The Homeland Security Department’s priorities for the following year will include expanded information sharing, greater infrastructure protection, improvements in cross-jurisdictional communication and the deployment of “new technologies and new tools,” Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Wednesday. Ridge told a meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council that developing advanced communications systems to enable personnel in different agencies to talk “will make this department a 21st-century department.” He also emphasized the importance of integrating border- and port-security programs, and promoting management innovations. Ridge said he wants the Homeland Security to finalize a list of the nation’s critical infrastructure this year. He also said the department will work to loosen visa restrictions on non-immigrant foreigners, particularly for business and student applicants. Full Story