FILE PHOTO: Joan Crockatt, former journalist, now media personality is the Conservative candidate in Calgary Centre-by election.Chris Bolin Photography/The Globe and Mail
A summary of what you need to know today, compiled by The Globe's news desk on Nov. 26, 2012
Tories in fight to hold Calgary Centre
All eyes will be on the riding of Calgary Centre Monday night as the Conservatives fend off a surprising challenge in a by-election in the Tory bastion. Polls late last week suggested the Conservative candidate Joan Crockatt has a slight edge over the Liberal challenger. The contest in Calgary is one of three votes being held today with by-elections in Durham in Ontario and Victoria in British Columbia.
Here is The Globe's Ottawa columnist John Ibbitson on the race.
Judge to rule on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's conflict allegation
A Toronto judge will rule today whether Mayor Rob Ford violated conflict of interest rules – and if he gets to keep his job. The judge is to decide if the mayor violated municipal conflict rules by voting to relive himself of need to pay back improper donations to his football charity. The penalty is removal from office, but there are avenues of appeal for the mayor if the judge rules against him, The Globe's Kelly Grant writes. The Globe will carry live coverage of the ruling.
Click here for the Globe's live coverage of the ruling.
Egyptian president in damage-control mode
In an effort to head off a brewing crisis in the country, Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is set to meet with senior judges Monday in hopes of striking a compromise over his surprise power grab last week.The president's assumption of new powers Thursday – including a move to limit the power of the judiciary – set off violent protests and sent the country's stock market plunging. The meeting Monday with The Supreme Judicial Council, Egypt's highest judicial authority, is aimed forging a possible compromise, though protesters are pushing for complete withdrawal of the decree. Here is The Globe's Omar el-Akkad's report from Cairo.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak is quitting politics
The resignation of the one-time prime minister, who said he wants to spend more time with his family, comes just days after the violent confrontation with Hamas in Gaza and only weeks ahead of general elections.
Doha climate-change talks begin
Talks aimed at striking a new global deal to combat climate change are under way in Doha marked by continuing tensions between rich and poor countries about how to deal with global warming. The meeting, which comes just weeks before initial commitments under the Kyoto protocol expire, will grapple with divisions over financial aid to developing countries among other issues as it attempts to forge a new agreement by 2015.
He's back ... maybe. Will he or won't he?
Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared to leave the door open once again to a political comeback, saying he may yet run in the March national election. He told his Canale 5 television statement that he will decide once it becomes clear who the centre-left opposition will be – the latest in a series of flip flips about whether he plans to revive his political career.
Harper tried to stifle Palestinian statehood bid
Prime Minister Stephen Harper tried to pressure Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to drop his bid for upgraded status at the United Nations, The Globe's Campbell Clark reports Monday. Mr. Harper's intervention forms part of the backdrop to the Palestinian Authority's bid, which comes before the UN on Thursday.
Voters in Catalonia elect separatists
Spain and the European Union are a step closer to a possible political crisis after separatists in Catalonia won a large majority in regional elections Sunday. For more on the issue, read a report by The Globe's Eric Reguly.
Jill Mahoney