## Day four of Iran protests sees rallies spread and regime change calls grow

Authored by iranintl.com

Officials also appear keen to avoid an immediate crackdown that could further inflame public anger and broaden demonstrations.

Authorities have instead announced a series of closures under the pretext of “cold weather and energy saving.”

On the third day of protests, President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government recognizes the public’s right to protest and has tasked the interior minister with holding talks with representatives of Tehran’s bazaar merchants.

Ali Ahmadnia, head of the government’s information office, also said on Wednesday that the administration had formally accepted the protests and would listen to criticism.

The government, he said, “will sit down and listen to all critics and will not engage in any violent behavior—indeed, it strongly opposes it.”.

One X user wrote: “If the government respected the people and had heard their protests, it would have resigned on the first day and stood with the public.

He also alleged that shopkeepers had distanced themselves from protesters because of slogans he described as “dictated by the Zionist regime.”. »

### Governor Meyer Announces First Round of Medical Debt Relief, Nearly $19 Million Eliminated for more than 18,000

Authored by news.delaware.gov

Undue Medical Debt acquires the most burdensome medical debts in bulk for a fraction of their face value, meaning one dollar can erase $100 of medical debt on average.

To date, Undue Medical Debt has abolished $18.8 million in medical debt for 18,145 individuals across Delaware.

Undue Medical Debt purchases bundled medical debt portfolios from hospitals and commercial debt buyers for pennies on the dollar and then abolishes that debt entirely. »

### California homeowner says 550-pound black bear is living under his house

Authored by abcnews.go.com

California homeowner says 550-pound black bear is living under his house.

This bear is reportedly living in the crawl space under one home in Altadena, California.

According to one homeowner in Altadena, California, a black bear has been living in the crawl space under his home for over a month. »

### Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor at historic subway station

Authored by apnews.com

NEW YORK (AP) — Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony in the Old City Hall subway station, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York.

(AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony in the Old City Hall subway station, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. »

### Body identified as that of missing Texas 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos

Authored by nbcnews.com

Texas officials confirmed Wednesday that they had found the body of Camila Mendoza Olmos, the 19-year-old who has been missing since Christmas Eve, in a field by her home.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as Olmos', the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Ultimately, authorities found Olmos' body roughly 100 yards from her home on a follow-up search of the area. »

## In pictures

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