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A British man who travelled to Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion to support his partner has admitted they "clearly underestimated the threat".
Jez Myers, from Manchester, said he and journalist Maria Romanenko arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday after he "tried and failed" to get her to stay in Poland.
The couple have now fled the Ukrainian capital to the border near Lviv and are attempting to cross into Poland.
The 44-year-old said the atmosphere was "chaotic" and people were "tetchy".
Mr Myers, a business consultant, said Ms Romanenko had applied for a visa to come to the UK, but it had not come through by that time.
On 13 February, he told the Press Association that he had been due to return to Ukraine to meet up with Ms Romanenko, but had decided not to, saying it would be "naïve at best" to ignore the Foreign Office's advice not to travel.
Instead, the couple, who have been together for almost two years, met up in the Polish city of Gdansk.
'Tired but safe'
After a nine-day break, Ms Romanenko decided to return to Kyiv.
"Maria is a proud Ukrainian journalist, [but] she clearly underestimated the threat and said that she wanted to return," he said.
"I tried and failed to convince her to stay in Poland."
He said that he did not support her decision, but was "put in a position of choosing to leave my partner to fend for herself or be there to support her if bad things happened".
He said that meant enacting a plan they had made for if the worst happened and they quickly joined thousands of others driving from Kyiv to the border crossing near Lviv.
He said they drove for more than 10 hours, passing long queues at petrol stations and queuing for hours to refuel themselves, and since arriving, had been queuing at the border for about six hours.
"We are tired but, most importantly, safe," he said.
"That we are standing in the queue now is as a result of my contacts and contingency plans put in place."
However, he said he did not know how long it would be before they were able to cross into Poland.
"Whilst Poland may be metres away, it is also still hours away," he said.
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A Cornish woman who suffered from a rare syndrome that left her unable to eat or drink has died hours before undergoing life-saving surgery in Germany.
Stéphanie Nicolette Baker, 36, weighed only 20kgs after a lifetime of suffering from an incredibly rare syndrome called Superior Mesenteric Artery syndrome (SMAS), which caused eating to become “excruciatingly painful” and left her starving her body.
While she was receiving palliative care at her home in Truro, Nicolette, as she was known to her friends, launched a fundraiser for a life-saving operation in Germany. Her emotional story spread around the world and incredibly raised almost £100,000 towards it.
Sadly, she has now passed away in Germany while waiting for her operation.
Many friends and supporters of Nicolette have been left devastated by the news as only this month she remained full of hope for the future.
Her former school teacher James Kitto, who helped run a charity auction along with former pupil and classmate of Nicolette, Mark Pollard, said they had all been left shocked by the news.
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James said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking news. Nicolette had travelled to Germany and was so close to having the operation that could have changed her life, but it wasn’t to be.
“She was so incredibly grateful for - and amazed at - the amazing support she received from across the world since her GoFundMe page was set up and her interview with CornwallLive was shared, with over £97,000 being raised to help her get the treatment she needed.
“She was a selfless person. The most important thing in her life was being able to help others.
“She regularly cooked for the homeless and spent her most recent Christmas Day at St Petrocs (homeless shelter) serving Christmas dinner to those in need, despite being so poorly herself."
He added: “Nicolette was such a wonderful, thoughtful person. I, and I’m sure many others, will forever be inspired by her example of kindness to others and by her strength and her bravery.”
Nicolette Baker, from Truro, with her former primary school teacher James Kitto who with mark Pollard organised a charity auction to help her raise cash for a life saving operation in Germany. She passed away in Germany hours before her op was due. (Image: James Kitto)
Nicolette's family said: "We would like to thank everyone for their kind messages of sympathy and for sharing their lovely memories of Nicolette."
Mark added: “Perhaps it’s a small condolence that she knew that she had literally thousands of people behind her and supporting her and that she died trying, despite having resigned herself to death previously. I never thought she’d die though - hope is a wonderful, dangerous thing to have sometimes.”
Despite her life threatening condition Nicolette remained hopeful and joyful and continued to help others. She was volunteering for a local soup kitchen at Christmas and in a local charity shop a few weeks ago.
Mark added: “When you think she’s had such rotten luck. She was amazing.”
Nicolette Baker pictured with her dog Eden in happier times (Image: DCM)
CornwallLive first featured Nicolette’s story earlier this year and as a result her fundraiser exploded, with huge donations pouring in from Cornwall and countries all around the world. Nicolette received several donations of more than £1,000 and a series of events were organised here in Cornwall to raise the vital cash.
At the time, Nicolette said the money raised would not just be helping her but would also go towards improving the lives of others afflicted by her condition.
As her original £50,000 target was smashed, then her second target of £80,000 was also met, she thanked her supporters, saying: “The result of the surgery is not guaranteed but this is my last chance to reclaim my quality of life.
“Any unspent donations following my surgery, recovery and aftercare will be used to make a difference to the lives of others on our planet. Because the difference you have made to mine just by giving me this chance has been indefinable.”
Tributes and condolences have been pouring in since the news of Nicolette’s tragic death started filtering through.
Jemima Eddy, said: “Oh no this is so desperately sad. What a wonderful kind and selfless person, with a heart full of love to give. Nicolette has inspired so many, I’m so sorry.”
Nicolette passed away this week while waiting for her life-saving operation in Germany (Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)
Karen Gronwalt added: “I am so very sorry to hear this. My condolences are with all of her family and friends at this sad time. A massive thank you to all the people who pulled together so quickly and organised the much needed funds to give Nicolette a chance of a new life. Sadly it wasn’t to be, but the kindness shown was incredible and is something I’m sure her family will never forget.”
Amanda Bradley, echoed the words, adding: “This is heartbreaking. Nicolette fought so hard and with such dignity. She was always acting with such kindness despite her own battles.”
Sally Cole added: "Oh no , so very sad to hear this , well done Mark and James for giving her hope and a chance of recovery, also for helping her raising awareness of this dreadful condition and the fight many people have to go through every day , that so many of us take for granted. Much love to Nicolette's family."
Image:Koci Selamaj has admitted the murder of Sabina Nessa
A pre-meditated attack with 'extreme violence'
The 36-year-old had driven to London from his home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, to carry out a pre-meditated attack on a woman with "extreme violence".
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He lurked around Cator Park before targeting Ms Nessa as she walked through the gardens.
CCTV showed the moment Selamaj repeatedly struck Ms Nessa with a 2ft-long weapon believed to be a traffic triangle before carrying her away unconscious.
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It is alleged he then strangled her in undergrowth in what was suspected to be a sexually-motivated attack.
Ms Nessa's body was found nearly 24 hours later covered with grass near a community centre in the park.
Days later, Selamaj was arrested in Eastbourne and charged over her death.
Image:People at a vigil for Ms Nessa at Eastbourne Pier in East Sussex
Suspect caught carrying out attack on CCTV
At a previous hearing, Alice Morgan QC said: "The prosecution allege this was a premeditated and predatory attack on a stranger."
She said the attack was carried out with "extreme violence".
Three days before the attack, the defendant booked a room at the five-star Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, the town where he already had accommodation.
His reservation was for the night of 17 September and he arrived earlier in the day to check in. He was captured walking through the lobby wearing the same clothes as the suspect later caught on CCTV in Kidbrooke.
The defendant's Nissan Micra was tracked by ANPR cameras and cell site evidence was gathered to identify his movements from Eastbourne to south London later that day - the evidence showed the defendant also used his bank card at a Sainsbury's in Kidbrooke.
He entered Cator Park shortly after 8pm and lay in wait for half an hour before Ms Nessa arrived.
Details of the attack
Ms Morgan said: "The defendant is seen in effect loitering in locations around the park before spotting the deceased, checking to see if anyone else was nearby before turning and running after her.
"He is then seen to move towards the deceased and striking her repeatedly using a weapon which was approximately 2ft in length.
"In fact it was a weapon which appeared to break up during the course of the many strikes on the deceased.
"The CCTV footage shows the defendant then carrying the deceased, who appeared to be unconscious by that point, up a bank and effectively out of sight."
Selamaj had no previous convictions and was not known to his victim.
A British man whose wife and daughter live in Ukraine said he feared for their safety following the Russian invasion.
Michael lives in Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire, but his family live in southern Ukraine.
He said he had been trying to get emergency visas for them since 12 March and had called on the government to help.
"There's nothing I can do about it - I'm powerless," he said.
Michael lived in Ukraine for 20 years, but moved back to the UK and started a camera business in Huntingdon.
The plan was for his wife, Oksana, and their daughter, Louisa, 17, to join him when his daughter finishes school in the summer.
He moved back to the UK to show that last year he was able to earn enough to bring his family over, Michael said.
Family handout
He had been trying to secure visas for them to leave Ukraine but said he feared it was "now too late".
"There was a lot of shooting last night by the railway station, there were explosions heard around the city," he said.
He said his family did not feel safe in their own home.
"I've been told the roads are going to be closed. No-one can get to the border as far as we know.
"There's no way to get to the Polish border to get out of the country. There's no more train tickets, no more flights, that's it now.
"I hate feeling useless. I don't know what else to do. Now I don't know when I'm going to see them again.
"I want it all to stop," he added, choking back tears.
I just want my wife and my daughter back."
He pleaded for those involved in the conflict to "stop killing each other - just try to be kind".
A Home Office spokesperson said: "The Home Office priority remains supporting British Nationals and their families who want to leave Ukraine and UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) are working around the clock to process visa applications.
"These applications are being prioritised and, where we have all relevant information, we will aim to process within 24 hours and issue to the person as soon as possible.
"[Michael] made contact with us today and we are now urgently seeking to get in touch to process any application."
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Communities along the River Severn have been urged to remain wary as water levels begin to subside in some areas.
A danger to life warning remains in Bewdley, Worcestershire, but the one issued for Ironbridge in Shropshire was lifted on Wednesday evening.
The Severn peaked in Worcester earlier but flooding is "increasingly drawn out", the Environment Agency said.
The situation could "get worse before it gets better", Worcestershire County Council warned.
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The peak reached Worcester at around 17:00 GMT but while the situation was "gradually improving", water levels would remain high for a number of days, Ian Jones from the Environment Agency tweeted.
In Bewdley, the Severn overtopped defences at Beales Corner following heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon.
Dan Bond, from the Environment Agency, said: "We are still facing a significant flooding risk, and we are urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care.
"Last weekend's heavy rainfall on already wet areas continues to cause river flooding along the River Severn and is likely to continue over the next few days."
His colleague Nick Green said the recent events had been "incredibly frightening" for people in Bewdley, where search and rescue crews have been checking properties after dozens were evacuated.
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Some residents have criticised the government's response, including Maxine Preece who said it was "very disappointing" that she did not see any rescue workers near her home in Bewdley.
"I think they have just decided we were going to flood, it feels that way, and just told us to prepare ourselves and left," she added.
In Shrewsbury, where large parts of the town were underwater, residents have also expressed disdain.
Paul Fairhurst and Sarah Jackaman have been flooded about 15 times but said the past three years had been the worst.
"This is the third year we've seen these unprecedented levels of water," Ms Jackaman said.
"We were promised millions of pounds for this region and the Severn catchment to come up with solutions for flooding and we've yet to see any of the benefits."
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Responding to the criticism, the Environment Agency said: "We prioritise our resources, and will assist householders if we have the resources to do so once public-maintained assets are operational.
"Where defences are outflanked we undertake pumping were possible and safe, as well as usual providing warning, informing and - in cases such as Bewdley - supporting other responders in evacuation."
Vickie Warren
Data from Environment Agency monitoring stations near the Worcestershire town suggest river levels exceeded the normal range at about 13:30 GMT on Saturday.
Officials say levels are forecast to remain high for a long period due to further rainfall this week, though current estimates suggest they will not reach the historic high of about 5.5m.
Several properties in Worcester have flooded, particularly in the Diglis area.
Sam McCarthy from Worcester Business Improvement District said flood warnings had impacted footfall in the city.
"Businesses have been through a really difficult period over the last 18 months, so this is something they really could do without at this point in time," she said.
In Ironbridge, water levels were still high against barriers so the Wharfage remained closed to vehicles and pedestrians, Telford & Wrekin Council said.
Levels peaked in the early hours of Wednesday morning at 21.65ft (6.6m), but were "now slowly retreating", it said.
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said the Museum of The Gorge and Coalport China Museum were both flooded.
As a result of the flooding in Ironbridge, it had also had to close the Tollhouse and the Jackfield Tile Museum.
Karen Davies, from the trust, said: "We have just redecorated Coalport after the floods of 2020, we were just starting renovation work, significant renovation work, on the Museum of the Gorge, and it will take team spirit to get in there and get the museums open."
The river has also burst its banks at Bridgnorth, where a flood reception centre was opened to help those affected.
Levels peaked in the town at about 06:00 GMT when the water reached heights of 5.12m.
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Villagers in Melverley near the Welsh border had been out in a boat collecting "vital medication for neighbours and feed for animals", Shropshire Council said.
It said residents told them that it was "the worst flooding for at least 20 years".
Mr Green said although some areas had peaked, river levels would not retreat for some time.
"Any rain that now falls on the Welsh mountains, because the ground's so soggy, will not be soaked up," he said.
"So it just goes straight into the river system and then it has to work its way down through Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and out into the sea."
The River Wye has peaked in Herefordshire and flood water has been slowly falling.
The Queen has held her weekly telephone audience with the prime minister despite having COVID-19, Buckingham Palace said.
The monarch, 95, has been suffering mild COVID symptoms after testing positive for the virus on Sunday.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "Her Majesty did speak to the prime minister this evening."
On Tuesday, she cancelled her planned virtual engagements.
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3:06
The Queen's health over the years
The Queen, who has avoided catching COVID for the best part of two years, has spent much of the pandemic in the safety of Windsor Castle, where there has been a tightly-controlled and limited rota of staff nicknamed "HMS Bubble".
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Celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne - a milestone reached on 6 February - begin in June.
Image:Queen Elizabeth with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. File Pic
Her Majesty, the UK's longest reigning monarch, recently spent more than three months resting on doctors' orders.
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She withdrew from attending the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, the Festival of Remembrance and the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service in the autumn after suffering a sprained back.
Next week, the Queen is due to host the Diplomatic Reception and meet hundreds of dignitaries at Windsor.
She and Boris Johnson - the 14th prime minister during her reign - hold a weekly audience on Wednesdays following Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons.
The call has largely been by telephone throughout the pandemic.
