Activities & latest news in New York

Real ID Required for USA Travel -  Heads up! Starting May 7, 2025, you won’t be able to hop on a plane for a quick getaway to sunny Florida or bustling New York without a shiny new piece of ID. That’s right, the days of breezing through airport security with just any old driver’s license are coming to an end. The U.S. government is rolling out the Real ID requirement, and it’s about to shake up how we all travel. Don’t worry, though—here’s everything you need to know to stay ahead of the game. What Exactly Is A Real ID And Why Should You Care? The real ID is your old driver’s license but better, it meets stricter DHS security regulations. These were conceived back in 2005 by the Congress when they passed the Real ID Act with motives of reducing identity theft crime. Fast forward to now and you’ll need this enchanted card (or some other way like a passport) if you want to fly between American cities, visit federal buildings!  How can you tell if your ID document meets these criteria? Just check the upper right hand corner of your present day identification port card for that tiny star symbol at its top right corner. How Do You Get A Real Id Without Losing Your Sanity? To get a genuine real ID, one must go on a state dmv pilgrimage. Requirements vary depending on location; therefore it would be prudent check one’s Department of Motor Vehicles’ page per state for clarification. Generally speaking this will require making an appointment at the DMV office, gathe...

U.S. Border Updates: What to Know So, you’re planning a trip to the U.S., and you’ve got visions of apple pie, Hollywood, and maybe a bit of jazz. But before you start daydreaming about your American adventure, it’s crucial to get up-to-date on the latest border control changes. Because, let’s face it, getting into the U.S. might just require a bit more than a friendly wave and a smile these days. New Border Control Trends: Not Just a Hiccup, a Full-Scale Redesign Recent events near the Arizona-Mexico border have shown us that the days of easy breezy crossings might be over—think less “Welcome to America” and more “Are you sure you’re not here to smuggle something?” Here’s the lowdown on what’s new and what you need to be cautious about: 1. Border Surveillance: Now with Extra Spice It turns out, border control is getting as tech-savvy as your smartphone. The latest border control operations include high-tech surveillance that’s less “peek-a-boo” and more “I see you.” For instance, recent smuggling attempts were caught on mobile surveillance cameras—because apparently, nothing screams “suspicious” like someone popping out of the bushes. Travel Tip: If you’re planning to sightsee anywhere near the border, maybe stick to the tourist attractions. Avoid spontaneous detours through the desert or picking up random hitchhikers who might not have their papers in order. 2. Visa Expiration Drama: Keep Your Dates in Check Visa overstay isn’t just a minor oopsie—it can land you...