At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, tiny panda cubs born in 2024 are exploring the world with curiosity, melting hearts with their playful demeanor and endearing appearance.
Footage captured at the base's Moonlight Delivery House offered a glimpse into the charming moments of these young creatures.
In one scene, a baby panda was taking slow, careful steps, with its round, fluffy figure resembling a sweet dumpling.
In another clip, an energetic bear practiced climbing down a tree, carefully moving its tiny paws in slow motion.
Most of 2024's panda cubs were born between July and September, meaning that these adorable little ones are still less than six months old.
Located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a world-renowned institution for the conservation of giant pandas. The base is famous for its efforts in protecting and breeding giant pandas, red pandas, and other endangered wildlife exclusive to China, as well as for its educational outreach programs. It is now a major tourist attraction.
Adorable panda cubs capture hearts with clumsy charm
U.S. stocks sank on Thursday as an escalating conflict in the Middle East and a renewed surge in oil prices weighed heavily on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.61 percent to 47,954.74. The S and P 500 sank 0.56 percent to 6,830.71. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 0.26 percent to 22,748.99.
Eight of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in the red, with consumer staples and materials leading the laggards by dropping 2.43 percent and 2.27 percent, respectively. Energy and technology led the gainers by adding 0.59 percent and 0.39 percent, respectively.
Oil prices jumped significantly after Iran announced it had struck an oil tanker with a missile. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude futures for April delivery surged 8.51 percent to settle over 81 U.S. dollars per barrel, reaching their highest level since July 2024. International benchmark Brent crude futures for May delivery advanced 4.93 percent, trading above 85 dollars per barrel. These sharp upward movements in energy markets drove major swings across equities throughout the trading session.
As Iran is the fourth-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, concerns are mounting that the conflict's impact on production capabilities could have wide-ranging effects across global commodities. The soaring energy prices have also sparked fears among investors that persistent inflationary pressures might force the Federal Reserve to re-evaluate its anticipated interest rate cuts in an already volatile market environment.
In the bond market, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note climbed to near 4.14 percent, up from Wednesday's close of approximately 4.1 percent. The yield, which heavily influences consumer borrowing costs across the broader economy, has risen consecutively every day this week after ending the previous week at 3.95 percent.
In corporate developments, Advanced Micro Devices lost 1.3 percent following a report that the U.S. government drafted rules restricting AI chip shipments without its approval.
Conversely, telecommunications equipment provider Ciena dropped 12.88 percent, and StubHub retreated 12.39 percent. Costco Wholesale, which is scheduled to report its quarterly results after the market closes, fell 2.4 percent during regular trading hours.
On the economic calendar, Friday features a highly anticipated monthly jobs report, offering investors another read on the labor market's health.
U.S. stocks sink as Middle East tensions trigger oil price surge
