تازہ ترین

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.

Two Iranian women footballers who refused to publicly support their government’s stance during an international tournament have officially become Australian citizens after seeking protection in Australia earlier this year. Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, received their Australian citizenship at a ceremony in Brisbane on Wednesday, marking the end of a journey that began when they chose not to return to Iran following the Women’s Asian Cup. The pair were among seven members of Iran’s national women’s football team who were granted humanitarian visas while in Australia. However, five of the players later returned to Iran, while Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh remained, citing concerns about their safety. The players drew international attention after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before their opening match during the tournament. Their silent protest came amid heightened tensions following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising fears they could face punishment if they returned home. Australian authorities allowed the athletes to seek asylum after appeals from members of the Iranian community living in Australia. Their citizenship was formally granted at a ceremony attended by Australia’s Interior Minister, Tony Burke. Speaking after the ceremony, Pasandideh described becoming an Australian citizen as the beginning of a new chapter in her life, while Ramezanisadeh said the moment reflected years of hardship and sacrifice. Both expressed gratitude for the opportunity to build a future in Australia. The footballers are now training with Brisbane Roar FC Women and hope to continue their professional football careers in the country. Their decision to remain in Australia followed reports that Iranian state media criticised members of the national team for remaining silent during the anthem, with some commentators branding them disloyal. Human rights advocates also voiced concerns that players who returned to Iran may have faced pressure through threats directed at their families.

Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive officer, entrusting him with leading the airline through a challenging period marked by financial losses, operational setbacks and heightened safety concerns. Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who stepped down in April after overseeing the airline’s initial restructuring following its acquisition by the Tata Group in 2022. The Air India board unanimously selected Gebremariam after an extensive global search, citing his leadership experience and strong operational record. During more than a decade at Ethiopian Airlines, he expanded the carrier’s fleet significantly and helped transform it into one of Africa’s leading and most profitable airlines. His appointment comes at a difficult time for Air India, which continues to recover from last year’s fatal Ahmedabad–London plane crash that claimed 260 lives. The airline is also dealing with mounting financial pressure after reporting a record loss of nearly $2.3 billion and reducing a significant portion of its international operations. In recent months, Air India has faced several operational disruptions, including flight delays, route adjustments and unexpected diversions. The broader aviation industry in India has also been affected by higher operating costs, aircraft delivery delays, disrupted international routes and stricter regulatory oversight. Industry analysts believe Gebremariam’s experience managing Ethiopian Airlines through the Boeing 737 Max crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic could prove valuable as Air India works to restore public confidence. Experts say his immediate priorities will include strengthening safety standards, improving employee morale, modernising the airline’s fleet, expanding its network and returning the carrier to long-term profitability.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a fresh social media campaign aimed at winning over young voters, shifting to a more informal and relatable style on Instagram after recent student-led protests exposed growing frustration over jobs and education. The campaign features selfie-style videos, casual greetings and short clips with popular music, reflecting a departure from the highly polished political messaging traditionally associated with Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The strategy is designed to connect with India’s Generation Z audience, which is expected to play a decisive role in the 2029 general election. The renewed digital push follows nationwide protests by students and job seekers last month after an examination paper leak triggered widespread anger over the country’s education and employment system. The demonstrations eventually led to the resignation of India’s education minister. In response, BJP leaders and government ministries have increased their presence on youth-focused platforms by sharing short videos with minimal editing and a more spontaneous style. Officials believe authentic content is more likely to resonate with younger audiences than carefully scripted political messaging. Political observers say Instagram and similar platforms reward creativity, humour and genuine interaction, making them more challenging environments for traditional political campaigns. They note that recent protests gained significant momentum through viral reels and short videos that amplified public dissatisfaction. Beyond social media, the BJP and its ideological affiliate, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have also expanded outreach efforts by organising events and discussions targeting students and first-time voters. With more than half of India’s 1.4 billion population under the age of 35, analysts say younger voters are expected to become one of the most influential electoral groups in the next general election.