Morning Briefing: Support grows for bid by Palestinians for UN recognition

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A summary of what you need to know today, compiled by The Globe's news desk on Nov. 28, 2012

Support grows for bid by Palestinians for UN recognition

More and more countries are lining up behind a bid by the Palestinians to get enhanced status at the United Nations. Switzerland and Denmark signal their intentions today to support a vote Thursday that would give Palestinians non-member status, a move opposed by Israel, the United States and Canada. The Swiss and Danes join growing list of European countries supporting the bid, including France, Norway and Spain. Britain announced Wednesday it would not vote against but needed assurances that the Palestinians would seek negotiations with Israel "without pre-conditions" in order to be able to back the move, which is expected to pass with a simple majority of the 193-member General Assembly.

Here is Globe reporter Campbell Clark's exclusive report on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's personal intervention on the Palestinian bid.

Garneau expected to launch Liberal bid

Former astronaut Marc Garneau launches his bid for the leadership of the federal Liberal party this morning in Montreal, joining a field of contenders led by front-runner Justin Trudeau . Mr. Garneau, 63, who was first elected in to Ottawa in 2008, flew on the Challenger mission in 1984 to become the first Canadian in space.

Here is Daniel Leblanc's interview with Mr. Garneau.

Blast rocks town near Damsacus

Massive, simultaneous car bombings ripped through a town near Damascus, killing at least 38 people. The bombings were the fourth since August to hit Jaramana, a largely Christian and Druze enclave friendly to the regime of Bashar al-Assad which has been waging a bloody battle with rebels since early 2011 that claimed more than 40,000 lives.

Teachers vote down deals

A possible light at the end of the tunnel in the showdown with Ontario teachers dimmed a little after high school teachers in York and Niagara broke with union leadership and voted down recent deals struck with the province. The deals – which would have cut back sick days and delayed raises for new teachers – were among a number of recent agreements the province was hoping would provide a blueprint for peace with Ontario teachers, many of whom are engaging in job action in protest of Bill 115.

Rebels to withdraw from Goma

Rebel leaders say their troops will withdraw from the strategic Congo city of Goma following a deal brokered by Uganda. The move comes after M23 rebels, believed to be supported by neighbouring Rwanda, captured several towns in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week. The Globe's Geoffrey York has more on this developing story.

Egyptian courts join protests against Morsi

Protests continue today against President Mohamed Morsi's controversial decrees that grant him near-absolute powers. Egypt's two highest appeals courts have suspended their work, with judges saying they would not resume their duties until Mr. Morsi rescinds the decrees. As well, demonstrators are in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a sixth day.

Rice continues to court skeptics in bid to replace Clinton

Susan Rice, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, continues her fight to ease Republicans' concerns about her public comments in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks in Benghazi, Libya. Ms. Rice, who is seen as the top contender to replace outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is to meet with key Republican lawmakers today. However, Ms. Rice didn't win over skeptics yesterday, with several senators saying they would still try to block her nomination.

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