Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England, announced his resignation Tuesday following an inquiry that concluded he failed to report physical and sexual abuse allegations against a volunteer as soon as he was made aware of them.

The inquiry’s findings, released last Thursday, have intensified scrutiny on church leadership, sparking public outrage and internal calls for Welby’s departure.

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Pressure on Welby escalated over the weekend as the inquiry’s report brought renewed attention to accountability issues within the church.

On Monday, Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley declared that Welby’s position had become “untenable.”

Several members of the church’s national assembly also launched a petition demanding his resignation, stating he had “lost the confidence of his clergy.”

In a statement, Welby expressed that stepping aside was “in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve.”

The strongest backlash came from survivors of John Smyth, a prominent attorney who reportedly abused teenage boys and young men at Christian summer camps in Britain, Zimbabwe, and South Africa for over five decades.

Andrew Morse, one of Smyth’s victims, said resigning offered Welby a chance to address the damage caused by the church’s handling of historical abuse cases.

“This would be an opportunity for him to stand with the victims of the Smyth abuse and all victims that have not been treated properly by the Church of England in their own abuse cases,” Morse told the BBC before Welby’s announcement.

Welby’s resignation underscores the challenges facing the Church of England in the wake of revelations of widespread abuse within its institutions.

A 2022 report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse highlighted systemic issues within the church, including a tendency to prioritize the protection of accused clergy over victims, deference to clerical authority, and taboos around discussing abuse, which fostered an environment where perpetrators could “hide.”

A coalition of leading French newspapers filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the social media platform X, accusing it of reproducing their content without compensation.

The media group includes prominent titles like Le Figaro, Les Echos, Le Parisien, Le Monde, Télérama, Courrier International, Huffington Post, Malesherbes Publications, and Le Nouvel Observateur.

The lawsuit, targeting X and its owner, billionaire Elon Musk, claims the platform is violating “neighboring rights,” a legal provision requiring social media sites to pay news outlets when they share or reproduce news content.

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Under European Union directives adopted into French law, these rights are intended to support media companies whose content is used by digital platforms for commercial gain.

In an earlier emergency injunction, the newspapers, joined by Agence France-Presse (AFP), urged X to disclose commercial data on revenue generated from their content.

In May, a Paris court sided with the media companies, giving X a two-month deadline to provide the requested data, which would allow them to estimate the platform’s earnings from republished news.

According to the media group, X has not complied with the court’s order.

In a joint statement, the newspapers said, “X’s continued failure to act demonstrates an intent to avoid its legal obligations,” arguing that the new lawsuit is essential to enforce the media’s rights.

X has not yet issued a statement on the latest legal action, but the lawsuit adds pressure on social media companies in France and across Europe, where calls for stricter compensation standards for digital platforms have intensified.

In a significant move, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Yechiel Leiter, a seasoned U.S.-born diplomat, as Israel’s next ambassador to the United States.

The announcement, made Friday, positions Leiter at a crucial moment in Israel-U.S. relations, following President Donald Trump’s reelection to a second term.

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Describing Leiter as “a highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and a person with a deep understanding of American culture and politics,” Netanyahu underscored the new ambassador’s extensive qualifications.

Leiter’s appointment comes on the heels of a victory by Trump, a leader widely praised in Israel for his unwavering support of the country.

Leiter brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as chief of staff in Israel’s Finance Ministry, as well as deputy director general of the Education Ministry and acting chairman of the Israel Ports Company.

His diplomatic acumen, combined with his personal connection to both Israel and the U.S., makes him a key figure in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

The appointment carries additional weight following the tragic loss of Leiter’s son, who was killed in combat during last year’s Gaza conflict while serving in the Israeli military.

His personal sacrifice underscores the depth of his commitment to Israel’s security and values.

Leiter’s selection has been met with support from influential Israeli leaders, including Yisrael Ganz, head of the Yesha Council, which represents Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Ganz commended Leiter for his advocacy of “Judea and Samaria,” a term used by Israelis for the West Bank, a territory that remains at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Leiter’s appointment marks a significant step in reinforcing the strong ties between Israel and the U.S., particularly under the Trump administration, with many in Israel optimistic about the potential for deepened diplomatic engagement.