World News Briefs -- January 1, 2018

NBC: Kim Jong Un highlights his ‘nuclear button,’ offers Olympic talks

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used his New Year’s Day address to warn the U.S. not to test him while striking a softer tone with South Korea, including the possibility of sending a delegation to next month's Winter Olympics.

“The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, a nuclear button is always on my desk. This is reality, not a threat,” Kim said in the annual address. “This year, we should focus on mass-producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment. These weapons will be used only if our society is threatened.”

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MIDDLE EAST

Yemen's president orders military chief to push for Sanaa.

Kuwaiti report: US gives Israel go-ahead to kill powerful Iranian general.

Iran protests go on as social media apps blocked, 2 killed. Iran protests have violent night; at least 12 dead overall.

Thousands remain missing after Iraq’s victories against IS.

State media says Syrian president reshuffles government. Syria's Assad names new defense and other ministers: state TV.

Jordan's King dismisses coup rumors after firing siblings from top Army posts. Jordan royal palace denies rumours about dismissal of princes amid army shake-up.

Palestine recalls US envoy after Trump's Jerusalem move.

Likud Party calls for de-facto annexation of West Bank settlements.

Abbas condemns Israeli ruling party vote for West Bank annexation.

Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates introduce VAT for first time.

ASIA

North Korean leader: Nuke button is 'on my table'.

South Korea says welcomes Kim Jong Un's New Year speech: Yonhap.

South Korea seizes second ship suspected of smuggling oil to North.

Deadly bombing targets Afghan official's funeral.

A visual that shows just how many Rohingya villages have been burned.

Jailed Cambodian opposition leader calls for 'free and fair' elections.

Anti-Beijing protesters march in Hong Kong.

China's growth engine stutters as factories slow down.

China ban on domestic ivory sales comes into force. China's ban on ivory trade comes into force.

AFRICA

U.S. military kills 17 Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.

DRC: Death toll rises in anti-government protests. Congo: Deaths at anti-Kabila protest.

UN urges DR Congo leader to keep promise to step down.

Two Christians killed in New Year attack on Egypt liquor store.

Gabon leader pledges 'radical change' in New Year message.

Dozens dead in head-on collision between bus and lorry in Kenya .

Morocco faces renewed protests after two men die in abandoned mine.

Zambia president orders military to help fight cholera spread.

Sudan will continue military participation in anti-Houthi campaign: al-Bashir.

Egypt's Morsi sentenced to three years for insulting the judiciary.

EUROPE

Bulgaria takes over EU presidency in turbulent times.

Court upholds ban on Navalny running for Russian presidency.

Merkel sees Germany split over pace of social change.

Merkel's allies, further defying SPD, seek corporate tax cuts.

Macron's new year's speech: 'France can't succeed without a strong Europe'.

Catalonia crisis: Economy minister puts cost at €1bn.

Greece seeks to cancel Turkish pilot's asylum.

Germany starts enforcing hate speech law.

Pope Francis bemoans 2017 as a year of war, lies and injustice.

AMERICAS

'What a year it's been': Trump lauds major feats of 2017 in end-of-year video.

Trump resolves to keep tweeting in 2018 as he goes after Iran and Pakistan in early morning New Year swipes, then hits the golf course.

Crystal ball drops in frigid Times Square to mark 2018.

Chief justice orders review of sexual harassment standards in U.S. judiciary.

Venezuela to raise minimum wage despite economic crisis.

Iran hits back at Canada criticism over protests.

Costa Rica: 10 Americans and two locals killed in plane crash on route to San Jose.

2018 starts with record cold in parts of the Midwest.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Call for tech giants to face taxes over extremist content.

New in 2018: The fight against ISIS evolves (commentary).

Exclusive: Pakistan plans takeover of charities run by Islamist figure U.S. has targeted.

Pentagon denies claims of training Daesh in Syria.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street eyes 2018 gains with a side of caution.

‘Star Wars’ passes ‘Beauty and the Beast’ as top 2017 earner.

U.S. oil production booms as new year begins.