International
Europol warns of the increase in groups on the Internet to radicalize minors
Europol issued an alert on Thursday about the growth of groups on the Internet dedicated to “extremely violent child abuse” and warned that these communities seek to “normalize violence and corrupt minors,” by spreading ideologies that inspire “mass shootings, bomb attacks and other crimes.”
The European police coordination agency issued what is known as an “Intelligence Notification” to draw attention to the increase of these communities that “recruit both aggressors and victims” globally and function as “sects led by charismatic figures who manipulate and deceive” their followers to “control” them.
These groups, the agency explains, seek to “normalize violence and corrupt minors, promoting the collapse of modern society through terror, chaos and violence, and spreading ideologies that inspire mass shootings, bomb attacks and other crimes.”
The hierarchy within these groups is based on “the amount of shared content, where the most active members get higher ranks” and participants exchange “extremely violent material, including bloody images, animal cruelty, child sexual exploitation and depictions of murders,” said the Hague-based agency.
The aggressors use “video game platforms, live streaming services and social networks” to identify and attract their victims, and focus especially on vulnerable young people, in particular children between the ages of 8 and 17, including those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities or young people with mental health problems.
“In some cases, the perpetrators infiltrate online self-help or support communities, where victims seek help for their emotional problems,” he says.
The leaders of these communities use “various manipulation tactics” to attract their victims and “force them to generate explicit sexual content, self-harm, harm others or even commit murder.”
Among the methods identified by Europol is what is known as “love bombing”, which is explained as “extreme expressions of affection, understanding and kindness to gain the trust” of the minor.
As the relationship progresses, they collect sensitive personal data of the victim, before moving to “the phase of exploitation”, in which they force the minor to produce sexual content or commit acts of violence.
If the victim does not want to obey, the aggressors “threaten” to share the explicit images or videos with family, friends or on social networks.
“Once trapped in this network, minors become even more vulnerable. Detecting these criminal activities in time is crucial,” Europol warns, sharing a list of “warning signs” in children.
The agency asks to pay attention to, among others, its activities on the Internet (interaction with unknown contacts, use of encrypted communications or exposure to worrying content), social isolation, emotional distress, interest in violent or harmful content, change in language, use of unknown symbols and concealment of physical signs of damage.
“The perpetrators spread harmful ideologies, often addressing our young people. These networks radicalize in the shadows, inciting them to bring violence to the real world. Awareness is our first line of defense. Families, educators and communities must be attentive and provide young people with critical thinking skills to resist online manipulation,” added Europol Director Catherine De Bolle.
De Bolle considered international cooperation “key” and urged to continue sharing information and holding perpetrators accountable, in order to “fight these dangerous communities and protect future generations from extremism and crime.”
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
International
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.
Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”
International
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.
The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”
The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”
Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.
The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
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