US defence bill to benefit jobless
US President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill combining another round of war spending with help for the unemployed.
The 626 billion dollar (£391bn) defence bill contains 128 billion dollars (£80bn) for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and a 3.4% pay rise for the military.
Mr Obama signed the bill on Saturday and the White House announced it on Monday night.
Politicians wrapped unrelated economic help into the legislation. The US is emerging from recession but is still dogged by double-digit unemployment.
The new law includes two-month extensions of unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless. It also has health care subsidies for people out of work, along with money for roads and transport systems.