The top US health official was reviewing Indonesia’s ability to identify and contain bird flu outbreaks today, warning it will be almost impossible to halt a pandemic if the virus mutates into a more dangerous form.

The top US health official arrived in Jakarta today to discuss ways to respond to the bird flu outbreaks.

AMERICA and Australia yesterday criticised the 30-month prison sentence given to militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings.

An Indonesian court today sentenced alleged terror leader Abu Bakar Bashir to 30 months in prison for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, but cleared him of three more serious charges, including ordering the attack.