LIBYA

U.S. stocks climbed higher Friday, as fears of increased violence in Libya ebbed and currency interventions helped to relieve investor worries over Japan's economy.

Investors already bruised by the Japan disaster now confront military air strikes on Libya and the prospect of rising oil prices, making it likely they will postpone any bold investment decisions.

The global economic impact from Japan's earthquake and nuclear crisis may go beyond the modest GDP hit most number crunchers predict.

Investors already bruised by the Japan disaster now confront military air strikes on Libya and the prospect of rising oil prices, making it likely they will postpone any bold investment decisions.

British, French and American jets conducted bombing and attack operations over Libya on Sunday to enforce a no-fly zone over the country meant to stop leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces from killing civilians as the Arab League criticized the assault, saying casualties among civilians had occurred nonetheless.

In response to airstrikes on his country by a coalition of western nations, Col. Moammar Gaddafi has threatened that Libya will fight a long war.

Oil prices may rise again on Monday as traders ratchet up the risk premium for crude after Western forces bombed Libya's air defenses in a United Nations-backed intervention against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

UN-sanctioned aerial and naval attacks on Libyan air defense and ground forces at the weekend are likely to see oil prices vault higher this week, overcoming demand-side jitters stemming from Japan's earthquake and Chinese monetary tightening.

As a coalition of western nations launch airstrikes on Libyan military targets, British Prime Minister David Cameron warned that the UK could face terrorist reprisals should Moammar Gaddafi’s regime somehow remains in power.

French fighter jets have bombed and destroyed a Libyan military target, marking the first act of enforcement of the United Nations mandate to impose a no-fly zone over Libya

Following reports that President Nicholas Sarkozy has ordered French fighter jets to fly to Libya, British Tornado jets are also prepared to commence with a similar mission.

In what is believed to be the first foreign intervention in the ongoing crisis in Libya, French military jets have flown to the North African country in an effort to prevent Moammar Gaddafi from bombarding Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in the eastern part of the nation.

Forces backing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attacked rebels in the city of Benghazi on Saturday as international leaders met in Paris to discuss how to implement a UN resolution calling for a Gaddafi cease fire and authorizing military action to protect Libyan civilians.

The following is United Nations Resolution 1973, as passed by the Security Council on March 17, 2011 by a vote of 10-0, with 5 abstentions.

Global stocks rose on Friday as traders took on riskier investments following a Libya ceasefire that reduced tension in the region, and after several central banks intervened to stabilize the yen.

Starbucks Coffee Co said on Friday it would raise the price of its packaged coffee by an average of 12 percent after its Chief Executive Howard Schultz once again blamed speculators for pushing coffee prices higher.

Stocks gained after a week of heightened volatility on Friday, but investors were reluctant to make big bets due to turmoil in the Middle East and Japan's nuclear crisis.

Stocks gained after a week of heightened volatility on Friday, but investors were reluctant to make big bets due to turmoil in the Middle East and Japan's nuclear crisis.

President Barack Obama on Friday threatened the use of military force against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, but said any action would not involve U.S. troops on the ground.

The following is a White House transcript of remarks by President Barack Obama on Friday on the situation in Libya delivered from the East Room on March 18, 2011.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that Germany may take on additional tasks in the war in Afghanistan to make up for NATO members' involvement in possible attacks on Libya after a UN vote yesterday approved a possible no-fly zone.