Kate Adie introduces stories on Syria, Myanmar, Ivory Coast, the Russian Orthodox church and Tunisia.

The threat of being 'disappeared' was central to Bashar al Assad's system of repression and intimidation. Now he is gone, Syrian families want to know what happened to their loved ones. Yogita Limaye met people who've been searching for relatives for years – and who have discovered likely clues at a hospital morgue.

BBC Eye has been investigating the role of moles in Myanmar's military - soldiers sharing intelligence with pro-democracy groups. These moles have helped the advance of rebel groups and the balance of power is now shifting, with the military now controlling less than a quarter of the country. Rebecca Henschke tells the story of the 'watermelon spies' - military green on the outside, rebel red on the inside.

Chocolate has been one product that has notably suffered from 'shrinkflation' - rising in cost, and shrinking in size. This is in part due to the spiraling cost of cocoa - but not everyone involved in its cultivation is getting rich, as John Murphy discovered when he met farmers in Ivory Coast.

The war in Ukraine has been sanctified by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow - head of the Russian Orthodox Church. He's even said Russian soldiers who die on the battlefield will be washed of their sins - but not everyone in the church agrees with this stance. Lucy Ash catches up with one priest risking punishment for speaking out.

Tunisia recently hosted the World Morse Code championship – a fiendishly competitive tournament, in which participants are challenged to accurately receive, copy and send coded transmissions as fast as possible. Monica Whitlock went to watch the competitors in action.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, Ukraine, France, Ghana and Saudi Arabia.

The speed at which President Assad was deposed was a shock to many, including the BBC's Lina Sinjab. She had been forced to leave her home country in 2013, after being detained and threatened by Syrian security forces. This week, she finally returned home, without the looming fear of arrest, to find a changed country.

Paul Adams was in Kyiv on the first-day of Russia's full-scale invasion, and reported from the country during much of the early months on the war. He recently returned for the first time in over a year, and found a very different country, where the desire for the war to end is growing by the day.

France has entered a period of political uncertainty, triggered by the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government ten days ago. On the surface, not much has changed in the country, says Andrew Harding - but what about further down the road?

Like other polls around the world this year, Ghana's recent general election saw another incumbent ousted. The reasons behind this are familiar, too, says James Copnall - rising prices, rising rent and a general malaise and desire for change.

Saudi Arabia was crowned host of the 2034 World Cup this week - the pinnacle of an orchestrated campaign to bring some positive PR to the Kingdom through international sport and culture. Emily Wither recently attended a star-studded film festival, and considers the degree to which Saudi Arabia has managed to pull off its much-desired rebrand.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Sudan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, South Africa and Ireland.

Lyse Doucet recently gained rare access to Sudan, where she met the remarkable Mama Nour. A steely woman, orphaned in childhood, she now provides refuge for other women and children amid Sudan's ongoing civil war, which the UN has called 'the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world'.

South Korea's president sent shockwaves across the world when he declared martial law earlier this week. Jake Kwon describes the moment the president made his announcement, and the swift, decisive response from both politicians and the South Korean people to stop him in his tracks.

China's Xinjiang province is home to a huge tomato industry, which has been linked to forced labour - an allegation China denies. Still, many Uyghurs and ethnic Kazakhs have fled Xinjiang into neighbouring Kazakhstan, where Runako Celina met one woman who revealed the realitles of life in the region.

In South Africa, there’s an on-going stand-off between authorities and illegal workers living down an abandoned gold mine, southwest of Johannesburg. Security forces briefly stopped food and water from being sent down the mine, before a court ruled against them. Nomsa Maseko recalls her first time entering this hidden world.

Ireland’s elections last weekend did not prove to be a political game-changer unlike other polls this year. Michael Martin will return as Taoiseach for the second time, but scratch the surface and there’s an underlying anti-establishment sentiment, says Chris Page.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie introduces dispatches on Russia, Germany, Hong Kong, India and Sweden.

A Russian soldier who once responsible for guarding Russia's nuclear weapons reveals why he fled the army. In a secret meeting, at an undisclosed location, he tells Will Vernon what he makes of President Vladimir Putin's threats towards the West.

Earlier this month German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s argumentative three-way governing coalition collapsed, triggering snap elections in February. Damien McGuinness ponders what Berlin's Christmas lights can tell us about the political mood in the country.

In Hong Kong, Danny Vincent reports from inside the courtroom where the pro-democracy media mogul, Jimmy Lai, is on trial. Mr Lai is already serving a prison sentence following a separate trial for his involvement in pro-democracy protests in 2019. Since then, China has imposed a sweeping national security law which many fear is being used to dismantle and chill all political opposition.

In Rajasthan, in India, there are efforts underway to rewild vast tracts of degraded land back to its natural state. In one area of Jawai, work has been undertaken to create a wildlife corridor for migrating wildlife. Michelle Jana Chan goes on the trail of a local leopard and her young cubs.

Every home in Sweden recently received updated advice on what to do in the event of war. This isn’t new to Swedes – but the guidance has been updated because of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and ongoing concern that war could escalate across Europe. Miranda Colchester has been gauging public reaction in the Swedish capital.

Series producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Pakistan-administered Gilgit Balistan, Brazil, the United States, the Faroe Islands and Austria

The remote mountain villages of Pakistan-administered Gilgit Baltistan are on the frontline of climate change. Some have already been wiped out by landslides caused by melting glaciers. Caroline Davies met locals in the picturesque Hunza Valley preparing for the next disaster.

World leaders gathered in Brazil this week for the G20 summit. James Landale observed how world leaders took the opportunity to recalibrate their relationships in advance of Donald Trump returning to the White House - including China's President Xi.

Donald Trump has been masterminding nominations for his new cabinet from his Mar a Lago resort in Florida's Palm Beach. It was the nerve-centre of operations during his campaign, and has become the place to be seen for West Wing hopefuls. Jessica Parker found out what locals make of the political circus.

In the Faroe Islands, the annual round up of 70,000 sheep is underway. On one tiny island, on a farm only accessible by helicopter – one couple manage a herd of some five hundred sheep. Tim Ecott tried his best to lend a hand on the steep, slippery slopes.

The Austrian spa town of Bad Ischl is where the Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef signed the declaration of war on Serbia that triggered the First World War. Over recent decades, Bad Ischl has increasingly traded on its history – with an annual festival to mark the birthday of the emperor. But as Gareth Jones discovered, the question of what people choose to remember is acquiring a new urgency.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from China, Ukraine, Australia, Panama and Lithuania.

Reports of North Korean troops being deployed to join the Russian offensive in Ukraine has compounded fears in Kyiv about its ability to win the war. And it’s proving a headache for Beijing too, which is an ally to both Russia and North Korea. Laura Bicker travelled to Fangchuan, where the borders of all three countries meet.

In Ukraine, the use of drones has become integral to the war strategy for both sides. But since the Summer, there has been signs that Russia may be deliberately targeting civilians with unmanned drones – killing dozens. Yogita Limaye travelled to Kherson, where locals described the terror they face every day.

Youth crime has become a big talking point in Australia, but critics warn tougher punishment may not improve the outcome for locals or young offenders, as Katy Watson heard in Northern Territory.

In Panama, the rainy season lasts around eight months of the year, and yet hundreds of thousands of people struggle to access regular running water. Jane Chambers went to meet some people who've come up with their own solution.

Lithuania became the last country in Europe to convert to Christianity back in the 1300s. But over the last century, many Lithuanians began exploring their pagan past once more, to build a sense of national identity. Simon Broughton went to one of the country’s biggest folk festivals to find out more.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from the US, Lebanon, Spain, Morocco and Greenland

Donald Trump won a resounding victory in the US election, heralding an imminent return to the White House. This was achieved through a new coalition of support - especially among African-American and Hispanic voters. Anthony Zurcher has followed the campaign from the outset, and reflects on how, despite a well-funded Harris campaign, Donald Trump pulled off a decisive win.

Israel's invasion of Lebanon has continued, sparked by almost a year of cross-border hostilities. This latest conflict began with Hezbollah firing rockets across the border into Israel last October, in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Orla Guerin has been there since the conflict intensified six weeks ago.

In Spain, thousands of troops, civil guards and police helped with the relief effort following flash floods in Valencia that killed more than 200 people. Amid a febrile atmosphere of blame and recrimination, Nick Beake has been building a picture of how events unfolded - and heard how tragedy hit one family.

Morocco is a launch pad for many Africans trying to make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean into Europe. Now, it's coming under increased pressure due to political instability in the Sahel. Richard Hamilton was in Tangier.

In Greenland, an Inuit community living in the island's most remote settlement is facing profound changes to their traditional way of life amid melting sea ice. Mark Stratton went to hear about the challenges facing the community, such as climate change, tourism and polar bears.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling

Kate Adie presents stories from Georgia, the US, Benin and Egypt.

In Georgia, tens of thousands of people took to the streets this week amid claims of election violations, highlighting the rift between voters hoping for closer ties to Europe and those wishing to retain relations with Russia. Rayhan Demytrie reports from the capital Tbilisi.

Immigration is one of the leading issues for voters in the US Presidential election. James Menendez travelled to both Mexico and the Southern US to meet people affected, in different ways, by the border crisis.

More than 12 months on since the October 7th attacks by Hamas, and the onset of Israel’s retaliation, foreign journalists have still been unable to report directly from Gaza. As a result, news organisations have often turned to Gazan citizens to relay what they see on a daily basis. Lara Elgabaly reports on some of the virtual relationships she has built in reporting on Gaza - and what it was like when she finally met a family that had been sharing their story with her.

Voodoo is an often misunderstood and maligned religion, says its followers, but the government in Benin wants to correct that - and even use the country's traditional belief system and culture to appeal to tourists, as Sam Bradpiece discovered.

And finally, returning to the US election. With the polls neck and neck, America is likely to remain a deeply divided nation no matter who wins the White House next week – but where does the 2024 race sit in the long arc of America’s political history? Nick Bryant has reported from the campaign trail since the 90s and reflects on what next week’s vote could mean for the country.

Producers: Emma Close and Polly Hope.

Kate Adie presents stories from Moldova, Russia, the US, Cuba and Indonesia.

In Moldova, a knife-edge victory for the Yes vote in the country's referendum on EU membership came as a shock to many. Chisinau and the EU have accused Russia and its proxies of ‘unprecedented’ interference. Alongside the referendum, the country’s pro-Europe president was also running for re-election. Sarah Rainsford was on the border with Transnistria.

Moscow’s push into the Donbas in eastern Ukraine is intensifying, as Russian troops seek to gain control of the whole region. Earlier this year, Ukraine made its own incursion into the Russian border regions. Nick Sturdee has followed the story of some Russian-speaking Ukrainian fighters who are now in Kursk.

Mike Wendling paid a visit to the swing state of Wisconsin as Halloween preparations were underway and found people are not just spooked by scary masks and ghoulish stories – there’s a deeper, palpable anxiety among voters in Wisconsin about dirty campaign tactics, and even the fate of US democracy itself.

In Cuba, the electricity supply often fails when the fuel runs short. They have regular, planned black-outs, but last weekend, the whole of Cuba suffered a complete blackout, as it dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar. Will Grant has been to one village, where living without electricity has become the norm.

Mini the Macaque was taken from the forest in Indonesia, when she was just days old, and sold on to criminals in a global animal torture ring. Mini - and the monkey who was held captive with her - were eventually rescued after a BBC Eye investigation. Rebecca Henschke went along to see them being freed.

Series producer: Serena Tarling

Katie Adie presents stories from Israel and Gaza, the USA, Ivory Coast and Bolivia.

At a UN school in Gaza, a teenage girl passed a handwritten note to BBC journalists listing her hopes for a more peaceful future. More than a decade on, Jeremy Bowen remembers that brief encounter - and whether her wishes will ever become reality. Speaking to young Israelis and Palestinians today, he discovers that mistrust between communities is as deep as it's ever been.

The US swing state of Georgia is undergoing a green energy boom, which is generating thousands of new 'green' jobs - but the issue of climate change remains a controversial one. Jordan Dunbar discovers how evangelical Christians are finding new ways to discuss the environment with sceptical Republicans, by focusing on a religious duty to protect the planet.

Abidjan in Ivory Coast is being transformed by a massive programme of road-building and infrastructure improvements - but tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes and businesses in the process. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common across Africa as cities modernise and expand at unprecedented rates - but at what cost? Sira Thierij reports.

In the town of Copacabana in Bolivia, dozens of vehicles arrive almost every morning outside one of the oldest churches in South America. The Blessing of the Automobiles has been held here since the 1950s. Rebecca Root joined the daily procession

Series producer: Serena Tarling