World’s oldest living land animal, a 194-year-old tortoise was born When Andrew Jackson was Elected President

He is slow and steady — and winning the race against time.

A 194-year-old tortoise was just honored with Guinness World Records’ prestigious ICON award.

Born around 1832, Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, was given the title in the record book’s latest edition, alongside greats like John Cena and Shohei Ohtani.

The Seychelles giant tortoise, who lives in Saint Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean, is also the oldest turtle ever recorded.

The local legend has lived at the Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of Saint Helena, since arriving there in 1882 at the age of 50.

The remarkable reptile was sent there from his native Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, as a gift for the incoming governor, and has since been there for 31 governors’ terms.

“Jonathan’s recognition as a Guinness World Records ICON is warmly welcomed by the people of St. Helena,” Nigel Phillips CBE, the current Governor of Saint Helena, said in a statement.

“For generations, he has been regarded as a local icon, deeply embedded in the island’s identity and collective memory. This global acknowledgement reflects what the community has long known, that Jonathan is not only remarkable in age, but truly special to St. Helena and its people.”

Phillips also held a press conference on June 17 in recognition of Jonathan’s impressive achievement.

In 2022, Phillips officially announced Jonathan’s birthday as Dec. 4, 1832.

Although he’s lost his senses of sight and smell, the elderly creature is healthy — so much so that his DNA is being analyzed for its secrets to longevity.

Strait of Hormuz Closed Again , Trump’s Iran deal is worse than Obama’s..... New York Posts Turns on Trump

 

By Post Editorial Board

As he prepared to sign his “memorandum of understanding” with the Islamic dictatorship of Iran, President Trump again insisted that his deal was much different than that of his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

He’s right — it’s probably worse.

Obama’s treaty did not prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, it simply punted the issue down the road in exchange for cash.

Trump’s agreement has the same vague promises, the same payouts, but with the added twist that Iran can and will take the world hostage by shutting the Strait of Hormuz at will.

On Friday, just days after the signing of the MOU, Iran moved to close the Strait, saying no ships could cross without its permission and suggesting that “insurance fees” must be paid.

This isn’t in violation of the deal. This is part of the deal.

Point No. 5: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Why would opening the door for “administration” of a previously free international waterway even be part this agreement?

How is this in any way the “unconditional surrender” Trump described?

The deal contains just one condition Trump previously said was required of Iran.

It’s No. 7: “Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.”

“Reaffirm” — because that’s what Iran has always claimed.

If they suddenly mean it, it would be a win.

The rest of the 14-point plan is almost entirely about what Iran gets: Immediate sanctions relief on exported oil.

Protection of Hezbollah from Israeli attack.

And the possibility of a $300 billion reconstruction fund if all goes well with the next round of talks.

No mention of Iran reining in its terror proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.

No restriction on conventional weapons.

No mechanism to surrender the enriched uranium it has already created.

No regime change or mercy for protesters.

Italian PM claps back at Trump for ‘senseless’ verbal attacks, as feud escalates Trump Doubles Down

 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni clapped back at President Trump Saturday for what she called his “senseless” attacks – as their extraordinary transatlantic feud escalated.

The two leaders traded barbs on social media, with Meloni posting on Instagram shortly after Trump slammed her on his Truth Social account.

“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you,” Meloni wrote on Instagram.

“My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done.”

Then she referenced US use of military bases in Italy, saying they are governed by agreements “we have always respected.”

“In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” she concluded in a sharp sign-off.

The spat began when Trump claimed at the G7 last week that Meloni had “begged” him to take a photo with her.

Meloni quickly rejected the claim in her own post on Friday, to which Trump responded on Truth Social earlier Saturday.

“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,” the president insisted on his social media platform.

“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!),” Trump wrote.

Brave Charedie Bochur Waves Israeli Flag in Meah Shearim

The irony is that there are multiple Palestinian Flags in Meah Shearim, but when they notice the Flag that represents Jews including them, they go berserk!

כל הכבוד to the guy! 

Zera Shimshon Parshas Chukas

 

Please note: This week's Zera Shimshon is for the Refuah Shelimah 

בנימין זאב בן פריידא

לעלוי נשמת

חיי בריידל בת דוד הכהן

Sponsoring Zera Shimshon is $100.00 per week and can be paid on the side bar titled

"DIN Tzaddaka fund" Please email me the name! dusiznies@aol.com

I would like to thank those donated generously to my Tefillin Campaign;  we distributed over 50 pairs of tefillin! 

One of the donors who donated 6 pair of tefillin came to Israel, and I introduced him to the boys who were receiving the tefillin and he was able to give them the tefillin himself while his family was watching, it was a very moving moment! תזכו למצות

Vance scraps overnight flight to Switzerland for first round of nuclear talks with Iran

 

Vice President JD Vance will not head to Switzerland Thursday evening for the first round of planned technical nuclear talks with Iran, his office announced.

The trek to Switzerland was already in flux, the veep had previously admitted, as his team worked to iron out the logistics and figure out whether or not the Iranians would participate. The technical negotiations were outlined in a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran that was finalized this week.

“As the Vice President said at his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity,” a White House spokesperson said in a statement

“[T]he logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable,” the spokesperson added. “As of now, the Vice President is not departing tonight. We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.”

The Iron Wasp – Israel’s new anti-drone weapon

 Israel’s premier defense company, Rafael, unveiled its new anti-drone weapon, Iron Wasp, a rapidly deployable air defense system designed to protect mobile ground forces from aerial threats.

Should the Left in Israel win, they will evacuate all the farms, all new communities in the Shomron

Smotrich in *Makor Rishon*: 

“I say, based on knowledge, that there are talks between senior 

European Union officials and senior figures in the coalition—which I hope will 

not be an Eisenkot-Bennett government—about rolling back everything I have 

done in Judea and Samaria in this government and returning to a political

 framework.  

The meaning is that if there is a left‑wing government, they will evacuate all 

the farms, all the new communities we established. This is not an assessment 

but a fact. Just as I said, based on knowledge, that Bennett would join forces 

with Abbas after the elections, so it is now. Absolute knowledge.”

The great Chabad Conundrum ..On one hand the Rebbe is alive and on the other hand everyone goes to the Ohel on Gimel Tammuz

 

Tens of thousands are expected to visit the Ohel in Queens on Wednesday and Thursday for Gimmel Tammuz, marking the 32nd yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson Zt"l . 

Organizers announced separate entrances for men and women, designated tent areas, and a one-way exit route toward Francis Lewis Boulevard.

 The NYPD will establish a restricted zone around the site, limiting parking and vehicle access. Visitors are encouraged to use bus transportation.

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Clown Trump Turns into a Maniacal Wimp Says "Hamas actually behaved pretty well." Will Rubio Quit?

 

Here’s the hostage video of Rubio standing behind Trump as Trump tries to reassure us about his surrender to Iran with a word salad. It’s no surprise he made everything worse.

He praised Qatar and Pakistan and Iran — like he himself was being held hostage.

He tripled down on… pic.twitter.com/wENrfaNCEh

— Matthew RJ Brodsky (@MattRJBrodsky) June 17, 2026

BREAKING: President Trump publicly rebukes Israel over its war against Hezbollah.

"Israel's fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are being killed."

Trump said he opposed strikes that destroy apartment buildings filled with civilians and revealed he urged Israel to… pic.twitter.com/sfLxhiWTqA

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 16, 2026

 Trump publicly rebukes Israel over its war against Hezbollah.

Trump wants Israel to wait until Israelis are killed  to respond!

"Israel's fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are being killed."

Trump said he opposed strikes that destroy apartment buildings filled with civilians and revealed he urged Israel to let Syria take the lead against Hezbollah instead.

"If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone else, he'll do the job. Syria will do the job."