Â鶹ԼÅÄ

You may well have memories of wandering around exploring a new city with a well-thumbed travel guide, but author Anita Isalska offers a very different exploration, into death customs and rituals from around the world, in her latest book ‘The Lonely Planet’s Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth’.

Earlier this year Gambia’s National Assembly voted to advance a bill to reverse the 2015 ban on female genital mutilation. After months of campaigning by activists, Gambian lawmakers recently voted to keep the ban in place. Zara finds out the significance of this latest development with Mariama Jobarteh, the Scotland-based founder of Fantanka, a women-led organisation which works to empower women and girls.

Ahead of his appearances in the capital this month as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and International Book Festival, Zara delves into the spiritual life of poet and broadcaster Roger McGough and talks to him about his illustrious six-decade long career.

Exploring the ethical and moral issues around some of this week’s news stories, between 9 and 10am Zara is joined by Islamic scholar Yahya Barry, theologian Eve Poole, and theatre critic Gareth K Vile.

They’ll be reflecting on the fall out of the tragic loss of life in Southport last week, and how and why that turned into riots and violence which has spread across different parts of the country.

They’ll also be discussing the purpose of guilt and if it can used to harness change, in light of a recent story that suggests some Norwegians are feeling guilty about their privileged and comfortable lives.

And with all the extraordinary moments of sporting skill and endurance on show at the Paris Olympics, what’s it like living and performing under intense pressure – whether you’re an athlete or not.