The Jordanian and UAE flags. Alamy
The Jordanian and UAE flags. Alamy

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development announces US$300m in aid for Jordan



The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has announced the provision of US$300 million (Dh1.1bn) in development aid to Jordan.

The move comes following a directive from President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

"The UAE leadership's decision reaffirms the commitment to standing alongside the brotherly leadership and people of Jordan, reflecting the nation's foreign policy that carries the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and continues under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa,” the Fund said in a statement on Saturday.

In May this year, Sheikh Mohamed met with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Abu Dhabi. The two men discussed regional security issues and the UAE also signed a $100 million (Dh367.3m) grant to support tens of thousands of Jordanian businesses.

In June, the two nations held a joint military exercise. The closing day of the operation, called 'Bonds of Strength', involved live artillery fire at Al Hamra Camp in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi.

The shared exercise showed the two country's "historic ties and robust co-operation", Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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Health Valley

Founded in 2002 and set up as a foundation in 2006, Health Valley has been an innovation in healthcare for more than 10 years in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
It serves as a place where companies, businesses, universities, healthcare providers and government agencies can collaborate, offering a platform where they can connect and work together on healthcare innovation.
Its partners work on technological innovation, new forms of diagnostics and other methods to make a difference in healthcare.
Its agency consists of eight people, four innovation managers and office managers, two communication advisers and one director. It gives innovation support to businesses and other parties in its network like a broker, connecting people with the right organisation to help them further

THE LIGHT

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)