Safety First: South Korea food poisoning policy, honey authenticity tech and more

Technology

Food poisoning policy: South Korea seeks to limit large outbreaks to two per yearThe South Korean government is striving to clamp down on large scale national food poisoning cases after a spate of significant outbreaks.South Korea has had a tough run in terms of food safety and food poisoning cases over the past two years, having recorded over 350 cases and close to 9,000 individuals during the summer months of July to September 2023 alone, as well as a serious outbreak affecting over 1,000 victims in July last year.As such, the government announced its national 2025 food poisoning and prevention measures campaign in late February.Honey authenticity: Estonia invests in DNA tech in bid to drive exports to AsiaEstonian trade officials are hoping to take a bigger slice of Japan’s 45,000 tonne honey market on the back of promoting new authenticity tech.According to a report released by the European Union (EU), 46% of honey imported into Europe was suspected of having syrup added, and 147 of 320 samples were found to not comply with EU honey standards. Activities range from counterfeiting and substitution to false labeling, which not only causes consumers to lose trust in genuine products, but also poses serious health risks. It also weakens legitimate producers and suppliers who comply with the rules.To address these challenges, Estonia has sought to combine the nation’s ICT technology with R&D and biotechnology expertise to provide innovative solutions. Japan rice crisis: Thailand spots exports opportunity on back of bumper productionThai trade officials are hoping to cash in on Japan’s rice supply challenges and subsequent price hikes that have hit consumers hard.The Japanese agriculture department unveiled a plan earlier this year to release 210,000 tonnes ofrice from government stockpiles that is usually used for emergency cases if crops fail.The government began auctioning the stockpiles last week, with its impact remaining to be seen. It put 150,000 tonnes up for bidding and subsequent sales will be assessed based on supply conditions.The policy was introduced after rice prices hit record highs in January, with the key commodity trading 80% higher than 12 months ago.South Korea launches ‘preparation plan’ to manage potential food supply disruptionsSouth Korea will allow more flexibility in purchasing processes and international online imports as part of a new plan to manage disruptions to food supplies.South Korea has been concerned about its food supply security after it was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war hit its wheat imports, leading it to turn to rice as a replacement.Most recently, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) Minister Oh Yoo-kyung announced that it had laid out plans in preparation for potential ‘global supply chain deterioration’, ini order to ensure a stable supply of food for South Korea. ‘Forceful and precise’: How China’s retaliation to Trump’s tariffs could impact food tradeChina’s retaliatory 34% tariff response to Trump’s Liberation Day hikes is likely to have a major impact on the food and beverage trade.Earlier this year, China had already struck back against Trump’s first and second tariff hikes by implementing its own increases for some 820 US imports – over 700 of which were agrifood products.The government China imposed an additional 34% of tax on all US imports starting April 10, including the aforementioned 700+ agrifood items.Further potential retaliatory measures include export suspensions for various US poultry and grain companies into China, all implemented on April 4 based on ‘food safety concerns’, but with more such cases expected to be implemented further down the line. This is all bad news for the United States’ own food and agricultural sectors.US agrifood industry organisations have fervently opposed these tariff hikes in fear of food ingredient prices being massively increased.

5 Best Nathan Lane Movies if You Loved ‘Smile’

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

MoviesNathan Lane movies have made us laugh, cry, and cheer for decades. Lane is known for his big, Broadway-style personality and unforgettable roles.

Published on April 10, 2025

2 min read

Nathan Lane movies have made us laugh, cry, and cheer for decades. Lane is known for his big, Broadway-style personality and unforgettable roles. Whether he’s voicing a cartoon meerkat or stealing scenes on stage, Lane always shines. If you’re looking for a great Lane movie, this list has you covered. Here are five of his best films you need to see!

1. ‘The Birdcage’ (1996)

The Birdcage is the most iconic Lane movie. He plays Albert, a drag performer living in Miami with his partner, Armand. When their son gets engaged, chaos follows. Albert must pretend to be straight to impress the fiancée’s conservative parents. Lane gives a funny, emotional performance that steals every scene. His chemistry with Robin Williams is amazing. The movie mixes comedy and heart perfectly. It’s a great story about love, family, and being yourself. Fans say it’s one of the best comedies ever. If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s the time. This movie shows Lane at his best.

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2. ‘The Lion King’ (1994)

You might not see Lane in The Lion King, but you’ll hear him. He voices Timon, the fast-talking meerkat who becomes Simba’s friend. This Lane movie is a Disney classic. Timon, along with Pumbaa, teaches Simba the famous song “Hakuna Matata,” which was nominated for an Academy Award. Lane brings energy and humor to the role. His voice made Timon one of the most loved Disney characters ever. The songs are catchy and the animation is beautiful. Families everywhere love this film. It’s a movie you can watch over and over again. If you love Nathan Lane’s voice, this one’s a must-watch.

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3. ‘The Producers’ (2005)

In this fun movie, Lane plays Max Bialystock, a Broadway producer with big dreams and bigger schemes. Max teams up with an accountant to pull off the worst show in theater history. Nathan Lane brings huge energy and comic timing to the role. His performance is full of charm and chaos. He sings, dances, and makes you laugh nonstop. The movie is based on the hit Broadway musical, which was also a big success. If you love musical comedies, this movie is perfect. It shows Lane doing what he does best: making us laugh.

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4. ‘Mouse Hunt’ (1997)

This Lane movie is a silly, fun adventure for the whole family. Lane plays one of two brothers who inherit a house — and a very clever mouse. What follows is a wild chase full of surprises. The movie is full of physical comedy and cartoon-like fun. Lane’s expressions and timing are perfect. He plays off the chaos with expert skill. Kids and adults will enjoy the humor. It’s a light, funny movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you like smart mice and goofy humans, give this one a try.

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5. ‘Stuart Little’ (1999)

In this charming Lane movie, he voices Snowbell, the family cat who isn’t happy about a new mouse brother. Snowbell is sneaky, sarcastic, and very funny. Lane’s voice work makes Snowbell one of the best parts of the film.

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The movie tells the story of Stuart, a mouse adopted by a human family. With funny moments and sweet lessons, this movie is perfect for families. Lane’s voice gives the cat real personality. If you enjoy animated movies with heart and laughs, don’t miss Stuart Little. It’s another great example of Lane’s talent.

Some ‘Minecraft Movie’ Audiences Are Trashing Theaters, Causing Chaos

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

If you think the stock market has been chaos lately, check out what’s been happening in some theaters during screenings of A Minecraft Movie.

Several viral videos have captured audiences of the blockbuster video game adaptation going wild, throwing food and drink, and trashing auditoriums. In one video, somebody was kicked out for holding up a live chicken. Some theaters are issuing warnings, with Cinema United — a trade organization representing thousands of exhibitors across the globe — issuing a memo of voluntary guidelines, including “pre-show announcements” and that if the “situation escalates, local authorities can be called” (reportedly — and in at least one moviegoer’s video — police have been called). Meanwhile, theater workers responsible for cleaning up the messes are saying they’re fed up.

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Here’s one of the viral posts (more examples below):

UK chain Cineworld reacted to the mayhem on Instagram, noting that, “clapping, cheering, and shouting ‘I AM STEVE’ is absolutely encouraged,” but adding, “Don’t go full Creeper. No throwing, no mess, and no filming the screen! (That’s piracy, folks.)”

While the film is only rated PG, a New Jersey theater posted a statement on Facebook saying that minors going to the film must be “accompanied by a parent or responsible adult” after an unspecified “unfortunate situation.”

So what is happening here, exactly?

For the uninitiated, A Minecraft Movie follows four misfits who are pulled through a portal into a cubic world and must embark on a quest back to the real world with the help of an expert crafter named Steve (Jack Black). At one point, a baby zombie falls onto the back of a chicken making a “chicken jockey” — an extremely rare occurrence in the game — which prompts fans to erupt with excitement and surprise (to use a different, if equally nerdy, pop culture reference, this is a bit like when Captain America successfully caught Thor’s hammer in Avengers: Endgame).

It seems that once videos of “chicken jockey!” eruptions started going viral on TikTok over the weekend, the trend spread, particularly among teenage boys.

The film has grossed more than $185 million domestically and $380 million globally in just six days — wildly outperforming expectations and even outpacing 2023’s monster video game adaption, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. So far, Warner Bros. hasn’t issued a statement.

Just how far the chaos extends is unclear. None of the country’s three top circuits have issued any warnings, and one top exhibitor says the vast majority of its showings have been without a major incident. That’s not to say there isn’t more cleanup than usual between showings. Part of the problem was that no one knew how big the movie was going to be, so didn’t know how much staff to bring in.

It’s an ironic situation: After months of extremely sluggish box office, with theaters desperate to bring in ticket buyers, one film is getting fans, if anything, too excited.

Theater workers — who, like most service employees, have been wearily dealing with increasing amounts of customer incivility since the pandemic — have been fuming. On the MovieTheaterEmployee subreddit, staffers have been posting anecdotes and photos of epic messes, destroyed property, and even having to call the police (like in the video below).

“The theaters are being ABSOLUTELY TRASHED,” wrote one Apple Cinemas employee. “I see everyone saying to ‘just kick them out,’ which is what we usually do, but the issue is I can never pin point a single person doing it rather the whole theater is collectively talking and being loud (with a few that are almost screaming).”

“Omfg, I thought Wicked was bad but nothing can top what happened with Minecraft,” wrote another. “During one of our shows we had to kick out THIRTY, yes THIRTY, teenage boys.”

“I’ve never had another movie where we constantly had complaints of loud, annoying kids that we had to kick out,” wrote another. “Don’t even get me started on how bad the theaters are to clean. I genuinely hate this movie.”

“It’s genuinely so terrible at our location right now,” wrote another. “We are all stressed out and angry and kind of lashing out at each other because of mistakes being made because of how many customers we have vs. how much staff we have. It’s all so fast paced and stressful. All of us cannot wait for this movie to be gone.”

As for the theater chains themselves, most will likely keep their silence. Sources say they’ve learned from past experience that issuing warnings can backfire and prompt more bad behavior. This included when one circuit asked fans of Minions: The Rise of Gru to stop throwing bananas (talk about a slippery slope!). More recently, AMC asked Wicked fans to not sing along during regular showings. (This, too, backfired.)

A cinema operator tells THR that Cinema United sent a memo this week advising its members how to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience during screenings of Minecraft: “Voluntary measures include pre-show announcements, signage and clear consequences, such as being asked to leave. If the situation escalates, local authorities can be called. And parents should be reminded that certain ages must be accompanied by an adult,” read the memo, obtained by THR. (Cinema United declined to comment.)

While one theater owner who operates a 10-screen movie house in a small town in the Midwest told THR on Thursday that she hasn’t heard of any incident of note during her screenings of Minecraft, which as been a much-needed boon for her. If something happens, she says she’s happy to figure things out.

Poor cinema workers: Minecraft fans grab giant bags of popcorn before the movie and spill them in the theater when Jack Black yells “Chicken Jockey”All AD must be removed promptly before the next session begins, where they do the same thing. pic.twitter.com/Pv9YoHNhvh— 𝕏 Ali Al Samahi 🇦🇪علي السماحي (@ali_alsama7i) April 9, 2025

While the world enters recession, American teens are freaking out over the ‘Chicken Jockey’ scene in the Minecraft movie. pic.twitter.com/ViX4nXkife— Bushie 🇺🇸🗽 (@OldNewRight) April 9, 2025

Kranjac Posts Third Web Ad, “Follow the Science”

Science and Health

Kranjac Posts Third Web Ad, “Follow the Science”Pledges to Put the Democrats on the Defensive Over Extreme Abortion Policies

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey — MAGA Mario M. Kranjac, whom The Star-Ledger dubbed “The Trumpy Mayor of Englewood Cliffs,” is pledging to put the Democrats on the defensive over their radical abortion agenda and to make saving babies a top priority of his Administration.

“We’re going to follow the science,” Kranjac said.  “We need to end New Jersey’s sanctuary state status for abortion. Governor Murphy has created a culture of death and we’re going to create a culture of life.”

Kranjac’s plan to protect life stands apart from the other candidates in the field who are desperately trying to avoid ending infanticide.

“Bill Spadea has repeatedly said he doesn’t think abortion will be an issue,” Kranjac said.  “What he really means is that he’s too scared to talk about it.  Obviously the Democrats are going to make it an issue and I welcome that —  it’s the best issue we have to win.”

Kranjac said the Democrats’ support for radical 40-week late-term abortion, taxpayer-funded abortion, and secret abortions on minors is strongly opposed by the vast majority of voters.

“President Trump’s greatest achievement is giving each of the states the chance to start saving babies,” Kranjac said.  “We’ll do that on day one by defunding Planned Parenthood.  There will never be a check from the state treasury with my signature on it to an organization as crooked and racist as Planned Parenthood.”

Kranjac said Spadea’s naivety about the impact of the abortion issue is disturbing.

“New Jerseyans don’t support killing babies in the sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth months, but Democrat politicians do,” Kranjac said.  “I’ll make them defend late-term, taxpayer-funded abortion every single day until they go down in flames.”

You can see the ad on Twitter   or Facebook .  A full transcript follows:

What’s very important to me is to protect life and to change the culture of death
that America and New Jersey have morphed into over my lifetime.

My goal is to protect life from conception to natural death.

We need to end New Jersey’s sanctuary state status for abortions as well. Governor Murphy has created a culture of death along with all the Democrats and the legislature.

We need to stop this. We’re going to follow the science; life begins at conception.

And we’re not going to permit the state treasury to pay for taxpayer-funded abortions. There is no reason for this.

In terms of changing the culture from a culture of death to a culture of life, what we need to do is look at the situation and say, we need to start saving babies.

To do that, we would limit the time period initially of when abortions would be available to 20 weeks and then roll it back over time.

Most importantly, I’m going to appoint pro-life judges. These are people who have
shown themselves to be part of the culture of life and, you know, society needs babies to be born and not killed.  It’s very important.

We’re also going to make sure that Planned Parenthood is no longer funded and we’re going to encourage and support crisis pregnancy centers.

These are the centers that people like Congressman Gottheimer and all of his ilk are persecuting and prosecuting and agitating against. They need to stop. I don’t believe any of them believe that babies shouldn’t be born, so why attack these wonderful places?

13 homestays to book for the Easter long weekend

Arts & Culture, Books

Aashraya is tucked away in the depths of Uttarakhand’s hills in Mahadev Chatti, a riverside hamlet north of the buzzing streets of Rishikesh and a five-hour drive from Delhi, with just the trees and breeze for company. The property features four cottages—one called Lover’s Pond is slightly distanced from the other cottages and has a pretty lily pond right outside. Host Depi Chaudhry lives with his co-host and daughter Aditi in the Art House, a two-room villa on the property with two double beds that they also rent out occasionally for longer stays. All accommodations have air conditioners, heaters and electric blankets, thick mattresses with duvets, showers and ensuite bathrooms. There’s no WiFi at the property due to its remote location but 4G internet works well here. The hosts and staff can help set up a picnic lunch at a river beach about 4km away, along with a dip in the river. Enjoy bonfires or private candlelit dinners under a tree close to the property. Guests can go on several treks and hikes, including a quick 10-minute jaunt to a beautiful waterfall that involves a walk on the original Badrinath walking route. –Arundhati AilDoubles from Rs15,000* for one nightThe Quiet Place Himalayas, NainitalThe Quiet Place HimalayasLocated in Satkhol village near Nainital, this homestay is a haven for writers and creatives seeking inspiration. The Quiet Place Himalayas, also known as the Himalayan Writing Retreat, was founded by Dr Vandita Dubey and Chetan Mahajan, who traded their bustling city lives for the peaceful embrace of the mountains. Their eco-friendly retreat offers four suites and a two-bedroom apartment built using sustainable mud-based construction techniques. Each room is named after the hosts’ favourite authors like Cohen, Ghalib, Ismat, and Orwell. Expansive windows frame sweeping views of the surrounding pear orchards and pine forests, with sunlight gently spilling into every room. At the heart of the homestay is The Book Lounge, a cabin comprised of a floor-to-ceiling library designed and built by Shiv Shankar, a skilled craftsman. The shelves brim with a book collection that spans classics like The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, to contemporary reads like A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. There’s plenty of non-fiction and poetry too. A special corner is dedicated to books authored by previous retreat attendees, including The People of the Indus by Nikhil Gulati and Becoming Goan by Michelle Bambawale. Here guests can unwind, read, write or explore the nearby forests, meditate at the nearby Satkhol Ashram, or savour regional delights like Kumaoni saag, homemade chutneys, and platters of locally made cheese. –Lavanya AroraDoubles from Rs13,800* per suite exclusive of tax*Prices are subject to change.All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Maddock Films’ Dinesh Vijan urges Bollywood to embrace Indian identity over western aspiration; says, “The common man wants stories about them”

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Maddock Films is enjoying a winning streak with its recent productions. Following the success of last year’s Stree 2 and the blockbuster performance of Chhaava, the production house continues to deliver box office hits. Their upcoming release is the romantic comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi. During a press conference held before the trailer launch, the head of Maddock Films shared insights on the current landscape of Bollywood and the kind of stories that deserve to be highlighted.Maddock Films’ Dinesh Vijan urges Bollywood to embrace Indian identity over western aspiration; says, “The common man wants stories about them”At the press conference, Dinesh Vijan, as reported by News18, emphasized the importance of collective success in the industry. He said, “It’s very important to wish for everyone to do well. Just us doing well is not enough. I can’t tell you what I am doing, and others are not doing. We learn from whatever we are doing. We are trying to understand that right now, we are not aspirational to the West. We are very Indian in how we think. The common man wants stories about them. They are coming to the theatre on Friday, a slightly elitist crowd is coming 8-9 days later. The people we are with and surrounded by are very important because they are going to influence the decision you make.”He further added, “I am fortunate that my writers and directors are grounded and real people and are connected to the new Bharat. It is very important to know who we are because the new Bharat is proud of who they are.”Bhool Chuk Maaf will be Maddock Films’ third release this year, following the success of Sky Force featuring Akshay Kumar and last week’s Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal. The rom-com is scheduled to hit theatres on May 9.Also Read : Bhool Chuk Maaf trailer launch: Bollywood’s most successful producer Dinesh Vijan shares his secret success mantra: “Aam junta wants stories about them. They come to theatres on Fridays. Elite crowd comes 8-9 days later…”.also-read{border-radius:10px;background:#f2f2f2;padding:10px 15px 0}.also-read .bx-wrapper{max-width:100% !important}.also-read h2{font-size:20px;margin-bottom:5px}.also-read ul{display:flex;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box}.also-read li{position:relative;flex:0 0 33.333333%;max-width:33.333333%;padding:0 5px}.also-read .imgsnb .imaginary img{border-radius:8px}.also-read h5{margin-top:10px}.also-read h5 a{color:#000 !important;font-weight:400;line-height:15px}#also-read .bx-controls-direction{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:400px){.also-read li{width:31.10% !important}}.addformobile{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:767px){.addformobile{display:block}}BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATESCatch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 11

Arts & Culture, Books

The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND
1 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (Hay House, $32)
“A truly helpful treatise on seeing others as they are, and letting that be.” So says Kirkus Reviews.
2 Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, $30)
A Hunger Games prequel starring Haymitch Abernathy and set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute. A fulsome discussion about the book, and reactions to it, is over on Slate.
3 Careless People: A Story of Where I Used to Work by Sarah Wynn-Williams (Pan UK, $40)
That Meta exposé written by a New Zealander and reviewed by Julie Hill right here on The Spinoff.
4 See How They Fall by Rachel Paris (Moa Press, $38)
The whodunnit set in Sydney by ex-lawyer and now full-time writer. Read all about Paris’s journey to publishing on The Spinoff, here.
5 Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection by Jane Malthus and Claire Regnault, photographs by Derek Henderson (Te Papa Press, $70)
“To say the collection is brought to life by the photographs is an understatement; the photographs are pieces of art in their own right,” writes Jessie Bray Sharpin in her review of this majestic book.

6 Together We Roared by Steve Williams and Evin Priest (HarperCollins, $39)
Tiger Woods’s long-time caddie shares his relationship with the golfing star.

7 When The Going Was Good by Graydon Carter (Grove Press, $40)
“An editor’s adventures through the last golden age of magazines,” goes the subtitle. And here’s the publisher’s blurb:
“When the Going Was Good is Graydon Carter’s lively recounting of how he made his mark as one of society’s most talented editors and shapers of culture. Carter arrived in New York from Canada with little more than a suitcase, a failed literary magazine in his past and a keen sense of ambition. He landed a job at Time, went on to work at Life, co-founded Spy magazine and edited The New York Observer before catching the eye of Condé Nast chairman Si Newhouse, who tapped him to run Vanity Fair.”

8 Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Fourth Estate, $38)
“Adichie weaves stories of heartbreak and travail that are timely, touching, and trenchant.” Read the full Kirkus Review, here.
9 The Vegetarian by Han Kang (Portobello Books, $28)
Simply one of the greatest novels of the century by one of the best writers of our time.

10 Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (HarperCollins, $38) 
One of those novels with a cover and publicity material so crammed full of puff quotes that it’s quite hard to figure out what it’s actually about. Something about music and romance.