Australia’s top security official has warned that foreign-backed online operatives and extremist groups are increasingly exploiting social tensions in the country, turning public debate into dangerous polarisation.

Ukraine's spy chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed that there were nearly 11,000 North Korean infantry troops training in eastern Russia to fight in Ukraine. According to him, North Koreans would be using Russian equipment and ammunition, and the first group of 2,600 soldiers would be sent to Russia's western Kursk region, where Ukraine holds a number of settlements after launching its incursion in August.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, North Korea has shipped 1,500 soldiers to Russia for training. According to the Spy Agency, troops are training in Russian bases in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Vlagoveshensk.

Pakistan's military said on Monday it had arrested the former chief of the top spy agency, Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed, and initiated court martial proceedings against him, News.az reports citing Reuters .