News In Brief

Top Syrian rebel commander dies
Bbc Online

Abdul Qadir al-Saleh, the leader of Liwa al-Tawhid, died overnight, a spokesman told the Associated Press.
Liwa al-Tawhid is one of the main rebel forces in Aleppo and is estimated to have between 8,000 and 10,000 fighters.

Indonesian woman dies of bird flu
Afp, Jakarta

An Indonesian woman living near the capital Jakarta has died of bird flu, the health ministry said, the latest death from H5N1 in the country hardest hit by the virus.
The 31-year-old housewife from Bekasi in West Java province is the 163rd fatality from the virus in Southeast Asia's biggest nation, the ministry said in a statement seen yesterday.

Australia 'spied on Indonesia president'
Bbc Online

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the first lady and Vice-President Boediono were reportedly amongst those targeted.
The allegations came from documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden which were published by broadcaster ABC and the Guardian newspaper.
Indonesia said the ambassador was being called to Jakarta for "consultations".
It is the latest in a series of spying allegations that have strained relations between the two allies.