United Nations helicopters loaded with relief supplies have reached areas of Burma’s Irrawaddy delta that were cut off from regular aid since the devastating cyclone five weeks ago.

UN helicopters fanned out across Burma’s devastated Irrawaddy Delta for the first time today, ferrying critical supplies to villages which have been struggling to survive since the May 2-3 cyclone, an official said.

The UN today said it would suspend aid shipments to Burma after discovering all supplies sent in so far have been seized by the ruling military junta.

Burma’s isolationist government blocked United Nations efforts today to airlift urgently needed food aid to survivors of a cyclone which may have killed more than 100,000 people, UN officials said.

Argentinian Rugby Union president Alejandro Risley has described reports of the Pumas’ imminent inclusion in the Tri-Nations as “premature”.