Makkah Defence pact wins broad political backing 

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.

In a landmark shift ending decades of physical and bureaucratic division, Spain and Gibraltar have celebrated the dismantling of the land border fence following a treaty signed in Brussels. The post-Brexit agreement, taking effect at midnight, brings an end to land frontier controls and establishes Gibraltar as a de facto participant in the EU’s Schengen free-movement area. The treaty resolves over four years of complex negotiations between the United Kingdom, Spain, Gibraltar, and the European Union. Beyond removing land border gates that have stood since 1908, the accord places responsibility for Schengen passport checks at Gibraltar’s port and airport with Spanish officials, ensuring fluid transit for tourists and the roughly 15,000 Spanish cross-border workers who sustain the territory’s economy. Visiting the frontier municipality of La Línea de la Concepción to watch the physical removal of the barrier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the deal marks an end to “the last wall in continental Europe”, laying the groundwork for shared regional prosperity. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, emphasised that the historic arrangement delivers economic certainty and seamless movement while preserving the territory’s constitutional protections and British sovereignty intact.

PYONGYANG: North Korea has accused NATO of increasing preparations for future conflicts, claiming the alliance’s planned expansion of military fuel infrastructure reflects a shift toward a more aggressive military posture. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang criticised NATO’s reported plans to upgrade and expand its fuel supply network across Europe. The project reportedly includes new pipelines and fuel storage facilities aimed at improving military logistics between western Europe and newer eastern and northern member states. North Korea claimed the expansion of fuel infrastructure shows NATO is strengthening its ability to maintain strategic reserves and conduct large-scale military operations. It alleged that the alliance is preparing not only for conflicts in Europe but also for possible involvement in other regions, including the Asia-Pacific. The commentary accused NATO of increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and criticised the alliance’s cooperation with countries that Pyongyang considers hostile. North Korea claimed that NATO’s recent activities near the Korean Peninsula have contributed to rising regional tensions. Pyongyang also criticised NATO members’ participation in multinational military exercises, including the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) drills. It claimed such exercises demonstrate that the alliance views the Asia-Pacific as a possible area of future military confrontation. North Korea warned that NATO’s expansion of military capabilities and logistics networks could increase global instability. It said strengthening military infrastructure would encourage an arms buildup and create further tensions between major powers. The allegations come amid growing concerns over security developments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. NATO, however, has repeatedly stated that its military posture is defensive and focused on protecting member countries and deterring potential threats.