Latest news with #Jakub
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Angler reels MONSTER 9ft catfish from Czech river in epic 50-minute battle
'This is one of the biggest catfish I've ever seen in Europe,' the TV host said FROM THE DEEP Angler reels MONSTER 9ft catfish from Czech river in epic 50-minute battle AN ANGLER reeled in a massive 9ft catfish after a gruelling 50-minute battle. Jakub Vagner, 43, hauled in the epic catch just south of Prague, in the Czech Republic - setting a new national record. 4 Celebrity angler Jakub Vagner set a Czech record with a 9ft catfish Credit: Newsflash 4 The Fish Warrior host let the giant catfish swim free again after posing for photos Credit: Newsflash 4 The encounter took place at the Vranov Reservoir just south of Prague Credit: Newsflash The celebrity angler was drifting past a rocky overhang in the Vranov Reservoir, on August 4, when he spotted the giant fish gliding below in the early morning light. He cast his custom-made rod towards it and waited. "Ten minutes passed and nothing happened. Suddenly, it turned and went straight into my trap," Jakub said. What followed was "the hardest battle I have ever had with a catfish in the Czech Republic", he continued. read more world news TASTE FOR BLOOD Girl, 9, attacked by PIRANHAS in scenic lake as fish gnaw through bones The fish put up such a fight that Jakub had to call in a friend to help him hold onto the rod. Jakub said: "After almost 50 minutes, it was lying half-tired next to my boat. I was shaking, completely done." He released the record-breaking fish back into the water after taking photographs. He explained: 'At 2.68 metres (8.8ft) in length, it's four centimetres (1.6in) longer than the one I caught last year. 'This is one of the biggest catfish I've ever seen in Europe.' Pictures show the Fish Warrior TV host, aired on the National Geographic Channel, standing in the shallows with the enormous catfish. Angler catches rare Atlantic Salmon while fishing on a river in London The 8.8ft whopper was "not only long, but also brutally tall and broad… a beautiful, almost flawless fish with the potential to grow even bigger", Jakub said. He added that catching big fish is all about 'morale, dedication and determination' - and stressed he never kills his catches, releasing them so they can keep growing. It comes after another angler landed a monster 20-stone catfish in Italy following a 45-minute fight to reel it in. Dramatic images show Benjamin Grunder, 37, wrestling with the catch of a lifetime on the banks of the River Po. At first, he thought his hook had snagged a submerged tree, but the sheer weight revealed it was a huge fish. The German angler finally hauled in the 8ft 8in Wels catfish - the largest freshwater species in Europe - estimating it at a colossal 20 stone. That fish was also released back into the water safe and sound.
Euronews
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
The Schengen Agreement turns 40. Can its raison d'être survive?
A good example of the current dilemmas the Schengen Treaty is facing is to be found along the German/Polish border on the border town of Görlitz (Germany) and Zgorzelec (Poland), merely divided by the river Lusatian Neisse. In 2023, citing its ongoing fight against illegal migration, Germany imposed temporary here as everywhere along its border with Poland. In turn, Polish authorities imposed temporary controls from July 7, 2025. Locals on both sides of the border are suffering the consequences, including huge traffic jams. Take for instance 37-year-old data analyst Jakub Woliński. He lives and works on the German side of this border town, but he was born on the Polish side. A frequent trans-border commuter, he is at the frontline of the new reality. 'There is no increased movement of people crossing the border illegally here. This is a completely unnecessary expression of distrust of the neighbors who live right across the river.', he says. On weekends or holidays, German controls often create havoc in streets on the Polish side. Even the Italian owner of an ice-cream parlour near the checkpoint is unhappy. 'The city becomes completely blocked. It practically makes it very difficult for us to work, because customers can't get here by car, so those who don't live nearby don't come', says Antonio Scaramozzino. Residents on the Polish side are collecting signatures for a protest petition addressed to the European Commission. Jakub has gone even further. He has sued the German government. 'I strongly believe that the decisions of the German authorities limit my freedom of movement on the border areas. If I could talk to representatives of the German government, I would like to ask them if does bearing all these costs really justify the benefits?' We transmit the question to the German Federal Police. They claim they are working hard to minimize the impact of their controls. But they say they have a legal mandate that so far has proven effective. 'In my department in May this year we have now reported over 175 people for not respecting the right of residence. However, we also reported 141 people for having committed other crimes', claims Michael Engler, spokesperson at the German Federal Police Despite those statistics, Jakub sees his lawsuit against Germany as a wake-up call for Schengen members and EU institutions to reconsider their current approach. 'If we, the citizens, do not take matters into our own hands, make it clear to our governments that this is an important issue to fight for, then I fear that the Schengen area may collapse', he says. Is this the end of the Schengen dream? States can indeed reinstate controls under strict conditions. The biggest legal -and symbolic- issue is not the decision itself, but its rationale and time frame, says Jolanta Szymańska, EU programme coordinator at the Polish Institute of International Affairs. She is an expert on EU migration and internal affairs policy. 'All the controls should be put on a specific time. And as the name is 'temporary introduction', it should not be like a stable situation. But in some countries, we´ve had a decade of border checks.' , she concludes.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Tears at Incredible Transformation as Man Rescues 'Dying' Kitten From Street
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Animal lovers' hearts have melted as a man showed the difference in a dangerously sick kitten he found and nursed back to health. Jakub, 27, a journalist from Poland, now lives in Warsaw, but in 2023 was living in his hometown of Częstochowa, where he helped save the life of a cat, now his best friend. On June 20, Jakub shared to post to Reddit's r/cats via his account u/Mighty_He-Man, writing: "I found this little, dying fellow on the street. I'd never had a cat before, but I couldn't just leave him there. "So I took him with me—first home, then to the vet. And... it's been almost two years since I got myself a loving, four-legged friend." He shared photographs of Bandi through the years, first as a thin, sick and drenched wet kitten—and then him now, looking well-cared for, fit and healthy. Jakub explained his coworker was driving in the middle of the night when she noticed "what looked like an undefined ball of fur in the middle of the road," and found the tiny ginger kitten who had "had a runny nose, pus in his eyes, and was breathing heavily—but alive." She took him home for the night, and the very next day Jakub took him in and rushed him to the veterinarian, who "didn't sugarcoat anything," warning that "saving this cat might be very difficult and equally expensive." Bandi when he was found as a kitten, and right, him now. Bandi when he was found as a kitten, and right, him now. Reddit u/Mighty_He-Man The first vet's visit alone cost 400PLN ($110), and Bandi required lots of medication including for ear mites, tapeworm and antibiotics. He struggled to use the litter box, and required regular cleaning to his eyes and ears, as he was "practically blind" from his infection for the first several weeks. "Still, his body didn't give up. The will to live that kept him going that night stayed with him through recovery," Jakub said—and each week, Bandi improved. "By autumn 2023, he was a relatively healthy, lively, social, and mischievous young cat," Jakub revealed. "Since he recovered in my family home, where I lived with my mother and grandma, he was surrounded by people from the beginning—including neighbors and relatives visiting us, so he has never been afraid of strangers." Jakub, too, was changed by his new companion, admitting he had always been "more of a dog person," growing up with childhood dogs Miki and Dropek—both of whom died a few short years and months respectively before he found Bandi. Bandi and Jakub, and right, Bandi exploring the balcony of his home. Bandi and Jakub, and right, Bandi exploring the balcony of his home. Reddit u/Mighty_He-Man Now, he and Bandi live together with Jakub's girlfriend and her 17-year-old cat, Kicia, with Bandi getting used to living in a smaller space and with another cat. "He's full of energy, curious about every corner and new smell. He's very vocal and often communicates his needs—mostly playtime," Jakub said. "We love chasing each other around the apartment, ambushing each other, and cuddling. "When I return from work, Bandi gets super lively and happy. During our play sessions, he's already broken a few things—cheap and expensive—but they're just objects." Reddit users were hugely moved by Jakub and Bandi's story, and the cat's transformation from a dangerously sick kitten to a strong, healthy young tomcat, awarding the post more than 73,000 upvotes. "Thank u so much for this, that's how love changes everything," one commenter wrote, as another praised Bandi's "serious glow up." "He was so frail and barely hanging on, and now he has grown to be such a handsome gentleman because of you! Lovely story," another wrote. And as one put it: "You've done him a wonderful service. I'm sure he's eternally grateful." In the United States, if you find a stray or lost cat, you should first find out whether the cat appears to be feral or friendly and used to humans. A healthy feral cat should be left alone, but a rescue or veterinarian should be called if it appears to be sick, a medically-reviewed report from PetMD advises. If you find a friendly stray cat, try to check for identification such as a collar, provide water and food, move the cat to a safe space and look online for missing pet discussions. The cat should also be brought to a vet to check for a microchip. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
South Wales Guardian
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Fans ‘cannot believe their luck' as sun shines on Isle of Wight Festival
Thousands of party-goers are heading to Seaclose Park, Newport, for the four-day event being headlined by Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake. Joe Goldstone, from Fair Oak, Hampshire, met up with friends Angie Christmas and Gary Shepherd, from Portsmouth, to take the ferry from Old Portsmouth. He said: 'We're going for the atmosphere, the whole music is a mix, lots of new bands, very eclectic, I want to see the Stereophonics.' Ms Christmas said: 'We couldn't ask better for the weather.' Mr Shepherd added: 'We brought our bin bags for the rain but we won't be needing them.' Paula Hales, from Petersfield, said: 'It's going to be scorching, we have portable fans, sun cream, hats, water. 'The sunshine is going to make it that much more enjoyable.' Jakub and Nastia, from Oxford, said they are looking forward to seeing Timberlake and Sting. Nastia said: 'The weather is amazing, we are really lucky and it's my birthday, I will be turning 29.' Jakub added: 'It will be perfect, it's like southern France, we are super-lucky.' Luke and Emma Beckley travelled from Cheltenham as the second part of his 50th birthday celebrations, having already been to Ascot. Ms Beckley said: 'I could not believe how lucky we are with the weather, we are going to have to find some shade but I think it will add to the atmosphere.' Mr Beckley said: 'We are just here for the music and to have a good time and my birthday celebrations starting at Ascot have gone from riches to rags.' John Giddings, who has run the festival since relaunching it in 2002 following the infamous events which ran from 1968 to 1970, said Bob Dylan in 1969 had been inspired by the island's artistic and historical past. He told the Rock 'n' Roll Book Club's Music Maps Podcast: '(Bob) Dylan was sold on the idea because he looked up the Isle of Wight, and it had the heritage of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, all of that. Lewis Carroll, they all came down and hung out there. 'So it was, all the intelligent people, and he was obsessed by literary people and whatever goes with it. 'I love the island, it's the sunniest place in the UK and it's like going on holiday whenever you go there. You cross the water and you just get a vibe, and he felt the same.' The 72-year-old, who represents artists ranging from Blondie to Phil Collins, told the PA news agency that when booking bands he looks at their performing skills rather than their social media likes. He said: 'It's gut feeling, really. I've learned the hard way in my years in the music business that some people might have sold a lot of records, but they're useless when it comes to performing.' Other acts performing during the weekend include Faithless, The Script, Jess Glynne, Clean Bandit, Supergrass, Example, The Corrs, Busted, and Texas.
Rhyl Journal
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Fans ‘cannot believe their luck' as sun shines on Isle of Wight Festival
Thousands of party-goers are heading to Seaclose Park, Newport, for the four-day event being headlined by Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake. Joe Goldstone, from Fair Oak, Hampshire, met up with friends Angie Christmas and Gary Shepherd, from Portsmouth, to take the ferry from Old Portsmouth. He said: 'We're going for the atmosphere, the whole music is a mix, lots of new bands, very eclectic, I want to see the Stereophonics.' Ms Christmas said: 'We couldn't ask better for the weather.' Mr Shepherd added: 'We brought our bin bags for the rain but we won't be needing them.' Paula Hales, from Petersfield, said: 'It's going to be scorching, we have portable fans, sun cream, hats, water. 'The sunshine is going to make it that much more enjoyable.' Jakub and Nastia, from Oxford, said they are looking forward to seeing Timberlake and Sting. Nastia said: 'The weather is amazing, we are really lucky and it's my birthday, I will be turning 29.' Jakub added: 'It will be perfect, it's like southern France, we are super-lucky.' Luke and Emma Beckley travelled from Cheltenham as the second part of his 50th birthday celebrations, having already been to Ascot. Ms Beckley said: 'I could not believe how lucky we are with the weather, we are going to have to find some shade but I think it will add to the atmosphere.' Mr Beckley said: 'We are just here for the music and to have a good time and my birthday celebrations starting at Ascot have gone from riches to rags.' John Giddings, who has run the festival since relaunching it in 2002 following the infamous events which ran from 1968 to 1970, said Bob Dylan in 1969 had been inspired by the island's artistic and historical past. He told the Rock 'n' Roll Book Club's Music Maps Podcast: '(Bob) Dylan was sold on the idea because he looked up the Isle of Wight, and it had the heritage of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, all of that. Lewis Carroll, they all came down and hung out there. 'So it was, all the intelligent people, and he was obsessed by literary people and whatever goes with it. 'I love the island, it's the sunniest place in the UK and it's like going on holiday whenever you go there. You cross the water and you just get a vibe, and he felt the same.' The 72-year-old, who represents artists ranging from Blondie to Phil Collins, told the PA news agency that when booking bands he looks at their performing skills rather than their social media likes. He said: 'It's gut feeling, really. I've learned the hard way in my years in the music business that some people might have sold a lot of records, but they're useless when it comes to performing.' Other acts performing during the weekend include Faithless, The Script, Jess Glynne, Clean Bandit, Supergrass, Example, The Corrs, Busted, and Texas.
