World News Roundup: Putin, in rare US interview, says Russia has no interest in wider war; Exclusive-India Hindu group puts allies in Muslim universities in outreach for votes and more

International concern about the fate of hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans sheltering in Rafah has mounted since Israel threatened a ground assault on the city, on the border with Egypt. Exclusive-Ukraine plans same 2024 sowing area as 2023, has concerns on wheat quality -minister Ukraine expects its 2024 spring sowing area to be the same as last year, though it could see a slight decrease in the worst case scenario, Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky told Reuters on Friday.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Russians enter North Korea in first foreign tour group since COVID-19 pandemic

About 100 Russians flew to North Korea on Friday for a private tour, becoming the first foreign group to visit the reclusive state following the COVID-19 pandemic in a landmark trip summed up by the Russian embassy as "Pyongyang opens its door." North Korea shuttered its borders with some of the tightest restrictions during the pandemic, in one incident shooting dead a South Korean who floated unauthorized into its waters.

Exclusive-India Hindu group puts allies in Muslim universities in outreach for votes

A Hindu group closely linked to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is installing Muslims loyal to it in leadership positions at Muslim universities as part of a push to garner Muslim votes ahead of national elections, officials said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which Modi joined in his youth and which is the de facto parent of his political party, is trying to woo Muslim voters away from Congress and other parties that they have traditionally supported.

US confronts dangers from 'not very good' Iran-backed militants

More than a month before a deadly drone strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought to reassure U.S. troops about the military's ability to withstand attacks by Iran-backed militants. Austin, in previously unpublished remarks to sailors aboard the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on Dec. 20, said the number one reason the militants had failed to that point was that "they're not very good at what they do."

With over half the seats counted, Imran Khan's supporters lead in Pakistan polls

Independents backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan won the most seats in Pakistan's election on Friday after results from over half the constituencies were announced, leaving political parties trailing. Almost 24 hours have passed since the close of polls and the results have been unusually delayed, which the government ascribed to the suspension of mobile phone services - a security measure ahead of Thursday's election.

Colombia announces start of peace process with Segunda Marquetalia rebel faction

Colombia's government and a dissident faction of the former FARC rebel group known as the Second Marquetalia said on Friday they have started a peace process. In a joint statement, the two sides outlined plans for the creation of border peace zones which could help to stimulate economies there.

Putin, in rare US interview, says Russia has no interest in wider war

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview that aired on Thursday that Russia will fight for its interests "to the end" but has no interest in expanding its war in Ukraine to other countries such as Poland and Latvia. In his first interview with an American journalist since before Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, Putin said Western leaders had come to realize it was impossible inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and were wondering what to do next.

Aid groups warn against assault on last Gaza refuge as Israel strikes Rafah

Israel launched a deadly air strike on Rafah in southern Gaza on Friday, despite criticism of its offensive by U.S. President Joe Biden and aid groups' warnings of a high death toll among Palestinians if it advances into the city. International concern about the fate of hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans sheltering in Rafah has mounted since Israel threatened a ground assault on the city, on the border with Egypt.

Exclusive-Ukraine plans same 2024 sowing area as 2023, has concerns on wheat quality -minister

Ukraine expects its 2024 spring sowing area to be the same as last year, though it could see a slight decrease in the worst case scenario, Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky told Reuters on Friday. Ukraine is a major global grain and oilseeds producer but its harvests have decreased since Russia invaded and occupied significant swathes of territory. The war, now in its 24th month and with no end in sight, has driven up global grain prices and disrupted supplies, especially to poorer countries.

UNICEF says 700,000 children in Sudan at risk of worst form of malnutrition

UNICEF said on Friday that 700,000 children in Sudan were likely to suffer from the worst form of malnutrition this year, with tens of thousands who could die. A 10-month war in Sudan between its armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country's infrastructure, prompted warnings of famine and displaced millions of people inside and outside the country.

Japan's Seiji Ozawa, one of world's best-known conductors, dead at 88

Japan's Seiji Ozawa, one of the best-known orchestra conductors of his generation, died on Tuesday of heart failure at the age of 88, public broadcaster NHK announced on Friday. Ozawa, who was born in China, spent decades in the rarefied atmosphere of top orchestras around the world but wore baseball-themed ties to interviews and preferred to be called by his first name, not "maestro".