Justin Trudeau, 53, announced that he's stepping down as the leader of Canadian's Liberal Party.The party will choose a new leader. Once that happens, Trudeau will step down as prime minister.Trudeau has served since 2015 but faced repeated calls to step down in recent weeks.Justin Trudeau on Monday announced that he would step down as prime minister of Canada once his party chooses a new leader."This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," Trudeau said at a press conference in Ottawa.The Canadian leader said that he would step down as Canada's Liberal Party, and that he would cease to be prime minister once his party selects a new leader "through a robust, nationwide, competitive process."Trudeau, 53, has been Canada's prime minister since 2015. His nine-year-long tenure as premier is coming to an abrupt end following weeks of turmoil within Trudeau's own party, the Liberal Party.He faced repeated calls from party colleagues to step down after the Liberal Party lost three by-elections last year. In December, Trudeau's deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her sudden resignation from his cabinet.Freeland, who was also the finance minister, said Trudeau had offered her another cabinet position, but she decided to step down because it was "the only honest and viable path for me." She had clashed with Trudeau over his push for increased spending and how Canada should handle the incoming Trump administration.In November, President-elect Donald Trump said he planned to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico.Since then, Trump has continued to taunt Trudeau by referring to him as Canada's "governor" and has joked about making Canada the 51st US state."The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau," Trump said of Freeland's resignation in a Truth Social post last month.Shortly after Freeland's resignation, opposition politician and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would bring a vote of no confidence against Trudeau when parliament sat again in January.Singh's party entered into a confidence-and-supply agreement with Trudeau's minority government in March 2022, but withdrew from it in September."I called for Justin Trudeau to resign, and he should," Singh wrote in an open letter on December 20.Canada's next general election must be held by October 2025.

Copper cookware looks classy in almost any kitchen.I'd display copper cookware by hanging it from a rack. Bri Macdonald Nothing exudes class quite like copper cookware. At my local Williams Sonoma, I found a large selection of copper pots and saucepans, as well as accessories like kettles, roasting pans, and serving plates perfect for creating a matching set.I like to hang copper cookware from a pot rack so guests can see the beautiful details on display. The cookware in the Tucci by GreenPan set comes in a nice variety of eye-catching shades.The pots and pans in the Tucci by GreenPan set look pretty and durable. Bri Macdonald As an avid follower of culinary content creators, I often find myself captivated by Stanley Tucci's delightful cooking videos on social media. So, I was excited to stumble upon his collection with GreenPan, which seems designed to last.The pots and pans have tight-fitting glass lids and stainless-steel handles designed for comfort and control while cooking. This cookware also comes in various colors to add a fun, vibrant pop to the kitchen counter. Well-designed kitchen tools can enhance functionality and aesthetics, and, in my opinion, this collection is worth checking out. I fell in love with the SMEG four-slice toaster.The SMEG four-slice toaster combines functionality and style. Bri Macdonald Who doesn't want a dash of retro charm in their kitchen? SMEG appliances are known for their classic designs, making them functional and stylish additions to any space.I love the SMEG four-slice toaster because it has a large enough opening to perfectly toast a large piece of sourdough. It also comes in pastel colors that can beautifully complement a kitchen design. I noticed an impressive selection of cutting boards at my local store.The cutting boards on display looked like they were made to last. Bri Macdonald A high-quality cutting board is an essential cornerstone of any well-equipped kitchen.The cutting boards available at my store looked like they were designed to endure the rigors of daily use while retaining their timeless appeal. I recommend curating a collection of various sizes and styles to accommodate different entertaining needs. A diverse selection ensures you're ready for anything, from casual get-togethers to elegant dinner parties that call for beautifully arranged cheese boards. The selection of liquid soaps would elevate any guest bathroom or kitchen.Williams Sonoma had tons of soaps to choose from. Bri Macdonald There's something charming about having gorgeous scented soaps by the guest-bathroom sink or kitchen counter.They're not just practical their lovely packaging and heavenly fragrances add a little extra magic to a space. Plus, they make the sweetest gifts. I think the KitchenAid stand mixers are must-buys for anyone wanting a functional yet stylish space.The KitchenAid stand mixers can make dough, whipped cream, and more. Bri Macdonald For anyone who loves baking, the KitchenAid stand mixer simply cannot be beat. This mixer, which comes with a steel bowl and various attachments, can make dough, whipped cream, and other recipes.Its aesthetic appeal is undeniable and it looks adorable nestled in the corner of a countertop. The mixer also comes in various colors to match any kitchen decor. I'm a big fan of the Breville Oracle jet espresso machine.The Breville Oracle jet espresso machine is an efficient, refined appliance. Bri Macdonald Perfecting your morning routine begins with crafting the ideal cup of coffee. For me, this is where the Breville Oracle jet espresso machine comes into play.I love how its sleek design marries functionality with refinement. It's an efficient yet attractive countertop appliance that I look forward to using each morning. High-quality linen tablecloths and napkins can transform an ordinary dining experience into an extraordinary one.I love the variety of linen tablecloths and napkins at Williams Sonoma. Bri Macdonald As a designer, I think investing in high-quality linen tablecloths and napkins is nonnegotiable. My mom still uses linen napkins she bought from Williams Sonoma two decades ago.These linens, which come in neutral tones and classic stripes, exude timeless elegance that can be dressed up for special occasions or kept casual for family dinners. The Aarke carbonators are my go-to for all things bubbly.The Aarke carbonators have sleek yet simple designs. Bri Macdonald As a soda-water drinker, I've experimented with just about every fizzy-beverage option cans, machines, you name it. However, when it comes to aesthetics and elegance, my favorite is the Aarke carbonator.This appliance's sleek yet simple design truly stands out. It also comes with glass bottles that are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to a space.

Supermassives games have always been cinematic, from the persuasive performances of slasher-horror Until Dawn to the chillier atmosphere of interactive ghost story Man of Medan. This time around, with sci-fi horror Directive 8020, the studio wears its Hollywood influences even more brazenly on its sleeve.The Earth is dying, and humanitys last hope is a planet called Tau Ceti F. Yet as the crew of colony ship Cassiopeia survey the promising planet, they soon discover that they arent alone. Stalked by a horrifying alien organism that can chillingly mimic its prey, the crew of the Cassiopeia must outwit these predators and return home, with each former friend and crewmate now a potential threat. In other words, its a playable blend of Alien and The Thing.You have a cast of varied characters, and an alien monster that can infiltrate that setup. We lean into the systems that weve already built [in previous games] of choices and decisions, to create that element of surprise and the feeling of not knowing who to trust, says Will Doyle, the games creative director.Theres agency over your characters movement as well as their choices. Dropping the slow, cinematic shuffling of Until Dawn, Directive 8020 instead plays like something closer to Dead Space, allowing players to sprint, strafe, lash out and roll defensively as they flee their horrifying alien attackers. [But] these people arent action heroes. We didnt want you to be able to beat the creature easily, says Doyle. You can fend it off with some tools; you can distract it; but youre never able to pull out a gun and shoot it.The lead role of pilot Young is played by Lashana Lynch of No Time to Die fame. Everyone on board the ship lives or dies based on her read: your decisions. Mercifully, you can enlist some help and play cooperatively. Up to five people can connect online and take control of different characters something that the team implemented after seeing how many people chose to play Until Dawn by passing a controller around groups of friends.Every successive time you see a monster in a movie, it diminishes its fear factor a little bit, reckons Doyle. Without spoiling anything, we change the appearance and look and shape of our creature quite a lot There is this constant feeling of threat that you really arent safe anywhere in this game. With our previous games you can sometimes tell when youre in danger, just by the structure, so weve shaken it up a lot. Now, danger and death lurks around every corner.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotion

There was a long-running joke that Bethesdas Skyrim had become so ubiquitous that it would run on anything. Starting life on the humble Xbox 360, it found its way on to Nintendo Switch, virtual reality headsets, PS5 and even Amazons Alexa. After more than 13 years, its sequel is still nowhere to be seen, so role playing game veterans Obsidian are offering fans an alternative in the form of Avowed.Im taken aback by just how fun and breezy it is, given that it has been spun off the somewhat stuffier computer RPG Pillars of Eternity. Entering the games colour-saturated world, Eora, I explore a luscious overgrown cavern with my alarmingly athletic mage, and find myself leaping across chasms and climbing rock faces without breaking a sweat.Where Skyrims dull colour palette and clunky combat betray its 2011 origins, Avoweds kineticism and vibrance make first-person spellcasting feel fun. As I unleash bursts of acid at a horde of charging skeletons or fling a barrage of ice missiles at an apocalyptic cult, chopping and changing between spells is as easy as holding down a trigger and pressing a button, and each attack is animated in an explosion of light and colour.I think players are going to be really pleased with how fun the combat feels, moment to moment, says game director Carrie Patel. We wanted to take the momentum and sense of impact from more action-forward games, and add that player-driven progression and choice from our RPG roots.Refreshingly jovial Avowed. Photograph: ObsidianI am accompanied through my demo by a sneering, sarky companion called Kai, and armed with a classic wheel of dialogue choices. There is more than a touch of Mass Effect here, with the actor who voiced Garrus in Biowares sci-fi epic offering up a similarly endearing companion in Kai. Players will see the effects of their choices play out in front of them, even in the early hours, says Patel. Later in the game, the choices youve made along the way are going to affect which characters are willing to trust you.Where Bethesda approaches fantasy with a furrowed brow, Obsidian opts for a more irreverent tone. Its banter levels land somewhere between Guardians of the Galaxy and 2023s Dungeons & Dragons film which will be off-putting for people for whom the Avengers style of dialogue has not so much soured as entirely curdled. Its the companions and their personalities that will make or break it.Were really excited for players to meet the companions that we built for them, says Patel. We had a lot of fun building these characters out and trying to develop interesting moments between them. As you move through the world, theyll talk to each other, giving you time to get to know them, and also to see them get to know each other.In many ways what I see here is less Diet Skyrim and more Skyrim Zero not so overindulgent and without the dodgy aftertaste. With its elements of Uncharted and Mass Effect, its a refreshingly jovial take on the familiar fantasy setting.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotion

Like many great things, Date Everything! started off as a joke. Envisioning a game where a lonely remote worker starts chatting up their furniture, Final Fantasy voice actors Ray Chase and Robbie Daymond soon became obsessed with the concept. What if there really was a game where you could date literally everything?Now boasting more than 70,000 lines of dialogue and 100 dateable inanimate objects, their weird game about hitting on household appliances has become a reality. Partnering with Team 17 and fellow voice actor and producer Amanda Hufford, they have brought their silly concept to life, a game that they describe as wholesome, flirty and fun.Within seconds, Im flirting with a dishwasherYou may be wondering how this all works. Well, when the player slips on their Dateviators VR glasses that transform inanimate household items into talking, dateable beings once lifeless furniture and appliances suddenly get a whole lot chattier and, within seconds, Im flirting with a dishwasher.We knew what we wanted to make sure that it felt wholesome, that it was sexy but never vulgar, says Robbie Daymond, Our mantra was, we want to make something where you wouldnt be embarrassed if anybody walked in on you playing it.With dateable characters ranging from tables and microwaves to fireplaces and TVs, each potential lover is brought to life by a different voice actor. From the wonderfully unhinged microwave who thinks hes fighting an interdimensional war, to the art of the pickup line spouting fratboy fireplace, every appliance is distinctly, endearingly weird.No need to be embarrassed Date Everything! Photograph: Sassy Chap GamesIts also doing things differently when it comes to paying its actors fairly. One of the superpowers we have is that we know a lot of people in the industry, says Daymond. We have a good relationship with [actors union] SAG, and we were able to make a contract that gave residuals back to the actors who worked on it. Thanks to a combination of clever writing from TV writer Logan Burdick and brilliant voice acting throughout, even in my brief demo, I felt compelled to meet the next endearingly unhinged appliance just to see what would happen next.It sounds like a product of the pandemic, but actually the premise for Date Everything came about in 2018, when Draymond wondered if anyone would relate to the boredom and social deprivation of remote working. Im really excited that something this surreal exists, reflects Burdick. I think its incredible that everyone took a chance on it.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionWhen I started working with the team, I was a little sceptical, chimes in the games quiet coder, Jack. But being able to play it and see that the amount of care and attention that was given to each character really impressed me. A lot of games are mainly doing just the same thing in a subtly different way. This is not a generic game, and nowadays thats something very important.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6's Squid Game crossover is here, and one player has completely betrayed his comrades with a sneaky soundboard prank that'll have you frozen just to be safeTech14:50, 06 Jan 2025Call of Duty is getting a Squid Game crossoverCall of Duty fans were treated last week to a crossover event with the Netflix smash hit Squid Game, and while there are skins and the controversial inclusion of a new event pass, the big draw is the new 'Red Light, Green Light' mode that made Season 1 so memorable.The concept is simple run from one end of the football pitch from the Red Card map to the other, but with the challenge of doing so when the creepy animatronic girl isn't looking. If she catches you, it's game over.One Black Ops 6 player has managed to surprise his fellow contestants in the mode, though, and it's well worth a watch.WARNING THE BELOW CLIP CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGEContent cannot be displayed without consentAs shared by BlackOps6Hub on X (formerly Twitter), one streamer has put the "Green Light" song onto a soundboard so he can trigger the sound at will.That means as contestants wait to step forward, it lulls the already tense entrants into thinking it's safe to step forward.As you can see in the video, it works a charm, causing multiple rivals to be mowed down. Perhaps even more enjoyable is the accompanying voice chat.Squid Games has come to Warzone, too(Image: Squid Games)While some players are mad, one certainly has a sense of begrudging respect for the sound, saying "you're smart as f***".Others seemingly think it's a glitch on the behalf of the game, but the result is the same instant death for anyone caught moving.It's yet another example of Call of Duty players being a resourceful bunch. Earlier today we reported on users submitting information requests to get access to their in-game matchmaking skill ranking which would otherwise be kept away from public view.Don't fall for this prank(Image: Squid Games)We expect the Squid Games mode to stay live until late in January when Season 2 of Black Ops 6 and Warzone arrive, so be sure to check it out while you can just be wary of the soundboard prank.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Call of Duty players are so desperate to find their matchmaking ranking that they've started using personal information access requests to Activision-BlizzardTech14:23, 06 Jan 2025Black Ops 6 is Call of Duty at its best(Image: Grab)Call of Duty fans are a dedicated bunch, but one of the most contentious topics in recent memory has been the inclusion of Skill-based Matchmaking (SBMM).While some like to play against players they're (at least theoretically) equivalent to in skill, others say it makes each match feel less enjoyable and more of a slog.Black Ops 6 has been a hit, but the debate has reared its head again after one content creator revealed a method to get some extra information about your own matchmaking status.As shown by TheXclusiveAce above, you can head to Activision's Privacy Page and request your information via your Activision account (thanks, IGN).If you were expecting a throwaway number with very little information, you might be pleasantly surprised. as TheXclusiveAce reveals, each multiplayer match is logged. it includes hits landed, streaks, and even the amount of time you spent moving.As far as matchmaking skill ratings, TheXclusiveAce cross-references the relatively arbitrary number of 400 with his kill/death ratio to help extrapolate some of the data contained.The video suggests that your skill does in fact correlate with that of your lobby, meaning if you're in a higher-skilled lobby and struggle in a match, you may find a loss of skill rating puts you in an easier lobby next time.Article continues belowWe're not sure it'll help you much while playing 'Red Light, Green Light' in the game's current Squid Game crossover, but TheXclusiveAce's video is well worth a watch if you're at all interested in the machinations running behind the scenes of one of the most popular shooters in the world.Now, if someone can reverse engineer a fix for those pesky hackers in Warzone, we'll be flying. Last month, Activision's anti-cheat team admitted it 'missed the mark' amid rising complaints of cheaters in the battle royale.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Markus Notch Persson has "basically announced" Minecraft 2, with the first game's creator also taking aim at Microsoft for their handling of the Minecraft brandTech14:10, 06 Jan 2025Minecraft is the best-selling game in history(Image: Mojang/Microsoft)Minecraft fever is well and truly alive. We've seen the announcement of a theme park, the movie is just weeks away from launching, and the blocky brand still lays claim to being the best-selling game of all time.Now, though, original creator Markus Notch Persson has discussed working on a "spiritual successor" to Minecraft, even going so far as to say "I basically announced Minecraft 2" in a lengthy response to a poll or his next game."I don't super duper care exactly which game I make first (or even if I make more), but I do know I'm making one, so I figured I'd absolutely be willing to give it an honest shot in the form of a spiritual successor to minecraft and put up a poll about it."Content cannot be displayed without consentThe lengthy response, which you can see below, also acknowledges that Persson doesn't want to "sneakily infringe on the incredible work the Mojang team is doing" but takes aim at Microsoft for the company "doing the Microsoft shittification about".Minecraft was acquired back in 2014 for $2.5 billion by Microsoft, with the corporation now owning the rights to the IP. That would mean Persson couldn't work within the Minecraft 'universe' without working with Microsoft, which seems unlikely given his comments here.Markus Persson is planning to work on something new(Image: PA)He does, however, say he respects Microsoft, and praises them for "letting the studio do things their way".Article continues belowPersson has been a controversial figure in the past, proposing heterosexual pride as a holiday, suggesting feminism is a "social disease", and supporting QAnon conspiracies while also engaging in transphobia online. He was not invited to the Minecraft 10th anniversary celebration.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Will the wait ever end? (Nintendo)Everyones waiting for the announcement of the Switch 2, but Nintendo may have other priorities for this week.Nintendo may have had innocent intentions when it announced the companys next console will be revealed at some point before April, but as we approach the closing date their strategy has led to some feral side effects.With so many leaks about the console, the deadline date has made every other official announcement since seem like a calculated act of trolling between Alarmo clocks, music apps, and Direct presentations dedicated to the Nintendo Museum.Another announcement which would have been more positively received at another time is the revamped version of Xenoblade Chronicles X and it seems like the Switch port might be taking centre stage this week, instead of the new console.Insiders have suggested Nintendo could reveal its next console in the first week of January, but insider Pyoro, who is generally reliable when it comes to Nintendo leaks, has claimed there will be only be news about Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.When asked about the Switch 2 reveal speculation on X, Pyoro remained coy on the subject until someone asked directly about Xenoblade, which prompted a vague emoji to suggest that will be the announcement.When probed further, Pyoro, who originally teased the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition announcement last year, before it was officially annouced, replied: Last time due to my vagueness, people expected the Switch 2 announcement but it turned out to Xenoblade. I dont want to mislead yall again.Asked directly if any announcement is coming this week, they eventually replied: Xenoblade.While its possible Nintendo could surprise drop the Switch 2 reveal any day now, others have suggested it will be later this month, at the earliest. According to fellow Nintendo insider Samus Hunter, they were told late January or early February some times ago [sic].Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is set to be released on March 20, 2025, so some kind of marketing push before then makes sense, to highlight the improvements in this new version. Its likely therell be some form of special edition too, much like the collectors set for the Switch version of Xenoblade Chronicles 1.If an announcement around the Switch 2 is scheduled for later this month, that means well likely have to endure a lot more leaks before that time.More TrendingNintendo has only confirmed the console will be backwards compatible, but weve already seen alleged images of the new Joy-Cons, the console itself, and the new circular dock. Xenoblade Chronicles X is coming to Switch in March (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

New year, new you. Perhaps its time to upgrade your home to make it feel cozier and more welcoming. You dont need all kinds of new furniture or floor or cabinets or anything super expensive to recreate the feeling of your living room. Lighting can do so much to reshape the feeling of your entire living space. This Govee RGBIC floor lamp is can liven up any room its in and its currently 33% off. Normally priced at $150, you can get it now for just $100 for a limited time.See at AmazonThis modern floor lamp is a single vertical bar that projects the light into the corner walls of the room its placed in. And being RGB LED, it can illuminate your space in any color under the rainbow to change the mood on the fly.If youre like me, youre against The Big Light. That is the over head light be them from a hanging fixture or, even worse, multiple high hats across the ceiling. I dont want my living room to feel like a grocery store or a science lab. Lighting at eye level or lower creates a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, and the Govee floor lamp is perfect for that.Set the Mood, Any MoodThe Govee floor lamp can be set to display multiple colors at once and you can choose between 58 different scene modes.Use it to decorate for the holidays with red and green lights, or just keep them a warm orange or yellow as you cozy up to read a book or watch a movie. When youre looking to turn up, they can even sync with your music, taking any party to the next level.The Govee floor lamp supports smart control so you can use your voice to operate them with your Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up routines so that they turn on or off at certain times of the day, dim as it gets late, shift to different scenes during specific occasions, and more all automatically.Installation is simple. Once the bar is assembled, simply run the light strip through it and youre ready to go.Amazon has the Govee floor lamp now going for its lowest price ever as part of a limited time deal. Get yours for 33% off, a savings for $50. You can reinvent your whole living space for just $100 after setting up your new Govee floor lamp.See at Amazon