Suicide bomber kills five US soldiers

A suicide bomber has killed five Americans in an attack north of the city of Najaf.

Captain Andrew Wallace said a taxi stopped close to the checkpoint, and the driver waved for help.

Five soldiers approached the car, and it exploded.

The victims were part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

The attack happened at a US-manned checkpoint on Highway 9, north of Najaf, about 95 miles south of Baghdad.

The suicide bombing is the first against US and British forces since the invasion of Iraq began.