International
Church Split Looms as Conservative Anglicans Announce Rival Leadership Structure
A group of conservative Anglican leaders has announced plans to establish an alternative leadership structure, challenging the traditional authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury and deepening divisions within the global Anglican Communion.
The development emerged during a gathering of conservative Anglican bishops and clergy in Abuja, Nigeria, organized by the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a coalition of churches largely based in Africa and Asia.
During the meeting, delegates agreed to create a new governing body known as the Global Anglican Council, which will provide collective leadership for member churches rather than relying on the historic role of the Archbishop of Canterbury as the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda was elected chairman of the new council, marking a significant shift in how conservative Anglicans intend to organise their global movement.
The move comes amid longstanding tensions within the Anglican Church over theological and social issues, including the ordination of women and the acceptance of LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex relationships. Conservative churches, particularly in Africa and Asia, have opposed what they describe as liberal changes adopted by some Western Anglican provinces.
The controversy intensified following the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first woman to lead the Church of England in the historic role of Archbishop of Canterbury. Her elevation has been welcomed in many parts of the Anglican world but strongly criticised by conservative factions.
Despite the creation of the new council, GAFCON leaders insist they are not breaking away from the Anglican Communion. Instead, they say the initiative aims to “reorganise and realign” the global church around what they describe as traditional biblical teachings.
The move highlights a deepening divide within the Anglican Communion, which consists of dozens of autonomous churches worldwide and has historically been united symbolically under the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
A coalition of two dozen U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over a newly imposed 10 percent tariff on imports from around the world, escalating the legal battle over the administration’s aggressive trade policies.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, was spearheaded by Democratic attorneys general from Oregon, New York, California and Arizona.
In their court filing, the states argued that the president overstepped his constitutional authority by imposing the sweeping tariff, which they described as an unlawful tax on global imports.
According to the lawsuit, the states contend that Trump lacked the legal power to introduce the measure and attempted to bypass the authority of the Supreme Court of the United States.
The legal challenge follows a major setback for the administration last month when the Supreme Court struck down an earlier set of sweeping tariffs introduced by the president as part of his broader trade crackdown.
The new case is expected to reignite the legal dispute over the scope of presidential powers in trade policy and the legality of the administration’s ongoing tariff-driven trade strategy.
United States President Donald Trump has announced the replacement of Kristi Noem as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security after more than a year in the role.
Trump disclosed the decision on Thursday through a social media post, stating that Noem would be succeeded by Markwayne Mullin.
Noem had overseen several controversial initiatives during her tenure, including the administration’s aggressive push to remove undocumented immigrants from the United States. She was also involved in efforts aimed at dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The president did not immediately provide detailed reasons for the leadership change but confirmed that Mullin, a Republican senator representing Oklahoma, would take over the position.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing forward with a sweeping redesign of the White House and parts of Washington, D.C., a move that has sparked both support and criticism across the United States.
The plan includes the construction of a massive ballroom on the White House grounds, replacing the historic East Wing that was demolished in 2025. The new structure, estimated to cost about $400 million, is expected to cover roughly 90,000 square feet and host large state events and receptions.
According to reports, the project forms part of one of the most extensive physical changes to the presidential residence in decades. The ballroom would significantly expand the White House’s capacity for official gatherings, something the administration says is necessary for hosting foreign leaders and major diplomatic events.
Beyond the ballroom project, Trump has also introduced several changes inside the White House itself. The Oval Office has been redesigned with additional gold accents, while the historic Rose Garden lawn has been replaced with a paved stone patio similar to one at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
In Washington, more broadly, the administration is pursuing ambitious architectural projects aimed at reshaping the capital’s landscape. One proposal includes a 250-foot triumphal arch known as the Independence Arch to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
Trump has also pushed for major renovations at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, placing allies in leadership positions and proposing significant upgrades to the cultural complex.
Supporters say the projects will modernize the White House and strengthen the symbolic image of the American presidency. Critics, however, argue that some of the changes could damage historic architecture and alter the character of the nation’s capital. Public opinion has also been divided, with preservation groups warning that historic structures and traditions could be lost.
Despite the controversy, construction and planning for several of the projects are already underway, marking a bold effort by the Trump administration to leave a lasting architectural legacy in Washington.