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Category: International

  • Six crushed to death in India temple stampede

    Six crushed to death in India temple stampede

    Six people were crushed to death at a Hindu temple in India’s coastal state of Goa, officials said Saturday, after thousands gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened by the tragic stampede” at Lairai Devi temple in the village of Shirgao in the early hours of Saturday morning.

    “Six people died even before they could be brought to the hospital,” Sawant told reporters.

    He visited the hospital and said that “all possible support” would be given to the families of those killed or injured.

    Vishwajit Rane, Goa state health minister said “approximately 80” people were injured.

    “Five are critical and on ventilator support, while the remaining are being treated in the specially created emergency ward,” he said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office expressed “condolences to those who lost their loved ones”.

    The Lairai Zatra is a key Hindu celebration in Goa and is marked by a fire-walking ceremony.

    Deadly stampedes are notoriously common in Indian religious festivals.

    Earlier this year, at least 30 people were killed in an early morning crush at the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu mega-festival in the northern city of Prayagraj.

  • Trump posts spoof picture of self dressed as pope

    Trump posts spoof picture of self dressed as pope

    US President Donald Trump posted on Friday a spoof picture of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform after joking that he would like to be the next Catholic pontiff.

    The president is seen in what appears to be an AI-generated color image, with his right index finger pointed toward the sky, wearing papal regalia, including white robes, a gold crucifix pendant and the miter hat.

    It comes after Trump joked to reporters this week that he would like to be the next pope, just days before cardinals are due to start the conclave to elect the successor of Pope Francis who died on April 21.

    Asked who he would like to succeed Pope Francis, Trump said: “I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice.”

    Trump went on to say that he did not have a preference but said there was a cardinal in New York who was “very good.”

    He appeared to be referring to the archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, a theological conservative and fiercely opposed to abortion.

    Trump attended the funeral service of Pope Francis last week, his first foreign trip since returning to power.

    About 20 percent of Americans declare themselves Catholic, and exit polls indicated in November that they voted around 60 percent in favor of Trump.

    Pope Francis had arguably been one of the most powerful moral voices on the world stage critical of Trump.

    When Trump first ran for president in 2016, Francis was unsparing on his signature promise to build a border wall to seal off Mexico.

    Francis told reporters, “Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian.”

    Cardinals will gather on May 7 in a conclave in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

  • Trump warns US could ditch Ukraine talks if no progress

    Trump warns US could ditch Ukraine talks if no progress

    US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Washington could quit talks to end the Ukraine war within days unless there is rapid progress from Moscow and Kyiv.

    The warning confirmed a sudden change of US messaging, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier saying in Paris that the United States would “move on” if peace was not “doable.”

    Trump has been pressing both sides for a truce, but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin despite an ice-breaking call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and repeated negotiations with Moscow.

    “Yeah very shortly,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked to confirm what Rubio had said about abandoning talks. “No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done.”

    Trump refused to cast blame on either Putin, who ordered the February 2022 full-scale invasion of pro-Western Ukraine, or Kyiv’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. But he insisted both sides had to make progress.

    “Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say: ‘You’re foolish. You’re fools. You’re horrible people’ — and we’re going to just take a pass,” Trump said.

    “But hopefully we won’t have to do that.”

    – ‘Move on’ –

    Moscow has kept up strikes on Ukraine, killing at least two people and wounding dozens more in attacks on the northeastern regions of Kharkiv and Sumy, Ukrainian officials said.

    One of the few commitments Trump had wrangled from Russia — a temporary moratorium on striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure — “expired” on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to an AFP question.

    After meeting European officials in Paris to discuss a ceasefire, Rubio said Washington needed to figure out soon whether a ceasefire was “doable in the short term.”

    “Because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on,” he told reporters.

    But speaking on a trip to Italy, US Vice President JD Vance still insisted he was “optimistic” about ending the three-year war.

    Trump promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office but has little to show for his efforts so far.

    He has embarked on a rapprochement quest with the Kremlin that has alarmed Kyiv and driven a wedge between the United States and its European allies.

    He and Vance also had a blazing Oval Office row in February with Zelensky, whom he still accuses of bearing responsibility for Moscow’s invasion.

    Trump insisted that he was not being “played” by Moscow, which is accused by Ukraine of dragging its feet.

    “My whole life has been one big negotiation and I know when people are playing us and I know when they’re not,” the billionaire property tycoon added.

    – ‘Mockery’ –

    Zelensky meanwhile slammed the latest attacks on his country, which came just days before Easter.

    Kyiv earlier announced it had received the bodies of 909 soldiers from Russia.

    “This is how Russia started Good Friday — with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Shahed drones. A mockery of our people and cities,” Zelensky said on Telegram.

    Russia said it had hit “key drone production sites” and Ukrainian military airfields.

    Putin last month rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a full and unconditional pause in the conflict, while the Kremlin has made a truce in the Black Sea conditional on the West lifting certain sanctions.

    Trump has also repeatedly expressed anger and frustration at Zelensky in a marked break from his predecessor, Joe Biden.

    Ukraine is set to sign a deal next week in Washington that would give the United States sweeping access to its mineral resources.

    European powers have meanwhile been seeking a seat at the table in the negotiations, particularly as Trump’s administration insists the continent should share the burden for Ukraine’s security.

    France hosted meetings between US and European officials in Paris on Thursday, saying the talks had launched a “positive process.”

    The meetings included French President Emmanuel Macron, Rubio and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

    Many allies have however been alarmed by Witkoff — who recently met Putin in Russia — repeating Moscow’s talking points about the war.

  • US charges man with Trump assassination threat

    US charges man with Trump assassination threat

    A US man posting content online as “Mr Satan” has been charged with threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and other government officials, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

    Shawn Monper, 32, was detained and charged in a federal criminal complaint with “making threats to assault and murder” Trump and other US officials, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

    In a statement, the DOJ said the FBI received an emergency message about threats posted on YouTube by a user who identified himself as “Mr Satan,” whose internet activity was determined to correspond with Monper’s residence.

    Monper is coincidentally from Butler, Pennsylvania where Trump was nearly assassinated during a campaign rally in July.

    Shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January, Monper obtained a firearms permit and commented from his account that he had “bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office,” the DOJ said.

    On February 17 he wrote: “Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way,” referring to Trump’s billionaire advisor Elon Musk.

    “Remember, we are the majority, MAGA is a minority of the country, and by the time its time to make the move, they will be weakened, many will be crushed by these policies, and they will want revenge too. American Revolution 2.0,” he said, according to the DOJ.

    Then on March 4, in a YouTube video titled “Live: Trump’s address to Congress,” Monper said he was “going to assassinate him myself,” the DOJ added.

    Monper hails from Butler township, scene of a shooting last July 13 that nearly took Trump’s life, when a would-be assassin’s bullet grazed the Republican’s ear at an outdoor campaign rally. One person was killed and three were injured.

    “Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the statement.

    A detention hearing is scheduled for April 14.

  • China to impose additional 34% tariffs on US goods from April 10

    China to impose additional 34% tariffs on US goods from April 10

    China said on Friday it would slap 34 percent tariffs on all imports of US goods from April 10 after Washington imposed steep new levies on Chinese products.

    “For all imported goods originating from the US, an additional tariff of 34 percent on top of the current applicable tariff rate will be imposed,” Beijing’s finance ministry said.

    Beijing’s Commerce Ministry also imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium — commonly used in magnetic resonance imaging — and yttrium, which is used in consumer electronics.

    China will also file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs, the ministry said.

    US President Donald Trump ignited a potentially ruinous global trade war this week by imposing 10 percent levies on imports from around the world and harsh extra duties on key trading partners.

    Trump unveiled particularly stinging tariffs of 34 percent on China, one of its largest trading partners, on top of existing levies.

    China swiftly vowed “countermeasures” to protect its rights and interests.

  • What the world said about Trump’s tariffs

    What the world said about Trump’s tariffs

    US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced sweeping new tariffs on imports to the United States from countries right across the globe.

    Here are international reactions so far from the world’s major economies:

    – China –

    Beijing said it “firmly opposes” the new tariffs on its exports, and vowed “countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests”.

    Trump unveiled particularly stinging tariffs of 34 percent on China, one of its largest trading partners, while a 10 percent base tariff on all countries also applies. That comes on top of a 20 percent rate imposed last month.

    The tariffs “do not comply with international trade rules”, China’s Commerce Ministry said.

    It urged Washington to “immediately cancel” them, warning they “endanger global economic development”.

    – European Union –

    The tariffs are a “major blow to the world economy”, warned EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

    “There seems to be no order in the disorder. No clear path through the complexity and chaos that is being created as all US trading partners are hit,” she said.

    After the 20 percent tariffs on EU exports to the United States, she said Brussels was “preparing for further countermeasures” but added it was “not too late to address concerns through negotiations”.

    – Germany –

    The German Automotive Industry Association said the tariffs would “only create losers” and urged the EU to act “with necessary force, while continuing to signal its willingness to negotiate”.

    The German chemical industry, which counts the United States as its largest export market, urged the EU to “keep a cool head”, stressing “an escalation would only worsen the damage”.

    – Japan –

    Trade minister Yoji Muto said the 24 percent tariffs on Japanese exports to the United States were “extremely regrettable, and I have again strongly urged (Washington) not to apply them to Japan”.

    Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters the tariffs may contravene World Trade Organization rules and the pair’s trade treaty.

    – India –

    Ajay Sahai, chief executive of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations told AFP the tariffs will “hurt demand” for its exports.

    “The tariffs slapped on India are definitely both high and higher than expected,” he said.

    But he said competitor nations like China and Vietnam had been hit harder, which opened up space for India to gain a market share.

    – UK –

    The UK will “remain calm, and committed” to sealing a trade deal with the United States which could help “mitigate” a 10 percent tariff imposed on British exports to the United States, business minister Jonathan Reynolds said.

    However, “we have a range of tools at our disposal and we will not hesitate to act”, he added.

    – France –

    President Emmanuel Macron will meet representatives of French sectors “impacted by the tariff measures”, his office said.

    – Italy –

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the new US tariffs on imports from the EU and urged a deal, warning a trade war would “inevitably weaken the West”.

    “The introduction by the US of tariffs towards the EU is a measure that I consider wrong and that does not suit either party,” she said.

    – Canada –

    Prime Minister Mark Carney warned the tariffs will “fundamentally change the global trading system”.

    “We are going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures. We are going to protect our workers,” he said.

    – Brazil –

    Brazil’s Congress approved a so-called “Economic Reciprocity Law” allowing the executive to respond to the 10 percent tariffs on exports from Latin America’s biggest economy, which is the second-largest exporter of steel to the United States after Canada.

    – South Korea –

    “A global tariff war has become a reality,” said acting president Han Duck-soo following Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on imports from South Korea.

    Han convened an emergency task force and vowed to mobilise “all government resources” to overcome the “trade crisis”, urging ministers to minimise the damage through aggressive negotiations with Washington.

    – Australia –

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new tariffs were “not the act of a friend” and would hurt the close allies’ relationship.

    “These tariffs are not unexpected, but let me be clear: they are totally unwarranted,” he said.

    – Switzerland –

    After Switzerland was hit with 31 percent tariffs, President Karin Keller-Sutter said the government would quickly decide on the next steps.

    “The country’s long-term economic interests are the priority. Respect for international law and free trade are fundamental,” she said.

    – Poland –

    “Friendship means partnership. Partnership means really and truly reciprocal tariffs,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

    – Taiwan –

    The Taiwanese government found the 32 percent levy “highly unreasonable and deeply regretted it” said cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee.

    She said Taiwan would “initiate serious negotiations with the United States”.

  • Girl among two dead as Israel strikes Lebanon

    Girl among two dead as Israel strikes Lebanon

    Israel conducted deadly strikes on Lebanon Saturday in response to a rocket attack from across the border, as militant group Hezbollah denied responsibility for the launch.

    Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported one girl among two killed in an Israeli strike on the southern town of Touline, during the largest escalation since a November 27 ceasefire.

    The Israeli army said six rockets, three of which were intercepted, were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, setting off air raid sirens in the region for the first time since November.

    “Hezbollah denies any involvement in the rocket fire from southern Lebanon into the occupied Palestinian territories (Israel),” the Iran-backed group said in a statement, calling Israel’s accusations “pretexts for its continued attacks on Lebanon”.

    Hezbollah said that it stands “with the Lebanese state in addressing this dangerous Zionist escalation on Lebanon”.

    While Hezbollah has long held sway over areas of Lebanon bordering Israel, other Lebanese and Palestinian groups have also carried out cross-border attacks.

    Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that renewed military operations on the southern border risked “dragging the country into a new war,” his office said.

    But Israeli defence chiefs said they held the Lebanese government responsible for all hostile fire from its territory regardless of who launched it.

    Analysts have said the weakening of Hezbollah during its war with Israel enabled Lebanon’s long-deadlocked parliament to in January name army chief Joseph Aoun as president, with backing from the United States, Saudi Arabia and others.

    Upon taking office, Aoun pledged to usher in a new era in which the Lebanese state would have a “monopoly on weapons”.

    “We cannot allow fire from Lebanon on Galilee communities,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said, referring to towns and villages in the north, many of which were evacuated after Hezbollah began firing on Israel in support of Hamas in October 2023.

    “The Lebanese government is responsible for attacks from its territory. I have ordered the military to respond accordingly,” Katz said.

    NNA said Israeli air strikes and shelling had targeted several areas of the south.

    One strike killed two people including a girl in Touline, NNA reported after earlier saying Israeli strikes wounded two people several kilometres (miles) further east in the border village of Kfar Kila.

    – UN ‘alarmed’ –

    The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said it was “alarmed by the possible escalation of violence” following the morning’s rocket fire.

    “We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardising the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk,” it said.

    Hezbollah has long had strongholds in south and east Lebanon, as well as south Beirut, but the war with Israel dealt the group devastating blows, including the killing of longtime chief Hassan Nasrallah.

    Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah is supposed to pull its forces back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

    Israel is supposed to withdraw its forces across the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border, but has missed two deadlines to do so and continues to hold five positions it deems “strategic”.

    Israel has carried out repeated air strikes during the ceasefire, targeting what it said were Hezbollah military sites that violated the agreement.

    The Lebanese army said it had dismantled three makeshift rocket batteries in an area north of the Litani on Saturday.

    The mayor of the Israeli border town Metula, across from Kfar Kila, urged the authorities to “act offensively and make it so that not one bullet is fired ever again at northern communities”.

    Metula was targeted by the rockets.

    – Seven ‘martyred’ in Gaza  –

    Saturday’s flare-up came five days into Israel’s renewed offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza, which shattered the relative calm since a January 19 ceasefire there.

    On Saturday in Gaza City, Sameh al-Mashharawi said “seven people were martyred” in a strike on his family’s house that killed his two brothers, their children and wives.

    Israel’s defence minister said Friday that he had ordered the army to “seize more territory in Gaza”.

    “The more Hamas refuses to free the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed by Israel,” Katz said.

    The White House said Israel consulted US President Donald Trump’s administration before launching its Gaza strikes. Israel said it “fully coordinated” with Washington.

    Hamas took issue Saturday with Washington’s characterisation of its position, insisting that it stood ready to release all its remaining hostages as part of a second stage of the ceasefire.

    “The claim that ‘Hamas chose war instead of releasing the hostages’ is a distortion of the facts,” the group said.

    When the first stage of the ceasefire expired early this month, Israel rejected negotiations for the promised second stage, calling instead for the return of all its remaining hostages under an extended first stage.

    That would have meant delaying talks on a lasting ceasefire, and was rejected by Hamas as an attempt to renegotiate the original deal mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt.

  • Trump revokes security clearances of Biden and senior aides

    Trump revokes security clearances of Biden and senior aides

    US President Donald Trump made good Friday on a threat to revoke the security clearances of his predecessor Joe Biden and several senior former White House and national security officials.

    The list of names stripped of their authorization to see state secrets included Biden, his family members, and former vice-president and Trump presidential rival Kamala Harris.

    Former secretary of state and defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was on the list, along with Biden’s secretary of state Antony Blinken and national security advisor Jacob Sullivan.

    In a memorandum to agency heads and distributed by the White House communications office, Trump said the named officials should no longer be allowed access to classified material.

    “I hereby direct every executive department and agency head … to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals,” Trump said.

    “I also direct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States Government facilities from these individuals.”

    Former US presidents and national security officials traditionally retain a security clearance as a courtesy, and some find it useful in seeking employment with private contractors.

    But Trump, who continues to falsely claim that Biden schemed to steal the 2020 election, which he lost, has remained furious with his predecessor and lashes out frequently.

    Trump was himself investigated for breaching security rules during the period between his first and second term in office, by storing classified White House documents in his Mar-a-Lago resort.

    The investigation was wound up after Trump returned to office.

    Many of the individuals on Trump’s list were high-profile political appointees of his Democratic predecessor, but former Republican lawmaker and vocal Trump critic Liz Cheney is also named.

    Fiona Hill, a British-born intelligence analyst who served under both Democrat and Republican administrations, including as an advisor in Trump’s White House, is targeted.

    She is joined by former colleague Alexander Vindman, a Kyiv-born retired senior officer in the US Army who fell foul of Trump after expressing concerns about White House contacts with Russia.

  • Elon Musk offers voters cash to sign state petition against ‘activist judges’

    Elon Musk offers voters cash to sign state petition against ‘activist judges’

    Tech billionaire Elon Musk promoted a cash giveaway Thursday for Wisconsin voters who sign a petition against “activist judges”, as President Donald Trump demanded courts stop blocking his agenda.

    Judges have dealt Trump a number of setbacks in recent weeks as his administration pursues its wholesale overhaul of the federal government through Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency.”.

    The America PAC, a pro-Trump political action committee established by Musk, said it would give $100 to Wisconsin voters who sign the “petition in opposition to activist judges”.

    The petition, which Musk reposted on his social media platform X, urges Wisconsin voters to sign by April 1, when the northern state elects a judge for its Supreme Court.

    America PAC has thrown its weight behind conservative candidate Brad Schimel for the crucial seat in the swing state’s top court.

    “Judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agendas,” it wrote on X.

    “Wisconsin registered voters receive $100 for signing the petition & $100 for each signer they refer.”

    America PAC has launched a series of controversial initiatives, including cash incentives for voters who refer others to sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments to the US Constitution, which protect free speech and the right to bear arms.

    It also launched a daily $1 million lottery prize for random petition signatories in election battleground states in the 2024 presidential race.

    The Justice Department warned Musk and America PAC in October that the sweepstakes may violate federal law, which prohibits paying people to register to vote.

    The Wisconsin petition comes after Trump launched a scathing attack Tuesday on a judge who suggested his administration had ignored an order to block the deportation of alleged illegal migrants to El Salvador.

    Trump personally called for the impeachment of District Judge James Boasberg, calling him “a troublemaker and agitator” in remarks that drew a rare public rebuke of a sitting president from the Supreme Court chief.

    Federal Election Commission filings in December showed that Musk, the world’s richest person and Trump’s top donor, donated $238 million to America PAC.

  • Full list: Items you are not allowed to bring to the U.S

    Full list: Items you are not allowed to bring to the U.S

    Below is a breakdown of the key items you should avoid bringing into the U.S

    Traveling to the United States? Before packing your bags, you might want to double-check what you’re bringing along.

    While some items seem harmless, they might actually be prohibited or restricted under U.S. laws. From exotic foods to cultural artifacts, even a seemingly innocent souvenir could land you in trouble with Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

    Read also:

    6 food items Nigerians are not allowed to bring to Canada

    CBP enforces regulations for multiple government agencies, ensuring that harmful, illegal, or restricted goods do not enter the country.

    These laws are in place to protect public health, safety, the environment, and national security.

    Below is a breakdown of the key items you should avoid bringing into the U.S:

    Prohibited vs. Restricted Items
    Prohibited items: Completely banned from entry. These include dangerous toys, illegal drugs, certain vehicles, and items that threaten public safety.
    Restricted items: Allowed only with special permits or approvals. These include firearms, some agricultural products, and biological materials.
    Notable Prohibited & Restricted Items
    Dog and Cat Fur Products

    It is illegal to import, export, distribute, transport, manufacture, or sell products containing dog or cat fur in the United States. The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000, effective from November 9, 2000, mandates the seizure and forfeiture of any item containing dog or cat fur.

    Violations of this law carry hefty penalties:

    Up to $10,000 for intentional violations
    Up to $5,000 for gross negligence
    Up to $3,000 for negligent violations
    Drug Paraphernalia

    Bringing drug paraphernalia into the U.S. is illegal unless it is prescribed for authentic medical conditions, such as diabetes. CBP will seize any illegal drug-related items, and individuals caught importing, exporting, manufacturing, or selling such paraphernalia could face fines and imprisonment.

    Firearms and Ammunition

    Temporarily exporting firearms or ammunition—whether for hunting or recreational use—is strictly regulated. U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and nonimmigrant aliens must comply with export control laws, including:

    Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Requires a BIS license for exporting firearms.
    License Exception BAG: Allows temporary export under specific conditions.
    CBP Form 4457: Required for reentry with firearms and ammunition.

    Failure to comply with U.S. firearm export laws could result in legal consequences. Travelers must also ensure they follow firearm import regulations in their destination country.

    Fish and Wildlife Products

    Certain fish, wildlife, and products made from them are subject to strict import and export restrictions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) enforces regulations on:

    Wild birds, land/marine mammals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, and invertebrates.
    Products derived from them, such as skins, bones, tusks, feathers, or eggs.
    Endangered species, including ivory and tortoiseshell items.

    Items made from ivory can only be imported if they are at least 100 years old and accompanied by documentation proving their authenticity.

    Alcohol & Absinthe

    Absinthe can only be imported if it is “thujone-free” (less than 10 parts per million of thujone). It also cannot have misleading hallucinogenic imagery on the label. For other alcoholic beverages, state laws at your first U.S. entry point will determine the allowable quantity.

    Automobiles

    Foreign vehicles must meet U.S. safety and environmental standards. Non-compliant cars must be modified or removed from the country. Importing a car temporarily (for under a year) is allowed for nonresidents.

    Biological Materials

    Items such as bacteria cultures, viruses, and animal tissues require permits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Ceramic Tableware

    Although not restricted, imported ceramic dishes—especially from Mexico, China, India, and Hong Kong—may contain unsafe levels of lead. It is advisable to test them before use.

    Cultural Artifacts & Antiquities

    The U.S. enforces strict regulations on cultural property to prevent smuggling and illegal trade. Items like pre-Columbian sculptures, Byzantine icons, and Khmer stone artifacts require export permits from their country of origin. Stolen artifacts from museums or religious sites are outright prohibited.

    Agricultural Products

    Many fruits, vegetables, meats, and animal byproducts require USDA approval to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. “Bush meat” and certain exotic foods are completely banned.

    Drugs & Medications

    Illegal drugs like Rohypnol and certain foreign medications are prohibited. Even prescription drugs must comply with FDA regulations.

    Food Products (Raw and Prepared)

    Some food items are allowed, while others are banned due to health risks:
    Allowed: Bakery items, cheese, condiments, coffee, tea, packaged spices, honey, and certain oils.
    Banned: Bush meat (from African wildlife), meat-based soups, bouillon cubes, and some rice varieties due to pest concerns.

    CBP officers at U.S. entry points have the authority to seize prohibited or improperly declared items. If you’re unsure about an item, it’s always best to check with CBP before traveling.