Briefly noted

Obama preparing comprehensive technology policy
Barack Obama’s Internet-fueled campaign has transformed the way Americans choose a president. Now, the president-elect’s administration plans to change the way Americans — and government — use technology. If Obama gets his way, all Americans would have broadband Internet access, whether they live in big cities or remote villages. Online life would be safer, with better defenses against cyber criminals. There would also be greater access to government, with online services to let anyone question members of the president’s cabinet or track every dime of the U.S. budget.

Germans advance surveillance bill
After months of debate, Germany’s lower house of parliament yesterday passed terrorism legislation granting federal police the right to spy on citizens’ computers and tap conversations. Those powers are now held only by Germany’s foreign intelligence service. The measure, which passed, 375-168, is expected to easily pass the upper house and take effect before the end of the year. The law was sharply criticized by the opposition and rights groups as infringing on the privacy rights guaranteed by the constitution. Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble defended the measures as necessary tools in the fight against international terrorist networks.

Report warns incoming administration of of “future military failure”
The Defense Science Board released on Tuesday a sobering report that called for the incoming Obama administration to focus on a small but complex set of defense issues, with protection of the country against weapons of mass destruction as the top priority of the new secretary of defense. Weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear and biological armaments, imperil both the safety of the United States and its military forces, according to the report, “Defense Imperatives for New Administration.” The board urged the new defense leadership “to do everything possible to prevent the worst people from acquiring and using the worst weapons.” The National Research Council (NRC) issued a similar report in February, which called for the federal government to promote replacing cesium chloride, which is used in medical applications, with lower risk alternatives because of the compound’s potential use in dirty bombs.

Senator Clinton welcomes more than $18,000 for Long Island Fire Department
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed an announcement by DHS that they are awarding $18,050 in funding to Long Island under the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The purpose of the FY 2008 AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations. These awards aim to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel, with respect to fire-related hazards.