UK signs new security pact with Australia, fueling France's disappointment
September 16, 2021, 6:58 am

UK signs new security pact with Australia, fueling France's disappointment

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The Investing reported according to Reuters, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that Australia is a natural partner for a new security partnership with the United States and Britain which will see the two countries help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Johnson said in a televised address alongside his U.S. and Australian counterparts: "It is a momentous decision for any nation to acquire this formidable capability, and perhaps equally momentous for any other state to come to its aid."

Johnson added: "But Australia is one of our oldest friends, a kindred nation and a fellow democracy, and a natural partner in this great enterprise."

In a related context, Paris showed disappointment at the loss of the contract.

But Britain's defence minister stressed that a new submarine pact with the United States and Australia did not represent a strategic difference between Britain and France.

It should be noted that the new partnership ends Australia's 2016 deal with French shipbuilder Naval Group to build it a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the BBC he had spoken to his French counterpart and said: "This is not about a strategic difference between Britain and France." "I understand France's disappointment on its industrial contract."

Source: investing

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”