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Contracts awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for post-Hurricane Katrina work along the Gulf Coast were initially awarded to big firms. But some local, smaller firms are questioning the deals. Unsuccessful bidders say the government didn't follow its own rules.

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that being even a bit overweight can potentially kill you -- or at least increase your chances of premature death. The finding comes from an analysis of 527,000 AARP members.

In a stunning reversal of fortune, it now seems likely that Pluto will lose its title of planet. Scientists meeting in Prague were presented with a new definition of the word "planet" last week, which would have included Pluto as a planet. But the proposal met with fierce protests. Opponents say there are hundreds of objects like Pluto.

A new proposal coming out of Baghdad would give amnesty to prisoners and insurgents. The 28-point initiative is an attempt by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to bring stability to Iraq. The offer, however, excludes terrorists and those who committed war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Billionaire Warren Buffett will give part of his fortune to a foundation set up in his late wife's name, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. The foundation, which gives money to pro-choice organizations and projects, has had a small budget. People on both sides of the abortion debate are wondering what effect the new money will have.

Canada is calling for the arrest of a senior Iranian official in connection with the death of a female photojournalist. The woman was arrested while taking photographs of a prison. Hard-line Iranian authorities said she died of a stroke. Iranian reformists have said she was tortured to death.

A growing number of Israeli reserve soldiers, frustrated at the way the war with Hezbollah was managed, are calling for senior political and military officials to resign. Some soldiers have launched a petition drive; others are protesting outside Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office. Many soldiers say they lacked vital equipment and were misled by dithering leaders.

The House of Representatives passes a measure to address lobbying scandals that have tarnished the reputation of Congress. Opponents criticize the bill as too weak. But the majority of Republicans say it is a first step toward meaningful reform.

Beverage makers and the William Clinton Foundation announce a plan to stop the sale of full-calorie sodas at public schools nationwide by 2010. Under the deal, only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milk will be sold in lower grades and only diet sodas will be sold in high schools.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki presented a 24-point national reconciliation plan Sunday. It outlines terms under which some insurgents would be given amnesty. It also puts forward other initiatives, like a reconstruction campaign. But the specifics of the plan haven't been worked out.