Barack Obama

Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. (born in Nyanza Province, Kenya) and Ann Dunham (born in Wichita, Kansas). Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party.

Obama grew up in culturally diverse surroundings. He spent most of his childhood in the majority-minority U.S. state of Hawaii and lived for four years in Indonesia. Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention while still an Illinois state legislator. Since announcing his candidacy in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as campaign themes.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, Obama co-sponsored the enactment of conventional weapons control and transparency legislation, and made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Obama's parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced. His father went to Harvard University to pursue Ph.D. studies, then returned to Kenya, where he died in an auto accident when the younger Obama was twenty-one years old.

Monday, April 21, 2008

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests
He was a church-going father of two, and for more than 30 years Dennis Rader eluded police in the Wichita area, killing 10 people and signing taunting letters with a self-styled monogram: BTK, for Bind Torture Kill. In the end, it was a DNA sample that tied BTK to his crimes. Not his own DNA. But...
(By Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post)

Obama Sharpens His Tone
As Pa. Vote Nears, Clinton Criticizes Rival's Negative Turn
(By Dan Balz and Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

Few Clear Wins in U.S. Anti-Terror Cases
Moving Early on Domestic Suspects Often Does Not Bring Convictions
(By Carrie Johnson and Walter Pincus, The Washington Post)

A Switch on the Tracks: Railroads Roar Ahead
Global Trade, Fuel Costs Add Up To Expansion for Once-Dying Industry
(By Frank Ahrens, The Washington Post)

Ovechkin Has One Goal in Mind
He Isn't Scoring Much, but He's Contributing More as Capitals Try to Force Game 7
(By Tarik El-Bashir, The Washington Post)

More Today's Highlights

POLITICS
Leading GOP Donors Push To Catch Up to Liberal Groups
With Sen. John McCain facing the prospect of being dramatically outspent in the race for the White House, a collection of major Republican donors and party leaders that includes former Bush strategist Karl Rove is scrambling to catch up with the efforts of liberal groups aiming to influence the...
(By Matthew Mosk, The Washington Post)

Obama Sharpens His Tone
As Pa. Vote Nears, Clinton Criticizes Rival's Negative Turn
(By Dan Balz and Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

A Switch on the Tracks: Railroads Roar Ahead
Global Trade, Fuel Costs Add Up To Expansion for Once-Dying Industry
(By Frank Ahrens, The Washington Post)

What Obama Might Learn From Emily Dickinson
(By Shankar Vedantam, The Washington Post)

Justices to Hear Challenge of Law That Affects Self-Funded Candidates
(By Robert Barnes, The Washington Post)

More Politics

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NATION
Few Clear Wins in U.S. Anti-Terror Cases
When seven ragtag men in a Miami religious sect were indicted in 2006 for their role in a bizarre plot to blow up the FBI Miami office and Chicago's Sears Tower, then- Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales said the case represented "a new brand of terrorism" among homegrown gangs that "may prove to...
(By Carrie Johnson and Walter Pincus, The Washington Post)

From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests
Privacy Advocates Say the Emerging Practice Turns Relatives Into Genetic Informants
(By Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post)

Justices to Hear Challenge of Law That Affects Self-Funded Candidates
(By Robert Barnes, The Washington Post)

Hormones Tied to Traders' Deal-Making, Study Finds
-
(By Rob Stein, The Washington Post)

Pope Ends U.S. Trip With Stadium Mass, Ground Zero Service
Visit Helped Raise Familiarity With Pontiff
(By Michelle Boorstein and Jacqueline L. Salmon, The Washington Post)

More Nation

WORLD
Rice Praises 'Coalescing Center' in Iraqi Politics
BAGHDAD, April 20 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made an unannounced visit here Sunday to promote what she called the "coalescing center" of Iraqi politics around the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
(By Karen DeYoung and Ernesto Londoño, The Washington Post)

A Plush, Cool Escape Into the Fanciful World of Bollywood
(By Candace Rondeaux, The Washington Post)

China Falls Short on Vows for Olympics
'Long Way to Go' On Rights, Pollution And Press Freedom
(By Jill Drew and Maureen Fan, The Washington Post)

Birthrates Help Keep Filipinos in Poverty
Contraceptives, Rejected by Government, Are Unaffordable for Many in Majority-Catholic Nation
(By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post)

Former Bishop Is Victor Over Party Long in Power
(By Monte Reel, The Washington Post)

More World

METRO
Tornadoes Touch Down in Pr. George's, Charles
Two tornadoes ripped across parts of Washington's Maryland suburbs yesterday, lifting roofs, smashing windows and toppling trees, as thunderstorms soaked the area. No injuries were reported immediately from the twisters, which struck Prince George's and Charles counties.
(By Daniel de Vise and Jenna Johnson, The Washington Post)

Alexandria Tax Plan Targets Payday Loans
Revenue Would Fund Consumer Education
(By Kirstin Downey, The Washington Post)

A New View of Vacant Houses
Immigrant Crackdown Changing Block for the Better, Pr. William Pair Say
(By Karin Brulliard, The Washington Post)

For Visas, The Demand Outstrips The Supply
Firms Say They Rely On Skilled Immigrants
(By Pamela Constable, The Washington Post)

Most Congested Route? This Week, D.C. to Pa.
Area Residents Show Their Political Drive
(By David Nakamura and Tim Craig, The Washington Post)

More Metro

BUSINESS
From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests
He was a church-going father of two, and for more than 30 years Dennis Rader eluded police in the Wichita area, killing 10 people and signing taunting letters with a self-styled monogram: BTK, for Bind Torture Kill. In the end, it was a DNA sample that tied BTK to his crimes. Not his own DNA. But...
(By Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post)

A Switch on the Tracks: Railroads Roar Ahead
Global Trade, Fuel Costs Add Up To Expansion for Once-Dying Industry
(By Frank Ahrens, The Washington Post)

Brokering Power In Business and Politics
Buyout Firm Founder Fred Malek's Career Spans Nixon to McCain
(By Michael S. Rosenwald, The Washington Post)

Few Clear Wins in U.S. Anti-Terror Cases
Moving Early on Domestic Suspects Often Does Not Bring Convictions
(By Carrie Johnson and Walter Pincus, The Washington Post)

China Falls Short on Vows for Olympics
'Long Way to Go' On Rights, Pollution And Press Freedom
(By Jill Drew and Maureen Fan, The Washington Post)

More Business

TECHNOLOGY
Ashburn Firm to Build Portable WiFi Systems for Army
The Army has hired Telos to build a next-generation WiFi communications system that Army personnel can lug with them and set up anywhere around the world to get logistics support.
(By William Welsh, The Washington Post)

Election E-Mails Can End Your Term in the Office
(By Stephen Barr, The Washington Post)

From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests
Privacy Advocates Say the Emerging Practice Turns Relatives Into Genetic Informants
(By Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post)

More Technology

SPORTS
Wizards Look to Arenas, Offensive Efficiency
The Wizards' Gilbert Arenas plans to play in Game 2 against Cleveland on Monday night despite suffering a sprained right wrist during a Game 1 loss.
(By Ivan Carter, The Washington Post)

Sports No Longer a Driving Force at Notre Dame Academy
School Seems Set to De-Emphasize Programs
(By Josh Barr, The Washington Post)

First of All, It's Patrick -- at Last
Pioneering Racecar Driver Breaks Through With the Checkered Flag in Japan
(By Liz Clarke, The Washington Post)

Ovechkin Has One Goal in Mind
He Isn't Scoring Much, but He's Contributing More as Capitals Try to Force Game 7
(By Tarik El-Bashir, The Washington Post)

In Looking to Replace Teasley, Mystics Hold Competition for Roster Spots
(By Katie Carrera, The Washington Post)

More Sports

STYLE
A Washed-Out Hue of Green
Earth to Earth Day concert attendees: Hey, kids, get off my lawn! (And take your dime bags with you!)
(By J. Freedom du Lac, The Washington Post)

White House Press Dinner: De-Wonked!
(By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts, The Washington Post)

Determined Steps in a Tough Slog
In Two Pa. Cities, Clinton and Obama Supporters Work to Counter the Odds
(By Kevin Merida and Jose Antonio Vargas, The Washington Post)

Sharp Edge, Lethal Aim: Chris Rock Brings the Pain to D.C.
(By Teresa Wiltz, The Washington Post)

Retired Officers, Still Doing The Pentagon's Work on TV?
(By Howard Kurtz, The Washington Post)

More Style

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
'The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future'
Environmentalist and writer Bill McKibben, author of "Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future," discusses why growth is no longer the best metric for economic progress, and why a more local focus could be beneficial.
(Bill McKibben, washingtonpost.com)

The Chat House
Sports News
(Michael Wilbon, washingtonpost.com)

Dr. Gridlock
Traffic and Transit in the Washington Region
(Robert Thomson, washingtonpost.com)

Talk About Travel
Trip Tips and Deals
(The Flight Crew, washingtonpost.com)

Career Track Live
Advice for Working Professionals
(Mary Ellen Slayter, washingtonpost.com)

More Live Discussions

Election Year Folly
WITH ONE significant exception, the essence of Sen. John McCain's speech on economic policy last week could be summed up as, "Let's just get me elected, and then we can talk seriously." Of course, the presumptive Republican nominee is far from the first candidate, and he's certainly not the only ...
(The Washington Post)

Mr. Bush's Train Wreck
The president raised a legitimate concern in his climate speech. Too bad he's the cause of it.
(The Washington Post)

In Search of an AIDS Vaccine
Rededication follows disappointment.
(The Washington Post)

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