The International Committee of the Red Cross says its work in Burma is under threat because of the military government's restrictions on its operations. The ICRC has closed two offices and is calling for high-level talks with the military to prevent further closures and cuts in its humanitarian efforts. From Bangkok, Ron Corben files this report.

A United Nations agency says that while Burma responded quickly to outbreaks of bird flu last month, it needs more help to continue its fight against the disease in the long term.

The European Union and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to do more to boost their political and economic cooperation. The two released a joint five-page declaration Thursday during a meeting in the German city of Nuremberg.

Britain says it will nearly double aid this year for people displaced by attacks from Burma's military-ruled government. Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) says it will give nearly $800,000 to Burmese groups working with displaced people on the edges of conflict areas.

Activists and villagers are urging the government of Thailand to delay its plans to build four hydroelectric dams on the Salween River in military-ruled Burma.

Burma's foreign minister has told Indonesian officials that his country hopes to finish drafting a new constitution by the end of the year. The comments came as the two countries sign new agreements to expand cooperation. Chad Bouchard reports from Jakarta.

East Timorese Prime Minister and Nobel peace laureate Jose Ramos-Horta says he is disappointed that the United Nations Security Council failed to pass a resolution last week criticizing Burma's military-led government.

The United States is deeply disappointed by the failure of the United Nations Security Council today to adopt the resolution on Burma.

Russia and China have vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that would have urged Burma to ease repression and release political prisoners. VOA correspondent at the U.N. Peter Heinlein reports newly-elected Council member South Africa also voted against the measure.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers meeting in the Philippines have again tried to push Burma to accelerate its promised democratic reforms. As VOA's Heda Bayron reports from the city of Cebu, the North Korean nuclear issue also featured high on the agenda in discussions between the ministers and their counterparts from Northern Asia and India.

Burma's military led-government has refused to issue a visa to Nobel Peace laureate and former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung.

The absence of Burma's military leader at an Independence Day dinner this week is generating more concern about his health.