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Malaysian wildlife trafficker Anson Wong, nicknamed the Lizard King, is jailed for trying to smuggle 95 boa constrictors in his luggage.

The role of the gambling syndicates that can make millions from the outcome of a single game has been highlighted by the allegation that three Pakistani cricket players were involved in a betting scam.

Tiffin carriers in the Indian city of Mumbai learn English and basic computer skills to improve their business prospects.

China is checking the qualifications of all its commercial pilots, after it emerged that more than 200 of them lied about their experience.

Almost two-thirds of the 160,000 homes in and around Christchurch were damaged by Saturday's earthquake, New Zealand's prime minister says.

Towns in Australia remain on high alert as flood waters continue to rise.

Afghanistan's central bank promises to back scandal-hit Kabul Bank as customers continue to take out their savings.

A court in Japan gives one-year suspended jail sentences to two anti-whaling activists from Greenpeace for stealing whale meat in 2008.

Maoist rebels in the eastern Indian state of Bihar release three policemen they were holding hostage for eight days, police say.

Far-right groups on the rise in Mongolia

Will Afghans elect a talent show star, comic and businesswoman?

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Pakistan's Yasir Hameed says a secretly-recorded meeting he had with a UK tabloid behind cricket betting scam allegations has been "inaccurately reported" by the paper.

Officials in New Zealand have been evaluating the damage caused in the city of Christchurch by an earthquake and its many aftershocks.

Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa dies after a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Health officials in Bangladesh are on high alert after the number of people infected by anthrax rises to more than 300.

A leading Sri Lanka cricketer has been investigated by the anti-corruption unit of the world cricket governing body, BBC Sport has learned.

England underline their status as World Twenty20 champions as they cruise to victory in the first of two internationals against Pakistan.

Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan says the three cricketers accused of spot-fixing should receive life bans from cricket if found guilty.

Two French journalists kidnapped in Afghanistan in December are alive, says President Nicolas Sarkozy's chief adviser.