El Gobierno de Australia expresó este sábado su “preocupación” por el arresto de un ciudadano australiano a quien Rusia acusa de participar como mercenario en las filas del Ejército ucraniano.

“Seguimos muy preocupados por (Oscar) Jenkins y estamos trabajando con Ucrania y otros socios para abogar por su bienestar y su liberación”, dijo en un comunicado remitido a los medios el portavoz del ministerio australiano de Exteriores.

El Servicio de Seguridad Federal de Rusia (FSB) informó el viernes del arresto en la región ucraniana de Lugansk, anexionada por Rusia, del ciudadano australiano acusado del delito de mercenarismo, que Rusia castiga con hasta 15 años de prisión.

Las informaciones sobre la posible detención de Jenkins, un antiguo profesor de biología, se conocían en el país austral desde finales de diciembre.

El primer ministro australiano, Anthony Albanese, dijo que su nación no abandonará al detenido, durante un acto de campaña de cara a las elecciones del 3 de mayo.

“Seguiremos representando las gestiones en nombre de Jenkins ante el reprensible régimen de Vladimir Putin. Nos mantendremos firmes y utilizaremos todos los medios a nuestra disposición para seguir presentando dichas gestiones”, declaró Albanese.

Según el FSB, el hombre había firmado un contrato con el Ministerio de Defensa de Ucrania, y combatió en las filas de la 66ª brigada mecanizada de las tropas ucranianas.

Después de pasar una fase de entrenamiento, el militar luchó en los territorios de Donetsk y Lugansk.

En diciembre de 2024 se difundió un video a través de canales rusos de Telegram en el que se mostraba a un ciudadano australiano llamado Oscar Jenkins, de 32 años, siendo interrogado tras haber sido capturado por los rusos cuando combatía del lado de Ucrania.

Jenkins residió en la ciudad australiana de Melbourne y estudió ciencias biomecánicas antes de mudarse a China en 2015, donde comenzó a enseñar dos años después en una universidad de ese país, aunque no está claro cuándo viajó a Ucrania.

Según la cadena pública ABC, al menos seis australianos han muerto combatiendo en filas ucranianas desde la invasión rusa en febrero de 2022.

Desde el inicio de la guerra en Ucrania en 2022, Rusia ha informado de la captura de otros mercenarios de distintas nacionalidades que combatieron en las filas del Ejército enemigo, como británicos, canadienses, colombianos, entre otros.

A principios de este año, Rusia anunció la detención de James Scott Rhys Anderson, un británico de 22 años que combatió junto a los ucranianos en la región rusa de Kursk.

Las autoridades de la ciudad de Kharkiv, ubicada en el sur de Ucrania, denunciaron este viernes que al menos una persona ha fallecido y más de un centenar han resultado heridas víctimas de un ataque perpetrado por las Fuerzas Armadas de Rusia contra una zona “densamente poblada”.

Así lo ha ido informando en su canal oficial de Telegram el alcalde de Kharkiv, Igor Terejov, quien en torno a las 4:00 horas alertó de “explosiones” en una zona residencial la ciudad. Más tarde ha ido actualizando el balance de víctimas, que incluye menores.

“Un misil enemigo impactó en una zona densamente poblada de Kharkiv. Hay un impacto en un edificio de gran altura. Puede haber gente bajo los escombros”, relató Terejov, quien más tarde ha precisado que el ataque ruso se ha llevado a cabo con “misiles balísticos con municiones de racimo”.

En su último balance, el alcalde de Kharkiv ha confirmado que “el número de víctimas del bombardeo de hoy ha aumentado de nuevo a 103”, entre ellas ocho niños.

Poco después, el presidente de Ucrania, Volodimir Zelensky, lanzó una publicación en sus redes sociales donde ha condenado los ataques de Rusia. “Así comenzó Rusia este Viernes Santo: con misiles balísticos, misiles de crucero, (drones) Shaheds, mutilando a nuestra gente y nuestras ciudades”, dijo.

Respecto al ataque sobre Kharkiv, Zelensky ha informado de que los misiles han alcanzado decenas de edificios residenciales, así como algunos comercios locales.

Horas después, y en un nuevo comunicado en su cuenta de la red social X, Zelensky denunció de nuevo a Rusia por atacar zonas civiles durante festividades religiosas e insistido en la importancia de recibir, especialmente de Estados Unidos, sistemas apropiados de defensa aérea.

“Hay que ser un completo canalla y despreciar la vida para lanzar semejantes ataques con misiles contra una ciudad común y corriente el Viernes Santo, víspera de Pascua. Y cuando pedimos a nuestros socios, principalmente a Estados Unidos, sistemas Patriot y misiles que les protejan contra este mal ruso -misiles de crucero y amenazas balísticas-, estamos pidiendo la protección que toda nación merece”, manifestó el mandatario.

(Con información de agencias)

Due to a security law passed 20 years ago, many Americans are now required to update their driver’s license or identification cards to become REAL ID-compliant — or they won’t be able to board U.S. flights.

With the deadline fast approaching on May 7, some conservatives have called on President Donald Trump to do away with the inconvenient requirement that they say violates civil liberties. 

What is REAL ID, and why does it matter? 

On May 7, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will no longer accept driver’s licenses or ID cards that do not have a star in one of the upper corners to represent their REAL ID verification. To become REAL ID-verified, applicants have to provide additional verifying information like Social Security numbers. 

Flyers who don’t have REAL ID verification on their license should plan to use a passport, a passport card, a permanent resident card, military ID or an enhanced driver’s license offered by some states.  

‘MASS SURVEILLANCE’: CONSERVATIVES SOUND ALARM OVER TRUMP ADMIN’S REAL ID ROLLOUT

Will travelers get turned away at the airport without a REAL ID?

The TSA says it will begin «phased enforcement» on May 7, but it’s unclear whether that means turning away travelers without proper documentation or subjecting them to additional security screening.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in an FAQ on its website that travelers without «a REAL ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative beginning May 7, 2025, will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.»

In a federal rule established this year, the TSA says its «phased approach» could last two years, with the potential to issue warnings to people without REAL ID verification. 

Access to other federal facilities and nuclear power plants will also require a REAL ID, according to DHS. 

How do you get a REAL ID? 

Drivers who have recently renewed their driver’s license may already have a REAL ID. Check for the star in the upper right or left corner. Otherwise, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles office on how to get a REAL ID or make an appointment to get a new license. 

You’ll need documentation to show your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and lawful status, as well as two proofs of address. If you don’t have your Social Security card, you can provide a W-2 or pay stub with your name and Social Security number on it. 

NO ‘REAL ID’ APPOINTMENTS OPEN IN NEW JERSEY AS RESIDENTS SOUND OFF: ‘GET WITH THE TIMES, NJ’

Americans face lines at the DMV in a rush to get a REAL ID before May 7.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Why is this happening? 

Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission warned that it was too easy for bad actors to obtain a driver’s license.

Implementation of the law has been marred by delays in getting all 50 states and U.S. territories to implement the new requirements and start issuing advanced identification, which the federal government estimated would cost $11 billion in 2007. 

The 2020 deadline was pushed back multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TSA senior official Adam Stahl said recently in an announcement that REAL ID «bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists.»

What’s the backlash? 

Some on the right have cried foul, and questioned why, if previous administrations have delayed the implementation, it is necessary now. 

When Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video reminding Americans of the May 7 deadline, former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin responded: «Or what?? Evidently, existing ID requirements for American citizens just aren’t adequate now, so Big Brother is forcing us through more hoops for the ‘right’ to travel within our own country.»

Airline passengers are required to show REAL ID beginning May 7 — but DHS has said it will be a «phased implementation.»  (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Palin continued: «Other administrations delayed this newfangled, burdensome REAL ID requirement. Are you curious why its implementation is imperative now?? And who came up with this?»

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., argued in an X post, «As long as the pilot’s door is locked and no one has weapons, why do you care that someone who flies has government permission? REAL ID provides no benefit, yet presents a serious risk to freedom. If a person can’t be trusted to fly without weapons, why are they roaming free?»

Massie took shots at Trump in a follow-up post: «REAL ID is a 2005 George Bush-era Patriot Act overreach that went completely unenforced until Trump got into office. Let me guess: he’s playing 4D chess and I should just go along with it?»

Trump ally Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., rebuked REAL ID critics in his own public statement. 

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«The REAL ID Act was passed way back in 2005, 20 years ago!!!! It’s about time everyone stop dragging their feet. Quit scrolling through social media, quit complaining, get your info together, and get down to the DMV to get your REAL ID,» Alford said Wednesday. 

The White House could not immediately be reached for comment on the criticisms of REAL ID. 

Fox News’ Liz Elkind contributed to this report.

An escaped California inmate wanted for killing the leader of an elite Mexican police unit while on the run was arrested in Tijuana, Mexico.

Cesar Hernandez, 34, was arrested Thursday by Mexico’s State Investigation Agency.

Hernandez was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 33-year-old Abigail Esparza Reyes, the leader of the Mexican police unit known as the «Gringo Hunters,» which aims to capture U.S. suspects who are fugitives in Mexico.

ESCAPED CALIFORNIA PRISON INMATE CONVICTED OF MURDER KILLS POLICE COMMANDER IN MEXICO: REPORT

Cesar Hernandez, 34, was arrested by Mexico’s State Investigation Agency. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)

Esparza Reyes was killed during a shootout on April 9 in Tijuana while the unit was attempting to arrest Hernandez.

«These actions reflect the outstanding intelligence and investigative work carried out by personnel from the State Attorney General’s Office, whose coordinated efforts, tactical analysis strategies and data collection made it possible to accurately locate the person arrested today,» the Baja California prosecutor’s office said in a statement Friday following the arrest.

Cesar Hernandez was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 33-year-old Abigail Esparza Reyes, the leader of the Mexican police unit known as the «Gringo Hunters.» (Reuters)

«The State Prosecutor General’s Office reiterates its commitment to act firmly, legally, and reaffirms its commitment that in Baja California, whoever does it, pays for it,» the statement added.

Mexican officials said Hernandez is facing criminal proceedings and «his legal situation will be determined as set out by law.»

DANGEROUS MAN IN CUSTODY IN CALIFORNIA FOR MURDER ESCAPES, MANHUNT UNDERWAY

Mexican officials said Cesar Hernandez is facing criminal proceedings and «his legal situation will be determined as set out by law.» (Reuters)

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Hernandez was serving 80 years to life with the possibility of parole in California for first-degree murder before escaping from custody on December 2. He was being transported to the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano for a court appearance when he jumped out of the van and ran away.

He was held at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano before his escape. He was handed over to Kern County from Los Angeles County in 2019.