WASHINGTON

JUDGE BLOCKS NEW PENTAGON PERSONNEL SYSTEM

A federal judge yesterday blocked the Defense Department from implementing its new personnel system, handing the Bush administration a major setback in its attempts to streamline work rules and install pay for performance in the federal workplace.

In a 77-page decision, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said the National Security Personnel System fails to ensure collective bargaining rights, does not provide an independent third party review of labor relations decisions and would leave employees without a fair way to appeal disciplinary actions.

The American Federation of Government Employees and several other labor unions who filed a lawsuit in November challenging the new system claimed victory.

– The Washington Post

SMITHSONIAN TO COLLECT HIP-HOP RELICS

For nearly three decades, hip-hop relics such as vinyl records, turntables, microphones, and boom boxes have collected dust in boxes and attics.

Today, owners of such items – including pioneering hip-hop artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Fab 5 Freddy – will blow that dust off and carry them to a Manhattan hotel to turn them over to National Museum of American History officials.

The museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., is announcing its plans to embark on a collecting initiative, “Hip-Hop Won’t Stop: the Beat, the Rhymes, the Life.”

– Associated Press

SOUTH

RINGLING BROS. ACCUSED OF SPYING ON ANIMAL-RIGHTS GROUPS

FAIRFAX, Va. – The nation’s largest circus went on trial yesterday accused of running an extensive corporate espionage campaign against an animal-rights group and hiring a former CIA operative to help conduct the operation.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sued Vienna, Va.-based Feld Entertainment, which produces the Ringling Bros. circus, more than four years ago, claiming the company’s president supervised the spying efforts.

PETA claims circus operatives stole sensitive documents such as donor lists. It is seeking $1.8 million in legal fees and damages, as well as full disclosure of the alleged spying activities.

– Associated Press

NATIONWIDE

NEW HOME SALES FALL, INVENTORY A RECORD

New-home sales in America fell to the lowest level in a year in January, and the number of properties on the market was the most ever, more signs housing is losing its luster after five record years.

Sales declined a greater-than-expected 5% to an annual rate of 1.233 million from a revised 1.298 million in December, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. The number of homes for sale rose to an all-time high of 528,000 in January from December’s 515,000.

Higher mortgage rates and home prices will push down sales and may contribute to a slowing of the economy in the second half, economists said. Homeowners will borrow half as much cash from the value of their houses this year as last, according to Freddie Mac, the second-largest mortgage lender, and that may curb consumer spending.

– Bloomberg News

HEALTH AND MEDICINE

CHOCOLATE LINKED TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

A study of older men in the Netherlands indicated those who ate the equivalent of one-third of a chocolate bar every day had lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of death.

The researchers say, however, it’s too early to conclude it was chocolate that led to better health. The men who ate more cocoa products could have shared other qualities that made them healthier. Experts also point out that eating too much chocolate can make you fat – a risk for both heart disease and high blood pressure.

– Associated Press