China and Taiwan have entered dangerous territory. Beijing regards the latter as a breakaway province and has vowed peaceful reunification. But Taiwan's leaders say it is a sovereign state. The self-ruled island has strategically important maritime borders and is a longtime source of tension between China and the US. We take a look at what's behind the divide.

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China-Taiwan tensions: Looking at the status of the self-ruled island

It's been one year since a series of agriculture bills were rushed through India's parliament. The reforms were meant to empower farmers but instead sparked protest. The government was accused of a lack of transparency and of putting millions of peoples' livelihoods in jeopardy. While the laws have been suspended, talks between unions and officials have stalled. Our correspondents Thomas Denis, Adil Bhat, Edward Haywood and Sreya Banerjee report.

Farming in India: Anger continues a year after reforms

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, women's rights have been quashed. Women are being told what to wear, what to study and being segregated from men at universities. After a violent crackdown on female protesters, a demonstration has taken place in Kabul by women deemed supportive of the Taliban's ultra-hardline interpretation of Islam. Images of that rally have sparked considerable reaction on social media. FRANCE 24's Haxie Meyers-Belkin tells us more.

Afghan women take to social media over Islamic dress code

In this week's edition, we explore what the turmoil in Afghanistan could mean for the wider region, from emboldened extremist groups to political realignment. To understand what's at stake, we talk to Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at The Wilson Center think tank.

Taliban takeover in Afghanistan: What consequences for the wider region?

The Covid-19 outbreak continues to worsen in Indonesia. Fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant, cases and deaths have been soaring across the country. Hospitals have become overwhelmed, forcing some of the newly infected no other choice but to isolate at home. We see how volunteers have been helping out.

Indonesia Covid-19 outbreak: Volunteers step up as hospitals overwhelmed

French magistrates have begun investigating claims that four major fashion groups have benefited from forced labour in their supply chains. The multinational companies are accused of using cotton from China's Xinjiang region, where it's believed at least one million Uighur Muslims are being detained and subjected to forced labour. The case is based on allegations by a number of parties, including the human rights and anti-corruption NGO Sherpa. We speak to the group's director Sandra Cossart.

Forced Uighur labour: French magistrates open inquiry into four textile giants

Despite warnings from health bosses, thousands of Japanese spectators will be allowed to attend events at this summer's Olympic Games. Fans will not be permitted to shout or speak loudly, and must wear face masks at all times while in venues. However, government officials say they will consider tightening restrictions if there is a rapid increase in Covid-19 infections.

Japan enters final countdown to Tokyo Olympics

Sometimes lost in the cacophony of Covid-19 – the death toll, the case count and the economic damage – is how hard it is for bereaved survivors to carry on. Among those feeling the most acute pain are children. In India, the pandemic has created thousands of orphans. Their struggle is not just to cope but to avoid falling victim to abuse or human trafficking. Our correspondents Diya Gupta and Thomas Denis explain. 

Covid-19 in India: Orphaned children at risk of trafficking

Although Covid-19 vaccine rollouts are accelerating in many parts of the world, the effort is slowing down in India, one of the worst hit countries. Despite being the world's biggest producer of vaccines, the country is facing an internal shortage and has placed a temporary hold on all exports to meet domestic demand. Our correspondents Alban Alvarez, Deepika Singha and Sreya Banerjee report.

India: World's top Covid-19 vaccine producer faces shortages

A French court has dismissed a lawsuit against more than a dozen multinationals that produced and sold Agent Orange to US troops during the Vietnam War. The case was filed in 2014 by Tran To Nga, a Franco-Vietnamese woman who says she's suffered numerous medical problems after being exposed to the toxic substance, which was used by the US army to destroy dense jungle and crops during the war. She says she plans to appeal the court's decision. We take a closer look.

Vietnam War: One woman's battle over toxic chemical Agent Orange

Two months ago, India declared it had defeated Covid-19, but now it has become the epicentre of the pandemic. Many accuse the government of indifference and incompetence, especially after encouraging election rallies and a massive month-long Hindu festival to take place despite the risks. Since then, the country is repeatedly shattering global daily records of new coronavirus infections. Hospitals face fatal shortages of staff, beds, blood and oxygen. FRANCE 24’s Emerald Maxwell reports.

Indian hospitals overwhelmed by sudden surge in Covid-19 cases

While Covid-19 appears to be under control in China, authorities want to keep it that way. But given low infection rates, motivation has been lacking for some people to get vaccinated. As a result, some places are offering free ice cream, while people who are hesitant or late in getting inoculated are named and shamed. Meanwhile, recent reports say the effectiveness of Chinese-made vaccines may actually be quite low. That could have an impact not just on China's domestic inoculations but also on what's known as its vaccine diplomacy. FRANCE 24's Bryan Quinn tells us more.

China seeks to speed up its Covid-19 vaccination campaign

In South Korea, a new breed of media star has recently emerged. Often worshipped by youngsters, these new kids on the block are known as Broadcast Jockeys. You'll need to open your laptop and log on to enjoy what these livestreamers have to say, the music they want to share, plus the fun and games they want you partake in. We take a closer look.

'Broadcast Jockeys: In South Korea, streamers compete for celebrity online

For weeks now, hundreds of thousands of people in Myanmar have marched against the military junta to protest last month’s coup. The people’s demand for democracy has put them in the army's crosshairs. Dozens have been killed, thousands more detained. But they have help. A network of exiled Burmese citizens living in Thailand is organising and financing their resistance movement.

Myanmar-Thailand: Organising resistance on the other side of the border

On March 11, 2011, a nightmare scenario bore down on Japan. First, one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded struck the north-eastern coast. An hour later, a tsunami slammed into the shore. The waves hit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, an inadequately prepared facility, triggering the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. Ten years on, the effects will continue to be felt for decades. From human loss to public accountability, from nuclear energy to the problematic clean-up, we take a closer look at the ongoing road to recovery in this special edition of the show.

Fukushima fallout: A decade after Japan's nuclear disaster

Exclusive reports, features and analysis of political and social events from across the Asian continent. Every Monday at 5.45 pm Paris time.

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