Hello. After nearly a decade as prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau announced he will resign as the leader of the Liberal Party. My colleagues have the latest on the events that led to his decision. As a major snowstorm sweeps across the east coast of the US, Congress has gathered to formally certify Donald Trump's re-election. And Keir Starmer has spoken out after Elon Musk shared a series of social media posts attacking the UK prime minister and other government figures. Plus, find out how a sport with a rich cultural history is getting a new lease of life. 

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trudeau says it's 'time for a reset'

Trudeau has been in power since 2015. Credit: Reuters

At a chilly news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau said that it was time for the "temperature to come down" in Canadian politics. Parliament has been "paralysed for months" and it is "time for a reset", he said. The prime minister, who has faced growing pressure to step down from his own party, described himself as a fighter but said that if he has to fight "internal battles", he cannot be the best option on the ballot at the country's next general election. Parliament will be prorogued until 24 March and Trudeau will resign as prime minister once the Liberal Party chooses his successor. Find out who could be in the running.

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Elon Musk's growing battle with the UK PM

Musk has backed Reform UK and come out in support of the far-right Alternative for Germany. Credit: Reuters

Keir Starmer has defended his record on addressing child sexual abuse after Elon Musk accused the UK prime minister of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" for failing to tackle grooming gangs during his tenure as director of public prosecutions (DPP). The row began after reports that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips had rejected a request for a government-led inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation in the town of Oldham, near Manchester, in favour of a locally-led investigation. Opposition MPs have also called for a national inquiry.

What did Musk say?

Over the past week, the tech-entrepreneur has attacked the Labour government over grooming gangs – using his social media site X to accuse Phillips of being a "rape genocide apologist", and calling for her and Starmer to be jailed. He also posted a poll on X, asking: "America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government (yes or no)."

How has Starmer responded?

The UK PM attacked politicians and activists "spreading lies and misinformation" over grooming gangs. Starmer defended his record in office as DPP, saying he tackled the issue "head on". Phillips had also "done a thousand times more" to protect victims of child sexual abuse than those attacking her had "even dreamt about", he said. Musk responded to Starmer's comments, calling him "utterly despicable".

What next?

Musk's push to oust the PM could spark diplomatic trouble for the UK government. Alongside being one of the richest men in the world, Musk is also a key adviser for US President-elect Donald Trump. After supporting Trump's successful campaign in the US election, Musk has recently shifted his attention to British and European politics – largely supporting insurgent right-wing movements.

• For the UK, "the new year in politics starts with the bang of a billionaire with a bigger mouth than his bank balance," writes political editor Chris Mason. 

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• Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK, after posting that he "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the party.

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• Diplomatic correspondent James Landale examines how Trump and Musk's interventions prompt fresh diplomatic challenges.

And finally... in Africa

Capoeira is one of Brazil's biggest cultural exports – but the sport, which mixes martial art, music, combat and dance, is finding its way back to its roots in Africa. Found out about the practice's roots, and how a new generation of children are rediscovering it.