January 4, Thursday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradhan and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

1. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has expressed hope that unrest in the country will end in a few days.
2. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off financial aid to the Palestinian Authority.
3. North Korea has reopened the hotline with South Korea to discuss issues, including sending athletes to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.