8 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 International Seven years after stepping down, Benedict fuels ‘2 ’ headache Benedict XVI - weakened by age but still intellectually spry

VATICAN CITY: Seven years after his surprise resig- ers in April 2019, when in a long text he blamed pae- nation, Benedict XVI - weakened by age but still intel- dophilia within the church on the 1960s sexual revolu- lectually spry - appears unable to remain in the shadow tion and an absence of God in modern society. of his Argentinean successor Francis, creating the Francis has said the problems stem from within the appearance of “two popes” at odds. On February 11, church itself, and has criticized “clericalism,” or how a 2013, at the age of 85, the German intellectual Joseph sense of priestly superiority has caused the clergy to Ratzinger announced in Latin to astonished cardinals become remote from the faithful. Gaenswein, whose that he would cease being pope, a situation unheard of duties included organizing Francis’ audiences, has not for seven centuries. For five years, the unusual cohabi- been seen at the side of the current pope since the tation in the smallest state in the world between the publication of the book. The prelate appears to have 265th pope in retirement and the 266th, Francis, went been sidelined and invited to spend more time taking on without a hitch. care of the retired Pope. But as the “emeritus” Pope Benedict XVI, a learned theologian, continued in his retirement to write on the ‘His strength has weakened’ great themes of the Church, friction has arisen, most A Bavarian television documentary in January recently over the topic of married priests. Today, revealed a frail Benedict, in a wheelchair, speaking Francis will unveil his stance on priestly marriage after a with a faint voice. The former pope no longer cele- synod of Amazonian bishops recommended in October brates mass himself in his monastery within the that the priesthood be opened to married indigenous Vatican gardens, decorated with family photos and people. Some say this exception would solve the prob- Bavarian souvenirs. lem of a lack of priests in remote areas of the Amazon. The former pope - who has given himself the title The Vatican insists that Francis’s position was of “emeritus” pope - has now substituted monk’s san- already decided in December, before the publication in dals for his red mules of the past, but he continues to January of a book castigating the synod conclusions wear a white cassock within the Vatican walls. and defending the celibacy of priests, co-signed by Gaenswein, who lives with Benedict in the same : (left) greets chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop of Benedict XVI and the ultra-traditionalist Guinean monastery, is quoted in the documentary as saying: Munich and Freising, German Cardinal during a private audience at the Vatican. Cardinal Cardinal Robert Sarah. Some Vatican observers say “You can see when he walks that his strength has Marx announced yesterday that he renounces running for a second term as head of the German Francis was strongly irritated by the publication, which weakened.” Three years ago, Gaenswein explained the Bishops’ Conference. —AFP caused shockwaves when excerpts were first published “two pope” phenomenon: “There are not two popes, by Le Figaro newspaper. but a de facto expanded ministry, with one active and Through his private secretary, the German archbish- one contemplative member”. and only pope. “Let’s stop talking about two sovereign grandfather at home”. Still, popular culture has run with op Georg Gaenswein, Benedict tried to backtrack on Such statements have fuelled a traditionalist fringe pontiffs, because there is only one pope, the one who the idea. “The Two Popes,” a film by Brazilian director the publication, explaining that he had never approved within the Vatican which considers Francis illegitimate is invested with papal authority, that is, Francis,” , imagines an oratorical joust a co-authored book project. But the damage had been and interprets all writings of Benedict as criticism of Parolin said. between an authoritarian German pope played by done, with the former pope weighing in on the impor- his successor. But last week, the second most powerful Francis too tried to stamp out any ambiguity in 2016, and a future Argentine pope, played tance of priestly celibacy ahead of his successor’s pro- person in the Vatican, Cardinal sought saying Benedict was “a pope emeritus and not the sec- by , who likes to watch soccer and who nouncement on the subject. Benedict also ruffled feath- to put the affair to rest, saying Francis was the one ond pope,” comparing his 10-year-old elder to “a wants to teach the pope to tango. —AFP

Africa to condemn the vote as “unforgiv- The rise and able” - breaking an unwritten rule not to comment on domestic rows from abroad. Even before the Thuringia debacle, critics US, German spies fall of Merkel’s had long argued that AKK, who is also defence minister, had not lived up to plundered global ‘mini-me’ expectations. “She acted and manoeu- vred in such clumsy ways that she must FRANKFURT AM MAIN: In the end, the have realised herself: this can’t go on,” the secrets via Swiss “mini Merkel” nickname was perhaps too centre-left Tagesspiegel wrote. big to live up to. Barely a year after encryption firm replacing her mentor as head of Rival Merz Germany’s CDU party, Annegret Kramp- A popular premier in her tiny home WASHINGTON: US and German intelligence serv- Karrenbauer has thrown in the towel - state of Saarland, the Catholic mum-of- ices raked in the top secret communications of gov- unexpectedly upending Chancellor three was catapulted into the big leagues ernments around the world for decades through Angela Merkel’s succession plans. in early 2018 when Merkel tapped her to their hidden control of a top encryption company Kramp-Karrenbauer, best known by her become the CDU’s number two as general Crypto AG, US, German and Swiss media reported initials “AKK”, said she was standing secretary. The move was read as a sign yesterday. The Swiss company was a top supplier down as CDU leader and would not seek that the veteran chancellor was preparing BERLIN: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (right), leader of the conservative of devices for encoding communications to some to become the centre-right party’s new her exit and AKK, dubbed “mini Merkel” Christian Democratic Union party, shares a laugh with parliamentary manager 120 countries from after World War II to the begin- chancellor in a general election slated for by German media, was the chosen heir to Michael Grosse-Broemer (center) and CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader ning of this century, including Iran, South American next year. She said her stint as party continue her centrist policies. Ralph Brinkhaus as she arrives for a meeting with the CDU/CSU parliamentary governments, and India and Pakistan, the leader had been “a difficult time” as main- When Merkel later announced she was group at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin. —AFP Washington Post, German television ZTE and Swiss stream parties grapple to respond to the stepping down as party chief after 18 state media SRF reported. rise of the far right. years and would not seek reelection when Unknown to those governments, Crypto was It’s a swift fall from grace for AKK, her fourth term ends in 2021, it was her asylum seekers and floated the idea of tions, particularly in eastern Germany’s secretly owned by the US Central Intelligence whose spell in the spotlight was marred by protegee who took the reins of the CDU reintroducing compulsory military serv- former communist states where the CDU Agency together with Germany’s BND Federal high-profile blunders and weak showings in December 2018. But AKK, 57, only ice. She also spoke out against gay mar- bled support to the anti-immigrant AfD. Intelligence Service, who rigged Crypto’s equip- by the CDU in regional polls. A political narrowly fended off a strong challenge riage. But Merkel’s decision to abandon Several blunders further eroded confi- ment to be able to easily break the codes and read fiasco in the small state of Thuringia last from the ambitious Friedrich Merz, an old the party leadership while staying on as dence in her ability to turn the tide. A the government’s messages. The Washington Post week cast further doubt on her leadership Merkel rival backed by the CDU’s more chancellor made it difficult for AKK to transgender bathroom joke backfired said a classified internal CIA history of the top- skills and proved the final blow. Not only conservative and pro-business wings. impose her authority. In an implicit badly, while an ill-judged retort to a secret program identifies the CIA officers who did AKK fail to persuade rebellious CDU Once in the job, AKK sought to carve out rebuke, AKK on Monday said the separa- YouTube star’s criticism of the govern- oversaw the operation and the Crypto executives lawmakers there against siding with the her own profile in a party thirsty for tion of the roles was “weakening the ment’s climate policies left her looking out who enabled it. far-right AfD in a key vote, she couldn’t change after years of Merkel’s moderate CDU” and the same person should hold of touch. Born into a large, Catholic fami- And it noted that the company took in millions of get them to back snap polls afterwards in course in a loveless coalition with the both positions in future. ly, AKK grew up a self-described nerd dollars while giving Western intelligence access to the face of nationwide outrage. centre-left Social Democrats. AKK’s standing in the party was badly who adored reading and never dared to the secrets of its clients. “It was the intelligence Merkel had to weigh in from South She championed a tougher stance on weakened by a string of bruising elec- cut class. —AFP coup of the century,” the history says, according to the Washington Post. “Foreign governments were paying good money to the US and West Germany cal and legal terms, future cross-Channel rela- access and “upholds” the current system. On At the time, Sturgeon tweeted a photo for the privilege of having their most secret com- Fish fight clouds tions will be negotiated by the EU’s Michel the one hand, Sturgeon wants Britain to of the projection, noting that a single office munications read by at least two (and possibly as Barnier and pro-Brexit UK Prime Minister align with EU rules to ensure continued window was still illuminated. “The EU many as five or six) foreign countries.” Boris Johnson’s government. Sturgeon said market access - and on the other her gov- Commission building in Brussels tonight The arrangement has long been suspected and Scottish leader’s Scotland would try to exert political influence ernment has also called for reform of EU (and if you look carefully you’ll see that was alluded to, but never proven, in documents that on the process, and that she favors close fisheries policy. they do appear to have left a light on for surfaced decades ago. The media reports note that EU visit alignment between UK and EU rules to allow In Brussels, she said this was a dilemma us!)” she wrote. Some took this as a sug- while scores of countries made use of Crypto’s trade to continue seamlessly. for Johnson to sort out. “I think Boris gestion that the commission supports products, the top Western adversaries, Russia and BRUSSELS: Scottish leader Nicola But the very first item on the trade Johnson has to find a way of delivering on Scotland’s fight against Brexit, but an EU China, never did. The CIA had no immediate com- Sturgeon visited EU officials in Brussels on agenda could show up contradictions in the the promise to the fishing community on the spokeswoman told reporters on Monday ment on the story. Crypto, based in Zug, Monday, her usual warm welcome partly Scottish stance. While most Scottish voters independence and control of access points, that the projection was unauthorized. Switzerland, was reportedly broken into two com- overshadowed by the upcoming dispute on backed the “Remain” campaign in the 2016 while also securing access to markets,” she “We have just one interlocutor in relation panies in 2018, with its Swiss client business fishing quotas - and a Brexit Night political Brexit referendum, Scotland’s fishermen are said. “I don’t pretend that is an easy circle to the future partnership with the UK and remaining in that country and the international stunt. Scotland left the European Union on just as keen as their English neighbors to for him to square but it was his party that that is of course London,” spokeswoman business and company name being taken over by January 31 with the rest of the United escape Brussels’ rules. Johnson has vowed made the promises and I think there will be Dana Spinant said, adding that the matter Swedish investor Andreas Linde. Kingdom, and the first minister was visiting to “take back control” of UK waters and to lots of people in Scotland looking to see had been “taken up with” Belgian police. The Swedish company, Crypto International, to underline it wants to come back one day negotiate access for EU vessels as an how he delivers on that. “So it’s not either Sturgeon said she had only just been made called the news reports “very distressing.” “We have to rejoin as an independent state. “independent coastal state” — presumably or, it’s both and it’s over to him.” Sturgeon aware of the comment, but added: “The only no connections to the CIA or the BND and we never There is sympathy for Scotland in Brussels meaning bigger catches for Scottish boats. was also quizzed about a stunt that her comments I’ve had here today ... have been had,” the company said in a statement on its website. - MEPs sang Auld Lang Syne at the last par- But France, Denmark, the Netherlands Scottish National party carried out on entirely positive about what seems to have “We are currently assessing the situation and will be liamentary session attended by British col- and some other EU members have urged Brexit night, when the words Scotland and been interpreted as a really positive show of commenting once we have a full picture.” —AFP leagues, and some here have promised to Barnier not to proceed with trade talks Europe and a red love heart were projected love and solidarity from Scotland to “leave a light on” for its return. But in practi- unless London continues to give their fleets onto the wall of EU headquarters. Europe.” —AFP

Four members of the Chinese army’s 54th activities of trade theft through the internet,” that Beijing could use the information to Struts web-application software that China denies US Research Institute were charged with multiple said foreign ministry spokesman Geng identify US spies working under the cover of Equifax had on its systems. While Apache counts of hacking, computer fraud, economic Shuang at a regular press briefing. non-intelligence jobs. FBI Deputy Director notified clients of the problem in March espionage and wire fraud. US officials said it David Bowdich said there was no evidence 2017, Equifax did not fix it for months, allow- allegations over took well over a year to track them through Intelligence gathering yet of the Equifax data having been used, for ing the hackers to enter their systems with the 34 servers in 20 countries they allegedly The hack stunned US intelligence offi- example to hijack a person’s bank account or relative ease. military ‘hackers’ used to hide their tracks. “This was an organ- cials, following a similar intrusion on the civil credit card. But he added: “If you get the They infected Equifax’s computers with ized and remarkably brazen criminal heist of service database of the Office of Personnel personal identifying information of people, “web shells” that gave them the ability to BEIJING: Beijing said yesterday it “never sensitive information of nearly half of all Management (OPM), also blamed on the you can do a lot with that.” remotely manipulate the systems and to steal engages” in cybertheft, following US indict- Americans, as well as the hard work and intel- Chinese. Since then, as well, hotels giant Atlanta-based Equifax is one of three identities that expanded their access. ments of four Chinese army members for lectual property of an American company, by Marriott lost data on some 500 million glob- giant, little-regulated credit-raters who Investigators said the Chinese, using alleged involvement in the massive 2017 a unit of the Chinese military,” Attorney al customers to hackers believed to be sweep up financial data on all Americans - encrypted channels, ran some 9,000 queries hacking of credit rating agency Equifax. The General Bill Barr said. Chinese. US officials believe the Chinese mil- their credit cards and banking activity espe- through Equifax’s computing systems to US Justice Department on Monday accused Beijing firmly rejected the claims yester- itary and security service are collecting per- cially - that necessarily comes with identify- obtain, divide, compress and exfiltrate the the hackers of stealing the sensitive personal day, saying it is a “staunch defender of sonal data on Americans for strictly intelli- ing data like their addresses and social secu- data, bit by bit. The US believes the suspects information of some 145 million Americans, in cybersecurity”. “The Chinese government gence purposes. rity numbers. The hackers allegedly took - Wu Zhiyong, Wang Qian, Xu Ke and Liu one of the world’s largest-ever data breaches. and army... never engage in or participate in After the OPM hack there were worries advantage of a vulnerability in the Apache Lei - are currently in China. —AFP