Australia, which became the first country to ban social media for minors, is planning to crack down on Big Tech further. The government introduced new legislation to force social media firms to allow users to opt out of algorithms. The proposed laws also aim to strengthen online child protection. Opposition lawmakers say such measures would amount to government censorship.

The devastating flood in the Himalayas has served as a stark reminder of climate injustice, where smaller, poorer nations and marginalised communities are disproportionately hit by the consequences of climate change despite their low emissions. Our reporters went to meet the Hmong people in northern Vietnam, who are on the frontlines of climate risks.

Also on the show:

Soaring rents in big cities in China are forcing young workers and students to share increasingly small spaces– even their their beds.

A spate of warnings in recent days about the dangers of AI have sparked mixed reactions: from Donald Trump dismissing the fears as a hoax, to Beijing criticising calls for the US to block its advancement as fearmongering. As President Xi Jinping heads to Washington for talks, FRANCE 24's technology correspondent Peter O'Brien explains why the two superpowers are unlikely to forge binding agreements on AI regulation.

In the middle of the AI rivalry between China and the US is Taiwan, the world's largest producer of advanced memory chips that power the technology. Geopolitical tensions are testing its prized industry, though.

Also on the show: the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games kick off in Japan, bringing in more than 11,000 athletes and thousands of officials. The quadrennial sporting event, also known as Asiad, is bigger than the Olympics in terms of the number of participants and sports. Organisers came under pressure even before competition began as they struggled to accommodate an influx of visitors.

Following devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, Access Asia takes a closer look at the fragile state of the Himalayan mountains. Dr Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an expert on the environment and risk management in the Himalayas, explains why it's so difficult to detect glacier movements in advance and says that the tragedy could serve as an opportunity to improve the way nations develop infrastructure in the resource-rich region.

Read moreWhy early warning signs of glacier collapse in Nepal were difficult to detect

Amid a race to build hydropower in the Himalayas, FRANCE 24's Leela Jacinto talks about how some countries are starting to weaponise water, and how geopolitical tensions in the region can constrain transparency.

But first, rescue efforts continue in Nepal, with some survivors found more than a week after the disaster. The death toll has risen to over 1,200 with thousands still unaccounted for. FRANCE 24's reporters have been speaking with victims and families desperately waiting for news about their loved ones.

On this edition of Access Asia, we speak to a former FBI official helping Youlin Chen's family. The 54-year-old American scientist has been detained on espionage charges in China since November 2024, when he was visiting relatives in Beijing. His family has chosen to speak out after quiet diplomacy failed to secure his release.

We also find out how businesses in Herat, Afghanistan, are suffering as women become increasingly reluctant to venture out following the Taliban's latest crackdown on its strict dress code. Plus, we look at Japanese Gen Z workers embracing an office culture some are calling 'corporate machismo’.

On this week's edition of Access Asia, we bring you a report from Japan, where visa fees have been increased for foreign nationals applying for permanent residency. The government is also considering introducing a language requirement. While Japan needs foreign workers to help offset an ageing population and a declining birth rate, the nationalist government has continued to tighten its immigration policies.

We also bring you a report on how Chinese factories producing air conditioners have become beneficiaries of Europe’s increasingly frequent heatwaves.

And temples in India turn to robotic elephants for religious ceremonies, easing animal welfare concerns.

On this edition of Access Asia, we find out why anger is brewing in South Korea after the country's national team was eliminated from the World Cup. We also ask our Sports Editor why China hasn't managed to make it to football's top tier despite massive investment. Plus, Japan's prime minister heads to India as both countries seek to strengthen ties.

Japan's imperial family is running out of male heirs, and a debate over how to preserve the hereditary lineage that has continued unbroken for centuries is dividing the nation. Meanwhile, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wrapped up their two-week trip to Europe, and Japan took note that their royal Dutch and Belgian hosts both have women in line for the throne. FRANCE 24's Aurore Dupuis breaks down the looming succession crisis in the world's oldest monarchy.

But first, the European Union has come under fierce criticism for hosting a Taliban delegation for "talks. While the EU insisted that the meetings with the Afghan militants on the issue of migration did not amount to legitimising their rule, rights groups said building ties with the Taliban flew in the face of the EU's values.

Also on the show: The AI frenzy has sent the value of South Korea's top semiconductor firms skyrocketing. Their employees have also found themselves in hot demand – both on the job and marriage markets.

Plus: A "durian tsunami" has stormed Malaysia, where a nationwide oversupply has sent prices plunging. This year has seen a bumper crop for the fruit known for its pungent smell – much of which is unsuitable for export – meaning locals are taking advantage of cheaper prices while producers are facing a stinky situation.

In this edition of Access Asia, we explore why the world's most populous country struggles to qualify for the World Cup, despite a growing appetite for the sport. We also explore how artificial intelligence could be about to revolutionise medicine and blue-collar work.