UKRAINE: The government and the International Monetary Fund have agreed on a $15.6 billion (£12.7bn) loan package aimed at shoring up state finances severely strained by the conflict with Russia and at leveraging even more support by reassuring allies that Ukraine is pursuing strong economic policies.

The Finance Ministry said today that the programme would “help to mobilise financing from Ukraine’s international partners, as well as to maintain macrofinancial stability and ensure the path to post-war reconstruction.”

SWITZERLAND: The government has ordered Credit Suisse to temporarily suspend bonus payments to employees after it orchestrated the bank’s takeover by rival UBS.

The Department of Finance said on Tuesday that federal law allowed the government to set “remuneration-related measures” in cases involving Switzerland’s biggest banks.

Last week, the authorities backed the $3.25 billion (£2.65bn) sale of Credit Suisse to UBS.

SYRIA: An Israeli air strike targeted the international airport in the northern city of Aleppo early today, causing material damage and putting it out of service.

Reporting the second attack on the airport this month, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said that missiles had been fired by Israeli warplanes, but it did not mention any casualties. 

TANZANIA: The Health Ministry has confirmed the death of five people from Marburg disease, saying that three more are being treated for the Ebola-like illness.

Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said on Tuesday that the cases had been identified in the western Kagera region and that the government had managed to control its spread to other regions.

Without treatment, Marburg can be fatal in up to 88 per cent of cases.