Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby attends a news conference following collective bargaining talks in Toronto on October 18, 2012.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
A summary of what you need to know today, compiled by The Globe's news desk on Dec. 6, 2012
Egypt goes from bad to worse
In the worst spasm of violence yet in the latest round of unrest, five people were killed and hundreds injured as supporters of embattled Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi clashed with opposition protesters Thursday. The army was forced to send tanks to protect the area around the presidential palace, a focal point for demonstrations, and is clearing and media from the area. Mr. Morsi is expected to address the nation today, the second time in a week he has been forced to make a public plea to Egyptians for calm. The unrest was sparked by a power-grabbing decree issued by Mr. Morsi in late November.
Kate exits hospital, heads for palace
The Duchess of Cambridge's stay in hospital is over, closing the first, dramatic act in what will be months of open-throttled coverage of the Royal pregnancy. Accompanied by husband Prince William and clutching a bouquet of yellow flowers, the Duchess paused briefly on the hospital steps to allow the throng of journalists to capture the moment before leaving for Kensington Palace.
Ottawa tacks hard to middle on Mideast policy
After two weeks of increasing isolation in its Middle East policy, the Harper government has sent another signal of moderating its stance. In an interview with The Globe's John Ibbitson, Foreign Minister John Baird revealed that Prime Minister Stephen expressed Canada's disapproval of Israel's plan to expand settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call Saturday. This comes on the heels of Canada's decision this week to maintain funding to the Palestinian Authority and not take any punitive measures following the UN vote enhancing Palestinian status.
Asylum-seeking fugitive arrested in Guatemala
Fugitive software guru John McAfee is running out of places to hide. Mr. McAfee, wanted for questioning in the death of a neighbour in Belize, slipped into Guatemala this week, requesting asylum on the basis he couldn't get fair treatment by Belize authorities. Now, he's been arrested for entering the country illegally.
Hockey hopes rising
Could today be the day? Talks are expected to continue today in New York aimed at cutting a deal and getting sticks back on the ice in what would be a truncated, 50-game season. For two days running, players and owners have been signalling optimism out of the talks, which continue without the direct involvement of NHLPA chief Don Fehr or league commissioner Gary Bettman. "I think the dynamic has changed," a source told The Globe.
Ontario Premier may block teachers' walkouts
As thousands of Ontario teachers prepare to stage rotating one-day strikes, Premier Dalton McGuinty is pushing his reluctant cabinet to block the protests, sources tell The Globe. Education Minister Laurel Broten, who is also said to support thwarting the walkouts, is to announce this morning whether the government will take pre-emptive action against the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.
Former Thai prime minister to face murder charge
In the first prosecutions of officials in connection with the deadly "red shirt" rallies in Thailand in 2010, law enforcement authorities announced today that former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy would face murder charges. Investigators are charging Mr. Vejjajiva for the death of a taxi driver, saying he allowed troops to use war weapons and live ammunition against protesters.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story, which has been corrected, had the wrong date of the phone call between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jill Mahoney