World -- May 11, 2006

• Americans have bleaker view of country's direction: poll
• Asia-Pacific defense ministers to meet in Singapore
• Bush says letter from Iran fails to answer nuclear question
• Bush says brother would make "a great president"
• Germany, Egypt seek diplomatic solutions to Iran nuke issue

• Nepali government committed toward press freedom: PM
• Nepali guerrillas form 3-member team to hold talks with govt
• NATO missile defense technically feasible: official
• Official: Israel sets deadline for Hamas
• Putin talks birth rate, ignores US criticism

• President chosen; gov't to be formed
• Russia's WTO membership contingent on U.S. readiness to compromise
• Rice says Iran's letter "not a serious diplomatic overture"
• Roundup: Palestinians expected to run out of fuel by Thursday
• Russia not to hold talks on joint venture with Iran for enrichment

• U.S. expects action against Iran by Security Council in weeks
• Writethru: Center-left Napolitano elected Italy's next president
• World lawmakers urged to scale up action for HIV/AIDS affected children
• West to offer Iran new package for resolving nuclear standoff