Libya Wages Counterattack on Rebels, and Battles Rage

TOP NEWS Libya Wages Counterattack on Rebels, and Battles Rage By KAREEM FAHIM and DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK Rebel commanders reported at least two bombing runs in the east, while government special forces retook an oil refinery. U.S. Freezes a Record $30 Billion in Libyan Assets By HELENE COOPER The United States blocked the largest amount of assets ever seized in an American sanctions action. U.S. Readies Military Options News Analysis As Regimes Fall in Arab World, Al Qaeda Sees History Fly By By SCOTT SHANE The powerful protests spreading across the Middle East and North Africa have shunned the two central tenets of Al Qaeda's credo: murderous violence and religious fanaticism. Egypt Prosecutor Sharpens Case Against Mubarak 12:26 PM ET Protests in Oman Spread 11:16 AM ET | Regional Roundup The Lede Blog Latest Updates on Middle East Protests By ROBERT MACKEY On Monday, The Lede is tracking the uprising in Libya and protests across North Africa and the Middle East. French Aid Bolsters Libyan Revolt By STEVEN ERLANGER France is moving quickly to side with the forces trying to overthrow the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, sending planes on Monday with aid and doctors to eastern Libya. • NYTimes.com Home Page »

Multimedia Video: TimesCast Airstrikes on eastern Libya; world leaders pressure Colonel Qaddafi to resign; the cost of speaking out against him. Opinion Op-Art | A Month of... Interactive Feature: Monday Shower Songs The second chapter in an illustrated series recalls the songs sung in the shower.

BUSINESS Itineraries Small Airports Fear Being Left Behind as Costs Squeeze Carriers By SUSAN STELLIN Small cities with airports are facing the prospect of fewer flights and more expensive tickets - or even closure of their airports - as airlines grapple with higher expenses. Pension Funds Strapped, States Look at 401(k)s By STEVEN GREENHOUSE The plans would let employees control their retirement portfolios, but they would come at a cost. Obama Supports Easing Health Law Mandates for States By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and KEVIN SACK The president told governors on Monday that he supports letting states opt out of parts of the health plan earlier than is currently permitted. Investors Are Drawn Anew to Digital Music By BEN SISARIO The explosion in smartphone apps has given investors and entrepreneurs optimism that the digital music business is poised to finally become profitable. DealBook Salon.com Sale Talks Collapse By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN and JEREMY W. PETERS The discussions with Michael Wolff's Newser were said to have faltered after the Huffinton Post-AOL deal raised questions about the acquisition price. • More Business News »