Oliver Conway

Our editors, Karen Martin.

I'm Oliver Conway.

Until next time, goodbye.

You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

Hello, I'm Oliver Conway, and this edition is published in the early hours of Monday, the 12th of January.

President Trump says the US military is assessing its options over Iran, as activists say more than 500 people have been killed there in anti-government protests.

Cuba's president has rejected Donald Trump's demand to make a deal with Washington.

And the Golden Globes have kicked off the Hollywood award season.

Also in the podcast, we hear about the deadly avalanches that have hit the Alps and... It's incredible.

The simple gel that can treat a rare form of blindness.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has faced a series of mass protests.

The usual response from the authorities has been to launch a violent crackdown.

And it's no different this time.

A communications blackout makes it difficult to know exactly what's going on there, but the US-based human rights activist's news agency says 544 people have been killed in two weeks of demonstrations.

The group's deputy director is Skylar Thompson.

Despite the violence, there's an important difference from previous demonstrations.

The Iranian government has been severely weakened by the Israeli and American attacks last year and the loss of its allies in Syria and Lebanon.

It's also facing a threat of intervention from President Trump.

In the past few hours, he said he's looking at possible military action.

The president was asked by reporters on Air Force One if Iran had crossed a red line of protesters being killed.