Obama and the DNC...CLinton backers head to Obama...Martyr wish

Washington (AP) Barack Obama is keeping Howard Dean as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. But he's also bringing in one of his top strategists to oversee the party's operations. The changes at the party headquarters were Obama's first order of business as the Democrats' presumed presidential nominee.

WASHINGTON (AP) Some of Hillary Rodham Clinton's biggest supporters are preparing to announce their support of her rival for the Democratic nomination. A group of New York congressmen is preparing an endorsement of Barack Obama. Clinton told supporters in an e-mail today that the party needs to rally behind Obama.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (HAH'-leed shayk moh-HAH'-med) says he wants to be executed for his confessed role as the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Mohammed was arraigned before a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba today. He said the death penalty would make him a martyr.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATOIN (AP) Two astronauts are conducting a spacewalk at the international space station. Among other tasks, they are planning to set up two TV cameras at the station's new Japanese lab. The walk is scheduled to last more than six hours.

WASHINGTON (AP) Home foreclosures have been coming at a record pace this year, and are expected to keep rising. The Mortgage Bankers Association says the rate of new foreclosures was the highest on record from January through March. The number of homeowners more than a month behind on their payments also hit a high.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-05-08 1149CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list