Top Asian News at 7:30 a.m. GMT

MANILA, Philippines — Somali pirates freed a chemical tanker and its 23 Filipino crew members Tuesday after holding them hostage for more than five months, a spokesman for the Philippine ship owner said. Securing the safe release of the crew and the vessel was “difficult and protracted” and the company was “extremely pleased” with the result, Capt. Dexter Custodio, spokesman for Sagana Shipping Inc., said in a statement.

Top Asian News at 7:00 a.m. GMT

MANILA, Philippines — Somali pirates freed a chemical tanker and its 23 Filipino crew members Tuesday after holding them hostage for more than five months, a spokesman for the Philippine ship owner said. Securing the safe release of the crew and the vessel was “difficult and protracted” and the company was “extremely pleased” with the result, Capt. Dexter Custodio, spokesman for Sagana Shipping Inc., said in a statement.

Somali pirates free Philippine chemical tanker and 23 crew members

MANILA, Philippines — A torturous wait by the families of 23 captive Filipinos ended Tuesday as Somali pirates freed a chemical tanker after holding the crew for more than five months in the Gulf of Aden.

US admiral says joint anti-piracy efforts producing unprecedented cooperation with China navy

BEIJING — Anti-piracy operations off Somalia are producing an unprecedented degree of cooperation, giving the American and Chinese navies a rare opportunity to work together after a recent high-profile confrontation, the chief of U.S. Naval Operations said Sunday.

Hostage captain arrives to cheers in Vt. small town welcome, thanks Navy SEAL ’superheroes’

Pirate hostage captain gets small town welcome

UNDERHILL, Vt. — A small Vermont town welcomed home its hero, an unassuming shipping captain who many have lauded for helping his crew survive a high-seas, international hostage drama off the coast of Somalia.

Hostage captain arrives home in Vt. to cheers, thanks Navy SEAL ’superheroes’ who rescued him

Pirate hostage captain praises SEAL ’superheroes’

UNDERHILL, Vt. — The unassuming ship captain who escaped the clutches of Somali pirates made a triumphant return home Friday, insisting he’s no hero, just an ordinary seaman. Richard Phillips said the U.S. Navy, which pulled off the daring high-seas rescue that ended his five-day captivity, deserves the credit.