Top Asian News at 12:00 p.m. GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s Tamil rebels said Tuesday that 1,000 civilians died in a government raid on their territory that the military says freed thousands of noncombatants from the war zone. On Monday, Sri Lankan soldiers broke through a barrier that the Tamil Tiger rebels had erected to defend their ever-shrinking slice of territory. Some 35,000 civilians then poured out of the area and the exodus continued Tuesday. The government said more than 50,000 have fled thus far, and the figure was expected to rise.

Top Asian News at 11:30 a.m. GMT

MANILA, Philippines — Somali pirates freed a chemical tanker and its 23 Filipino crew members Tuesday after holding them hostage in the Gulf of Aden for more than five months, the ship owner and officials said. The release came a day after a separate group of bandits freed the Lebanese-owned food aid freighter MV Sea Horse after receiving $100,000 from Somali businessmen. At least 16 other ships with nearly 300 crew remain in the hands of Somali pirates.

Kiwi quandary: After 200 years, New Zealand realizes its islands don’t have legal names

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Experts searching for alternative Maori names for New Zealand’s two main islands were startled to find that their commonly used English names — North Island and South Island — were never made legal, officials said Tuesday.

Sri Lanka coach: Attacks might prompt cricketers to consider early retirements

SYDNEY — Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss thinks some cricketers could shorten their international careers rather than tour potential trouble spots in the wake of the terror attacks on his team in Pakistan last month.

After 200 years, New Zealand realizes its islands don’t actually have legal names

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Experts searching for alternative Maori names for New Zealand’s two main islands were startled to find their commonly used English names — North Island and South Island — were never made legal, officials said Tuesday.

Australia is in recession but long-term prospects remain good, central bank chief says

SYDNEY — Australia has followed the rest of the world into a recession, the central bank chief said Tuesday.

Official: outlaw Fiji regime needs good lawyers to help restore rule of law, courts

SUVA, Fiji — Fiji’s former solicitor general, fired in a political upheaval two weeks ago, accepted reappointment Tuesday, saying the country needs qualified lawyers to help restore the rule of law.

Moderate 5.9 earthquake strikes near Vanuatu; no tsunami warning issued

SYDNEY — A moderate earthquake has struck near the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, but no tsunami warning has been issued and there are no immediate reports of injury or damage.

Prime Minister: New Zealand would consider peacekeeping troops for Fiji

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand would consider sending troops into Fiji if they were needed to provide stability as part of a multilateral peacekeeping action but would not act unilaterally, the prime minister said Monday.

NZ wants exit plan before agreeing to US request to send troops back into Afghanistan

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s prime minister said Monday that he wants an exit strategy before sending the country’s elite Special Air Service combat troops back to Afghanistan as the U.S. has requested.

Wallabies negotiating to play All Blacks in Tokyo and make 1st Grand Slam tour 25 years

SYDNEY — The Australian Rugby Union is close to securing a fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Tokyo and its first Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 25 years.

Olympic Council of Asia threatens legal action over allegations of football vote buying

KUWAIT CITY — The Olympic Council of Asia is threatening legal action over allegations it was attempting to buy votes for a candidate in the campaign for a seat on the executive committee of football world governing body FIFA.

Australian coroner says 3 asylum seekers died by drowning after boat explosion; 2 missing

SYDNEY — Three people killed last week in the explosion of a boat carrying asylum seekers in Australian waters died by drowning, a coroner said Monday.

Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler to make debut for North Queensland against Sydney FC

SYDNEY — Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler will make his Australian competition debut for expansion team North Queensland Fury against Sydney FC in Townsville on Aug. 8, the A-League announced Monday.

New Zealand pulls out of UN racism conference, notes likely will be unproductive

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand won’t take part in this week’s United Nations conference on racism, which it fears could descend into the same rancor as one in South Africa in 2001, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Monday.

Super 14: Richard Kahui, James McGougan cleared a judicial hearing

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks center Richard Kahui was found not guilty on a dangerous tackle charge when he appeared at a Super 14 rugby judicial hearing in Kimberley, South Africa on Sunday.

Australia’s Scott Strange fires four-under 68 to win China Open

BEIJING — Australia’s Scott Strange fired five birdies for a four-under-par 68 to win the $2.2 million Volvo China Open by one stroke from Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano on Sunday.

US asks for elite New Zealand troops to help in expanded Afghanistan war effort

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The U.S. has formally asked New Zealand to send its elite Special Air Service combat troops back to Afghanistan for a fourth tour of duty, the foreign minister said Sunday.

Stacey Jones score a try, kicks extra time field goal for Warriors’ NRL win over Roosters

SYDNEY — Veteran halfback Stacey Jones scored a try in regulation and kicked a field goal four minutes into sudden-death extra time to give the New Zealand Warriors at 17-16 comeback win Sunday over the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League.

Tennis Australia to appeal ITF decision over India venue for Asia-Oceania match

BRISBANE, Australia — Tennis Australia will appeal an International Tennis Federation decision to allow its next Davis Cup match to be played in the southern Indian city of Chennai, despite ongoing security concerns by the Australians and the possibility they could be without former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.

Super 14: Chiefs on top as Sharks falter in 10th round

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Waikato Chiefs found themselves in an unaccustomed position on top of the Super 14 rugby table after the 10th round, with a little help from their compatriots the Canterbury Crusaders.

Force win 15-14 over Waratahs in Super 14 to complete all-Australian sweep

SYDNEY — Scott Staniforth and Cameron Shepherd scored second-half tries against their former team to lead the Western Force to a 15-14 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in Super 14 rugby Saturday.

Lions beat Queensland Reds 31-20 in Super 14 match involving also-rans

BRISBANE, Australia — Winger Henno Mentz scored two tries Saturday as South Africa’s Lions beat the Queensland Reds 31-20 in a match between the also-rans in Super 14 rugby.

Super 14: Hurricanes beat Stormers 34-11, claim bonus point

Hurricanes beat Stormers 34-11

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Ma’a Nonu scored two tries and flyhalf Willie Ripia kept a perfect kicking record as the Wellington Hurricanes beat the leaderless Stormers 34-11 in Super 14 rugby on Saturday.

Shaun Tait not allowed to play for Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals in IPL

Tait not allowed to play for Warne’s team in IPL

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait will be missing from Shane Warne’s defending champion Rajasthan Royals when the IPL Twenty20 side opens play Saturday against Bangalore in South Africa.

Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region

Tropical Depression Chan-Hom is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm as it moves through the South China Sea. The system’s slow progression will keep it to the southeast of Nha Trang, Vietnam before it advances northeastward toward the Philippines. The storm is not expected to make landfall.

Brumbies prop Shepherdson suspended for 2 weeks for striking Bulls player in 32-31 win

Brumbies prop Shepherdson suspended for 2 weeks

CANBERRA, Australia — Brumbies and Wallabies prop Guy Shepherdson was suspended for two weeks Saturday after he was found guilty of striking in the ACT’s 32-31 Super 14 win over the Bulls on Friday at Canberra Stadium.