Filipino governor orders troops to rescue Red Cross worker held by al-Qaida-linked militants

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine governor says he has ordered more than 1,000 troops and police to rescue an ailing Italian hostage held by al-Qaida-linked militants.

A teenage pirate to appear in NY courtroom, a world away from impoverished Somalia

NEW YORK — Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse grew up destitute in Somalia, the oldest of 12 kids and the product of a violent, lawless nation where his parents scraped together a few dollars a day selling milk and tending to a small herd of camels, cows and goats.

Abu Sayyaf militants free hostage farmer in southern Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Al-Qaida-linked militants have released a farmer they kidnapped during a deadly attack in the southern Philippines two weeks ago, military officials said Tuesday.

Philippine police kill 5 suspected kidnappers, rescue captive in raid on gang’s hide-out

MANILA, Philippines — Commandos have rescued a hostage after storming what police said was a kidnapping gang’s hide-out in the northern Philippines and killing five suspects.

Philippines worried over ailing Italian Red Cross worker held by al-Qaida-linked gunmen

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has deployed more troops to help secure the release of an ailing Italian aid worker held by al-Qaida-linked militants, officials said Sunday, after two other hostages walked free from months of harsh jungle captivity.

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.

Kidnapped Swiss Red Cross worker freed in Philippines, Italian man still held by militants

MANILA, Philippines — A Swiss Red Cross worker was freed Saturday after three months of captivity in a Philippine jungle, but al-Qaida-linked militants were still holding an Italian hostage who is ill and needs surgery, officials said.