CHINA: The government says it has protested to Japan over an alleged break-in at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

An individual who claimed to be a Japan Self-Defence Forces officer scaled a wall and forced his way into the embassy compound today, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

The suspect was detained and handed over to Tokyo police for further investigation. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A militia group in the country’s east has detained civilians, including two journalists, in metal shipping containers without light or ventilation, Reporters Without Borders said today.

The press freedom group accused the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, which controls parts of eastern Congo, of using the containers in the city of Goma as makeshift detention cells with “inhumane” and “degrading” conditions.

EUROPEAN UNION: The EU and Australia agreed today on the final text of a free trade agreement, some two years after negotiations broke down over Australian demands for more market access for its red meat and complaints about Australian products labelled with traditionally European names such as prosecco. 

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who signed the agreement at Parliament House in Canberra, said the pact demonstrated that both sides benefit from rules-based trade.

ZIMBABWE: Authorities have released on bail the leading opponent of planned constitutional amendments that would extend the rule of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and have the holder of his post elected by parliament, not the people.

Former finance minister Tendai Biti was granted $500 bail (£375) and ordered to report to the police twice a week and surrender his passport, his lawyer Chris Ndlovu said on Monday.