World News Roundup: Russia reports heavy fighting in southern Ukraine, Kyiv silent on counterattack; Trump faces federal charges in classified documents case, adding to legal woes and more

Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand jointly released the statement with the United States, emphasizing that "trade-related economic coercion and non-market-oriented policies and practices" threatened the multi-lateral trading system and "harms relations between countries." Toddlers stable after Annecy knife attack, France lauds 'backpack hero' Two toddlers stabbed by a knifeman in the French mountain town of Annecy were fighting for their lives but stable on Friday, the government said, as well-wishers laid flowers at the playground where the attack occurred.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Russia reports heavy fighting in southern Ukraine, Kyiv silent on counterattack

Russia reported heavy fighting along the front in southern Ukraine on Friday, where bloggers described the first sightings of German and U.S. armour, signalling that Ukraine's long-anticipated counterattack was under way. With virtually no independent reporting from the front lines and Kyiv maintaining strict silence on its plans, it was impossible to assess whether Ukraine was having success in penetrating Russian defences to drive out occupying forces.

Rwandan genocide suspect faces 54 fraud, immigration charges in S.Africa

South African prosecutors on Friday significantly increased the number of charges they are bringing against Rwandan ex-police officer Fulgence Kayishema, who is wanted internationally for suspected participation in Rwanda's 1994 genocide. On the run for two decades, Kayishema was arrested on May 24 under a false name on a grape farm in South Africa where, according to a prosecutor, refugees working there gave him up.

Wildfires spread in Canada's British Columbia as Quebec stabilizes

Wildfires spread in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on Friday, while hundreds of fires continued to burn on the other side of the country in Quebec, sending wildfire smoke billowing across North American cities. Around 2,500 people were told to evacuate the community of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia on Thursday afternoon.

China warns Europe against official ties with Taiwan ahead of minister's visit

China urged Europe on Friday not to have any official exchanges with Taiwan or support "independence forces" ahead of a planned trip to the continent next week by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed Wu was due to visit Prague next week, saying on Friday state officials were not expected to shift from their existing policy towards Taiwan.

Pope 'progressively improving' after surgery, doing some work from armchair

Pope Francis' overall condition is progressively improving and his post-surgical recovery is normal, allowing him to get out of bed and resume handling some Church work from his hospital armchair on Friday, the Vatican said. Francis, 86, underwent a three-hour operation on Wednesday to repair an abdominal hernia, which doctors said was successful enough that he should have no limitations on his travels and other activities after he recovers.

Kyiv says it intercepted call showing Russia blew up Kakhovka dam

Ukraine's domestic security service said on Friday it had intercepted a telephone call proving a Russian "sabotage group" blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric station and dam in southern Ukraine. The destruction of the facility on Tuesday unleashed mass flooding, forcing thousands of residents to flee and wreaking environmental havoc.

Trump faces federal charges in classified documents case, adding to legal woes

Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces a new legal challenge - this time from the government he used to lead - with charges for illegally retaining classified documents and other crimes expected to be filed next week in federal court in Miami.

The indictment of a former U.S. president on federal charges is unprecedented in American history, a case made more extraordinary by the fact that Trump is also the front-runner of his party for the Republican presidential nomination next year.

Sudan sides agree 24-hour ceasefire from Saturday, Saudi Arabia and U.S. say

Sudan's warring sides have agreed on a nationwide ceasefire for 24 hours from 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Saturday, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. who have been brokering talks said in a joint statement. Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support forces (RSF) agreed "they will refrain from prohibited movements, attacks, use of aircraft or drones, aerial bombardment, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions and resupply of forces, and will refrain from seeking military advantage during the ceasefire," the statement read.

With eye on China, US and five allies condemn trade-related 'economic coercion'

The United States and five of its allies on Friday condemned the use of trade practices that amount to economic coercion in a joint declaration that did not single out other countries but appeared to be aimed at China. Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand jointly released the statement with the United States, emphasizing that "trade-related economic coercion and non-market-oriented policies and practices" threatened the multi-lateral trading system and "harms relations between countries."

Toddlers stable after Annecy knife attack, France lauds 'backpack hero'

Two toddlers stabbed by a knifeman in the French mountain town of Annecy were fighting for their lives but stable on Friday, the government said, as well-wishers laid flowers at the playground where the attack occurred. A shocked nation paid tribute to a modern-day pilgrim on a walking tour of France's cathedrals who tried to block the assailant during his attack and then gave chase.