On this week’s show we get the latest reaction from the Philippines after the shock arrest of the country’s former president, Rodrigo Duterte. He’s facing charges of crimes against humanity for his war on drugs. We speak to Human Rights Watch’s Asia Carlos Conde who tells us the political fighting between the Duterte and Marcos camps hastened the arrest. We also head to India as the subcontinent celebrates the colourful festival of Holi.

China has kept its growth target for this year at around 5 percent, despite a new trade war with the United States. As the government shifts its focus on boosting domestic demand, businesses are seeking ways to adapt to a new trade environment. 

EU officials have undertaken an "unprecedented" visit to India in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump saying the bloc was formed to "screw" the United States. On this week's Access Asia, we find out what both sides gained from the visit. Plus, North Korea opens its doors to Western tourists for the first time in years. Finally, we see how Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has become the highest-grossing animated movie in history.

Around 10,000 people, mostly foreigners, have been freed from telecom fraud operations in Myanmar in recent days. Lured by lucrative job offers, they had found themselves trapped in scam centres where they were forced to work swindling people around the world. The latest crackdown sheds light on the multi-billion-dollar illegal industry, which has flourished in Myanmar's lawless borderlands. 

"I missed you a lot": Donald Trump gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a warm welcome at the White House. But behind the hugs, smiles and handshakes were intense negotiations. The US president complained about India's high tariffs on US goods while offering the Asian nation access to F-35 fighter jets. The Indian leader, for his part, was eager to ease friction on trade and immigration. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer discusses the two country's ties with Suhasini Haidar, diplomatic editor of The Hindu. 

US President Donald Trump's decision to freeze foreign aid programmes and effectively shut down USAID – the US government agency responsible for international development – has rattled countries across Asia. In Thailand, home to some 90,000 refugees from Myanmar, medical care for the displaced people has already been paralysed. 

At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in northern India this week after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The official tally was released hours after the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Days after the tragedy, some are still looking for their loved ones and despite the best efforts by authorities, hundreds of people wind up lost every day of the festival. FRANCE 24's Navodita Kumari, Nabeel Ahmed and Nitish Sharma report.

We begin in Thailand where a law legalising same-sex marriage has taken effect. Thousands marked the occasion by formally registering their unions on the first day. We also speak to a father who took his employer to court over his right to paternity leave. Glen Wood explains his decade-long fight for a better workplace for parents in Japan. Finally, we meet the creator of Young-hee, the killer doll in “Squid Game.” Production designer Chae Kyoung-Sun said the giant robot was inspired by her own daughter.   

The Maha Kumbh Mela has got underway in northern India, with organisers expecting over 400 million visitors throughout the festival. In this week's show, we speak to India's permanent representative to UNESCO, who discusses how the Hindu festival is being used as a soft-power tool by New Delhi. Plus, we bring you a report on how Afghan migrants in Pakistan fear deportation. Finally, we see how the political chaos in South Korea is driving young women and men apart.

This week, as South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol remained holed up in his presidential compound, thousands of his supporters guarding the site against attempts to arrest him held up US flags and banners saying "Stop the Steal" in English. That phrase was used by Donald Trump's supporters after the 2020 US presidential election. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer and Yena Lee take a closer look at Yoon's ties with South Korea's far right.