A 25-day-old newborn panda cub at Chimelong Safari Park in south China's Guangzhou was returned to her mother's embrace on Saturday after undergoing its fifth physical examination.
Mengbao, born to Mengmeng who is one of the only giant panda triplets in the world, takes a physical checkup every five days and has apparently changed in the past days. Its originally pink skin has faded, and is gradually developing into the classic black and white panda coloring, as observed during the latest health check before it was reunited with her mother. Mengbao now weighs 940.6 grams, more than doubling its weight in just 10 days.
Throughout the physical checkup, Mengbao slept peacefully and occasionally had hypnic jerks, unconscious muscle twitches commonly seen during sleep.
"Once in a while the panda cub would twitch or jerk a little bit, as she is growing, and growing rapidly. Sometimes she would even let out a sound of 'Ah' in sleep, suggesting her brain is developing quickly, just as we may jerk, twitch, or cry in our dream. This is quite normal for panda babies," said Chen Shuqing, Mengbao's keeper.
After confirming the panda cub is in good health and well developed, Mengbao was returned to her mother Mengmeng. But keepers will still monitor the cub closely.
"We attend them around the clock and would intervene promptly upon spotting any unsafe behavior. For instance, suppose Mengmeng hugs the baby and falls asleep, it is possible she could roll over suddenly and accidentally press the baby underneath her. In that case, we must intervene promptly to get her up, lest the little baby is choked," said Chen.
Baby panda reunited with mother at Guangzhou zoo
As the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's tariff policies fuels inflationary fears in the United States, a number of consumers have resorted to panic buying amid growing concerns that costs could shoot up.
With price hikes expected on goods such as automobiles, beauty products, and even on everyday food items, many residents say they have been rushing out to stock up before prices climb even further.
In recent street interviews with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), New York residents shared how the impact of the ongoing tariff war is affecting their daily lives.
"Actually, I already have. I've already started stocking up. My mother has a whole stockpile, and she's panicking. But I told her we're going to be okay, as we live in New York City," said Amelia Guilford, a retail worker who was visiting her mother in the city.
With many anticipating a rise in inflation, many Americans are concerned about the long-term financial impact, and say they are now being more prudent with their money.
"I think we have to [spend more carefully]. Because otherwise you're going to be in real trouble economically or in debt, because if you spend more than what you get, that's going to be a lot of trouble," said Jose Pena, a janitor.
The tariffs, which directly affect the price of imported goods, have led to predictions of significant price increases, particularly on goods coming from China, which has been the biggest target of the tariffs.
"[Products] from China are going to be more expensive. I cannot exactly name what kind of products one by one, but every one that comes from China is going to be more expensive, without a doubt," said Pena.
Public frustration is evident, with some questioning the logic behind U.S. President Donald Trump's risky and unpredictable pursuit of tariffs on other countries, as the debate over the long-term consequences of the policy intensifies.
"I think he's just making enemies, and I trust him not. And I think he's making a mess of everything. I think it's all going to come around and flip back. The changes he's doing are completely unsustainable," said Lois Adams, a nurse, as she expressed her disapproval of Trump's approach.
Ordinary Americans are facing up to the harsh reality of rising prices and remain anxious about the future economic impact of the continuing trade war.
Jerome Wilkins, a security worker, voiced concerns about the broader societal implications of the tariffs, warning it will again be the poorest people who suffer the most.
"I think that the tariffs are horrible. I think that it's like privatizing America, and instead of America being a country for the people, it's a corporation for the rich. And it's just for them to get richer, while the poor get poorer. And that's basically how I feel," said Wilkins.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government announced it would raise tariffs on all imported U.S. goods from 34 percent to 84 percent, effective Wednesday, in response to the U.S. decision to escalate its "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese products, further adding to the economic strain.
Tariff war triggers panic buying in US, raising public concerns over rising costs
