[Updated, 11:11 p.m. ET] Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in a mansion outside the Pakistani capital of Islamabad along with other family members, senior U.S. official tells CNN.
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to address the nation shortly.
FULL STORY
[Updated, 10:55 p.m. ET] A woman whose mother was killed on American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11 expressed "relief" over reports that Osama bin Laden is dead.
In an e-mail to CNN, Carrie Lemack said: "Cannot express how this feels to my family, but relief is one word. We hope we can now focus on all that that madman took, namely nearly 3,000 + innocent victims, and not on him."
[Updated, 10:55 p.m. ET] Osama bin Laden is dead, sources told CNN Sunday night.
Congressional and administration sources say U.S. officials have the body of bin Laden, who was reportedly killed in Afghanistan. The details about his death were not immediately available.
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to address the nation shortly.
[Updated, 10:45 p.m. ET] Osama bin Laden is dead, CNN's John King reported Sunday night, citing sources.
[Initial post, 10:09 p.m. ET] U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to make a statement Sunday night, tentatively at 10:30 p.m., the White House said. The subject of his address was not known.
Obama is expected to address national security in his speech, a source said.
The Men’s Health All-Terrain Race (MH ATR) is the annual flagship event of Men’s Health Magazine. It is the most eagerly-anticipated races in the country by both mountain bikers and trail runners. The MH ATR is also the perfect springboard for new riders and runners to try something new and to push their limit.
LOCATION
The 2010 Men’s Heath All-Terrain Race will be held in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa. In this vast and naturally rich site in Laguna, participants will be running and/or riding on different types of terrain like pavement, dirt, compact dirt and grass. They will also be admiring the view on top of a ravine, and getting wet while crossing a river on their way to the finish line.
2nd Social Networking & e-Business Conference 2009
Event Fact Sheet
The 2nd Social Networking and e-Business Conference 2009 'Reaching and Connecting to Customers Through Social Networks'
April 23-24, 2009 Grand Ballroom, Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City, philwebsupport Philippines
Presented By: Fiera de Manila, Inc. and DigitalFilipino Club
Express yourself, share your interest, post your photos, share your music, connect with friends, make new connections, and exchange insights --- this is now the growing trend of communications and engagement with your customers.
The philwebsupport phenomenon of online social networks has created real-life and business relationships amongst advertisers, users and consumers of today's digital marketplaces. The growth and popularity of social networks is changing the landscape of marketing and e-Business.
Gain insights on how to maximize the use of social networks. Learn from various case studies. Learn from various Experts sharing their unique perspectives on the phenomenon of social networks.
The Social Networking and e-Business Conference 2009 is an event geared towards companies and digital marketing/advertising professionals who are interested to use social networks for advertising/marketing their products and services. It is for dynamic companies, start-ups, and upcoming players who would like to leverage on current technologies to communicate and sell their products/services in the cyber world; and, gain knowledge as to how this industry is working and evolving.
Leveraging on Social Media Sites
What works in digital philwebsupport marketing during tough times?
Social Networking has evolved into a powerful marketing medium. The phenomenon of online social networks has created real-life and business relationships amongst advertisers, users and consumers of today's digital marketplaces. The growth and popularity of social networks is rapidly changing marketing and advertising campaigns and philwebsupport e-business.
Gain insights on how to maximize the use of social networks. Learn from various case studies. Learn from various Experts sharing their unique perspectives on the phenomenon of social networks. Learn how social networking works!
KEY CONFERENCE TOPICS (still subject to improvement)
KEY CONFERENCE TOPICS (still subject to improvement)
DAY 1, April 23, 2009, Thursday
A. Registration - 8:15 - 8:45am B. Opening Ceremonies - 8:50 - 9:00am
- Invocation - National Anthem - AVP on Social Networking and e-Business Conference 2009
2. Harnessing the Top Social Media Sites - 9:30 - 10:00am - Janette Toral, Founder, Digitalfilipino.com A presentation of top social networks in the philwebsupport Philippines and the world and its characteristics and strengths; how can companies and entrepreneurs tap each social networks to promote their products and services.
3. Application Platforms Race to Micro-Payments - 10:00 - 11:00am - Andrian Lee, General Manager, Asia Pay - Friendster (Speaker, TBA) Application platforms, such as, Facebook now has tens of thousands of philwebsupport applications. MySpace, which mostly relies on Google's OpenSocial platform, has 4,500 apps available to users, and 211 million applications have been installed. The iPhone, which only launched its App Store in July 2008, has more than 10,000 applications, and they've been downloaded 300 million times. Developments are now happening on the micro-payment side and this is the session that will provide updates.
TEA BREAK - 11:00 - 11:15am
4. Using Mobile philwebsupport Technologies to Extend Social Networking - 11:15 - 11:45am - Jim Ayson, Product Manager, VAS, Smart Communications, Inc. This session will present the use of mobile technologies as a tool for extending social networking, such as -- the expansion of existing social networks into the mobile space (facebook, friendster, linked in); the creation of mobile-based micro blogging networks (twitter, plurk); the creation of mobile based social networks; the expansion of the mobile internet in the Philippines; the efforts of mobile operators to build bridges to social networks; and, the opportunities for both social network users and content providers.
5. Digital Marketing Through Online Games - 1:30 - 2:00pm - Jane Walker, CEO, Level-Up! Another very popular form of advertising campaign plaguing the young market is advergaming in the Philippines. Level-up your product marketing and advertising campaign though online games! Learn from successful case studies of advergaming.
6. Advance Social philwebsupport Networking and Advertising - 2:00 - 3:30 pm - Adonis Yap, President, sme.com.ph and Bizster.com - Crisela Cervantes, Head Customer Services, ABS-CBN Interactive/Multiply - Cris Concepcion, Strategic Consultant, Yahoo! Philippines This session will explore the use of social networking sites by power users, SMEs, and businesses. Learn from various case studies of Bizster.com, Yahoo!, and Multiply.
TEA BREAK - 3:30 - 3:45pm
7. Enabling SMEs Through Internet and Other Technologies - 3:45 - 4:15pm - Christian Lim, Product Manager, SMEG Marketing, PLDT SME Nation
Discusses the state of internet penetrate in the Philippines, especially the SMEs - how SMEs utilize broadband connectivity in their businesses and what are the emerging technologies that Filipino entrepreneurs can use.
8. The Next Generation philwebsupport Communication Services - 4:15 - 4:45pm - Cyril Rocke, President, Finacore Technology
DAY 2, April 24, 2009, Friday
A. Registration - 8:15 - 8:45am
B. Opening Ceremonies - 8:50 - 9:00am
- Invocation - National Anthem - AVP on Social Networking and e-Business Conference 2009
2. Data Privacy in Social Networks - 9:30 - 10:00am - Atty. JJ Disini, Professor, UP College of Law With so much information being shared online, this session intends to discuss the various policies locally and global standards being adopted to protect user data.
3. Application Development Platform Updates - 10:00 - 11:00am - Wilson Chua, CEO, Bitstop - Google Speaker (TBA) Developer programs tackled for MSN, Friendster, philwebsupport, Google, and Yahoo! What are the updates to learn from these developers?
TEA BREAK - 11:00 - 11:15am
4. Having a Start-Up Business in Web 3.0 Era - 11:15 - 11:45am - Ranulf Goss, CEO, SunGame Focuses on how new and current companies are adopting to the fast changing social networking business model to survive, attract investors, and thrive.
6. Search Engine Marketing and Optimization Best Practices - 1:30 - 2:30pm - Wendy S. Ang, Founder, My Optimind Solutions - Janette Toral, Founder, Digitalfilipino.com Best practices on search engine marketing and optimization of web sites with case studies to illustrate and learn from.
7. Philippine Music Surviving the Download Era - 2:30 - 3:00pm - Jay Frank de Jesus, Founder, Titik Pilipino Session explores how the philwebsupport Philippine music industry executives, online music vendors, composers, and artists embrace online streaming, online retail and music download, adapt this trend, takes advantage of e-Business, and spread the word through Internet-powered avid-followers here and abroad.
TEA BREAK - 3:00 - 3:15pm
8. The Best in Social Networking - Featured Winners in Widget, Photo-Sharing, Video-Sharing, and Micro-Blogs - 3:15 - 5:15pm ( 30 minutes each presentation) - Winner, Widget Category - Winner, Photo-Sharing - Winner, Video-Sharing - Winner, Micro-Blogs
Who Should Attend:
Social Networkers, philwebsupport, Bloggers, Managing Directors, General Managers, Corporate Strategist, CRM Managers, Direct Marketing Managers, Database Managers, IT Managers, Brand Managers, Category Managers, Product Managers, Advertising Managers, Corporate Communication Managers, Marketing Managers, Internet Marketers, Media Buyers, Content Providers and those involved in marketing/advertising using the internet and mobile.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Sen. Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday discussed a "general time horizon" for any American troop withdrawals from Iraq, al-Maliki's office said.
Sen. Barack Obama rides in a helicopter Monday with Gen. David Petraeus in Baghdad, Iraq.
Obama -- who has made ending the Iraq war a cornerstone of his run for office -- engaged in what were described as productive talks with al-Maliki during a trip to Iraq.
The Iraqi government has been pushing for the United States to set a general timetable to spell out troop withdrawals.
Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi also met with Obama Monday and told reporters afterward they discussed the security agreement.
"I told Sen. Obama (that) Iraqi and American negotiations regarding this are ongoing, and today new Iraqi-American negotiations on this agreement have started with Iraqi written proposals and have a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq," he said.
The Bush administration has opposed timetables for troop withdrawals. But al-Maliki and President Bush last week agreed to a "general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals" on troop cuts.
The prime minister reiterated that principle with Obama, according to a statement from al-Maliki's office.
"Developments of the situation and the circumstances is what will decide the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, but without keeping open-ended dates," al-Maliki said, according to a statement from his office.
Obama's Trip
Sen. Barack Obama is set to step onto the world's stage. During his trip to the Middle East and Europe, Obama will visit:
Jordan
Israel (with a trip to Ramallah, West Bank)
Germany
France
United Kingdom
"With the developments on the ground, we can set a vision and clear horizons regarding this issue, and this is a view both sides agree on in the ongoing negotiations."
Al-Maliki's office quoted obama as saying he is "supportive and committed to preserving the gains achieved by the Iraqi government" under al-Maliki's leadership and that he admires the prime minister's courage.
Obama has proposed withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office. Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the Iraqi government's "vision" is that most U.S. combat troops would be out of Iraq by 2010. Asked if that stance is part of the current negotiations, al-Dabbagh said, "No. This is the Iraqi vision."
A German magazine on Saturday quoted al-Maliki as saying he backed Obama's proposal, but al-Dabbagh has said that his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately."
In a statement Sunday, the magazine, Der Spiegel, said it "stands by its version of this interview."
In the magazine interview, al-Maliki did not indicate that he was endorsing Obama over Sen.
John Mcaine, the presumptive Republican nominee.
McCain does not think American troops should return to the United States until Iraqi forces are capable of maintaining a safe, democratic state. He has been a strong advocate of the "surge" -- the 2007 escalation of U.S. troops -- and has said troops should stay in Iraq as long as needed.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal -- who's been mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick for McCain -- on Monday criticized Obama's push to remove troops in 16 months as an "arbitrary timetable based on politics versus a plan based on the actual results on the ground."
"One of the reasons I'm supporting [McCain] -- he has made it clear he would rather lose an election than lose a war. He's made it very clear -- let's listen to the commanders on the ground," Jindal said on CNN's "American Morning."
McCain last week chided Obama for laying out his plans for Iraq and Afghanistan before talking to Gen. David Petraeus, the head of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Obama met with Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, in Baghdad on Monday.
He also met with Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni Arab who is one of Iraq's two vice presidents; Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq; British Maj. Gen. Barney White Spunner, commander of Multi-National Division South East; and Maj. General Abdul Aziz, the Iraqi army's 14th Division commander.
Obama's stop in Iraq marks his second visit to the country. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's trip abroad began in Kuwait and Afghanistan and will go on to Jordan, Israel, the West Bank, Germany, France and Britain. The senator from Illinois first visited Iraq in 2006.
Obama arrived Monday afternoon in the southern city of Basra, according to U.S. Embassy spokesman Armand Cucciniello.
Obama is traveling with Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a leading Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican who serves on the Foreign Relations Committee and is an outspoken critic of the Iraq war.
Obama has said that if he's elected, he would commit more troops to Afghanistan and would order the military to end the war in Iraq, which he has called a "dangerous distraction" from the Afghan battle.
Obama spent Saturday and Sunday in Afghanistan, where he met with U.S. troops at three bases and with Afghan President Hamid Karzai -- a leader the Democratic senator has criticized for doing too little to rebuild the war-torn nation.
The fight in Afghanistan recently has become a more pressing issue on the political radar. More coalition forces have died in Afghanistan than in Iraq in May, June and so far in July.
Last week, in a major address laying out his foreign policy position, Obama said, "As should have been apparent to President Bush and Sen. McCain, the central front in the war on terror is not Iraq, and it never was."
He said part of his strategy would be "taking the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan."
(CNN) -- Authorities have fired an official in central China after city inspectors beat to death a man who filmed their confrontation with villagers, China's Xinhua news agency reports.
Officers in helmets face off with residents of Wanba village in Tianmen, central China's Hubei province.
The killing has sparked outrage in China, with thousands expressing outrage in Chinese Internet chat rooms, often the only outlet for public criticism of the government.
The incident has also alarmed advocates of press freedom, who say municipal authorities had no right to attack a man for simply filming them.
Police have detained 24 municipal inspectors and are investigating more than 100 in the death of Wei Wenhua, a 41-year-old construction company executive, Xinhua reported on Friday.
The swift action by officials reflects concerns that the incident could spark larger protests against authorities, whose heavy-handed approach often arouses resentment.
On Monday Wei happened on a confrontation in the central Chinese province of Hubei between city inspectors and villagers protesting over the dumping of waste near their homes.
A scuffle developed when residents tried to prevent trucks from unloading the rubbish, Xinhua said.
When Wei took out his cell phone to record the protest, more than 50 municipal inspectors turned on him, attacking him for five minutes, Xinhua said. Wei was dead on arrival at a Tianmen hospital, the report said.
Qi Zhengjun, chief of the urban administration bureau in the city of Tianmen, lost his job over the incident, Xinhua reported Friday.
The beating was condemned online. "It's no longer news that urban administrators enforce the law with violence," said an editorial on the news Web site Northeast News, according to The Associated Press.
"But now someone has been beaten to death on site. It has brought us not surprise, but unspeakable anger."
Chen Yizhong, a columnist on Xinhua's Web site, asked why violence by city inspectors is allowed to continue. "Cities need administration, but urban administrators need to be governed by law first," he wrote.
An international press freedom group, Reporters Without Borders, protested the killing.
"Wei is the first 'citizen journalist' to die in China because of what he was trying to film," the group said in a statement.
"He was beaten to death for doing something which is becoming more and more common and which was a way to expose law-enforcement officers who keep on overstepping their limits." by cnn
