(Thursday update) Osama bin Laden | Bangkok Post: learning

General news

It looks like the only photo of the dead Osama bin Laden to be released will be the faked photoshopped version we have already seen.

Thursday, 10:00 am

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Obama won't release Osama death photos

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has decided not to release a photograph showing the body of Osama Bin Laden after he was killed by US commandos, US television networks said on Wednesday.

In an interview with CBS, Obama said "he won't release post-mortem images of Osama Bin Laden taken to prove his death," the network said in a statement.

The CBS interview for its "60 Minutes" programme is due to air on Sunday and comes after commandos over the weekend stormed Osama's hideout in a Pakistani compound and shot him dead.

US officials who have seen the pictures of Osama's body have described them as gruesome.

There are fears that if the photos are released they could provoke anger and trigger a backlash against US personnel in the Muslim world.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were both advising Obama about concerns at the Pentagon and State Department over releasing the photograph, ABC television said.

On Capitol Hill, a number of senators and congressmen said they had been shown the picture.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said he had seen the photo and was reluctant for it to be released, saying he was concerned for the security of American troops abroad.

"The risks of release outweigh the benefits," Rogers said, saying conspiracy theorists would just claim it was doctored anyway.

"Imagine how the American people would react if Al-Qaeda killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the Internet.

"Osama bin Laden is not a trophy – he is dead," the lawmaker said.

release – to allow something to be shown or known to the public or to be available for use เปิดเผย, ปล่อยข่าว
commando – a soldier trained to attack in areas controlled by an enemy สมาชิกของหน่วยจู่โจม
interview – a meeting (often a public one) at which a journalist asks somebody questions in order to find out their opinions, experiences, etc.
post-mortem – after someone dies; a discussion or an examination of an event after it has happened ภายหลังการตาย
air – broadcast; to send out a programme on television or radio กระจายเสียง,กระจายข่าว
storm – to use force to enter a place and take control of it บุกกระหน่ำ
compound – an area enclosed by a fence or wall in which people work or live บริเวณ
gruesome – involving or describing death or injury in a very unpleasant way น่ากลัว น่ารังเกียจ
provoke – to cause a reaction  ก่อให้เกิด
trigger – to cause ก่อให้เกิด กระตุ้น
backlash – a strong negative and often angry reaction to something that has happened การสะท้อนกลับอย่างรุนแรง
personnel – the people who are employed in a company, organization or one of the armed forces บุคลากร, เจ้าหน้าที่, พนักงาน
concern – a worry ความกังวล
senator – a member of the Senate ฒิสมาชิก
intelligence – information collected about the secret plans of an enemy, criminal organisations, competitors, etc. ข่าวกรอง  ข้อมูลลับ
reluctant – not willing to do something  อย่างไม่เต็มใจ อย่างลังเลใจ
troops – soldiers, especially in large numbers กองทหาร
risk – the possibility that something dangerous or unpleasant might happen ความเสี่ยง
outweigh – to be greater or more important than something มีค่าเกิน,มีความสำคัญเกิน
benefit – an advantage you get from a situation; a helpful or good effect, or something intended to help ผลประโยชน์
conspiracy – a secret plan by a group of people to do something bad or illegal  การวางแผนอย่างลับๆ การสมรู้ร่วมคิด
theorist – a person who develops ideas and principles about a particular subject in order to explain why things happen or exist นักทฤษฎี, ผู้สร้างทฤษฎี
doctor – to change a photo, document, tape, film, etc. in order to deceive people ปลอมแปลงเพื่อหลอกลวง
imagine – to form a picture of something or someone in your mind นึกคิด, จินตนาการ, นึกฝัน
react – to change or behave in a particular way as a result of or in response to something เกิดปฏิกิริยา
trophy – an object that you keep to show that you were successful in something, especially hunting or war สิ่งที่ยึดได้จากศัตรูและเก็บไว้เป็นที่ระลึกถึงชัยชนะ

Wednesday, 11:30 am

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More details emerge about bin Laden raid

WASHINGTON, AFP - Agonising "minutes passed like days" after Barack Obama made what a top aide dubbed the "gutsiest" presidential call in years, and followed in real time as special forces swooped on Osama bin Laden.

Obama's gruff anti-terror advisor John Brennan, who hunted the Al-Qaeda mastermind for 15 years, offered tantalising details Monday of the high-stakes operation in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad in which bin Laden died.

"It was probably one of the most anxiety-filled periods of time, I think, in the lives of the people who were assembled here," Brennan told reporters in a colourful White House briefing.

"The minutes passed like days, and the president was very concerned about the security of our personnel."

"It was clearly very tense, a lot of people holding their breath," Brennan said. "And there was a fair degree of silence as it progressed as we could get the updates.

More details emerged Tueday and the story of Osama bin Laden's death has been revised somewhat.

The Al-Qaeda chief  was unarmed when he was shot dead by US special forces, but he tried to resist and there was a "volatile firefight," the White House said Tuesday.

The revelation, likely to stoke anger in parts of the Muslim world, came from President Barack Obama's spokesman Jay Carney as he provided the most detailed account yet of the Sunday night raid.

"In the room with bin Laden, a women – Osama's wife – rushed the US assaulter and was shot in the leg but not killed. Bin Laden was then shot and killed. He was not armed," Carney said.

The elite Navy SEALs came in on two helicopters.

"The team methodically cleared the compound moving from room to room in an operation lasting nearly 40 minutes," Carney said.

After media reports quoting officials describing it as a "kill operation," the White House spokesman was pressed hard to explain the apparent contradiction that bin Laden was unarmed but also resisted.

"We were prepared to capture him if that was possible," Carney said, without providing a clear explanation. "We expected a great deal of resistance and were met with a great deal of resistance."

When a journalist insisted: "He wasn't armed," Carney replied: "But there were many other people who were armed in the compound. There was a firefight."

"But not in that room," the journalist pressed.

"It was a highly volatile firefight. I'll point you to the department of defence for more details about it," Carney said.

In addition to the bin Laden family, two other families resided in the compound: one on the first floor of the bin Laden building and another in a second building,

"Of the 22 or so people in the room, 17 or so of them were noncombatants," Carney said.

The SEALs split into two: one team entering the bin Laden house on the first floor and working its way up to the third floor where the Al-Qaeda chief was, while the other team cleared the second building.

"On the first floor of (Osama) bin Laden's building, two Al-Qaeda couriers were killed along with a woman who was killed in crossfire," Carney said.

"Bin Laden and his family were found on the second and third floor of the building. There was concern that bin Laden would oppose the capture operation and indeed he resisted."

After the firefight, the "noncombatants were moved to a safe location as the damaged helicopter was detonated," Carney said. "The team departed the scene via helicopter to the USS Carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea."

The White House spokesman also described the sea burial of bin Laden, which has been criticised as going against Islamic tradition by certain Muslim leaders.

"Aboard the USS Carl Vinson, the burial of bin Laden was done in conformance with Islamic precepts and practices," he said. "The deceased's body was washed and then placed in a white sheet.

"The body was placed in a weighted bag; a military officer read prepared religious remarks, which were translated into Arabic by a native speaker," he continued.

"After the words were complete, the body was placed on a prepared flat board, tipped up, and the deceased body eased into the sea."

key – very important ที่สำคัญ
daring – very brace; showing courage and determination กล้าหาญ
raid – a short surprise attack on an enemy  การจู่โจม,การโจมตี
compound – an area enclosed by a fence or wall in which people work or live บริเวณ
emerge – to become known  เป็นที่ประจักษ์
agonising – very upsetting and seems to happen very slowly because something bad is happening ซึ่งสร้างความเจ็บปวดทางใจและกายอย่างมาก
aide – someone whose job is to help another person in their work ผู้ช่วย
dubbed – called; given a name ถูกเรียก ตั้งฉายา
gutsy – showing courage and determination กล้าหาญ
real time – actual time; dealing with information as soon as it is received  ตามเวลาจริง
swoop – to make a sudden attack on a place or group of people in order to surround and catch them โจมตีอย่างรวดเร็ว
gruff – deep and rough, and often sounding unfriendly หยาบคาย, (เสียง) แหบ
mastermind – someone who plans a difficult or complicated operation, especially a crime คนวางแผน
tantalising – making you feel excited or hopeful about having something that you want ทำให้น้ำลายไหล
details – small facts or pieces of information relating to a situation รายละเอียด
high-stakes – of a very important situation where much can be gained or lost  ที่สำคัญยิ่ง ที่เป็นตัวชี้ขาดการได้-เสีย
anxiety – an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future ความวิตกกังวล
assemble – to bring together and form a group นำมาร่วมกัน
reporter – someone whose job is to write articles or make broadcasts about events in the news ผู้สื่อข่าว, นักข่าว
concerned – worried about something   มีความกังวล
security – protection; safety from attack, harm, or damage ความมั่นคง, ระบบรักษาความปลอดภั, ความปลอดภัย
personnel – the people who are employed in a company, organization or one of the armed forces บุคลากร, เจ้าหน้าที่, พนักงาน
tense – making you feel nervous or worried ทำให้เครียด
fair degree – a significant amount; more than a little
silence – complete lack of noise or sound  ความเงียบ
progress – the process of developing or of getting nearer to achieving or completing something คืบหน้า
update – the most recent information or news about something ข้อมูลใหม่ๆ
revise – to change, improve, or make additions to something แก้ไข
unarmed – not carrying a weapon ไม่ได้ติดอาวุธ
resist – to oppose or fight against someone or something ต่อต้าน
volatile – of something that may change suddenly or become more dangerous ที่ปะทุได้ง่าย
revelation – a surprising piece of information การเปิดเผย
stoke – to make people feel something more strongly
account – a spoken or written report about something that has happened  รายงานข่าว
media – newspapers, television, radio, etc. สื่อ
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
gather – to come together in a group รวมกลุ่ม, รวมตัวกัน, จับกลุ่มกัน, ชุมนุม
rush – to suddenly move forward to attack someone จู่โจม, โจมตี
assaulter – attacker ผู้โจมตี    
elite – of a highly trained group ซึ่งดีที่สุด, ยอดเยี่ยมที่สุด
Navy SEALs – United States Navy SEa, Air and Land (SEAL) Teams, the navy main special operation force
methodical – done in a thorough and organised way ซึ่งเป็นระเบียบ,  ซึ่งมีแบบแผน
press – to try in a determined way to make someone do something ผลักดัน, บังคับ
apparent – seeming to be something although it may not be real ดูเหมือนว่า, ตามที่เห็นภายนอก
contradiction – a lack of agreement between facts, opinions, actions, etc.ความขัดแย้งกัน, ข้อความขัดแย้งในตัว
capture – to take someone as a prisoner จับกุม
journalist – a person who writes news stories or articles for a newspaper or magazine or broadcasts them on radio or television ผู้สื่อข่าว
insist – to say very firmly that something must happen or must be done ยืนกราน
reside – to live in a particular place อยู่อาศัย
noncombatant – in a war, a person who is not a member of the armed forces พลเรือน
split  – to separate from a group แยกออก
courier – a person or company whose job is to take packages or important papers somewhere ผู้ส่งสาร
crossfire – the firing of guns from two or more directions at the same time, so that the bullets cross ยืนอยู่ตรงกลางของการต่อสู้ 2 ฝ่าย
oppose – to fighting against ต่อต้าน, คัดค้าน
location – where someone or something is ที่ตั้ง,ทำเล
detonate – to cause to explode ทำให้ระเบิด
depart – to leave ออกจาก
scene – site; a place where something happens or happened สถานที่เกิดเหตุ
via – through  ผ่าน (ช่องทาง)
burial – the act of putting a dead body into the ground (or the sea), or the ceremony connected with this การฝังศพ
tradition – a very old custom, belief, or story ประเพณี, ขนบธรรมเนียม
conformance – the fact of following the rules or standards of something  การสอดคล้องกัน
precept – a rule about how to behave or what to think กฎ, การสั่งสอน,คำสั่งสอน
practice – a way of doing something การปฏิบัติ
deceased – dead  ซึ่งตายแล้ว
translate – to express the meaning of speech or writing in a different language แปล
native speaker – someone who has spoken a particular language since they were a baby, rather than having learnt it as a child or adult เจ้าของภาษา
tip – to move so that one end or side is higher than the other; to move something into this position ทำให้เอียง
ease – to move, or to move somebody/something, slowly and carefully

Tuesday, noon

Click button to listen to Bin Laden compound and rightclick to download

Neighbours 'unaware' of bin Laden's posh hideout

By Emmanuel Duparcq and Sajjad Tarakzai (AFP)

ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan — Frightened neighbours say they had no idea that the man living in a three-storey villa hidden behind barbed wire in a leafy, well-to-do Pakistani town was the world's most wanted extremist.

To kill Osama bin Laden, US forces raided not a remote cave but a secure compound on the fringes of Abbottabad, a summer escape considered one of the safest cities in the northwest and home to an elite military academy.

"I did not have the slightest idea what was going on," said local resident Waseem. "It is a very quiet neighbourhood, the most peaceful area."

Ejaz Mahmood, a tailor, said he heard a blast in the early hours of Monday and "saw a fireball coming down from the air".

Residents were stunned when they switched on their television sets after daybreak to hear US President Barack Obama announce that bin Laden had been killed in their home town.

Explosions, helicopters clattering overhead and gunfire tore locals from their sleep as they stumbled out of their homes, to see what was going on, according to another resident who was too frightened to give his name.

"We heard ambulance sirens and security people shouting. We saw fire and flames coming out... Everybody is scared," he said.

"Police and other security people have cordoned off the whole area and we are not allowed to go out."

Residents said the neighbourhood, about two hours' drive from the capital Islamabad, was home mostly to migrants from the Swat Valley – previously a stronghold of Taliban militants in the northwest – and Afghanistan.

The compound that once housed bin Laden is near potato fields and eucalyptus trees in a valley ringed by hills.

It has four-to-six metre high walls and was closely guarded on Monday by police and soldiers, said AFP reporters.

One resident, 40-year-old Mazhar Ahmed, said the spacious compound had an electrical cable running through the barbed wire topping the walls. At least one press report valued it at $1 million.

Others described dish antennae on the roof and security cameras around the compound, where troops could still be seen dousing flames 12 hours after the operation.

Some US officials said they were stunned when intelligence reports first revealed the elaborate security at bin Laden's upmarket hideout, having previously thought he was in the unruly area on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

The night-time helicopter raid also killed two of his couriers and one of his adult sons, as well as a woman who was used as a human shield, according to US officials.

"Never in our wildest thoughts did we think Osama bin Laden was staying in this house," said Aurangzeb Khan, a local driver.

He told AFP that the owner of the house was a man named Arshad, who would buy 10 to 15 rotis (traditional flat bread) from a nearby shop for each meal.

neighbour – someone who lives near you,  เพื่อนบ้าน
unaware – not understanding or realising something ซึ่งไม่รู้ตัวมาก่อน
posh – elegant and expensive; typical of or used by people who belong to a high social class เก๋ไก๋, เฉียบเฉี่ยว
villa – a house usually in the countryside or near the sea บ้านพักตากอากาศ, บ้านพักของเศรษฐีในชนบท
barbed wire – thick wire with a lot of sharp points sticking out of it, used for making fences ลวดหนาม
well-to-do – wealthy ที่มั่งคั่ง ร่ำรวย
extremist – a person or group whose opinions, especially about religion or politics, are extreme, and who may do things that are violent, illegal, etc. for what they believe พวกหัวรุนแรง,ผู้นิยม
raid – to use force to enter a place suddenly in order to arrest people or search for something such as illegal weapons or drugs บุกเข้าจับ, เข้าตรวจค้น
remote – far away from other cities, towns, or people ที่ห่างไกล
cave – a large hole in the side of a hill or under the ground ถ้ำ
secure – safe from attack or harm ปลอดภัย
compound – an area enclosed by a fence or wall in which people work or live บริเวณ
fringe – the outer edge of something ขอบรอบนอก
elite – of a highly trained group ซึ่งดีที่สุด, ยอดเยี่ยมที่สุด
academy – a school which teaches a particular subject or trains people for a particular job วิทยาลัย(เฉพาะด้าน)
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
tailor – a person whose job is to make men's clothes, especially somebody who makes suits, etc. for individual customers  ช่างตัดเสื้อ
blast – an explosion การระเบิด
stunned – very shocked or surprised  มึน, ตกตะลึง, งงงัน
daybreak – the time of day when light first appears  ฟ้าสาง, รุ่งสาง, รุ่งอรุณ, เช้ามืด
clatter – to make continuous loud noises, often by hitting hard objects against each other, or to cause objects to do this to make continuous loud noises by hitting hard objects against each other, or to cause objects to do this ทำให้เกิดเสียงกระทบกัน
stumble – to walk or move in an unsteady way; to hit your foot against something while you are walking or running and almost fall  สะดุด, เดินสะดุด
ambulance – a vehicle for taking people to hospital รถพยาบาล
siren – a piece of equipment that makes a loud sound, used for warning people เสียงหวอ
cordon off – to put something around a building or an area in order to stop people from entering it ปิดล้อม
neighbourhood – a particular area of a city or town ละแวก, ย่าน
migrant - moving from one place to another อพยพ
stronghold – bastion; an area where there is a lot of support for a group  ฐานที่มั่น, ขุมกำลัง
militants – people who use violent or forceful methods to achieve something  ผู้ใช้ความรุนแรงในการโจมตี
eucalyptus – a tall straight tree with leaves that produce an oil with a strong smell, that is used in medicine. There are several types of eucalyptus and they grow especially in Australasia ต้นยูคาลิปตัส, ต้นไม้ที่มีแหล่งกำเนิดในออสเตรเลียมีใบหยาบและมีกลิ่นหอม น้ำมันของต้นไม้ชนิดนี้สามารถ
reporter – someone whose job is to write articles or make broadcasts about events in the news ผู้สื่อข่าว, นักข่าว
spacious – large and with a lot of space กว้างใหญ่,มีเนื้อที่มาก
antenna – (plural antennae) a piece of equipment made of wire or long straight pieces of metal for receiving or sending radio and television signals  สายอากาศ,  เสาอากาศ
troops – soldiers, especially in large numbers กองทหาร
douse – to make a fire stop burning by pouring water over it สาดน้ำหรือของเหลว
operation – a planned activity involving a lot of people, especially soldiers or police officers การปฏิบัติการ
intelligence – information collected about the secret plans of an enemy, criminal organisations, competitors, etc. ข่าวกรอง  ข้อมูลลับ
reveal – to show; to let something become known  เผยให้เห็น
elaborate – very detailed and complicated ละเอียด ปราณีต
upmarket – designed for people who have a lot of money มีราคาแพง สำหรับคนมีรายได้สูง
unruly – difficult to control ยากที่จะควบคุมได้
courier – a person or company whose job is to take packages or important papers somewhere ผู้ส่งสาร
human shield – a person or group of people in front of another person or group for protection ยืนเป็นแนวบ้องกัน
local – in or related to the area that you live, or to the particular area that you are talking about  ท้องถิ่น
traditional – things (buildings, clothes, music, customs, etc.) that have been part of a country or society for a long time แบบดั้งเดิม, เป็นประเพณี
meal – the food that you serve or eat at one time มื้ออาหาร

Monday 12:25 pm

Click button to listen to Osama and rightclick to download

US has killed Osama bin Laden: Obama

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States has killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden nearly 10 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Barack Obama has said in a dramatic televised address.

"Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children," Obama said in a surprise late night White House address.

The world's most wanted man had been killed in a Pakistani compound in an operation on Sunday, which had been carried after cooperation from Islamabad, the US leader said.

Obama said in the historic address from the White House that he had directed the US armed forces to launch an attack against a compound in Pakistan on Sunday acting on a lead that first emerged last August.

"A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body. Justice has been done."

Pakistani intelligence officials also confirmed bin Laden's death.

"Yes I can confirm that he was killed in a highly sensitive intelligence operation," the official said. He was unable to immediately confirm where, how or when bin Laden was killed."

dramatic – sudden, very great and often surprising; exciting and impressive น่าทึ่งใจ, ตื่นเต้นเร้าใจ
address – a formal speech  คำปราศรัย
conduct – to do something in an organised way; to carry out — ลงมือทำ, ดำเนิน, ปฏิบัติ
operation – a planned activity involving a group of people, especially soldiers or police officers การปฏิบัติการ
terrorist – someone who uses violence and fear in order to achieve something ผู้ก่อการร้าย โจรผู้ร้าย
responsible – deserving to be blamed for something that has happened มีความรับผิดชอบ
murder – the crime of intentionally killing a person ฆาตกรรม
innocent – not having done anything wrong บริสุทธิ์
compound – an area in which a group of buildings or houses stand บริเวณบ้าน
cooperation – working together to achieve a result that will benefit all sides ความร่วมมือ, การทำงานร่วมกัน
launch – to start something เริ่มต้น เริ่มทำ
lead – a piece of information that may help to find out the truth or facts about a situation, especially a crime เบาะแส, ร่องรอย
emerge – to become known  เป็นที่ประจักษ์ต่อ
extraordinary – very unusual and surprising เกินธรรมดา, ผิดธรรมดา
courage – the ability to do something that you know is right or good, even though it is dangerous, frightening, or very difficult ความกล้าหาญ
capability – the ability to do something ความสามารถ
harmed – hurt in an accident or attack ซึ่งได้รับบาดเจ็บ
civilian – of someone who does not belong to the armed forces or the police พลเรือน
casualties – deaths and injuries ผู้บาดเจ็บ เสียชีวิต
custody – control of; the legal right or duty to take care of or keep somebody/something การคุ้มครอง
justice - fairness in the way people are dealt with ความเป็นธรรม, ความถูกต้อง, ความยุติธรรม
intelligence – information collected about the secret plans of an enemy, criminal organisations, competitors, etc. ข่าวกรอง  ข้อมูลลับ
sensitive – needed to be dealt with very carefully to not cause anger or offence ที่ละเอียดอ่อน
immediately – happening right after something else with no delay; right away ทันที



Earlier

Osama bin Laden is dead

President Barack Obama has announced in a nationally-televised address to the American people that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is dead.

He said it was an American operation that took place in Pakistan. Bin Laden was killed in a gunfight in a large "mansion" near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. The US team has custody of the body which has been positively identified.

As the president spoke, large crowds gathered outside the White House in Washington DC to celebrate.

Information is coming in very quickly and I'll have more shortly.

address – a formal speech  คำปราศรัย
operation – a planned activity involving a group of people, especially soldiers or police officers การปฏิบัติการ
mansion – a large house, especially a beautiful one คฤหาสน์
custody – control of; the legal right or duty to take care of or keep somebody/something การคุ้มครอง
positively identify – to say with certainty who some is ระบุชื่ออย่างแน่นอน
gather – to come together in a group รวมกลุ่ม, รวมตัวกัน, จับกลุ่มกัน, ชุมนุม