Maldivian V-P held over presidential boat blast

MALE (Maldives) • The Maldives yesterday said it had arrested Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb over an alleged plot to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen, who escaped death after his boat was hit by a bomb last month.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Royal defamation case: Thai cop dies in custody

BANGKOK • Senior cop Prakrom Warunprapa, charged under Thailand's royal defamation law, died in custody after hanging himself in his cell, officials said yesterday, prompting a probe.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Kremlin wants Syria to gear up for polls: Minister

MOSCOW • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin wanted Syria to prepare for parliamentary and presidential polls, as Moscow intensified its drive to convert its clout with Damascus into a political settlement.

REUTERS