B’desh offices torched

DHAKA: Unidentified attackers set fire to three election offices in towns outside the Bangladeshi capital on Tuesday, as thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka to demand the resignation of election officials ahead of January polls. The attacks on the offices occurred before dawn, and it was not immediately known who was responsible. — AP

Red Cross’ request

YANGON: The International Committee of the Red Cross called on Tuesday on military-run Myanmar to reconsider its decision to close the agency’s offices outside of Yangon. The Red Cross also wants the junta’s permission to resume prison visits, which have been suspended since late 2005. — AFP

Militant leader killed

SRINAGAR: A top Islamic militant leader and an army officer were killed in a fierce pre-dawn gunbattle on Tuesday in Kashmir. Sohail Faisal, a top commander of the Hezb-ul-Mujahedeen militant group, was killed in the firefight in Bijbehara. — AP

Antique bowl sold

HONG KONG: A Chinese ceramic bowl dating from the 18th century was sold for $19.42 million at an auction on Tuesday, breaking the world record price for Qing dynasty ceramics, Christie’s auction house said. The famille rose bowl, from the court of Emperor Qianlong, was also the most expensive work of art ever sold in any Asian auction. — AP