An advisor to President-elect Donald Trump has suggested the new U.S. administration will push for peace in Ukraine rather than helping reclaim Russian-held territories. Bryan Lanza, a former Trump campaign strategist, said the focus should be on achieving a “realistic vision for peace.” Lanza noted that if Ukraine insists on regaining Crimea, it may hinder talks. Ukrainian President Zelensky’s advisor responded, stating that peace must involve stopping Russia’s aggression. Trump, who has stated he wants to end the war quickly, spoke with Zelensky after the election but has yet to detail his peace strategy.

17 people were taken to hospital following a crash involving two double-decker buses in Manchester on Saturday morning. The collision happened around 8:34 a.m. near Rochdale Road and Livesey Street. Emergency responders, including nine ambulances, an air ambulance, and advanced paramedics, arrived swiftly. While some passengers managed to exit on their own, fire crews had to rescue one person from the upper deck. Thankfully, none of the injuries are considered serious. Stephen Rhodes of Transport for Greater Manchester wished the injured a quick recovery. Rochdale Road has since reopened, though minor delays may continue.

President Joe Biden will meet President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on November 13, marking their first face-to-face since Trump’s election victory. The meeting, set for 11 a.m. in the Oval Office, follows Biden’s commitment to a peaceful transition of power, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Biden recently congratulated Trump and assured him that his administration would cooperate for an orderly handover. Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, won with 295 electoral votes and 74 million popular votes. He is set to take office on January 20, 2025.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has firmly denied involvement in a plot to kill former President Donald Trump, calling the allegations "completely baseless." The U.S. Justice Department recently unsealed charges against an Iranian man, Farjad Shakeri, accused of collaborating with Iran's Revolutionary Guard to assassinate Trump before the U.S. presidential election. Iran's spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, dismissed the accusations as a "malicious conspiracy" aimed at complicating U.S.-Iran relations. He compared these claims to previous false accusations against Iran, calling them part of a broader effort by Zionist and anti-Iranian groups to escalate tensions.

Bryan Lanza, a senior adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, stated that Trump's administration will prioritize peace efforts in Ukraine over reclaiming Russian-occupied Crimea. Lanza told BBC that the administration aims for "realistic peace," urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to adopt a pragmatic approach. "Crimea is gone," Lanza said, adding that retaking it is "not the goal of the United States." Trump's stance has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue it may weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty. During Trump’s campaign, he claimed he could end the conflict "in a day," though specific plans have not been detailed.

The U.S. Justice Department unveiled charges against an Iranian man, allegedly an asset of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), for planning to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election. The criminal complaint, filed in a Manhattan federal court, claims that an IRGC official directed the man, identified as Shakeri, in September to develop a plan for surveilling and killing Trump. Shakeri, who resided in Tehran, reportedly immigrated to the U.S. as a child but was deported in 2008 after a robbery conviction. Two others have also been charged in connection with the assassination plot.

The Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) denied reports that Afghan women are prohibited from hearing each other’s voices. In a recent audio statement, PVPV spokesperson Saiful Islam Khyber criticized these reports as “brainless” and “illogical,” affirming that women need to interact in society. While the Taliban enforces strict behavior codes based on their interpretation of Islamic law, including restrictions on women’s voices in public and media, officials clarified that communication during prayer may involve hand gestures instead of raised voices. Many international groups have condemned Taliban policies as “gender apartheid.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced backlash for congratulating Donald Trump on X, a platform banned in Pakistan. Sharif reportedly used VPN to access X, violating Pakistan’s laws after the platform was restricted earlier this year due to national security concerns, especially regarding activity by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Social media users criticized Sharif's actions, with one saying, "If hypocrisy had a face, it would be Shehbaz Sharif." Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reaffirmed ties with the U.S., calling them “old friends and partners,” while stressing Pakistan’s “strategic” relationship with China.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema announced emergency measures following violent, antisemitic attacks on Israeli football supporters by rioters in the city. Expressing deep shame, Halsema condemned the attackers and highlighted this as a “dark moment” for Amsterdam. The emergency measures cover Amsterdam and the nearby Amstelveen area, allowing police to conduct extra searches, restrict protests, and ban face coverings temporarily. Authorities will also secure buildings deemed potential targets. The swift response aims to protect residents and visitors, addressing rising concerns over escalating antisemitic violence.

Canada abruptly ended its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program on November 8, 2024, discontinuing a fast-track study permit process for international students. Launched in 2018, SDS simplified visa applications for students from 14 countries, including India, China, and the Philippines. Requirements included a $20,635 CAD Guaranteed Investment Certificate and language test scores. The streamlined process allowed successful applicants to secure permits within weeks, compared to the standard 8-week processing time. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) terminated the program without explanation, affecting thousands of students seeking to study in Canada. The move is expected to impact international student enrollment.