The Democratic Republic of Congo has adopted decrees that grant ministers lifetime salaries and other benefits.
The two decrees, which grant former ministers benefits worth at least $2,000 (around AED 7,346), is not "to enrich the officials" the government explained in a statement.
The payments "are to stop them [ministers] from falling into destitution", it added.
The decision has been widely criticised, especially since the majority of the population in DR Congo lives in poverty.
Pakistan fireworks warehouse blast injures at least 34
An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, injured at least 34 people on Thursday, police said, causing panic among residents.
Ukrainian man arrested in Italy over Nord Stream pipeline attacks
A Ukrainian man was arrested at a holiday bungalow in Italy on suspicion of coordinating attacks on three Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022, officials said on Thursday, a breakthrough in an episode that sharpened tensions between Russia and the West.
Israel maintains military pressure on Gaza City ahead of planned offensive
The Israeli military maintained its pressure on Gaza City with heavy bombardments overnight, residents said, ahead of a Thursday meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers on plans to seize the enclave's largest city.
Putin prepared to meet Zelenskiy but legitimacy an issue, Lavrov says
Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy but all issues must be worked through first and there's a question about the Ukrainian leader's authority to sign a peace deal, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
UN chief urges immediate Gaza ceasefire, warns of casualties from Israeli operation
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, after Israel announced the first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City.
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