kind of gather around one candidate needs to get two-thirds. talk this morning about who might be favorite, if you like. and a number of people's names. scheerer of brazil is talked about as well as angelo scola of milan here in italy. they are being both talked with as potentially becoming pope. ouellet of canada and from the u.s., sean o'malley and timothy dolan, two u.s. cardinals who are also being discussed as people who could be selected as the conclave progresses. >> all right. i guess we have to get our bets down right now. keir simmons there live for us at the vatican will be watching that process. breaking news out of eastern afghanistan where officials there report an apparent insider attack west of kabul that has led to multiple casualties including several international troops. nbc news has not confirmed an associated press report that two of those killed were americans.

we go now to nbc's mike taibbi who is in kabul with the developing details. mike, what can you tell us? >> reporter: it happened at about 10:30 local time in the kabul suburb of wardock that's just east of this city. according to a coalition military source, a lone gunman dressed in an afghan army uniform was in the middle of a briefing with other soldiers, both coalition and afghan soldiers, turned his weapon on them and opened fire. the source said there were casualties but could not confirm that among those casualties were any fatalities. they're assessing the damage from that incident. now, wardak has become controversial in the past month because of unconfirmed reports of abuses and attacks by coalition special forces and afghan special forces working with them against civilians in that province. and because of that, afghan president hamid karzai had ordered that those special forces withdraw. he gave a two-week deadline. that's now passed. the withdrawal has not happened. wardak controversial for the

past month and now controversial for a different reason, a new green-on-green attack, afghan against afghan, afghan against coalition forces. mike taibbi, nbc news, kabul. we'll stay in afghanistan. prior to a meeting with defense secretary chuck hagel, afghanistan president hamid karzai suggested the u.s. was in cahoots with the taliban. defense secretary chuck hagel on his first visit to afghanistan rejected the harsh accusations prior to their meeting in kabul. karzai said that the sworn enemies were actually working together to make afghans fearful of more violence if foreign troops withdraw which is supposed to start next year. the taliban quickly denied those claims. annual war games between the u.s. and south korea have triggered a fresh round of threats from the north. in response to the start of 11 days of military maneuvers, north korea saying it will launch a nuclear attack on the u.s. effectively scrapping the 1953 armistice that ended the korean war. so far pyongyang has reportedly

cut off a red cross hotline with the south. the allies say the drills and joint exercises are defensive in nature, and they have no intention of attacking the north. it was the deadliest car accident in ohio in three years. six teens were killed in a tragic crash, investigators saying their suv was traveling at high speeds when it hit a guardrail and flipped over into a pond. two of the eight people in the vehicle survived and were treated for minor injuries and released. state troopers say the vehicle was taken without permission. more program cuts to tell you about this week. courtesy of the sequester budget cuts. members of the military looking to earn a college degree are some of the cuts' casualties. tuition assistant for those in the army and marines has already sben suspended. military flight teams will most likely be no-shows at air shows this spring. dozens of host cities will have smaller crowds and smaller dollars. national parks visitors will

soon find locked restrooms and fewer park rangers. officials at yellowstone have already stopped plowing snow from some of the roads saving an estimated $30,000 a thing. one thing that is not scaled back is the order of these, the f-35 fighter jets. the price tag for the fifth-generation fighter program is some $400 billion. all this as some republicans seem optimistic of president obama's recent proposal of a renewed call for bipartisanship. >> i hit it the president's tremendously sincere. i don't think this is just a political change in tactic. i think he would actually like to solve the problems of the country, and it would be to his benefit and certainly every american's benefit if he did that. >> the last time we went to the white house the president lectured us. i hope that he's genuine, but i don't think we'll do doing the "harlem shake" any time soon. >> there's already a move to avoid a springtime budget battle. the house passed a resolution to fund the government through the fall. now for a look at your monday weather, bill karins joins us.

it's a monday. do we get to restart everything? it's going to be fresh weather? >> we'd like that. >> yes. >> we had a decent weekend even in the northwest, but now the rain's moving in. it's going to be a wet week especially north of seattle. looks like we're going to get really a heavy dose of rain possibly around bellingham. that's about it for the rest. the rest of the forecast looks really nice. already you can see hints of the warm front trying to bring in the rain ahead of it. throughout the day and into the next 48 hours, it's light today and then very heavy amounts of rain especially the northern cascades. these are rough estimates. this gives you a general idea of where the heaviest rains will be focused. the warm is well off the coast. it drapes its way back to the east. and that will be moving up towards the north. now, the way the weather pattern is set up or the high pressure is set up over northern nevada and northern utah, we'll get downsloping winds in southern california, and it's going to be a warm week. we're talking upper 70s to low 80s through your friday. some of the warmest weather in the country is going to be found

here from phoenix all the way through los angeles. as we go throughout the middle of march. enjoy that. that's a look tuesday morning in washington state. i guess that's going to be kind of one of those dreary weeks in the northwest. only one day and one night of heavy rain. the rest of the time just showers. >> good reason for those tech folks to fly south to south by southwest in austin. how low gas prices are heading and why businesses are keeping their profits offshore. plus, two years after one of the modern world's most devastating natural disasters. how japan marks the moment that quake and tsunami changed their world forever. "early today" is back in two.

welcome back. stories making news this morning, a family member of seven people killed in a kentucky house fire says he attempted a rescue but was too late. two adults and five children under the age of 3 were killed when their house went up in flames. the cause is still being investigated. a main suspect in the gang rape of a woman in new delhi, india, has committed suicide in his jail cell. the suspect was accused of driving the bus where a 23-year-old student was raped and fatally assaulted by a group of six men last year. japan marks two years since the devastating earthquake and tsunami. memorial services are being held in tokyo and towns along the northeastern coast where the pacific ocean rushed ashore. nearly 19,000 people were killed in that disaster. and new york congressman peter king, the 68-year-old republican moved from the political arena there into the boxing ring. on saturday night, king fought in a two-round exhibition bout against kickboxing champion

"irish" josh foley. the friendly sparring match that ended in a draw. new studies show stress can take its toll on the heart. researchers found higher rates of card yag problems in veterans with post dramatic stress disorder, in hurricane katrina victims and in greeks dealing with their country's financial crisis. doctors say prolonged stress raises hormones that affect blood pressure and influence other risk factors. meanwhile, the biggest-ever study of mummies found that even without modern-day vices like fast food or cigarettes, people still had heart problems and clogged arteries some 4,000 years ago. "early today health" is brought to you by vagisill wash. can the dow make it a fifth record day? it closed at 14,397 on friday putting the blue chips up nearly 10% for 2013. the s&p ended at 1551, just shy of a 9% gain for the year. and again, it's only march.

while the nasdaq begins the week around 3,244, a rise of nearly 7.5% in just the past ten weeks. a number of national chain stores report this week including dick's sporting goods. urban outfitters and costco. meanwhile, the government will report how strong retail spending was last month. korean electronics giant samsung unveils its new galaxy s4 this week as it looks to take a bigger bite out of apple's market share. good news for drivers. the average price of a gallon of gas has dropped 6 cents over the past two weeks to an average $3.74. it may go lower. a new "wall street journal" tally finds a number of u.s. companies are keeping more of their profits offshore. and in the process, shielding more than 40% of annual profits from u.s. taxes. the top three stashing cash overseas, ge, pfizer and microsoft. wall street will be watching washington this week as well as budget talks to keep the government running. those resume.

current government funding runs out on march 27th. elsewhere in the capital, the chamber of commerce hosts a hiring our heroes jobs fair. that program is aimed at matching military veterans and their spouses with more than 100 prospective employers. they have those fairs all across the country throughout the year. finally, nfl commissioner roger goodell and ge chief jeff immelt have put their heads together, and this afternoon the pair will kick off a new $50 million research and innovation program studying concussions and improving player safety. speaking of sports, we got that for you next. plus, the dramatic rescue of a sailing team moments before their sailboat was destroyed. and jennifer love hewitt is considering insuring her girls for $5 million. yeah, you heard me right.

and now to other stories that caught our eye this morning. in california, dramatic video captures the rescue of a sailboat crew after their vessel broke apart during a race. that 30-foot sailboat drifted into a rocky shoreline and issued a may-day call before the crew swam ashore. one crew member died but remaining five were lifted to safety. also in california, a wildlife center has reopened days after a 24-year-old intern was attacked and killed by a lion. diana hanson was cleaning the enclosure when couscous attacked.

her family says she was passionate about her work and would have wanted them to continue on with their duties. and in scottsdale, a local alligator dubbed mr. stubbs will have to find a new nickname. a prosthetic tail has been attached to the gator's stub to help the animal with swimming and balance. while this new tail is a big step up, it's still going to take time to get used to. in sports, a college basketball thriller decides the big ten title. cody zeller made a go-ahead layup for a 72-71 win over number seven michigan. it was the hoosiers' first outright big ten title in 20 years. and number ten michigan state got 16 points from keith appling including a mega dunk with less than two minutes left in the game there to beat northwestern, 71-61. people on their feet. but the indiana win kept the spartans from sharing the league title. in the world baseball classic, team usa breaks open a game in the ninth inning as eric hasmer doubles to the wall. that scored three runs and the

americans beat canada, 9-4, to advance to the second round. former red sox and dodgers slugger manny ramirez will play baseball this season in taiwan. ramirez who has 555 major league home runs hopes to do well enough for a last shot in the majors. it looks like he's fine-tuning his stroke just in time for the masters. tiger woods, his victory at the world golf classic is his second win of the year and 76th pga tour victory. woods sank some tough putts for a total of 27 for the tournament. only one fewer than his all-time best. finally, to switzerland. a ferretlike creature called a martin ran onto a soccer field halting the march. benito tries to take it down before being bitten, but it was a goalie that finally got the fluffy-tailed defender off the field. just ahead, jennifer love hewitt insuring parts of her body. and "oz" proves great and powerful at the box office. back after these messages. stick with us.

welcome back on this monday. let me give you your forecast to get you out the door. we are watching sunglasses almost required in many areas from southern california all the way through southern nevada into arizona. we are watching rain showers in the northwest that will turn into a heavier rain especially washington state, seattle northwards, over the cascades as we go throughout your tuesday. unfortunately, sunglasses will not be needed in the northwest this week. >> i don't even have a pair right now. i think i threw it out.

probably in some closet. >> i'll get you one of those $5 pairs. >> thanks, bill. audiences were off to see the wizard in droves. disney's "oz the great and powerful" raked in $80 million. sensing they had a hit on their hands, disney already commissioned a script for the sequel, something you'll take your kids to. justin bieber falling apart at the seams, maybe. the 19-year-old upon star seen here in london saying a photographer had assaulted him. this caused justin to spring from his car, expletives were exchanges, punches were not. a lot more headlines on the biebs. i took to twitter afterwards saying he's only human and that it's been a rough week, we would say. jennifer love hewitt recently told "usa today" that she would consider insuring her breasts. just waiting for the insurance

invitation to which she'd say do it, love it, why not? her words. finally, one direction's harry styles. he got a new tattoo in the form of a giant manly butterfly. though his face cannot be seen in that photo, the band's reps have confirmed it is him. >> is it real? >> do you think it's manly i'm glad he didn't select a larger animal or -- >> sitting there and doing it. >> it's a lot of pain. i'm richard lui, and this is "early today," just your first stop of the day on your nbc station.

stories leading the news this morning, in "the l.a. times," alaska's $78 million ferry to nowhere could land in l.a. a state-of-the-art military vessel diverted to alaska as a ferry has not worked out, and officials are great to be rid of it. that's expensive. and in "the washington post," research ties economic inequality to gap in life expectancy. that's about how the haves are living longer than the have-nots. this weekend justin timberlake hosted "saturday night live" for the fifth time and brought along some of the ledge end gends of "snl." >> welcome. we've been expecting you, mr. timberlake. >> i always thought an 'n sync member would make the five-time club, it would be joey fatoon. this is the hall of portraits,

drew barrymore, inducted in 2007, john goodman hosted 11 consecutive years. and of course, chevy. >> alec baldwin and tom hanks. >> two wild and crazy guys! >> ladies and gentlemen -- >> once again -- >> justin timberlake! >> thank you to jay-z, dan aykroyd, alec baldwin, candice bergen, krchevy chase and paul l simon. what a show! >> i heard the first 15 minutes were jam packed. >> i feel bad for whoever is hosting next. >> i definitely want to watch that on demand. the first lady takes to twitter to chat about healthy living. mrs. obama is set to take questions on her initiative

using her official twitter account @flotus. you're in luck, it's national napping day. okay, it's an unofficial holiday, but a brilliant one created back in 1999 by retired boston university professor and his wife to help people adjust to daylight savings time. i think every day is like that for me. justin timberlake will begin his week-long residency on "late night with jimmy fallon" to promote his new album. here's what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. valerie harper opens up about facing terminal brain cancer. and famed illusionist david copperfield is live to showcase his skills and help search for the next great magician. now, keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm richard lui. thanks for watching "early today" just your first stop on this nbc station. have a great start to the week.

. an overnight disappearance. >> it is payday in the town. why thousands in san jose will now make almost $100 extra per week. >> that's the way to start the week and so is this. a look outside at the bay bridge in san francisco. keep it up until 6:00 a.m. this is "today in the bay." from nbc bay area, this is

"today in the bay." good morning, it is 4:30, 4:31. did you change your clock? hi, everybody. i'm jon kelley. it is a little bit rough. >> i think so. such a gorgeous weekend. i'm laura garcia cannon. lots to get to. let's check the forecast with meteorologist, christina lauren. we are going to let the good times roll. good morning to you at home. a chilly start to the day. we are headed towards the upper 60s to mid-70s. another beautiful day shaping up. we are going to keep that warmup going for most of this week. . then, the rain arrives. a lot to talk about new week, new seven day. let's check the drive. same old construction. oakland, look over at the flashing lights off to our right. from 66 up, no major construction. the maps, north p