Photographer Christopher Herwig has travelled 10,000km in his quest to record this overlooked art form. He has documented the characteristics of each region – from Pakistan in the north to Sri Lanka in the south. Sadly, as a result...

The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world Continue reading...

An 8.8-magnitude quake off the coast of Russia set off tsunami warnings – how does it compare with past temblors?Tsunami updates – follow liveOne of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia’s far east early on Wednesday, causing tsunami...

The Guardian’s south Asia correspondent, Hannah Ellis-Petersen, and the Tibet activist Lhadon Tethong discuss the battle between Buddhist monks and the Chinese state over the successor to the Dalai LamaBefore long, Tibetan Buddhism will enter an unknown world –...

1.2tn yuan project has broken ground in Tibet, premier says, despite fears of downstream nations India and BangladeshConstruction of the world’s biggest hydropower megadam has begun, China’s premier has said, calling it the “project of the century”.The huge structure...

Low-lying areas of Punjab province hit by significant flooding after rivers overflow their banksThe south-west monsoon continued a deadly streak in Pakistan this week, with torrential rain on Wednesday killing at least 63 people. After beginning life as showers...

Who’d be brave enough to programme John Tavener’s choral epic? We talk to the team behind the staging that’s opening this year’s Edinburgh international festival, and veterans of its 2003 premiere remember the challenges and rewardsWhat’s the longest concert...

Move follows concerns several papers in Forensic Sciences Research did not meet ethical standards on DNA collectionOxford University Press (OUP) will no longer publish a controversial academic journal sponsored by China’s Ministry of Justice after years of concerns that...

Comments come amid reports Washington seeking guarantees about how Canberra would respond in event of Indo-Pacific conflictFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will refuse any US...

As prices have ratcheted up, the bag created for Jane Birkin has lost its bohemian edge and its fashion appealThe news that Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag has sold for a record-breaking €8.6m (£7.4m) at auction will no doubt...