Aamer Raza named Pakistan’s Strategic Commander

Four former female recruits have accused the UK’s Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate of fostering a culture of sexual abuse, harassment and misogyny, with one woman alleging she was raped by several fellow recruits when she was 17 years old. The women, who attended the military training college over the past five years, shared their experiences publicly for the first time. They said they faced sexual violence, harassment and degrading treatment while undergoing training at the college, which prepares teenagers for military service. One former recruit said she accepted an invitation to another recruit’s room, believing it was harmless. She alleged that several male recruits sexually assaulted and raped her over the course of several hours. The traumatic incident forced her to leave the Army within weeks, saying she could no longer continue her training after the attack. Another former recruit alleged that a fellow trainee trapped her inside a room before sexually assaulting her. She said she managed to escape after struggling with the attacker. A third former recruit’s mother said her daughter endured repeated sexual harassment throughout her training and even blocked her dormitory door at night because the room’s lock was broken and she feared male recruits entering. A fourth woman claimed some instructors openly made sexist remarks, rated female recruits based on their appearance and entered female dormitories without warning. She alleged that such behaviour encouraged disrespectful attitudes toward women among male trainees. Official data obtained through freedom of information requests revealed that police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college during the year ending in June. The reported incidents included allegations of sexual assault, exposure and voyeurism. Separate Ministry of Defence figures showed that 176 complaints involving inappropriate sexual behaviour were recorded at the college between January 2018 and June 2025. Most complaints involved junior soldiers, while dozens concerned permanent staff members. The British Army described the allegations as extremely serious and distressing, stating that criminal or unacceptable behaviour has no place in the armed forces. It said several reforms have been introduced to improve victim support and strengthen the handling of serious offences, including specialist investigations conducted outside the normal chain of command. The Army also said it encourages anyone who has experienced or witnessed misconduct to report it and maintained that the college remains committed to providing a professional, safe and supportive environment for all recruits. However, concerns have grown over the safety of young recruits following previous convictions involving Army personnel for sexual offences and wider reports highlighting sexual misconduct within the armed forces.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has submitted formal recommendations to parliament to establish stricter rules and greater transparency regarding foreign travel undertaken by former heads of state. The legislative push follows intense backlash over a recent visit to India by former President Jacob Zuma, during which the 84-year-old politician was photographed at a temple alongside fugitive businessman Ajay Gupta. The Gupta family remains central to South Africa’s massive “state capture” corruption scandal, which involved allegations of systemic political influence and state asset siphonage that ultimately contributed to Zuma’s resignation in 2018. The incident sparked severe political friction, leading South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, to be recalled after he was also pictured alongside Zuma and Gupta. Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that the proposed protocols would require former presidents to disclose complete details regarding international itineraries prior to departure. The advance documentation would allow government agencies to evaluate security requirements alongside potential diplomatic, political, and reputational risks to the nation. The controversy marks the latest diplomatic dispute involving the former president, who now leads the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party following his expulsion from the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Last year, the South African government issued a formal diplomatic protest to Morocco after Zuma engaged in talks supporting Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, directly contradicting official South African foreign policy.