The details: The Associated Press reported that a defense contractor tied to Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., has been barred from bidding on government contracts for a second time. Kuchera Defense Systems is accused of paying another contractor $200,000 in kickbacks. Kuchera was first suspended in April for overcharging the Navy on another contract.

Pomegranate

2| Breast cancer breakthrough

The details: California researchers have found that six natural compounds in pomegranates prevent the growth of breast cancers by blocking a key enzyme. The finding could help combat breast cancer, which affects one in every eight women.

Terrorists do us a favor

3| Eight killed by own bomb

The details: Eight terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan, were killed when they accidentally set off their own cache of explosives. Police found guns, grenades and suicide vests in their house, Agence France-Presse reported. “So far, evidence on the ground shows the occupants of this house were trying to shift explosives and weapons when the blast occurred,” said a senior police official.

Personal responsibility

4| Obama takes blame

The details: In a show of personal responsibility, President Obama invited Americans to blame him for the recent failures that nearly allowed a Nigerian terrorist to blow up a plane bound for Detroit. “The buck stops with me,” said Obama.

Nanoparticles

5| Cancer-hunting particles

The details: Researchers in California and Massachusetts believe they have developed an injection made up of nanoparticles that will hunt down cancerous tumors and destroy them. The breakthrough could give new hope to cancer sufferers, especially of inoperable cancers.

Oversight
6| Mikulski to Metro: Shape up
The details: Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., once again challenged Metro Board members to prove that they are improving safety and accountability in the wake of a newly released report that independent safety inspectors were almost run over by a speeding train last month. Mikulski, who was instrumental in getting $150 million in federal funding for Metro, called the near-miss “outrageous.”
Scaled-back festivities
7| McDonnell plans recession inaugural
The details: In a nod to the recession, Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell plans to spend only half of what predecessor Gov. Tim Kaine spent on his inauguration four years ago. Collection bins for donated coats and food will also be set up at inaugural ball and parade sites, and then distributed to the needy by the Virginia Food Banks and Salvation Army.
Let them vote
8| Congressional leaders join court fight
The details: Two Republican senators and 37 GOP House members filed an amicus brief in D.C. Superior Court challenging two decisions by the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics that barred a citizens initiative on same-sex marriage on grounds that it was discriminatory. Voters in 30 states have approved constitutional amendments banning the practice.
Traffic deaths way down
9| Death toll lowest in 40 years
The details: The Department of Motor Vehicles says the death toll on Virginia’s highways last year was the lowest since 1966, when it started recording traffic fatalities. Although 750 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in the commonwealth last year, that’s considerably less than the 822 deaths reported in 2008 and the 1,026 fatalities that occurred in 2007. DMV officials credit the drop to record-high seat belt use.
Hope for change
10| Redskins name new head coach
The details: Two-time Super Bowl winner Mike Shanahan signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Washington Redskins at the end of a disastrous 4-12 season for the once mighty franchise. The team took last place in its division.