark. the ceremony marks the beginning of a massive carnival celebration expected to draw some 700,000 tourists to the city. the city of valencia sets off an unusual fireworks display. at 2:00 in the afternoon, the show began. unlike most pyrotechnic shows, where the main focus is on color andç light, this one is about sound divided into progressive stages and then at the end of the spectacle the audience

floods the square to congratulate all those workers who put on a great show. icy roads can make for a nightmare commute, but in the estonian islands, it's maze it a breeze. a 15-mile ice road over the baltic sea is giving drivers access to the mainland cutting travel down by more than a fourth. the ice is near a foot and a half thick and drivers must still carry a cell phone and, bill, they're not allowed to wear seat belts. that you say that's because if there's an accident they could get stuck. >> that cell phone will come in handy as you're sinking into the lake. >> let's be optimistic. cutting down on the commute. >> have you ever seen "ice road truckers?" >> i have seen "ice road trucker." why have we seen this show, bill? let's not get into that. time now for an early look at some of the stories we'll follow throughout the day here on nbc. in washington, talks aimed at preventing an nfl lockout later this week resume today. team owners and the players are in a labor dispute over issues such as revenue sharing and the

number of games if a season. in california, there will be a parole hearing for sir han sir han, convicted of assassinating robert kennedy in 1968. he admitted to the killing, but his lawyer says his client has no memory of the offense and says a second gunman is involved. and astronauts aboard the space shuttle "discovery" will perform their second space walk. they'll finish up work on a failed ammonia pump. all day long, you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. actor charlie sheen speaks out in a live interview following the revelation that authorities have removed his children from his home. and real estate mogul donald trump stops by the to talk about the new season of "celebrity apprentice." now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one.

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