US troops kill 26 in rebel ambush

Dozens of militants firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades ambushed a US supply convoy, drawing return fire that left 26 insurgents dead - the highest, single-incident rebel death toll reported in four months.

Between 40 to 50 guerillas opened fire on military police and artillery units from the Kentucky National Guard on Sunday night as the Americans travelled along a road 20 miles south-east of Baghdad.