Global News Podcast – “Death toll rises as Iran protests enter third week”

Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Oliver Conway, BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the escalating anti-government protests in Iran, the rising death toll amid a harsh security crackdown, and the mounting international tensions—especially involving the United States. Additional coverage includes US-Cuba relations following a dramatic incident in Venezuela, US interest in Greenland, a roundup of the Golden Globes, a groundbreaking medical treatment for blindness, deadly avalanches in the Alps, and the latest in domestic AI robotics.

Main Stories & Key Points

1. Iran: Protests, Crackdown, and International Fallout

[00:50–10:45]

• Protests & Death Toll:

  • Anti-government protests have entered their third week in Iran, with over 500 people reportedly killed (according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency).
  • Authorities imposed a communications blackout, making verification difficult.

• Security Response:

  • “We have seen the use of lethal force indiscriminately against protesters. We have evidence of close range gunshot wounds. We have evidence of tear gassing, we have evidence of military grade weapons…”
    — Skylar Thompson, Human Rights Activists News Agency [02:00]

• Geopolitical Context:

  • The Iranian government is perceived as weakened due to prior Israeli and US attacks and the loss of allies in Syria and Lebanon.

  • President Trump suggested possible US military intervention:

    • “It looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed... The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options.”
      — President Trump [03:10]

  • Threat of escalation: Iranian parliament warned that US or Israeli attacks would result in retaliation against their military bases.

• Voices on the Ground:

  • Lise Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, details the atmosphere in Mashad and nationwide:
    • “Mashad, Iran’s holiest city, now burns with a different fervor... The roar of the crowds, the boom of the guns. But courage has a cost in Iran, a huge cost.” [05:00]
    • Notes on funerals for protesters and government forces, and the regime’s efforts to galvanize support with pro-government marches.

• Opposition & Exile:

  • Iran’s exiled former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for international support but faces pushback from Iranians wanting internal change only:
    • “Let’s hope that we can permanently seal this legacy by liberating Iran so that we and you can make Iran great again.”
      — Reza Pahlavi [07:20]

• Official Response:

  • President Masoud Bezeshkian urged unity and dialogue but insisted on preventing “rioters” from disrupting society:
    • “If they have concerns, we will hear them… However, our highest duty is to not allow rioters to disrupt society.” [08:00]

2. US-Cuba Standoff After Venezuela Incident

[10:50–15:20]

• Context:

  • After US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (with many Cuban casualties among his defenders), President Trump pushed Cuba to “make a deal before it’s too late.”
  • The US is stopping Venezuelan oil supplies to Cuba, which constitutes over a third of Cuba’s external support.

• Cuban Response:

  • President Miguel Díaz-Canel, via X (read by a BBC producer), states:
    • “Those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point fingers at Cuba for anything, absolutely anything.” [12:50]

• Potential Impact:

  • Analyst Paul Adams outlines that loss of oil could trigger a catastrophic economic crisis in Cuba, with possible shortages and blackouts.
  • US demands for a “deal” are unspecified, but leading Cuban Americans and officials want political prisoners released and possibly the end of the Cuban Revolution.

• International Outlook:

  • Díaz-Canel insists on Cuban sovereignty, but acknowledges looming, unprecedented hardship.

3. US-Greenland Discussions

[15:30–18:10]

• Background:

  • US eyes Greenland for strategic reasons; 85% of residents reject US control.
  • Foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland visiting Washington for talks.

• Local Sentiment:

  • Many Greenlanders weary of US and Copenhagen dominance but recognise logistical advantages (e.g., easier access to goods from the US).
    • “We want to work closely with the US in the future… Why not just 500 kilometers to the US?”
      — Pele Broberg, Nalarak Party MP [17:40]

• European Stance:

  • Europe supports Denmark but needs US cooperation for defense and Ukraine negotiations.

4. Golden Globes Awards Recap

[18:15–22:30]

• Highlights:

  • Best Drama, “Hamnet,” directed by Chloe Zhao.
  • Best Actress (Drama), Jessie Buckley; Best Comedy, “One Battle After Another” with Leonardo DiCaprio (lost his acting category to Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme”).
  • Limited Series “Adolescence” secures multiple wins, including for Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty.

• Notable Moment:

  • “Owen Cooper, the 16-year-old now star of this miniseries, made quite an endearing kind of acceptance speech. Very modest. He really couldn’t believe that he was standing on the stage at the Golden Globes.”
    — Peter Bowes, LA Correspondent [20:45]

• Podcast Category:

  • A new award for podcasts debuted, won by “A Good Hang” with Amy Poehler, highlighting trends in entertainment consumption.
  • “Somewhat cynically received… all the nominees were high-budget video podcasts.” [22:20]

5. UK Settles with Guantanamo Detainee

[22:35–24:10]

• Story:
  • UK government pays out to Abu Zubaydah, subject of prolonged US torture and indefinite detention without trial.
  • British intelligence agencies were complicit by providing questions for his interrogations despite knowledge of his mistreatment.

6. Breakthrough Blindness Treatment

[24:12–26:10]

• Innovation:

  • Patients with hypotony (low eyeball pressure) regain sight thanks to a simple, clear gel.
  • “It’s incredible. It’s life changing. It’s given me everything back.”
    — Nicky Guy, patient [24:40]

• Medical Insight:

  • “The really different thing about this approach is we're injecting the gel in the back of the eye… that was the eureka moment that really changed everything.”
    — Dr. Harry Petroskin [25:10]

7. Deadly Avalanches Hit the Alps

[26:15–28:25]

• Incidents:

  • Six dead, many more rescued across multiple resorts after heavy snowfall.
  • Off-piste skiing (outside marked trails) cited in most fatalities.
  • “Five other people were reported dead after incidents at multiple resorts, including La Plagne, Val d’Isère, and Courchevel.”
    — Stephanie Prentice [27:20]

• Rescue Challenges:

  • Difficult terrain hampers efforts; one survivor rescued with only head visible above snow.

• Safety Reminder:

  • “A single skier or snowboarder can be enough to trigger a large avalanche, even in terrain that’s normally considered safe.”
    — Stephanie Prentice [28:15]

8. Domestic Robots: A New Era?

[28:30–32:50]

• On the Ground with Home Bots:

  • Humanoid robots like Neo (by Norwegian 1X) and Memo (by Sunday AI) demonstrated doing chores like watering plants and folding laundry.
  • Most tasks still require a mix of automation and teleoperation.

• Key Insight:

  • “Neo does a pretty good job of tidying… Periodically, someone kind of steps in and helps if the robot does not know exactly how to move on.”
    — Bernd Bornich, 1X [29:35]

  • For data, Memo’s makers use glove-based data collection:

    • “People just wear their gloves in their homes and collect data for us… more than 500 homes and all the different ways they go about doing the task.”
      — Tony Chow, Sunday AI [31:10]

• Challenges and Future:

  • Robotic adoption faces cost, privacy, and data challenges.
  • Industry analysts forecast up to 20 years for truly useful, widespread adoption.

• Memorable Moment:

  • During a demonstration, Memo accidentally smashed a wine glass, highlighting both progress and current limitations.

Noteworthy Quotes

• “Courage has a cost in Iran, a huge cost. This forecourt is full, ground zero of grief. It’s an open air morgue.”
  — Lise Doucet [05:40]

• “They want to see the release of political prisoners, the holding of free and fair elections. Frankly, they want to see an end to the Cuban Revolution started by Fidel Castro.”
  — Paul Adams [13:40]

• “I can do that again. I can see my child grow up. At every birthday I can make him a birthday cake. If my vision stays like this for the rest of my life. It would be absolutely brilliant.”
  — Nicky Guy [25:40]

• “A single skier or snowboarder can be enough to trigger a large avalanche, even in terrain that’s normally considered safe.”
  — Stephanie Prentice [28:15]

• “Making your coffee now.”
  — Memo the Robot demo, Joe Tidy [32:10]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Iran protests and crackdown: 00:50–10:45
• Cuba/US/Venezuela oil crisis: 10:50–15:20
• US-Greenland relations: 15:30–18:10
• Golden Globes roundup: 18:15–22:30
• Guantanamo payout: 22:35–24:10
• Blindness breakthrough: 24:12–26:10
• Alps avalanches: 26:15–28:25
• Home robots: 28:30–32:50

Tone and Style

The reporting is urgent yet measured, balancing on-the-ground human stories with high-level geopolitical analysis. Quotes from correspondents and newsmakers add immediacy and insight. Human stories (Nicky Guy’s sight restoration, avalanche rescues) are featured alongside big-picture global events, maintaining the BBC’s authoritative and internationally aware tone.

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