Completed by the poet Ferdowsi in 1010 AD, the Shahnameh is widely regarded as a masterpiece of world literature. It is of central importance to Iranian culture and self-identity and has inspired some of the world's most exquisite manuscripts. Narguess Farzad dives into the text to explore the stories and themes contained within and to revel in the language.

For Assignment Thomas Fessy investigates allegations that a senior Congolese general profited from the illegal takeover of a gold mine.

Ali Abbas became an icon of the Iraq War when images of him with his arms amputated were beamed around the world. Seven years after an American rocket attack destroyed his home and killed 16 members of his family, Ali returns to Baghdad. Will he give in to the pressure of getting married?

"With the city being built here on our doorstep, I can look after the children and earn some money." Carrie Gracie returns to China to see how locals are embracing and benefiting from city life.

“If you say bye bye to that fountain of life you may as well say bye bye to my heritage.” How will a proposed copper mine affect Alaska’s main industry of salmon? The BBC’s Nick Rankin reports on the development opportunities – as well as environmental and social concerns – of this controversial proposal.

The people of Burma go to the polls on November 7th for the first time in 20 years. In 1990, an overwhelming majority voted for pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her National League for Democracy. The Generals running the country ignored the result and have imposed strict military rule ever since. So, why are they holding elections now and do ordinary people care about them? Sue Lloyd Roberts travels across Burma to investigate.

Seven years after an American rocket attack destroyed his home, killed 16 members of his family, and left him without arms, Ali Abbas returns to Baghdad. Now 19 years old and with loved ones looking to arrange a marriage it’s time to become an adult but, with his childhood stolen, adapting is a struggle and the future uncertain. In part one, the BBC's Hugh Sykes joins Ali just before he leaves for Baghdad.

"We took the decision to build a new city ten years ago. We had four objectives: civilised, hygienic and scenic - with a focus on eco-tourism." Carrie Gracie returns to China to see how 21st Century urbanisation is progressing.

Nick Rankin reports from Alaska during the greatest wild salmon run in the world and joins commercial and subsistence fishermen who live off this natural resource.

As Ireland faces up to one of Europe's most punishing financial crises, Ed Butler looks at the growing anger amongst its citizens.

Travel writer Polly Evans goes to Guantanamo, Cuba, and talks to local people about the town where they live. How do they feel about it becoming synonymous with the prison camp that Amnesty International calls "the gulag of our times"?

The BBC's Central Asia correspondent, Rayhan Demytrie, explores the relationship between drugs and politics in Kyrgyzstan.

Organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games argue that its legacy will be felt for generations to come. With the prospects for jobs, will regeneration affect those who need it most?

It is two years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games and the residents of a council estate nearby have been watching the venues take shape for a while now. One of the pledges when London won the 2012 bid to host the Olympics was that the East End - the socially deprived area of the city - would be lifted out of its poverty. Is the regeneration of the area affecting those it was supposed to target?

"I find it difficult to recognize famous people because they have very symmetrical faces. I only know Madonna by her eyeliner." How do our brains work in everyday life? In the last of a four-part series examining the mind’s complexities, Professor Barry Smith examines the link between the brain, memory and consciousness.

In the midst of a financial crisis, Maywood, a small city near Los Angeles, took the radical step of firing all city employees. Policing in Maywood is now handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and many of the other city's services in operation are being handled by the nearby city of Bell. Mayor Ana Rizo claimed that it was either this or declaring bankruptcy. Simon Pitts discovers what went wrong in Maywood and explores why this decision was taken, and whether Maywood might...

It’s halfway through the European ‘Decade of Roma inclusion’ but millions of euros in EU funding have failed to make a dent in Roma exclusion. Nick Thorpe travels to Romania, home to an estimated 2 million Roma – 10 % of the population - to find out why.

Can oral history challenge or alter the official past of a nation? History is often said to be written by the victors, but oral history has been strongly associated with the voices of the 'ordinary' citizens. Be it war, revolution or dictatorship, these accounts often offer different versions of the past. Alan Dein explores how this oral history can sometime collide with the official version committed to the history books - particularly in nations where the outcome is still bitterly contested.

"I have to choose between the fruit salad and the cream cake. Rationally, I know what I should do. I should choose the fruit salad. But will I?" How do our brains work in everyday life? In the third of a four-part series examining the mind’s complexities, Professor Barry Smith looks at how the brain makes decisions.

As a 23-year-old, young British colonial officer John Smith was put in charge of the vast area of Kano in Nigeria. In his position, he represented the might of the British Empire. Now 82, Smith returns to see how the country has fared after 50 years of freedom and to renew a remarkable friendship.

There's a tough marriage market in the US for single, college educated, black women. For Assignment Nina Robinson travels to New York to find out why.

Can oral history challenge or alter the official past of a nation? History is often said to be written by the victors, but oral history has been strongly associated with the voices of the 'ordinary' citizens. Be it war, revolution or dictatorship, these accounts often offer different versions of the past. Alan Dein explores how this oral history can sometime collide with the official version committed to the history books - particularly in nations where the outcome is still bitterly contested.

“When I wake up in the morning I think I’ve still got two normal arms and I have to look to see which one is not there.” How do our brains work in everyday life? In the second of a four-part series examining the mind’s complexities, Professor Barry Smith explores the link between the body and the brain.

Writer Cathy FitzGerald explores the past, present, and very real future of the magic carpet and wonders what our desire to defy gravity tells us about ourselves. We dream of flying and often long to fly unaided - is that part of it?

With anti-Islamic sentiment on the rise in America, Claire Bolderson reports for Assignment on what it is like to be a young American muslim in America and explores what is being done to stop them becoming alienated.