Quakes kill 3

JAKARTA, Indonesia: At least three people were killed and 45 injured when powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Sumbawa island in central Indonesia, a health ministry official said yesterday.

Missile shield

MOSCOW, Russia: First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said yesterday his country was ready for further dialogue with the United States on missile defense cooperation. His comments signaled more flexibility than the initial Russian reaction to the proposals the United States submitted last week.

Warplane crashes

TEHRAN, Iran: An Iranian warplane crashed yesterday in the Sea of Oman south of the Islamic Republic, the state news agency IRNA reported. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Russia vote date

MOSCOW, Russia: Russia’s upper house of parliament yesterday named March 2, 2008, as the date of the next presidential election, opening the way for candidates to start registering to run.