China: Black Swan Seen Scooping Leaves in Reverse at Zhaotong University

On November 15, 2025, in Zhaotong, Yunnan, a video captured the unusual sight of a black swan at Zhaotong University moving backward across a pond while repeatedly scooping leaves toward the shore.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

WATARI, Japan, May 29 Kyodo - Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices. (Kyodo)

Government rice stockpile

Government rice stockpile

Photo taken on May 30, 2025, shows packaged rice from a government stockpile at a rice polishing plant in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, that is under contract with the company operating Don Quijote discount stores. The company has procured 15,000 tons of the stockpiled rice harvested in 2022 and plans to sell it at 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms, excluding tax, amid soaring prices.

Government rice stockpile

Government rice stockpile

Photo taken on May 30, 2025, shows packaged rice from a government stockpile at a rice polishing plant in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, that is under contract with the company operating Don Quijote discount stores. The company has procured 15,000 tons of the stockpiled rice harvested in 2022 and plans to sell it at 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms, excluding tax, amid soaring prices.

Government rice stockpile

Government rice stockpile

Rice from a government stockpile is delivered on May 30, 2025, to a rice polishing plant in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, that is under contract with the company operating Don Quijote discount stores.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Lower-priced reserve rice released

Rice stockpiles are delivered to household equipment maker Iris Ohyama Inc.'s rice polishing plant in Watari in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 29, 2025. The Japanese government launched a new scheme to release lower-priced reserve rice harvested in 2021 and 2022 via direct contracts with retailers -- not by the previous auction-based method -- to curb elevated rice prices.