Washington: US President George W.

Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden has termed the United States as "weak" in his new video which has appeared after three years. Osama also vowed to increase Al-Qaeda activities in many parts of the world, especially in Iraq. CIA Director Mr. Michael Hayden warned recently about plans of large-scale attacks of Al-Qaeda on US targets.

Washington: According to the U.S. administration, the suicide rate for children and young adults aged 10 to 24 has increased 8% in 2004, marking the largest yearly increase in over 15 years.

A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that the rise followed up a cumulative fall of over 28% in the suicide rate from 1990 to 2003, and was fueled by increases in suicide rates among girls between 10 to 19 and boys 15 to 19.

Washington: The U.S.

US President George W Bush has expressed the need for growth of democratic system across Asia.

In a lecture previous to the Asia-Pacific summit in Sydney, he stated free countries should work collectively in order to back up democratic bodies.

Mr. Bush singled out Burma, calling on the military administration to release all political prisoners, comprising opposition head Aung San Suu Kyi.