☕ Real ID: What you need to know

Good morning!

You’ll hear some news today about a new trade deal with the UK, set to be signed by President Trump later this morning. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said the deal “is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come."

I’ve got 30 seconds

Some headlines from this morning:

The U.S. Federal Reserve has held interest rates at 4.25% to 4.5% for the third consecutive meeting, citing "economic uncertainty." The decision follows President Trump's announcement of 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said economic data appears healthy because "companies had increased shipments before the tariffs came into effect." Powell also pointed to falling consumer confidence as an indicator of less optimistic economic conditions ahead. The Fed noted "the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen" since the tariff announcement.

The selection process to choose Pope Francis' successor began on Wednesday, with eligible Cardinals sending up black smoke after the first and second ballots. Black smoke indicates no candidate has received the two-thirds vote to become Pope. The process, known as a Conclave, sequesters all Cardinals under 80 in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel until a successor is chosen. Cardinals swore an oath of secrecy before entering the chapel. There are no time constraints on the deliberations, with the longest Conclave in history lasting over three years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for a four-day state visit coinciding with Russia's Victory Day celebrations. Xi will attend parades commemorating Russia's victory in World War Two and meet with President Vladimir Putin to "deepen mutual trust" between the two nations. Putin described Xi as his "main guest" at the commemoration, with leaders from Brazil, Vietnam, and Belarus also attending. Last week, Russia offered a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the holiday, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected as "theatrical."

Dozens of pro-Palestine protesters occupying part of Columbia University's main library have been arrested after police warnings. Two University Safety Officers were injured during the protest. Acting University President Claire Shipman authorised the New York Police Department to enter the library, stating "Disruptions to... academic activities will not be tolerated." The arrests follow months of the Trump administration's crackdowns on pro-Palestine protesters who demonstrated at universities last year, as well as increased enforcement against antisemitism on campuses.

I’ve got 1 minute

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Dr Casey Means, a wellness influencer, doctor and health entrepreneur, as his pick for Surgeon General.

The U.S. Surgeon General is the country’s top public health official, similar to Australia’s Chief Medical Officer.

Means, who has a medical degree but has never practiced as a doctor, must face a Senate hearing before officially being confirmed.

Nomination

In a Truth Social post announcing the choice, Trump said Means had “impeccable MAHA credentials,” referring to his Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s “Make America Healthy Again” program.

Means worked with Kennedy during his 2024 presidential campaign.

Trump had previously nominated Fox News commentator Dr Janette Nesheiwat, but walked it back ahead of her Senate hearing this week.

Means

Means holds a medical degree from Stanford University but dropped out during her residency to found Levels, a company that sells blood glucose monitors typically prescribed to people with diabetes.

She has linked “processed foods” to chronic illnesses, obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Means has 756,000 Instagram followers, and says her weekly newsletter has 200,000 subscribers.

Role

If confirmed, Means will be the US’ top public health official, tasked with “providing Americans with the best scientific information available… to improve their health.”

As Surgeon General, Means will help enact Kennedy’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ campaign.

Kennedy has said he believes a range of conditions from food allergies to autism are tied to routine childhood vaccinations.

I’ve got 2 minutes

Yesterday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began enforcing legal requirements to present a ‘Real ID’ when traveling domestically.

The TSA warned yesterday on their website that travellers without a Real ID will face “additional screening measures” when passing through airport security.

A Real ID is a state-issued identification card that complies with federal security standards. The government first sought to mandate them in 2005.

After several (lengthy) delays, the law is finally being enforced. So, what do you need to know?

What is Real ID?

The 2005 Real ID Act established that federal agencies could not accept forms of identification, such as driver’s licenses, which did not meet a minimum security standard.

The law mandated that Persons trying to access airports, military bases, or other federal buildings (like courts) must show a Real ID-compliant ID

Generally, to be Real ID-compliant, the issuer of an ID must have cited an applicant’s Social Security Number, proof of address, and identification documents, such as a birth certificate.

A Real ID will vary in appearance depending on which state it was issued from. However, it will feature a black or gold star or a U.S. flag somewhere on the document. Non-compliant IDs will not have these features and may say “Federal Limits Apply.”

Why do I need one?

On September 11, 2001, a group of terrorists hijacked multiple commercial airliners and flew them into major U.S. monuments, including the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.

The plane hijackers were carrying U.S. driver's licences and IDs.

A subsequent government review responding to the attacks recommended that federal agencies “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards.”

The RealID Act was Congress's response to this recommendation. Initially, the law was to be enforceable by 200,8, but it was delayed multiple times, most recently in 2022.

What happens if I don’t have one?

Don’t fret! The TSA says that 81% of U.S. residents hold Real IDs, but even if you do not, other forms of identification, such as a passport or a green card, can be used.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said people without Real IDs could still travel.

They “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” she said.

Reportedly, this ‘extra step’ will involve collecting extra information such as name and address.