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.

HELPING HAND

HELPING HAND

HELPING HAND. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hands over a sack of premium rice to a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique on Friday (Oct. 6, 2023). The President also led the distribution of various forms of government assistance in the province, together with representatives of the departments of agriculture, social welfare, health, and labor; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Commission on Higher Education. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)

PBBM SPEECH DURING RICE DISTRIBUTION TAGUIG

PBBM SPEECH DURING RICE DISTRIBUTION TAGUIG

ADMIN'S GOAL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the distribution of sacks of premium quality rice to beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Taguig City on Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2023). Marcos said he is focused on ensuring food security and stabilizing the prices of agricultural commodities. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

RICE FOR 4Ps BENEFICIARIES

RICE FOR 4Ps BENEFICIARIES

RICE FOR 4Ps BENEFICIARIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of sacks of rice to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at the Capiz Gymnasium in Roxas City, Capiz on Friday (Oct. 6, 2023). In his speech, Marcos assured that his administration is committed to improving the productivity and income of farmers, especially amid the spike in the prices of rice. (PNA photo by Alfred Frias)

PBBM RICE DISTRIBUTION TAGUIG

PBBM RICE DISTRIBUTION TAGUIG

LEADING THE WAY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (3rd from left) oversees the distribution of sacks of premium quality rice to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Taguig City on Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2023), assisted by Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian (2nd from left). The distributed rice is still part of the 42,180 kilos of smuggled rice forfeited by the Bureau of Customs - Port of Zamboanga following a warehouse raid in September. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

High-priced curry-rice dishes going down well

High-priced curry-rice dishes going down well

OSAKA, Japan - A premium curry and rice dish, priced at 2,100 yen, is offered by the Shinsaibashi Store of Semba Kitcho, an old Japanese-style restaurant in Osaka Chuo Ward.

Craft beer containing new brand rice

Craft beer containing new brand rice

Photo taken Dec. 6, 2021, shows four kinds of craft beer containing the new Sakihokore premium brand rice in Akita, northeastern Japan.

High-end sushi restaurant opens in New York

High-end sushi restaurant opens in New York

Employees of "Sushi Ginza Onodera" pose for a photo outside the high-end sushi restaurant on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York, on May 19, 2016, a day before its opening. The restaurant will boast dishes made with fresh fish airlifted from Japan and premium rice grown in Niigata, and prepared by Japanese chefs. A dinner course will cost between $200 to $400 per person. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Dassai brewer releases rare sake made by mistake

Dassai brewer releases rare sake made by mistake

Undated photo shows bottles of "Dassai Shoshin," a rare version of premium Dassai sake of Japanese brewer Asahishuzo Co. in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture. While Dassai is a pure rice sake using Yamada-nishiki rice, the brewer found in February 2015 that Koshihikari rice had been accidently mixed into the product. The brewer removed the "Junmai Daiginjo" label and started to sell the mixed rice sake at the lower price under the name "Dassai Shoshin." Dassai has been given by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a gift to U.S. President Barack Obama. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Distilling shochu spirit in Hawaii

Distilling shochu spirit in Hawaii

HAWAII, United States - In his North Shore facility in Hawaii, Ken Hirata makes his own koji rice using koji spores from Japan and premium California-grown short-grain rice from Koda Farms. Photo was taken Nov. 3, 2014. (Kyodo)