JUDY WOODRUFF: Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated today. The former prime minister was shot in the neck and chest. Moments later, a suicide bombing killed at least 20 others. It happened just after a campaign rally in Rawalpindi.
The crime touched off riots that left five people dead. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf blamed Islamic militants. He did not say if he would delay parliamentary elections set for January 8.
Another opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, said he would boycott any vote. Earlier today, four people were killed at one of his rallies.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the Bhutto killing. But, from Crawford, Texas, President Bush condemned the attack, and he praised Bhutto's life.
GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States: Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice. Mrs. Bhutto served her nation twice as prime minister, and she knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet, she refused to allow assassins to dictate the course of her country.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Later, Mr. Bush telephoned Pakistani President Musharraf. And a State Department spokesman said postponing elections would only be a victory for extremists. Reaction to Bhutto's death also came from other leaders and governments around the world.
GORDON BROWN, British Prime Minister: She has been assassinated by cowards afraid of democracy. Benazir Bhutto may have been killed by terrorists, but the terrorists must not be allowed to kill democracy in Pakistan. And this atrocity strengthens our resolve that terrorists will not win there, here, or anywhere in the world.
ROMANO PRODI, Italian Prime Minister (through translator): They were going towards elections. For me, she was a hope of stability for Pakistan. We're waiting for information we still don't have to understand which will be the next steps that the country could take.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Pakistan's long-time rival, India, also spoke out. A spokesman in New Delhi read a statement for the foreign minister.
NAVTEJ SARNA, Spokesman, Indian Foreign Ministry: "I heard with shock and horror of the death of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. Mrs. Bhutto was a brave and outstanding woman leader of the subcontinent -- subcontinent. That she should fall to a barbarous terrorist attack is particularly tragic and should strengthen our resolve to fight this scourge.
JUDY WOODRUFF: In New York, the U.N. Security Council voted today to condemn the assassination. Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon called it an assault on stability. The death of Bhutto rippled across the U.S. presidential race today. Democrats and Republicans alike changed focus to address the attack and its implications. Senator Barack Obama reacted to Bhutto's death at a campaign event in Iowa.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), Presidential Candidate: But we have to make sure that we are clear as Americans that we stand for democracy and that we will be steadfast in our desire to end the kinds of terrorists acts that have blighted not just Pakistan, but other parts of the world.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Senator Hillary Clinton issued this statement: "Her death is a tragedy for her country and a terrible reminder of the work that remains to bring peace, stability and hope to regions of the globe too often paralyzed by fear, hatred and violence."
And former Senator John Edwards:
JOHN EDWARDS (D), Presidential Candidate: It's very important under these circumstances, in these kind of times, for America to show both strength and principle, to be a calming influence, to be a reassuring influence, and to continue to promote democratization in Pakistan.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Among the Republican candidates, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said: "On this sad day, we are reminded that, while our democracy has flaws, it stands as a shining beacon of hope for nations and people around the world who seek peace and opportunity through self-government."
From former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani:
RUDOLPH GIULIANI (R), Presidential Candidate: We can't let this be a step back. We have to let it become a step forward toward stability, democracy, rule of law, and then something -- something positive can be taken out of something that is really tragic.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney spoke from New Hampshire.
MITT ROMNEY (R), Presidential Candidate: The world is very much at risk by virtue of these radical, violent extremists. And we must come together in an effort, in great haste and with great earnestness, to help overcome the threat of the spread of radical violent jihad.
JUDY WOODRUFF: We will have much more on the Bhutto assassination right after this news summary.
In Iraq today, U.S. troops killed 11 members of a Shiite militia splinter group. It happened during a raid in Kut. The target was suspected of planning attacks on coalition forces. A firefight erupted, and U.S. planes and helicopters attacked the militants. No Americans were killed or wounded.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders today held their first summit since renewing peace talks last month. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met for two hours in Jerusalem. The two sides said they agreed to set aside a dispute over Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem.
In Kenya, millions of voters went to the polls today to elect a president. Balloting was relatively peaceful after a campaign marked by violence. Incumbent Mwai Kibaki won power in 2002 and had a narrow lead in early exit polls today. His challenger, Raila Odinga, was a former ally who led in pre-election polls.
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service warned today that tax refunds will come late to more than three million Americans. It said those who file early won't see refunds until later in February. The IRS cited a last-minute decision by the Congress to freeze the alternative minimum tax.
On Wall Street today, stocks tumbled on the Bhutto assassination and concerns about the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 192 points, to close at 13359. The Nasdaq fell 47 points, to close at 2676.
