Business
Viral Baby Macaque Captivates the World
ICHikawa, Japan — A tiny Japanese macaque named Punch has become one of the internet’s most beloved animal stars in early 2026, melting hearts worldwide with his story of rejection, resilience and an inseparable bond with a stuffed orangutan plush toy.
Born on July 26, 2025, at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Punch — whose full Japanese name is Panchi-kun — was rejected by his mother shortly after birth. Zookeepers stepped in, providing him with an IKEA Djungelskog orangutan plushie as a surrogate for comfort and emotional support. Videos of the seven-month-old snow monkey dragging, cuddling and parading his “Oran-Mama” around the enclosure exploded on social media in February 2026, sparking global fascination.
Here are five fun facts about Punch the Monkey that explain why this pint-sized primate has captured millions of fans:
- His Name Honors a Legendary Manga Artist Punch’s name derives from “Monkey Punch,” the pen name of the late Japanese manga artist Kazuhiko Katō, creator of the iconic “Lupin the Third” series. Zoo officials chose the name for the baby macaque, adding the affectionate “-kun” honorific common in Japanese for young boys or cute characters. This pop-culture nod gave the little snow monkey instant recognizability in Japan and among anime fans worldwide.
- His Plush Toy Triggered Global Shortages The well-worn orange IKEA Djungelskog plushie that Punch treats as a surrogate mother became so famous that it sold out in multiple countries. Resale prices skyrocketed on secondary markets, with some units fetching several times their original $20 price. IKEA even acknowledged the phenomenon, and the company reportedly donated additional plushies to the zoo. Fans now affectionately call the toy “Oran-Mama” or “Oran-Mother.”
- He Sparked a Tourism Boom at His Zoo Since Punch’s videos went viral, monthly visitor numbers at Ichikawa City Zoo have more than doubled. Long lines of fans, many traveling from across Japan and abroad, now form to catch a glimpse of the celebrity monkey. The zoo has embraced the attention, posting regular updates on Punch’s progress as he gradually integrates with the troop while still occasionally relying on his plush companion.
- His Story Echoes Classic Attachment Theory Scientists and psychologists have drawn parallels between Punch’s behavior and Harry Harlow’s famous 1950s experiments on rhesus monkeys and surrogate mothers. Punch’s attachment to the soft orangutan plush mirrors how infant primates seek comfort from “contact comfort” sources. Experts say his story provides a touching real-world example of emotional bonding and resilience in primates.
- He Inspired His Own Video Game Punch’s popularity inspired “Zoo Fighter,” a free web-based game created by former Fortnite developer Richie Branson. Players control Punch as he fights off bullying monkeys in a Vampire Survivors-style brawler, eventually earning his way to a sanctuary. The game even includes his signature plush toy as part of the character design and carries a light message about zoo animal welfare.
From Heartbreak to Hope
Punch’s early life was challenging. After his mother rejected him, he struggled to bond with the rest of the macaque troop and faced instances of aggression captured on video. These clips initially caused widespread concern and sadness among viewers, but zoo officials emphasized that such behavior is part of normal primate socialization. Recent updates show Punch making positive progress — grooming peers, playing with other young monkeys and relying less heavily on his plushie while still keeping it close.
At around 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) in early 2026, Punch continues to grow and develop under close zoo supervision. Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are famous for their adaptability and hot-spring bathing habits in wild populations, though Punch’s life remains centered in the controlled environment of the zoo.
Why Punch Resonates So Deeply
The global reaction to Punch goes beyond simple cuteness. Many viewers project their own experiences of rejection, loneliness or the search for comfort onto the little monkey. His story has sparked conversations about animal emotions, zoo ethics, attachment and human empathy. Supporters have used hashtags such as #HangInTherePunch, and positive updates about his integration with the troop have brought collective relief.
Animal behaviorists note that while anthropomorphizing animals can sometimes distort understanding, Punch’s case offers genuine insights into primate social dynamics and the importance of early bonding. The zoo has balanced public interest with the animals’ welfare, limiting direct interaction while sharing carefully curated videos.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
Punch’s fame has extended into merchandise trends, meme culture and even scientific discussion. His story highlights the power of social media to turn a single zoo animal into an international sensation almost overnight. It also demonstrates how digital platforms can drive real-world outcomes, such as increased zoo attendance and awareness of primate care.
As Punch approaches his first birthday in July 2026, fans continue to follow his journey eagerly. Zoo officials promise ongoing updates, and many hope he will fully integrate into the troop while retaining his playful, plushie-loving personality that first won hearts.
For now, Punch the Monkey remains a symbol of resilience — a small primate who turned early hardship into an outsized global embrace. Whether cuddling his orangutan friend or exploring new social bonds, he continues to remind audiences of the universal need for comfort, connection and a little kindness.
Samantha Hutchison, the council’s assistant director of community services, said the classes offered “a fantastic opportunity for people to come together, share skills, experience different cultural cuisines and improve both their health and community wellbeing”.
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Pokémon cards aren’t just childhood collectibles anymore.
Some owners are increasingly treating the popular 1990s and 2000s trading cards like alternative assets, with some of the rarest cards outperforming traditional benchmarks like the S&P 500 in recent years.
During key periods like the pandemic boom and another surge in 2025, trading card indexes tracking Pokémon sales posted gains that far exceeded the S&P 500’s long-term average annual return of 10% to 12%, according to trading card valuation tool Card Ladder. The comparison isn’t perfect — stock data spans decades, while trends in trading card values are shorter and more volatile — but the outperformance in certain windows is still striking.
The jump in prices come down to scarcity, grading and a surge of deep-pocketed buyers chasing a limited supply of top-tier assets.
At the high end, that dynamic is clear. A rare Pikachu Illustrator card, owned by influencer and wrestler Logan Paul, sold for more than $16 million in February, which set a record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.
“There are certain individuals trying to acquire the rarest, highest-grade cards and taking them off the market for as long as they can,” said auctioneer Ken Goldin, whose online marketplace, owned by eBay, consigned and sold Paul’s rare Pokémon card. “It’s possible you may never see that card come up for sale again in our lifetime.”
Rare Pokémon card designed by Atsuko Nishida.
Courtesy: Goldin
That supply squeeze helps explain why prices can surge and why a small slice of the market is driving most of the gains.
The condition of a card in particular, which drives its grade on a scale of up to 10, can make or break value, Goldin added.
“You can have a card graded a 10 [perfect score] and nobody cares if the underlying card isn’t important,” Goldin said. “But when you have the right card, the condition become critical — especially in Pokémon, where there’s a massive premium for a 10.”
That premium can be extreme, Goldin said. A perfect condition $100,000 card evaluated by Professional Sports Authenticator, the premier authentication and grading company, might only get 1% or 2% of that value in a much lower condition.
Outside the most rare handful of cards, retail investors and collectors are flipping back open their dusty collection books from 20 or more years ago and hoping to strike gold. The boom in card sales accelerated during the pandemic as stimulus money and interest in alternative assets surged. Spending on non-sports trading cards, including Pokémon, jumped 350% between 2020 and 2025, according to market research firm Circana. At the same time, celebrities like Post Malone, Steve Aoki and Kevin O’Leary fueled mainstream attention.
“We are seeing people use this as an alternative asset and allocation of wealth,” said Goldin. “Whether that becomes more institutional over time is still to be determined.”
But risk remains for hopeful investors in the market. The same forces driving gains also create risk. Prices are volatile, heavily influenced by hype, and card prices lack the stability and track record of traditional markets.
Still, some highly sought after Pokémon cards continue to outperform the market.
My name is Myriam Hernandez Alvarez. I received the Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering degree from the Escuela Politecnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador, the M.Sc. degree in computer science from Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA, a graduate degree in Business Management from Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, Quito, Ecuador, and the Ph.D. degree in computer applications from the University of Alicante, Spain.Disclosure: I collaborate professionally with Edgar Torres H, who is also an author on Seeking Alpha. Our analyses are conducted independently, and we adhere to Seeking Alpha’s Shared Association Guidelines.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
TAMPA, Fla. — Fox News journalist Abby Hornacek was body slammed to the mat by professional wrestler Kennedy Blades during a live segment on “Fox & Friends Weekend” Saturday morning, in a demonstration that left co-hosts stunned but the reporter smiling and unharmed.
The moment unfolded as Hornacek, a Fox Nation host, joined the show to promote Real American Freestyle (RAF) Wrestling’s event later that day in Tampa. Blades, the RAF Middleweight champion and an American wrestler with Olympic-level background, was demonstrating her signature suplex move ahead of her matchup against opponent Milana Dudieva.
Hornacek, appearing enthusiastic but nervous, told Blades she was “nice enough” to show the move on her. The two squared off on a wrestling mat set up in the studio. “I’m so nervous,” Hornacek said moments before the action.
Blades then grabbed Hornacek around the hips, lifted her high into the air, twisted her body and executed a powerful suplex, slamming the journalist face-first onto the mat with a loud thud. Hornacek landed hard on her neck and upper body, leaving co-hosts visibly shocked as the clip quickly spread across social media.
Despite the impact, Hornacek quickly got to her feet, brushed herself off and reassured everyone with a laugh. “It looked worse than it was,” she said, adding that she felt “amazing” afterward. Colleagues on the set expressed concern, with one remarking it appeared “like being thrown off a skyscraper.”
The segment was intended to highlight RAF Wrestling, a rising freestyle promotion blending traditional wrestling with high-energy performances. The event featured several bouts, including Blades’ matchup, and was streamed on Fox Nation.
Hornacek, daughter of former NBA coach and player Jeff Hornacek, has built a career in sports and entertainment reporting. Known for her energetic style and willingness to engage in hands-on segments, she has covered everything from outdoor adventures to combat sports for Fox News and Fox Nation.
Blades, a decorated wrestler, used the moment to preview her aggressive style. “That’s what I’m going to do to my opponent,” she indicated during the demonstration, emphasizing the physicality of the sport.
Social media erupted with reactions ranging from concern for Hornacek’s safety to praise for her toughness. “Fox News journalist Abby Hornacek is one tough cookie … she got savagely body slammed by a wrestler, but made it seem like it was a walk in the park,” one viral post from TMZ noted. Clips of the suplex garnered hundreds of thousands of views within hours.
Some viewers and commentators criticized the segment as reckless, questioning whether a live television demonstration should involve such a high-risk maneuver with a non-professional athlete. Others defended it as harmless fun typical of promotional wrestling crossovers, pointing out Hornacek’s quick recovery and positive demeanor.
No injuries were reported. Hornacek continued her duties without issue, and Fox News has not commented publicly on any internal review of the segment.
The incident echoes past moments where journalists have participated in athletic demonstrations, sometimes with unexpected results. In wrestling promotions, such stunts are common to build hype, but the live nature of “Fox & Friends” amplified the drama.
RAF Wrestling aims to bring freestyle wrestling back into the mainstream with events that mix athletic competition and entertainment. Saturday’s card in Tampa included multiple title fights and drew attention from combat sports fans.
Hornacek has a history of adventurous reporting. She has previously joined segments involving physical challenges, aligning with Fox’s mix of news and lifestyle content on weekend mornings.
Blades’ suplex technique, a classic amateur wrestling move adapted for professional contexts, involves lifting an opponent and arching backward to drive them into the mat. Experts note that when executed properly on trained athletes, it is controlled, but the margin for error is slim.
Post-incident, Hornacek took to social media indirectly through shared clips, maintaining her upbeat persona. Supporters praised her professionalism, while wrestling enthusiasts debated the execution and safety protocols for such TV crossovers.
The viral video has sparked broader conversations about the boundaries between journalism and entertainment. Some analysts argue that in an era of declining traditional viewership, networks increasingly rely on shareable, dramatic moments to capture attention.
Fox & Friends Weekend, co-hosted by a rotating panel including Pete Hegseth and others, often features lighter segments alongside hard news. Saturday’s show balanced coverage of national issues with the wrestling promotion.
As of Sunday, the clip continued circulating on platforms like Instagram, X and YouTube, with reactions mixing shock, humor and admiration. “Hope she’s fine,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “This girl is tough I’ll give her that.”
Real American Freestyle officials expressed appreciation for the exposure, noting that such moments help introduce the sport to wider audiences beyond traditional wrestling fans.
Hornacek’s father, Jeff Hornacek, coached in the NBA for teams including the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns. Her family background in sports may have contributed to her resilience during the unexpected slam.
No updates on any lingering effects were available, and Hornacek appeared set to continue her regular reporting schedule.
The episode serves as a reminder of the physical demands of combat sports and the risks involved even in controlled demonstrations. While Hornacek emerged unscathed and in good spirits, the moment underscored the importance of safety measures in live television.
RAF’s Tampa event proceeded as planned, with Blades delivering a strong performance that echoed the intensity shown earlier that morning.
In the competitive world of cable news, moments like this often transcend typical programming, turning a routine promotional segment into national water-cooler conversation.
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Every spring, Coca-Cola bottles look a little different, sporting a bright yellow cap rather than the usual red. While social media has compared the seasonal product to Mexican Coke which uses cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, the origin of the cap change traces back to a rabbi in Atlanta, Ga.
Rabbi Tobias Geffen, who led Atlanta’s Orthodox Jewish community and served as the rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, is credited with making the iconic beverage kosher and, eventually, giving it approval for consumption during Passover, according to The Atlanta Jewish Times.
Jews who keep kosher are forbidden from eating certain items, including pork and shellfish. They are also barred from eating beef that is not certified kosher. During Passover, these guidelines become more stringent, as many Jews refrain from consuming grain products, taking corn syrup off the table.
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Coca-Cola bottles with yellow caps have drawn curiosity online as social media foodies compare the Passover product to Mexican Coke. (Rachel Wolf/Fox News Digital / Fox News)
In 1935, the Coca-Cola Company allowed Geffen to see the ingredients of the beverage, while preserving its secret by not revealing the proportions. He found that the beverage contained two items of concern: glycerin derived from non-kosher beef tallow and corn syrup.
While Coke failed Geffen’s initial inquiry, the company’s scientists found that glycerin derived from cottonseed and coconut oil could be used without altering the soda’s taste, solving one problem. After the ingredient change, Geffen gave it his seal of approval for consumption, but Coke was still forbidden during Passover. However, the company’s scientists were able to replace the grain-derived ingredients with cane and beet sugars, allowing Jews to enjoy the beverage during Passover and all yearlong.
Cases of Coca-Cola soda are displayed at a Costco Wholesale store on April 27, 2025, in San Diego, Calif. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)
After Coca-Cola shifted to high fructose corn syrup in its standard U.S. formula in the 1980s, the Passover version remained a seasonal exception. Every year in the weeks leading up to Passover, shelves fill with Coca-Cola products with the bright yellow caps, signifying that they are sweetened with cane sugar, not corn syrup.
The renewed interest in the cane sugar soda came as Coca-Cola started to expand its use of the sweetener in the U.S. beyond the seasonal product. In October 2025, Coca-Cola began rolling out cane sugar soda packaged in glass bottles. The change garnered the support of President Donald Trump, who said the cane sugar soda was “better” than the high fructose corn syrup alternative. The product was introduced in select markets, though Coca-Cola has not indicated whether it plans to shift away from high fructose corn syrup entirely.
In this photo illustration, Coke beverages are displayed in an ice-cooler at a park on July 17, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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In recent years, the yellow cap bottles have attracted more attention on social media as some began comparing them to Mexican Coke, which is sweetened with cane sugar. While Mexican Coke is typically sold in glass bottles, and generally costs more than the soda produced in the U.S., the version that is available around Passover has the sweetener without the higher price tag.
Some social media foodies have encouraged followers to stock up on the seasonal edition of the soda because of the lower price. The posts have sparked discussions about why the cane sugar version was not available year-round. This could be due to a supply issue, as Coca-Cola Company’s Chief Financial Officer John Murphy told Bloomberg News that there “is only a certain amount of cane sugar available in the United States.”
Coca-Cola did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
FOX Business’ Sophia Compton, Daniella Genovese and Alex Koch contributed to this report.
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I am a stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management. My focus is on equity valuation, market trends, and portfolio optimization to uncover high-growth investment opportunities. As a former Vice President at Barclays, I led teams in model validation, stress testing, and regulatory finance, developing a deep expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis. Alongside my research partner (also my wife), I co-author investment research, combining our complementary strengths to deliver high-quality, data-driven insights. Our approach blends rigorous risk management with a long-term perspective on value creation. We have a particular interest in macroeconomic trends, corporate earnings, and financial statement analysis, aiming to provide actionable ideas for investors seeking to outperform the market.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Ian Bezek is a former hedge fund analyst at Kerrisdale Capital. He has spent the decade living in Latin America, doing the boots-on-the ground research for investors interested in markets such as Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. He also specializes in high-quality compounders and growth stocks at reasonable prices in the US and other developed markets. Ian leads the investing group Ian’s Insider Corner. Features of the group include: the Weekend Digest which covers everything from new ideas to updates on current holdings and macro analysis, trade alerts, an active chat room, and direct access to Ian. Learn More.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of U either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
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