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A Hamas policeman walks past a mural depicting an exploded Israeli tank, in Gaza City Nov. 22, 2012.MOHAMMED SALEM/Reuters

A summary of what you need to know today, compiled by The Globe's news desk on Nov. 22, 2012

Gaza ceasefire holds – so far

The ceasefire announced Wednesday has held – so far. Despite a handful of rockets being fired in the early hours after the Egypt-brokered deal was unveiled, an uneasy calm has descended on Gaza after eight days of bloody fighting that claimed the lives of five Israelis and more than 150 Palestinians. The focus now will shift to the implementation of the seven-point plan, including a controversial call to open border crossings with Israel, The Globe's Patrick Martin writes.

For background on the militant religious group Hamas, check out The Globe's in-depth Inside Hamas video series.

Euro leaders' debt talks begin

Expect days of haggling as EU leaders sit down in Brussels to hammer a long-term budget. On one side: countries that still count on millions sent by the EU are calling for stable funding; on the other, net contributors led by the UK who would like to see the EU slimmed down in line with austerity efforts playing out across the Continent.

Premiers gather for economic summit conference

The economy will top the agenda as the premiers gather in Halifax Thursday, but they will have to do it without Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who declined an invite. "I think we're all disappointed that we couldn't get an opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister and to build a strong plan for economic growth together," Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty told CP earlier this week.

Former MP to address fraud charges

London Mayor Joe Fontana has called a press conference this afternoon after fraud charges were laid against the former Liberal cabinet minister. The charges stem from allegations that Mr. Fontana used government funds pay a deposit on a reception hall for his son's wedding in 2005. The veteran politician is facing pressure from some city politicians to step aside pending the resolution of the case.

Sarkozy in court over campaign financing allegations

Any hopes that France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy has of a political comeback after this year's electoral drubbing hangs in the balance Thursday as he appears before a judge to address allegations his 2007 campaign was financed illegally. The case, which canters around the legality of funds secured from France's richest woman, L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, comes amid a bitter battle over who should succeed Mr. Sarkozy as head of the right wing UMP party.

Flaherty speaks on the economy

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is scheduled to speak on the state of the Canadian economy at the Toronto Board of Trade today. His luncheon speech comes as controversy flares over his measures to cool the housing market, which some argue went too far given that recent declines in housing prices have spread to Toronto.

New charges in mass Toronto shooting

Toronto Police have scheduled a news conference for later today to announce they have laid at least one new charge of first-degree murder in the worst mass shooting in the city's history, The Globe's Timothy Appleby reports.

Horsey standoff at posh Toronto hotel

Will one of Toronto's fanciest hotels open its doors to a horse Thursday? Calgary's Grey Cup committee plans to bring a horse to the lobby of the Royal York Hotel. But hotel officials have said they aren't interested, citing health and safety reasons. The standoff comes to a head later Thursday morning. Will management tell Stampeders fans to hold their horse? Or will the hotel embrace the equine visitor? The Globe's Adrian Morrow will cover the hijinks.

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