a suicide bombing in the iraqi city of karbala have killed 20 pilgrims. more than 100 are thought to be woundedn this attack. hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have gathered in karbala for one of the most important shia days. iran says it has successfully tested a rocket. it is described as an experimental capsule. the announcement comes as part of iran's celebration of the anniversary of the islamic revolution. it has raised fears in the international community because the technology used to put satellites into space could be used to launch warheads. we will be speaking to our correspondent in tehran. four men charged with murdering one of croatia's best known journalist, and all four are pleading not guilty. it was thought to be an organized crime attack. he was known for his investigation into corruption and crime. malaysian opposition leader anwar ibrahim has pleaded not guilty at the beginning of his long-delayed sodomy trial. they claimed traces of anwar ibrahim's dna was found on the man making the claims. homosexual acts are illegal in malaysia. f

two car bombs tore through a crowd of shiite pilgrims headed to the holy city of karbala. the attack happened in village heights with tens of thousands of worshippers on the street. at least 40 people were killed in more than 150 were wounded. it was the third such bombing this week. >>> turning to a store about strife to one about peace. in an agreement that's being hailed as a breakthrough, british and irish leaders have announced they have reached a deal that would allow northern ireland, catholiand protestant sanctions to take over security in the region by early april. the pact is considered essential to securing the peace in northern ireland following 0 years of sectarian strife known as the troubles. >>> time now for our weekly round table. in looking back over the past week, there was one subject in particular that grabbed our attention -- the increasingly rocky relationship between the united states and china. in one short week, a series of issues came between the two-countries, an american arm sales deal to taiwan, a proposed white house visit for the dalai lama,

nearby iraq, there were two more attacks on shiite pilgrims making their way to the holy city of karbala for a religious observance. the roadside bombs killed at least one person and wounded seven others. today's attacks follow one on monday that killed at least 54 shiite worshippers. the week-long pilgrimage culminates on friday. the iraqi officials are bracing for more violence. >>> today the international criminal court in the hague cleared the way for prosecutors to charge sudan's president with genocide in connection with the conflict in darfur. the united nations estimates 300,000 people have died there. last year, the court issued an arrest warrant for al bashir and war crimes, including murder, torture and rape. as our partner reports, al bashir continues to travel freely, often welcomed by his hosts as a vip. >> reporter: the sudanese president has been traveling freely for months, meeting with heads of state, despite the warrant for his arrest by the international criminal court. only recently he attended a meeting of the african union in ethiopia. icc prosecutors say they are

the blasts ripped through a crowd of shi-ites en route to the holy city of karbala for an annual religious ceremony. it was the third deadly bombing this week targeting shi-ites. a pair of bombs in southern pakistan today killed at least 25 people. 100 others were wounded. both explosions went off in karachi. the first hit a bus carrying shi-ite muslim worshippers. most of the victims were women and children. hours later, a second bombing targeted a hospital where victims of the earlier attack were being treated. shortcomings in the chain of command are to blame for one of the worst ground attacks in the afghan war, which killed eight u.s. troops and wounded 22. last october insurgents overran a combat outpost in a remote part of northeast afghanistan. in a report released today, the u.s. military claimed critical intelligence and other assets had been diverted from the base to assist combat operations elsewhere in the country. in addition, protective improvements had not been made because the post was scheduled to be closed. four british lawmakers face criminal charges over their expense

many of the victims were shiite pilgrims on their way to karbala. authorities said the bomber was a woman who set off explosives hidden under her cloak. it was the first major strike this year against pilgrims ahead of a major shiite holy day. the u.s. government is now investigating whether blackwater worldwide tried to bribe iraqi officials with $1 million. guards with the security firm were involved in a baghdad shooting in 2007 that killed 17 iraqis. the "new york times" reported today the justice department has focused on whether blackwater authorized bribes to continue operating in iraq. the company had no immediate response today. a u.s. soldier and three other nato troops were killed in afghanistan today. the american died in a roadside bombing in the south. a total of 31 americans died in afghanistan last month. that's double the number in january of last year. in all, 978 u.s. service members have been killed since the afghan war began in 2001. in u.s. economic news, the commerce department reported consumer spending increased in december

the blast erupted outside karbala, during an annual religious procession. more than 120 iraqis were wounded. on monday, a bombing in baghdad killed at least 54 people taking part in the pilgrimage. also today, an iraqi appeals court allowed hundreds of candidates to run in next month's parliamentary elections. they had been barred for alleged ties to saddam hussein's regime. in afghanistan, u.s., afghan, and nato troops are now gearing up for their largest joint offensive yet. u.s. military officers said today the target is marjah, a taliban stronghold in the south. it is also a hub for the opium trade. the operation could begin within days. secretary of state hillary clinton has ruled out a prisoner swap with iran. iranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad had suggested trading three american hikers held in iran for 11 iranians held by the u.s. clinton said the hikers and other americans detained in iran are being held unjustly, and should be freed immediately there was new trouble for toyota today-- this time, involving complaints over brake issues. the compa

third time in a week, a bombing today in iraq targeted shiite pilgrims, killing at least 27 near karbala. and bombings in pakistan killed at least 22 people. >>> ten american missionaries indicted in haiti on thursday are beginning their second week in jail. a haitian judge charged them with child abduction for trying to take 33 children out of the country. their attorney said it could take months of further investigation before officials determine the next step in this case. >>> severe flooding in central mexico killed at least seven people on thursday, including five children. the heavy rain also triggered power outages in mexico city. >>> and former south african president nelson mandela on thursday marked the 20th anniversary of his release from prison. he was honored by colleagues who called the 91-year-old mandela an inspiration and said the sacrifices he made would never be forgotten. it is now five minutes past the hour. let's go back outside to matt and natalie. >> all right. thank you, ann. >> let's get this all-important weather forecast -- >> yes. >> -- for super bowl weekend

third time in a week, a bombing today in iraq targeted shiite pilgrims, killing at least 27 near karbala. and a bombing in pakistan killed at least 12 people today. >>> it is the first full day on the job for the newest senator from massachusetts. scott brown was sworn in on thursday. some fellow republicans have nicknamed him 41, since they now have 41 votes, enough to end the democrats' supermajority. >>> and a tricky rescue thursday in oregon after a driver lost control of his car, went down an embankment and came to rest vertically lodged against some trees. rescuers were able to get the man out. his injuries are said to be not life-threatening. lucky guy. it is now 7:11. let's now turn back to matt, meredith and al this morning. >> al, who's the busiest man in the room today because you've got this huge storm. by the way, we should mention we're all wearing red and ann is wearing red as well because it is the heart association's national wear red day. and we're happy to be part of it. >> absolutely. that's right. let's take a look and see, not only are we talking about a big storm h

. >>> another bombing in iraq this morning targeted shiite pilgrims in karbala. at least 20 people were killed in that bombing. >>> today, iran says it successfully test-fired a new rocket capable of carrying satellites into space. iran's president ahmadinejad said that it showed his country could defeat the west when it comes to technology. >>> this morning, appeals judges in the netherlands ruled that the international criminal court should reconsider its decision not to indict sudan's president on charges of genocide in darfur. they said the court had made an error of law. president omar al bashir is already facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in darfur. >>> overseas markets are higher this morning. as for wall street, cnbc's melissa lee is at the new york stock exchange. and melissa, aig's again under scrutiny. >> that's right, ann. today is big pay day for some aig employees. aig is paying out $100 million in retention bonuses to the financial products unit. that's essentially the group that traded the derivatives that led to the company

yesterday's blast came in the midst of a shiite pilgrimage this week toward the city of karbala to marke figure. despite promising heightened security for the pilgrims, iraqi security forces were unable to prevent yesterday's attack. >>> and the medical journal the lancet is retracting a controversial 1998 study linking certain vaccines to autism. the lead author of the study was dead ceted by the it general council in britain calling it biased and his conduct dishonest. wakefield in the statement called the allegations unfounded and unjust. >>> and celebrities in hollywood are hoping to recapture the magic of the michael jackson/lionel richie original "we are the world." celine dion, tony bennett, jennifer hudson just a fuft names that gathered to recreate the international hit, this time to raise money for the earthquake relief effort in haiti. the new song will premiere during the olympics february 12. that should be wonderful to hear that new rendition of that song. >> a great song, a great cause. thanks for doing it. we'll get back to you, lisa. appreciate it. >>> canada, britain,

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