In Afghanistan, watching women on TV is nothing out of the ordinary. But a channel run by women for women is something new, especially in a society dominated by men. Operating out of Kabul on a shoestring budget, Zan TV is the country's first channel dedicated entirely to women. It's hoping to give women's issues a more prominent platform in conservative Afghanistan. Meanwhile, India's rickety rail system is on track to get a $100 billion safety overhaul. Overcrowding, trainsurfing and unsafe crossings have led to the deaths of thousands of commuters each year. 

Finally, potato chip lovers in Japan are feeling a different kind of crunch. The popular snack is out of stock in many supermarkets after typhoons battered potato harvests last year.

The Philippines has one of the largest concentrations of whale sharks in the world. Weighing up to 20 tons, the biggest fish in the ocean are a huge draw for tourists and have brought economic prosperity to coastal towns like Donsol. But for locals, these gentle giants are like family, and protecting them is essential for development. But first, we look at an identity card push that privacy advocates are calling the world's largest mass surveillance project. The Indian government's plans to expand its Aadhaar scheme could have far-reaching implications for its citizens.

And move over Switzerland: North Korea is offering up its top-notch ski resort to foreigners and locals alike. We take a look at this unexpected tourist attraction in the world's most isolated nation.

It's known as Sin City: Thailand's hedonistic paradise Pattaya is home to tens of thousands of sex workers and attracts hordes of foreign sex tourists. But this is exactly the type of reputation the country's ruling junta is trying to clean up. Police and soldiers are now on the alert, as growing reports of underage prostitution, drug abuse and organised crime further muddy Pattaya's name. But first, Burmese hopes of a democratic government falter as authorities step up their crackdown on dissent online, threatening freedom of speech.

And a new home for China's ageing national treasures - we find out where elderly pandas go after they've retired from life in the public eye.

This week, we take a look at the asylum seekers returning to Afghanistan after being deported by European authorities. An agreement signed between the European Union and Kabul last October called for the return of 80,000 migrants whose asylum applications had been denied. People are being deported daily yet with little improvement in the security situation in Afghanistan, and rebuilding their lives there is often an almost insurmountable challenge. Also, we meet the Chinese families who send their children to the United States to better their prospects when it comes to higher education.

And we check out the chart-topping hits that are breaking down barriers in India, as a new generation of music fans shuns the social divisions created by the caste system.

South Korea is the world's third-largest market for plastic surgery, with an estimated 1.2 million procedures carried out every year. In the quest for perfection, K-pop band Six Bomb have dropped a cosmetic bombshell on their fans. The controversial girl band have gone to extreme measures to live up to the name of their latest single, "Becoming Pretty". They have all gone under the knife, unveiling their transformation in a shocking video clip. But first, as Pakistan renews its vow to crackdown on Islamic extremism, a popular shrine for a man hung for murder sends a radically different message.

And we go panning for gold in rural Kyrgyzstan, where farmers swap livestock for gold to get through the winter months.

In much of western Nepal, basic infrastructure is sorely lacking. Some children, who live in remote villages, have to brave makeshift cable cars and even zip wires to get to class. It's dangerous, and some have died trying to reach the other side, but a decent network of bridges is still a long way off. We meet the Nepalese children risking their lives every day to get an education. Also, after being stigmatised and taunted in the wake of their city's nuclear disaster, we see how former Fukushima residents are turning to theatre to share their story.

And you might not yet be familiar with Indian wine, but we meet one Franco-Indian businessman who hopes that's all about to change.

This week, we meet the transgender women fighting for equality and protection in Pakistan, the world's only Muslim country to formally recognise the existence of a "third gender". The category covers a wide range of gender identities and can apply to transgendered people, as well as eunuchs and transvestites. But those choosing to shun traditional male/female gender roles still face discrimination and violence on a daily basis. We'll also take a look at how the environment is affected in the pursuit of five-star luxury in the Maldives.

And we head to Japan, where men and women appear to be losing interest in each other, as they turn instead to the romantic opportunities offered by digital avatars.

It's a staple of Chinese cuisine and a symbol of purity and perfection in China. Lotus root is now being exported across the globe. Filled with vitamins and minerals, it's a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine. With its neutral taste, it can be used in desserts or savoury dishes. We go behind the picture postcard beauty of the Lotus flower to see how the roots end up on our plates. But first we head to Burma, where Muslims from the Rohingya ethnic group continue to flee to Bangladesh. The Rohingya are considered by the UN to be the world's most persecuted minority. The current army offensive against the Rohingya has alarmed the UN and human rights groups, who warn of crimes against humanity and even genocide.

We also go to Afghanistan, where many young children are heading out to work instead of going to school. Many youngsters work on dangerous mountain roads, directing traffic in exchange for tips, in order to help their families make ends meet.

This week, we're taking a special look at the Lunar New Year, as the Year of the Rooster begins. Known as Spring Festival in China and Tet in Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is the most important festival of the year for many people. Where is it celebrated, and how? We break down what the traditions mean.

This week, we take you on a trip into a real-life winter wonderland. The Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival, famed for its gigantic illuminated sculptures, has officially kicked off in northern China. The biggest ice festival in the world is expected to attract one million visitors this year. Julia Sieger gives us a sneak peek. But we begin in India, where a financial and technological revolution is under way. The country is being demonetised at a furious pace, with Indians from all social backgrounds urged to open bank accounts and go fully digital. It's part of PM Narendra Modi's war on the shadow black economy. Yet critics say the pace of change is leaving many Indians behind.

We also head to Indonesia, where thousands of illegal miners risk serious injury and death at the bottom of an opaque global supply chain. Every day, they dredge the seabed for tin, a vital component of smartphones and tablets.

And we finish in Pakistan, which is slowly emerging from a long-term power crisis. But the after-effects of this sustained blackout are still being felt in the textile sector. Once the engine of the Pakistani economy, the textile industry is struggling to get back on its feet, faced with high energy costs and a decade lost to competitors.