Eight civilians die in air strike

A US air strike on a car last night killed eight civilians in Baiji, north of Baghdad.

Police said the civilians were shepherds who were in a farming area in the town when the strike took place.

"This is a criminal act. It will make the relations between Iraqi citizens and the US forces tense," said police chief Mudhher al-Qaisi.

The US said the military was following up the incident, in which "suspicious activity" had been noted.