REAL ID Explained: What it is and why Americans now need one to fly
AP photo
What is REAL ID?
Why was REAL ID introduced?
Real ID: requirements, deadlines, alternatives, license information
How to get a REAL ID
Starting Wednesday, Americans will need a REAL ID or another federally accepted form of identification to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings. The REAL ID programme has affected millions of travellers.According to the DHS website, 'Beginning May 7, 2025 every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, for accessing federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial aircraft.'With long queues at motor vehicle departments and ongoing public confusion, here's a simple breakdown of what REAL ID is and why it matters.REAL ID is a federally approved, security-enhanced version of the state-issued licence or ID card. There's a star—usually gold or black—on the top right corner of the card.If a person doesn't have a REAL ID or an accepted alternative—like a passport or an Enhanced Driver's Licence—they may not be allowed to board a domestic flight or enter certain government buildings.The change applied to Americans above age 18.Minors under 18 do not need a REAL ID for domestic flights if they're travelling with an adult who has proper ID.This new requirement comes from a law passed in 2005 after the 9/11 commission recommended stronger ID standards for federal facilities and air travel.The implementation planned earlier was delayed because of Covid 19."The whole idea here is to better validate those individuals who were encountering a checkpoint to ensure they are who exactly they say they are," news agency Associated Press quoted Thomas Carter, TSA's federal security director in New Jersey as saying.To get a REAL ID, you'll need to visit your state's motor vehicle agency in person.Be prepared to show documents proving your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two forms of proof of address, and legal presence in the US. Requirements may vary slightly by state.
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Business Standard
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- Business Standard
Protests intensify in Los Angeles after Trump deploys National Guard troops
Protests have intensified in Los Angeles after law enforcement fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators on Sunday, June 8. The escalation followed US President Donald Trump's deployment of the California National Guard over the objections of both the governor and the mayor. The unrest, now in its third day, was triggered by a sweeping immigration crackdown. On June 6, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed search warrants across multiple businesses in Los Angeles, arresting as many as 100 people, reported Associated Press. Demonstrations erupted shortly after the arrival of nearly 300 federal troops, sparking anger and fear across the city. Protesters gathered downtown, near locations where individuals had been detained following earlier immigration raids. ????The streets in LA officially belong to the rioters — Cam Higby | America First ???????? (@camhigby) June 9, 2025 California Governor Newsom decries 'federal overreach' California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly opposed the deployment of the National Guard. In a letter addressed to Trump, Newsom called the move a "serious breach of state sovereignty" and demanded the removal of the troops. The letter followed Trump's statement asserting that the deployment was necessary due to the failure of Democratic leaders to contain protests targeting immigration enforcement. The decision marks the first time in decades that a state's National Guard has been activated without a request from the governor. Protesters clash with federal agents The protests turned confrontational over the weekend. On Saturday, federal agents attempted to establish a staging area near a Home Depot in Paramount, where demonstrators blocked Border Patrol vehicles. Some protesters reportedly hurled rocks and pieces of cement. Justifying the operation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that 118 immigrants were arrested, including five with known links to criminal organisations. In a statement, DHS said, "These violent activists won't deter enforcement operations," adding that those arrested had criminal records including drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and alien smuggling. Trump invokes legal provision to justify troop deployment In a directive issued on June 7, Trump invoked a legal provision allowing the president to deploy federal service members during a rebellion or when federal authority is threatened. Speaking from New Jersey, Trump said, 'There were violent people in Los Angeles, and they're not gonna get away with it.' When asked about the possibility of wider troop deployment, he responded, 'We're gonna have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.' Trump also warned California officials that any attempts to obstruct deportation operations could result in legal consequences. The situation remains tense in Los Angeles as local and federal authorities brace for further protests in the days ahead.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Why did Israel seize Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid ship? What happens next?
Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged aid vessel Madleen, carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists, as it attempted to breach the Gaza blockade. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition called it an 'abduction', while Israel dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt read more Climate activist Greta Thunberg with other activists from a human rights organisation meets with journalists in Catania, Italy, June 1, 2025, ahead of their departure. File Image/AP Israeli military forces have boarded and seized control of a British-flagged humanitarian vessel, Madleen, which was headed toward Gaza in a high-profile attempt to bypass Israel's longstanding naval blockade of the Palestinian territory. On board were 12 international activists, including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Monday in international waters, prevented the vessel from reaching its intended destination. The ship, organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was carrying what it described as critical humanitarian items such as baby formula, rice and medical supplies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The coalition had launched the weeklong mission from Sicily with the aim of highlighting the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and pressuring governments to take more direct action. A surveillance footage shows crew of the Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht 'Madleen', put their hands up as strong light came into the vessel, in this screengrab from a video released on June 9, 2025. Freedom Flotilla Coalition via Reuters The interception drew swift condemnation from the flotilla's organisers and rights groups, who accused Israel of unlawfully intervening in a peaceful humanitarian voyage. Israeli officials, however, dismissed the effort as a theatrical manoeuvre intended to generate global media attention. How Israel has justified the move Israel's Foreign Ministry later confirmed that its naval forces had taken over the vessel and redirected it to an Israeli port. In a social media post, the ministry described the vessel disparagingly, referring to it as 'the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities,'' and added, 'The passengers are expected to return to their home countries.' All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 The ministry also stated that the individuals aboard the ship were not harmed and had been provided basic food and water. 'All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over,' the ministry wrote, accompanying footage of the activists wearing lifejackets and seated aboard the ship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz had earlier instructed the military to block the ship's entry into Gaza waters. Labelling the voyage a propaganda stunt on behalf of Hamas, Katz stated that Israel would not allow any breach of its maritime restrictions around Gaza. The government reiterated that the small amount of aid being transported would be rerouted to Gaza via authorised humanitarian channels. 'The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,' the foreign ministry stated. How activists aboard reacted According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Israeli forces approached and boarded the vessel at approximately 2 am local time while it was still in international waters. The group condemned the operation as a violation of international maritime law, stating: 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — confiscated.' Huwaida Arraf, a representative of the FFC, added: 'Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade – their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The coalition also published a pre-recorded message from Greta Thunberg that was released after the interception. In the video, Thunberg stated: 'If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel. I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.' SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces. Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen. Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe! Web: X : @SweMFA FB : @SweMFA IG : swedishmfa#AllEyesOnMadeleen — Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025 Rima Hassan, the French lawmaker of Palestinian descent who was also on board, confirmed the arrest on social media and posted an image of the crew seated with their hands in the air, all wearing orange life vests. What the voyage to Gaza meant The Madleen had departed from Sicily and had recently made a stop to rescue four migrants attempting to evade the Libyan coast guard by jumping into the sea. The journey, while modest in terms of aid volume, was primarily designed to draw global attention to Gaza's worsening humanitarian situation. Gaza, home to over 2 million Palestinians, has been grappling with severe shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies. Israel first imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas took control of the coastal enclave. While Israel argues that the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from acquiring weapons, human rights organisations have long criticised it as a form of collective punishment against the population of Gaza. The current blockade was tightened further following the outbreak of war in October 2023. The latest conflict began after Hamas launched a coordinated attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 others, according to Israeli figures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since then, Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, the Gaza Health Ministry reports, noting that women and children comprise the majority of the dead. The scale of destruction has left around 90 per cent of Gaza's residents displaced and heavily dependent on international aid for survival. Although Israel has allowed limited aid to enter through official crossings under international pressure — particularly from the United States — humanitarian experts warn the current levels are inadequate. The United Nations has sounded alarms about looming famine conditions across much of the Gaza Strip. What next for the activists Francesca Albanese, the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, supported the FFC's mission and called for a broader civil society push to challenge the blockade. 'Madleen's journey may have ended, but the mission isn't over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,' she wrote on social media. This incident is not the first time the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has faced disruption at sea. In a separate episode last month, another FFC vessel was allegedly struck by drones in international waters near Malta, damaging its front section. The group attributed the strike to Israeli forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Efforts to end the war through negotiated truces remain deadlocked. Hamas has insisted that it will not release the remaining 55 hostages — over half of whom are believed to be deceased — unless Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire and full military withdrawal. Israel, meanwhile, has pledged to continue operations until all hostages are recovered and Hamas is dismantled or expelled. For now, the Madleen's passengers are expected to be returned to their respective countries. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
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2 hours ago
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