Ukraine rebels 'ready for truce'

Ukrainian troops have surrounded the rebel-held city of Donetsk and the insurgents are willing to accept a ceasefire to stave off a humanitarian catastrophe, a top rebel leader has announced.

Conditions in Donetsk, the largest rebel stronghold in eastern Ukraine, were clearly deteriorating. As the thunder of artillery reverberated, the streets of the city, home to nearly one million people before 300,000 fled the conflict, were nearly empty of cars and pedestrians. Most stores were closed.