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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.

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Reserve rice at convenience store

Reserve rice at convenience store

Rice from the Japanese government's stockpile is sold at a convenience store in Tokyo on June 5, 2025, amid soaring rice prices. (Pool photo)

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Reserve rice at convenience store

Reserve rice at convenience store

Rice from the Japanese government's stockpile is sold at a convenience store in Tokyo on June 5, 2025, amid soaring rice prices. (Pool photo)

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Reserve rice at convenience store

Reserve rice at convenience store

Rice from the Japanese government's stockpile is sold at a convenience store in Tokyo on June 5, 2025, amid soaring rice prices. (Pool photo)

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New farm minister Koizumi

TOKYO, Japan, May 23 Kyodo - Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press during a visit to a rice retail shop in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices. (Kyodo)

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Farm minister Koizumi

Farm minister Koizumi

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks about the country's rice shortages and surging prices during a House of Councillors committee session in Tokyo on May 27, 2025.

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Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

TOKYO, Japan, May 26 Kyodo - Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference at his ministry on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June. (Kyodo)

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Farm minister Koizumi

Farm minister Koizumi

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks about the country's rice shortages and surging prices during a House of Councillors committee session in Tokyo on May 27, 2025.

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CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to ministry officials on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June.

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CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to ministry officials on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June.

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Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference at his ministry on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June.

  •  
Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference at his ministry on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June.

  •  
CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to ministry officials on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June.

  •  
CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

CORRECTED: Japan's new farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to ministry officials on May 26, 2025, as Japan began sales of government rice stockpiles via direct contracts, aiming to slash soaring prices after he pledged to bring them down to about 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms by early June.

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New farm minister Koizumi

New farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) visits a rice retail shop in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices.

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New farm minister Koizumi

New farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) visits a rice retail shop in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices.

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New farm minister Koizumi

New farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from R) visits a rice retail shop in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices.

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New farm minister Koizumi

New farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press during a visit to a rice retail shop in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices.

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New farm minister Koizumi

New farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visits the rice section at a supermarket in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices. (Pool photo)

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New farm minister Koizumi

New farm minister Koizumi

Japan's new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from R) visits the rice section at a supermarket in Tokyo on May 23, 2025, amid rice shortages and surging prices. (Pool photo)

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Japan main opposition party head Noda

Japan main opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, about Taku Eto's resignation as farm minister over comments he made on rice that were deemed insensitive to consumers as they struggle with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, about Taku Eto's resignation as farm minister over his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japan PM Ishiba on farm minister's resignation

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, about Taku Eto's resignation as farm minister over his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japan farm minister resigns over controversial rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto (C) enters Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, to tender his resignation to the premier. Eto resigned as farm minister after coming under fire for his comments on rice deemed insensitive to consumers struggling with soaring prices of the staple food.

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Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, after offering his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his comments on rice gifts. Eto said during a fundraising party earlier that he does not need to buy rice as his supporters give him plenty, angering consumers amid a rice shortage and surging prices.

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Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Farm minister Eto resigns over rice comments

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2025, after offering his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his comments on rice gifts. Eto said during a fundraising party earlier that he does not need to buy rice as his supporters give him plenty, angering consumers amid a rice shortage and surging prices.

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Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Agriculture minister Taku Eto holds a press conference at his ministry on May 20, 2025, to apologize for his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Farm minister hold press confab on rice comments

Agriculture minister Taku Eto holds a press conference at his ministry on May 20, 2025, to apologize for his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba tells the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, that he will retain agriculture minister Taku Eto despite his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Prime Minister Ishiba meets media

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba tells the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, that he will retain agriculture minister Taku Eto despite his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech two days earlier that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with agriculture minister Taku Eto over controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japan farm minister's controversial comments on rice

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with agriculture minister Taku Eto over controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japan farm minister meets media after rice comments

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. Eto said in a speech the previous day that he does not need to buy rice because his supporters provide him with plenty, amid a rice shortage and surging prices in the country.

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Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. During a speech the previous day, Eto said he has not needed to buy rice because supporters give it to him, a remark expected to draw criticism from households hit by rice shortages and surging prices.

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Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japan farm minister meets media on rice comment

Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto meets the press in Tokyo on May 19, 2025, following his controversial comments about receiving rice from supporters. During a speech the previous day, Eto said he has not needed to buy rice because supporters give it to him, a remark expected to draw criticism from households hit by rice shortages and surging prices.

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Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 9, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Eto told reporters that the government will release additional stockpiled rice every month until the end of July to stabilize soaring prices.

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Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister speaks on release of stockpiled rice

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 9, 2025, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Eto told reporters that the government will release additional stockpiled rice every month until the end of July to stabilize soaring prices.

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Japan's rice reserves

Japan's rice reserves

Bags containing Japanese government's emergency rice reserves are brought to a rice mill in Saitama Prefecture on March 18, 2025. The government started releasing rice from its stockpile the same day amid soaring prices.

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