On Thursday’s NewsHour…

CONCERN OVER TALIBAN AIDING PAKISTANIS | The United Nations, the U.S. and other countries have pledged to pick up the pace of getting more aid to Pakistani flood victims. Concern is growing from President Asif Ali Zardari warned that Islamic militant groups such as the Taliban could use this vulnerable time to exploit the situation. Jim Lehrer talks to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke.

LAST U.S. COMBAT BRIGADE EXITS IRAQ | With the last of the U.S. combat brigades out of Iraq, Judy Woodruff discusses the symbolic moment with Margaret Warner, who’s reporting from Baghdad.

OIL DETECTED UNDERWATER IN GULF | Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution released the first conclusive evidence of an underwater oil plume in the Gulf of Mexico. Jeffrey Brown talks to one of the study’s authors, Chris Reddy, and David Farenthold of The Washington Post.

WEEKEND AUSTRALIA ELECTIONS | In Australia, the economy is booming but it still remains the central focus of this weekend’s election. Special correspondent Stuart Cohen reports on the country’s elections for a Parliament that will choose the prime minister.

DESPITE RECESSION, IS LIFE GETTING BETTER? | Author and businessman, Matt Ridley, argues that life is getting better despite the recession. Paul Solman finds a case of optimism with Ridley as part of his ongoing reporting on Making Sense of financial news.

Thurday’s anchors are Jim Lehrer and Jeffrey Brown. Hari Sreenivasan will have the day’s other top news stories and a look at Web features. On the Rundown, there’s more from Matt Ridley on Paul Solman’s Making Sense Page. Plus a slide show on health concerns for Pakistan flood victims .

Also, read more on the size of an undersea oil plume from the Gulf disaster.

We hope you’ll join us.