From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman.

 

　　Two people are dead and dozens more are injured in violent clashes in Cairo. This follows a controversial ruling on an Egyptian case that has spurred weeks of violence. Soccer fans are angry there weren't harsher sentences for defendants who participated in a deadly soccer riot in Port Said. NPR's Leila Fadel has more.

 

　　The judge reaffirmed 21 death sentences but acquitted seven of nine police officers along with 21 others. The defendants are accused of participating in a bloody riot last year when soccer fans of the Port Said team stormed the fields and a deadly mayhem ensued that security forces fail to stop. Most the teenage Cairo soccer fans of the visiting team, known as Ultras Al-Ahly, see the dead as their own, and are demanding harsher sentences. A statement on their Facebook page warned that if more police officers are not prosecuted to the full extent of the law, today's clashes would only be the beginning of their "wrath". They accused the state of interfering in the case to free the policemen. Angry soccer fans in Cairo ransacked and set fire to the police club and football association in protest. Leila Fadel NPR News, Cairo.

 

　　Militants in Afghanistan staged two suicide attacks that killed at least 18 people today. The Taliban says it is responsible for the bombing in Karbul. They say it's a message to new Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel. He is in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit. He wasn't near the Karbul explosion but was in the city and heard it. Hagel says the US will continue to work with allies to make sure Afghanistan develops democracy.

 

　　President Obama and Republican lawmakers squared off over budget issues in their media addresses this week. But NPR's Allison Keyes tells us the president says he is reaching out to both parties.

 

　　Last week the President blasted republicans for what he called their failure to compromise and causing the so-called sequester of automatic spending cuts. Now he says he's reaching out to republican, the democrats are alike to untangle some of the gridlock.

 

　　In the months ahead, there will be more contentious debate and honest disagreement between principled people who want what's best for this country. But I still believe a compromise is possible.

 

　　Meantime republican Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions in his party's address, worries of the democratic budget plans set to be unveiled next week will raise taxes and grow the government instead of the economy. Allison Keyes NPR News, Washington.

 

　　The next stage of Alaska's Iditarod dog sled race has a new leader. Four-time winner Martin Buser is in the lead. He's followed by Aliy Zirkle, who was the second place finisher last year. In third, is the 2004 champion Mitch Seavey. The winner of the 1,000-mile track from Willow to Nome, Alaska, is expected to cross the finish line some time next week.

 

　　It is time to change your clocks, day light saving time starts tomorrow, at 2:00 AM, your time. Remember set your clock forward by an hour at 2:00 AM on Sunday, or before you go to bed tonight. Firefighters remind people as they change their clocks, change their batteries on smoke detectors.

 

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　　Telecommunications company, AT&T is announcing a deal between its wireless subsidiary and more than 20,000 union workers. As Bill Zeeble of member station KERA, reports the agreement applies to workers across the country.

 

　　AT&T says the tentative deal affects 22,000 employees across 36 states and the District of Columbia. That generally includes the northeast, mid-Atlantic, midwest, mountain states and the west coast. The employees are represented by the Communications Workers of America. The four-year agreement provides a pay raise each year of between 2% and 3%. The company says pensions and the retirement savings plan will not change. The union's bargaining committee says it supports terms of the deal and recommends a yes vote. Members have to wait until April 5 to vote, if they OK it. The new contract will last through February 11 of 2017. For NPR News, I'm Bill Zeeble in Dallas.

 

　　Election officials in Kenya say Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has been elected as the country's next president. The result is expected to be problematic. Kenyatta is accused of crimes against humanity, associated with Kenya's last election five years ago. More than 1,000 people died in politically related violence.

 

　　Firefighters in Italy have put the top portion of a chimney on the roof of the Sistine chapel. Roman catholic cardinals are going inside and lock themselves in starting Tuesday as they reflect and then vote for a new pope. When that's over, they'll burn ballots in the chimney. White smoke indicates they've selected a new pope. They'll send up black smoke, if they have not yet voted for a pontiff. In 2005, there was confusion about the color of the smoke, so the Vatican installed an extra stove to make the two smoke colors more clear.

 

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