Dozens killed in east Ukraine as Minsk talks open

At least 40 people have been reported killed as fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian rebels rages on in the east of the country, the BBC reported on Saturday.
Ukrainian officials say 15 soldiers and 12 civilians died in the past 24 hours. The rebels report 13 casualties.
The separatists also claim to have seized the town of Vuhlehirsk and surrounded the key hub of Debaltseve, but the Ukrainian military denies this.
Meanwhile, urgent truce talks began in Minsk, the capital of Belarus.
Representatives of Ukraine and Russia, as well as rebel envoys and members the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE), are taking part in the meeting.
They are due to discuss proposals for an immediate ceasefire, a pullout of heavy weapons from the line of contact and a prisoner exchange.
The recent heavy fighting has left a September ceasefire - also agreed in Minsk - in tatters.