Top Asian News at 8:00 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.

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.

Top Asian News at 6:30 a.m. GMT

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine shipping company says Somali pirates have freed a tanker and its crew of 23 Filipinos after holding them hostage for more than five months. Capt. Dexter Custodio said the vessel was released Tuesday. Custodio is the spokesman for Sagana Shipping Inc., owner of the MT Stolt Strength.

Chinese court sentences three over arson attack during 2008 riots in Tibet capital Lhasa

BEIJING — A Chinese court has sentenced three people to lengthy prison terms over deadly arson attacks during last year’s rioting in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, state media reported Tuesday.

Top Asian News at 6:00 a.m. GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Tens of thousands of civilians fled Sri Lanka’s northern war zone in a record exodus ahead of the government’s deadline Tuesday for separatist Tamil rebels there to surrender, officials said. More than 39,000 civilians arrived at military checkpoints on Monday, within hours of a military operation that saw Sri Lankan soldiers break through a barrier that the Tamil Tiger rebels had erected to defend their ever-shrinking slice of territory along the northern coast.

Top Asian News at 5:30 a.m. GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Tens of thousands of civilians fled Sri Lanka’s northern war zone in a record exodus ahead of the government’s deadline Tuesday for separatist Tamil rebels there to surrender, officials said. More than 39,000 civilians arrived at military checkpoints on Monday, within hours of a military operation that saw Sri Lankan soldiers break through a barrier that the Tamil Tiger rebels had erected to defend their ever-shrinking slice of territory along the northern coast.

Fugitive leader of Thai anti-government movement promises more protests within days

BANGKOK — Thailand’s anti-government movement will stage new protest actions in the next few days following a military crackdown that ended deadly rioting last week, the group’s fugitive leader said.

Thailand extends emergency, saying capital not stable after riots, attack on protest leader

BANGKOK — Authorities on Sunday extended a state of emergency in Thailand’s capital, saying efforts to restore security were still incomplete after anti-government rioting last week and a brazen attack on a protest leader.

Thai protest leader in stable condition after shooting

Thai protest leader stable after shooting

BANGKOK — A Thai protest leader shot by assailants after days of rioting in the capital is in stable condition and recovering rapidly, doctors said Saturday.

Doctor: Thai protest leader in stable condition after shooting

Doctor: Thai protest leader stable after shooting

BANGKOK — A Thai protest leader shot and wounded by assailants in the capital after days of rioting is in stable condition and recovering rapidly, doctors said Saturday.