U.S ANNOUNCES VISA CURBS FOR SOME FOREIGN NATIONALS IN SOUTH AFRICA. (PHOTO).

Image
 U.S announces visa curbs for some foreign nationals in South Africa Secretary of State Marco Rubio ‌said on Tuesday the U.S. government was announcing a new visa restriction ​policy targeting some foreign nationals ​in South Africa. The policy targets "foreign ⁠nationals who are responsible for, ​or complicit in, the enactment or ​implementation of laws or policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and/or ​the incitement of imminent violence ​against members of minority ethnic or racial ‌groups ⁠in South Africa," Rubio said in a statement. "The South African government has not adequately addressed the ​previously laid ​out ⁠concerns," Rubio said, Reuters reported. Relations between Washington and Pretoria have ​soured since the start of ​Donald ⁠Trump's second term, with the U.S. president criticizing the country ⁠for ​its policies aimed at ​addressing racial inequality.

MORE THAN $500,000 IN COUNTERFEIT LABUBU DOLLS SEIZED AT SEATTLE AIRPORT. (PHOTO).


 More than $500,000 in counterfeit Labubu dolls seized at Seattle airport, CBP reports

Authorities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport intercepted a shipment of counterfeit Labubu dolls last week with a retail value exceeding $500,000, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

CBP officers inspecting air cargo seized 11,134 dolls, with a suggested retail price of $513,937.76. The shipment, labeled deceptively as “LED Bulb” and originating from South Korea, was confiscated on Aug. 26 for violating federal law against unlawful imports and intellectual property infringement. The counterfeit dolls are slated for destruction, and while no arrests have been made, authorities have not ruled out future action.

Fake Labubu dolls, sometimes referred to as “Lafufus,” have raised safety concerns, with community councils warning that poorly made copies could pose choking hazards and contain harmful chemicals. The original dolls are produced by Pop Mart and feature characters from “The Monsters” series, inspired by a Nordic mythology-themed picture book trilogy created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Pop Mart launched Labubu vinyl collectibles in “blind box” packaging, which conceals the specific version of the doll until opened.

Labubu recently gained attention at the U.S. Open in New York City, where tennis star Naomi Osaka showcased custom dolls modeled after iconic players such as Billie Jean King. Collectible thefts have also occurred, including a case this month in La Puente, California, where a store lost its inventory to burglars.

Counterfeit goods are a major issue in the U.S., with a 2020 Library of Congress report estimating they surpass the value of the illicit drug trade. Most counterfeit items, approximately 80%, originate from China. CBP officials continue to monitor for fake collectibles and other illegal imports. Brian Humphrey, CBP’s Seattle operations director, praised officers for their work and jokingly noted the agency is still on the lookout for a rumored 24-karat gold Labubu.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

INNOSON GIVES OUT BRAND NEW IVM G5 AND SALARY FOR LIFE TO THE MAN WHO PROPHESIED ABOUT HIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURING IN 1979.(PHOTO).

MUSICIAN HARRY-SONG,REVEALS THE FACE OF THE FEMALE FAN WHO IS THREATENING TO KILL HIM.{PHOTOS}.

THE NEW OONI OF ILE-IFE,WILL NOT EAT THE HEART OF THE LATE OONI-PALACE CHIEFS.