1. Iranian Protests
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2. Ignoring pleas for calm from President Hassan Rouhani, Iranian protesters took to the streets in several cities for the fifth day on Monday as pent-up economic and political frustrations boiled over in the broadest display of discontent in years. The Iranian government responded with a widening security clampdown and a pledge late Monday to crack down even harder. The death toll from the clashes was up to at least 21, and in the central province of Esfahan, one police officer was reported killed and three wounded in a gunfight. The protests are largely a result of economic problems and government corruption. When the protests started last Thursday, demonstrators chanted slogans about the weak economy. There have been burned cars, fires and wreckage on the pavement. Protesters also tried to storm police stations and military installations. Protests have taken place in at least half a dozen cities, as well as protests online. Even though strict Islamic rules have been somewhat relaxed (Concerts have been allowed, and the morals police are largely off the streets. Illegal parties are usually no longer raided), economic frustrations do not appear to have been offset by the greater social freedoms.

3. In Other News
Alabama will play for a national championship for a third straight season. The Crimson Tide have won four titles under Nick Saban, who would tie Bear Bryant for the most titles (six) in history for a college head coach if Alabama beats Georgia next Monday.
California began selling recreational marijuana Monday. California is one of a few states to allow sales of recreational marijuana, and as the nation's most populous state, it's widely seen as a tremendous boost to mainstreaming marijuana. Marijuana remains illegal in the eyes of the federal government, and it is illegal to take marijuana across state lines, bring it on a plane or mail it. California adults 21 and older can possess as much as an ounce and grow up to six plants at home as of Monday. Massachusetts will begin selling retail marijuana on July 1. Maine has approved it, but there is no set date to begin sales. Other states that allow the sale of recreational marijuana are Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Nevada.
South Korea has proposed high-level talks with North Korea as early as January 9 to let the North participate in the Winter Olympics next month in South Korea. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has long lobbied for closer relations with the North, also sees the talks as a chance to ease tensions between the two nations. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brought up the idea of the North going to the Olympics during his (unusually civil) New Year's Day address, where he also declared his hope "for (a) peaceful resolution with our southern border.”
The national reckoning over sexual harassment and assault has mostly focused on the entertainment, media and political worlds. Now big names in the entertainment world are teaming up to help women in all fields are battling against sex harassment. Shonda Rhimes, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Meryl Streep are just some of the donors behind Time's Up, a comprehensive plan to fight sex harassment in all industries. Time's Up has already put together a $13 million legal defense fund. The group also encourages women to wear black at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards as a sign of solidarity.