In Brief

* TERROR – France’s lower house of parliament adopted a new terrorism law that was drawn up following the London transport bombings and is set to allow greatly increased video surveillance of public places.

* JUSTICE – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni denied any role in the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye ahead of elections next year and said he wanted his main rival to be acquitted quickly so he could beat him in the polls. * TALKS – The African Union launched a seventh round of peace talks on the crisis in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, as delegates expressed optimism the latest meeting would finally end 33 months of bloodshed.* POLLS – Canadians will head to the polls on January 23 after the longest election campaign in decades, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced, after his scandal-tainted minority government was ousted by the opposition in a no-confidence vote.* GAYS – The Vatican published an instruction approved by Pope Benedict XVI banning bishops across the world from ordaining homosexuals as priests.* ATTACKS – The United States acknowledged European concerns over reports of secret CIA prisons and transport flights for terror suspects, calling them “legitimate questions” that deserve a response.* CLIMATE – The United States opposed any talk of extending Kyoto-style limits on greenhouse gas emissions, angering activists at a UN climate change meeting.-Nampa-AFP* TALKS – The African Union launched a seventh round of peace talks on the crisis in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, as delegates expressed optimism the latest meeting would finally end 33 months of bloodshed.* POLLS – Canadians will head to the polls on January 23 after the longest election campaign in decades, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced, after his scandal-tainted minority government was ousted by the opposition in a no-confidence vote.* GAYS – The Vatican published an instruction approved by Pope Benedict XVI banning bishops across the world from ordaining homosexuals as priests.* ATTACKS – The United States acknowledged European concerns over reports of secret CIA prisons and transport flights for terror suspects, calling them “legitimate questions” that deserve a response.* CLIMATE – The United States opposed any talk of extending Kyoto-style limits on greenhouse gas emissions, angering activists at a UN climate change meeting.-Nampa-AFP