At least thirty-five people have been killed in a car bombing in the southern Iraqi city of Bathaa. The attack struck a Shiite market district earlier today. The bombing comes as the Iraqi government has announced it will proceed with a referendum on a security pact calling for the withdrawal of all US troops by the end of 2011. If the referendum fails to pass, US forces would be required to withdraw within one year of the vote, which could come within the next few months.