The US and Jordan on Sunday signed an agreement for the transfer of $845 million in cash to the Jordanian government in the final instalment of a five-year aid package.
Margaret Spears, Jordan’s deputy mission director at the US Agency for International Development, said the money would be used to “cover key Jordanian government obligations in the areas we work together on”, including salaries.
She said water and education were among the main sectors where the funding would be used.
Jordan, which has a long border with Israel, is an important US ally in the Middle East.
The kingdom signed a military pact with the US last year under which it will provide more logistical and other support for several thousand US troops stationed there.
Jordan's economy has been mostly stagnant for more than a decade and unemployment is at 23 per cent, leaving it dependent on assistance from the US, Europe and regional allies.
The transfer agreement on Sunday concludes a five-year, $6.4bn aid package signed in 2018.
In September, the US and Jordan signed an agreement for another $10.1bn in aid to be disbursed over seven years, an increase of 16 per cent on an annualised basis.
Ms Spears described the aid package as “unusual” in terms of its length as well as its inclusion of a large proportion of cash transfers.
“It shows the significance of the US-Jordan relationship,” she said.
The new package is yet to be approved by Congress. It proposes $610m a year in cash transfers, $350m in annual development assistance, $400m in security assistance and another $75m every year to support economic reforms in Jordan.
Henry Wooster, US ambassador to Jordan, said the amount might be increased by Congress.
“This is the minimum threshold,” he said.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Engine: Duel electric motors
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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