{"id":1133,"date":"2026-07-19T00:11:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T00:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/?p=1133"},"modified":"2026-07-19T00:11:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T00:11:34","slug":"links-7-18-2026-naked-capitalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/?p=1133","title":{"rendered":"Links 7\/18\/2026 | naked capitalism"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Links<\/div>

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Dear patient readers.<\/p>\n

You are getting super-sized Links, with an Iran War section, in lieu of an Iran War post proper. <\/p>\n

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Ancient Princesses Were Weapon-Wielding Badasses, Scientists Discover<\/a> 404 Media<\/p>\n

Manure piling up<\/a> Cedar Rapids Gaxette (Robin K)<\/p>\n

The Book of Jargon<\/a> NO1 (Micael T). Not a complete list of finance dazzle-speak, but a good start. <\/p>\n

Archaeologists found Homer\u2019s Iliad inside a 1,600-year-old Egyptian mummy<\/a> Science Daily (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

\u201cSilly sprinklers\u201d help scientists finally solve Feynman\u2019s famous sprinkler mystery <\/a> Science Daily (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

How Schools Can Counter \u201cThe End of Reading\u201d<\/a> Natalie Wexler (Micael T)<\/p>\n

#COVID-19\/Pandemics<\/p>\n

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A Deadly Ebola-Like Virus Is Spreading. Are We Ready?<\/a> SciTech Daily (Chuck L)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Climate\/Environment<\/p>\n

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Breaking News!
Code UFB!!!<\/p>\n

As of July 13th, the global ocean sea-surface temperature has set a daily record for the 42nd day in a row. <\/p>\n

Yesterday’s global sea-surface temperatures is 0.10\u00b0C hotter than any previous July 13th on record.<\/p>\n

Here’s the breakdown, by decade: pic.twitter.com\/zjEgqdosiZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Prof. Eliot Jacobson (@EliotJacobson) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

France grapples with \u2018very worrying\u2019 drought after successive heatwaves<\/a> France24<\/p>\n

Risk of serious water shortages as river levels fall<\/a> Dutch News<\/p>\n

More Greek Regions Face Water Emergency as Drought Worsens<\/a> Tovima<\/p>\n

How global heating supercharged floods in West Africa, displacing thousands<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n

In US West, drought pits farms against towns, industry in scramble for water<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

China?<\/p>\n

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Trump\u2019s fiery China allegations may threaten superpower truce<\/a> CNBC<\/p>\n

China\u2019s record consumer defaults undermine Beijing\u2019s push to boost spending<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n

What China\u2019s sub-launched missile test really signaled<\/a> Asia Times (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

The New Third Front: China Quietly Revamps Country for War <\/a> Simplicius (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

China\u2019s desert mock-up rehearses a US warship\u2019s death at sea<\/a> Asia Times (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

China lauds Papua New Guinea over decision to shut Taiwan office<\/a> Japan Times\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Japan<\/p>\n

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Japan\u2019s \u2018Decisive Action\u2019 Threat Does Little to Scare Yen Bears<\/a> Bloomberg<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Southeast Asia<\/p>\n

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Why Indonesia\u2019s economy is under pressure<\/a> DW<\/p>\n

More than 500 feared dead after boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsize off Myanmar<\/a> NBC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Africa<\/p>\n

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Africa\u2019s Greater Horn region is facing a looming polycrisis, fueled by conflict, prices, climate and disease<\/a> The Conversation<\/p>\n

Sudanese minister says war has \u2018profoundly reshaped\u2019 nation\u2019s demographics<\/a> Aljazeera<\/p>\n

How armed conflict shapes food insecurity in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region<\/a> Nature<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

South of the Border<\/p>\n

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Brazil vows to retaliate if US imposes 25% tariffs on some of its products<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n

Venezuelan Gov\u2019t, Opposition to Launch US-Supported Dialogue for Electoral Reforms<\/a> Venezuelanalysis (Robin K)<\/p>\n

Neo-Colonial Coverage of Venezuela Earthquakes Adds Insult to Injur<\/a>y Venezuelanalysis (Robin K)<\/p>\n

Blockades, marches and human shields: Bolivia\u2019s farmers resist as land opened up to industry<\/a> Guardian\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

O Canada<\/p>\n

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Trump threatens Canada over wildfire smoke choking U.S. cities<\/a> Politico (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

Carney says Canada won\u2019t share bridge tolls with US until debt repaid<\/a> CBC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

European Disunion<\/p>\n

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EU readies crisis team for China rare earths stand-off<\/a> Financial Times<\/p>\n

China hits out at British Steel nationalisation<\/a> BBC<\/p>\n

Washington pushes EU to announce import rules rollback<\/a> Financial Times<\/p>\n

Europe\u2019s next energy shock is drying up in plain sight<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n

Rule-of-law push loses momentum in the EU<\/a> Euractiv<\/p>\n

French wheat prices hit record high amid Sea of Azov disruptions, EU heat wave<\/a> S&P Global<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Old Blighty<\/p>\n

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UK nationalizes Chinese-owned British Steel to protect nation\u2019s steelmaking capacity <\/a> Associated Press<\/p>\n

Britons urged to take \u2018small steps\u2019 to prepare for potential national crises<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n

Record heat linked to unprecedented fall in UK milk deliveries<\/a> Farming UK<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Israel v. The Resistance<\/p>\n

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Wheat fields become battleground as occupied West Bank farmers race to save land, crops<\/a> TRT World<\/p>\n

US approves nearly $2bn in weapons sale to Saudi Arabia<\/a> Aljazeera<\/p>\n

Houthis threaten to attack oil facilities in Saudi Arabia amid Yemen tensions<\/a> Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Iran War<\/p>\n

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NO1 Daily Digest<\/a><\/p>\n

PressTV landing page<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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BREAKING: IRGC CLAIMS AMERICANS KILLED AT AL-TANF SYRIA \u2013 w\/ Col. Larry Wilkerson<\/a> YouTube. Important. We had a debate in comments yesterday as to why Iran had not yet attacked US navy ships (save when they briefly entered the Strait of Hormuz on the Iran side early in the war). I had said the decision would be based on strategic aims, not merely to inflict damage, and Iran\u2019s priority was to get the US out of the Middle East, and destroying the naval bases would make it so hard to operate as to considerably advance that goal. <\/p>\n

Live: Iran warns of \u2018full-scale offensive\u2019 if strikes continue<\/a> Middle East Eye<\/p>\n

Iran war live: 10,000 without water after US hit; fire at Kuwait water site<\/a> Aljazeera<\/p>\n

Wilkerson and Nawfal mention that a mass casualty event would force a US escalation, which likely explains why Iran has not yet inflicted one. But Iran may now judge Trump is committed to a path that will lead them to go all in regardless. It appears Iran is now seeking to inflict military deaths, having seen among other things that the US and Trump are casualty averse. This may be a \u201cgloves are really off now\u201d move. Iran is now also explicitly threatening to attack navy vessels, which it had not done before. Having said that, I am not sure Iran will target them until they make themselves targets, as in enter Iran\/Strait of Hormuz waters or attack Iran. Even though a blockade is an act of war, I am not sure they will attack the ships just \u201cbecause blockade\u201d. We\u2019ll see in due course. <\/p>\n

We had the same info in our Iran war post yesterday, but Axios makes it official:<\/p>\n

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\u203c\ufe0f Imperial mouthpiece Axios reports that the US is sending “dozens” more refueling tankers to the Persian Gulf war zone.<\/p>\n

I suspect this means two things:<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd39 Iran has destroyed several on the ground<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd39 Israel is about to enter the battle again<\/p>\n

Major escalation forthcoming \u2026 pic.twitter.com\/kvxvH50eOM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Will Schryver (@imetatronink) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n

Iran says IRGC navy intercepted 4 \u2018violating\u2019 ships in Strait of Hormu<\/a>z Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n

Two oil tankers catch fire after passing through minefields in Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim reports<\/a> Aljazeera<\/p>\n

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Strait of Hormuz over the last 24 hours: too deep into the escalation trap or the cycle of stupid.<\/p>\n

The events over the past week should start to dissuade anyone from contemplating that the Strait of Hormuz is going back to normal anytime soon. The video from @MarineTraffic<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/BZjzcSnW81<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 HFI Research (@HFI_Research) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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JUST IN: Despite two U.S. aircraft carriers, AWACS, fighter jets, and drones overhead, the Strait of Hormuz recorded just eight crossings on July 16 \u2014 the lowest in three weeks. The U.S.-backed Omani corridor? Zero. For the second day straight, per @MarineTraffic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All seven\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/RUKSJwkdU0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Hormuz Report (@HormuzReport) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Report: Shipping Companies Refusing US-Guided Transit Scheme Through Hormuz Strait After Iranian Attacks<\/a> Antiwar.com (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

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Iran’s Tasnim news agency cited an informed source as saying that a Thai-flagged ship was targeted in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after it allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to pass without permission from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy.<\/p>\n

The source said the vessel was\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Giovanni Staunovo\ud83d\udee2 (@staunovo) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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BREAKING: Iran announces the “every port against a port” doctrine in response to the US Chabahar port strike, saying it will strike five specific commercial ports hosting US military infrastructure as retaliation targets, per Fars:<\/p>\n

1. Jebel Ali Port UAE, the busiest foreign US\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n
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My take on the regional diplomatic landscape.<\/p>\n

\u2013 One of the most striking features of the current phase of the Iran-US confrontation is not only the daily exchange of strikes, but also the relative absence of the regional diplomacy that proved so important only a few weeks ago.\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Babak Vahdad (@BabakVahdad) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa BERLIN-PARIS \u2014 The two powers with no leverage just volunteered to lead diplomacy.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccc LOOK CLOSER: Qatar lost neutrality, Beijing’s channel is poisoned, Pakistan is out of road. Berlin and Paris step into the vacuum \u2014 but bring no back-channel Tehran trusts, no economic\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AjaMPEkG5L<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 perceptiondaily (@perceptiondaily) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Syraqistan<\/p>\n

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Relations With Taliban Will Remain Frozen, Says Pakistan<\/a> Afghanistan Today<\/p>\n

How Water Is Becoming Pakistan\u2019s Nuclear Threshold <\/a>The Diplomat <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

New Not-So-Cold War<\/p>\n

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Political Crisis in Kiev as Shrinking Zelensky Ousts Popular Defense Minister<\/a> Simplicius (Chuck L)<\/p>\n

Brief Frontline Report \u2013 July 17th, 2026<\/a> Marat Khairullin<\/p>\n

Russia KNOCKED OUT Ukraine From Kostiantynivk<\/a>a History Legends, YouTube <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Imperial Collapse Watch<\/p>\n

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The once and never America<\/a> Julian Macfarlane (Micael T)<\/p>\n

The U.S. Is Trampling Allies in the Global Hunt for Rare Earths<\/a> Wall Street Journal<\/p>\n

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More than 30 states have reported cases of the gastrointestinal illness. Many more cases linked to lettuce are expected. https:\/\/t.co\/6fwJZT34t6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Trump 2.0<\/p>\n

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This alarms me and it should alarm every American, Republican, democrat or independent.<\/p>\n

The fact that President Trump has recently chosen to rebrand Mamdani\u2019s political party \u2014 Democratic Socialists \u2014 as a \u201ccommunist\u201c and now this declaration to go after \u201cradical left terrorism\u201c\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/kzqvjh6LbK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Davis Deep Dive (@DanielLDavis1) July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Firing of top prosecutor in Seattle tests limits of Trump\u2019s power<\/a> The Hill<\/p>\n

Do declassified files support Trump\u2019s election security claims? <\/a> BBC (Kevin W)<\/p>\n

\u2018Brazen corruption\u2019: critics denounce Trump media plan to sell priority access to Truth Social posts<\/a> Guardian (Kevin W)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Immigration<\/p>\n

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DHS Plans \u201cAll-Out War\u201d on Immigration Scammers and Frau<\/a>d ProPublica (Robin K). Fixed it for you: \u201cDHS Plans \u2018\u201cAll-Out War\u2019 on Immigration\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Democrats Suck<\/p>\n

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Fetterman warns he would leave Democratic Party if it turns its back on Israel<\/a> The Hill (Kevin W)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Our No Longer Free Press<\/p>\n

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The new National Security Act is already law. Now the government is expected to use it this week to proscribe the IRGC, creating powers that go beyond ordinary terrorism legislation. <\/p>\n

\uffed Journalists risk prosecution simply for receiving information from the “wrong” source, while\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/tXhZS5SZtR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 VPol (@VocalPolitics1) July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

More cowardice:<\/p>\n

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US blocks issuance of SSL security certificates for Iranian media outlet
\u2014\u2014
The US has escalated its campaign against Iranian media by effectively blocking the issuance of SSL security certificates for the Fars News Agency website. This technical blockade prevents the outlet from\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AlLKkx1mVf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Our top AI firms are holding back innovation, not promoting it. If we had broken up Google and forced open sourcing we would have far fewer data centers and much better AI.<\/p>\n

Basically Lina Khan is correct. https:\/\/t.co\/Va7e3BtlSy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Antitrust<\/p>\n

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Apple in Early Settlement Talks With DOJ Over Antitrust Case<\/a> Bloomberg<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Economy<\/p>\n

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Why US investors are preparing for Third World War<\/a> The Times<\/p>\n

How Government Bond Sales Work <\/a>Steve Keen (Micael T)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mr. Market Is in a Tizzy<\/p>\n

US Stocks End Week Lower on Fears of Another \u2018DeepSeek Moment\u2019<\/a> Bloomberg<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd34Foreign investors are fleeing South Korean stocks faster than EVER:<\/p>\n

Global investors have dumped nearly -$10 billion in Korean stocks so far in July.
This follows -$30 billion in outflows in June, the largest monthly outflow on record.<\/p>\n

Year-to-date, foreign outflows have\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VkJ9mpBGOC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Global Markets Investor (@GlobalMktObserv) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

AI<\/p>\n

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I am the Chief AI Officer at a company you would recognize, and I want to be precise, almost violently precise, because precision is the last luxury good.<\/p>\n

I worked out this year that I am being robbed. Not by a thief, by an invoice. The labs are levying a wealth tax, I am paying\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Peter Girnus \ud83e\udd85 (@gothburz) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2b07\ufe0f Watch this movie. Odds are AI is going to turn into another EV type story. https:\/\/t.co\/N30n0kjFtb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chamberlain’s Ghost (@RSA_Observer) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Oracle\u2019s credit rating drops to one level above junk | Ed Zitron<\/a> YouTube. A big step closer to AI valuation reset.<\/p>\n

Americans are angry about data centers. Politicians are feeling the pressure<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n

Thousands of Google workers demand layoff protections amid AI boom in petition to CEO<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n

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Our top AI firms are holding back innovation, not promoting it. If we had broken up Google and forced open sourcing we would have far fewer data centers and much better AI.<\/p>\n

Basically Lina Khan is correct. https:\/\/t.co\/Va7e3BtlSy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Class Warfare<\/p>\n

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My wife and I got into it last night about the grocery bill.<\/p>\n

I pulled up an old Target order from February 2020.<\/p>\n

28 items. $64.50.<\/p>\n

Added every single one back to the cart just to see.<\/p>\n

$158.30.
Same 28 items. Same store. Same cart.
$93.80 more.<\/p>\n

In five years.
We didn\u2019t buy\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeremy (@jeremyct) July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Three new surveys show rising housing, healthcare and other everyday costs are forcing many workers to delay retirement savings or stop contributing altogether https:\/\/t.co\/LiY1Vt1y5A<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bloomberg (@business) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Man snuck into Anthropic office to warn exec \u2018was going to be killed\u2019 as violent threats mount: report<\/a> New York Post (Micael T)<\/p>\n

What Was Sewer Socialism?<\/a> JSTOR (Micael T)<\/p>\n

Meta accused of using AI to target workers on medical leave in bloodbath layoffs: lawsuit<\/a> New York Post (Micael T)\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Antidote du jour. mgl: \u201cSnowy & great egrets in tree at Oceanside, CA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And a bonus (Robin K):<\/p>\n

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The Pakistani Steve Irwin is bloody good! \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/eUzKaro6pU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Casey \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 (@MattCas04807118) July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A second bonus (Robin K):<\/p>\n

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Spa day for baby monkey <\/p>\n

[\ud83d\udcf9 monkeylover. club] pic.twitter.com\/EOGpiaO929<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And a third:<\/p>\n

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Look at how this blind cat feels the sunlight coming through the window on its face. \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/WCi7Ng67bQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Figen (@TheFigen_) July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

See yesterday\u2019s Links and Antidote du Jour here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Print<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n