President Obama announces end of combat mission in Iraq

President Barack Obama declared an end to the seven-year US combat mission in Iraq and told war-weary Americans that our central mission as a people is to restore the sagging US economy and US must focus on its fight against al Qaeda and the war in Afghanistan. Obama, who inherited the war from President George W. Bush and is fighting another in Afghanistan, said he had fulfilled a 2008 campaign promise to end US combat operations in Iraq. After seven years of bloodshed that has brought sacrifice from Americans and Iraqis and consumed vast resources from tight budgets, Obama said that Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. Obama hailed the removal of all but 50,000 U.S. troops, who will have a training and advisory role, saying that this was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Obama has promised to pull all US troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011. The effective change on the ground will not be huge because the U.S. military has already been switching the focus toward training and support over the past year. Iraqi forces have been taking the lead since a bilateral security pact came into force in 2009.

Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility for Lahore blasts

At least 30 persons have been killed and more than 200 others got injured in three suicide blasts occurred in Lahore when processions of Youm-e-Ali were on their way to conclude at Karbala Gamay Shah. First blast occurred near Karbala Gamay Shah in Youm-e-Ali procession when a suicide bomber blew himself up while he was being frisked by the constable. Two persons along with the constable were martyred in the blast. Second blast was also occurred near Karbala Gamay Shah in which several people were injured. Another blast was occurred in Bhati chowk which was occurred 20 minutes after the first blast. Commissioner Lahore Khusru Pervaiz has confirmed that all three blast were suicide blasts. Earlier, three persons were injured in aerial firing in Empress Market in Youm-e-Ali procession in Karachi today. At least 20 suspected persons have been arrested. The banned Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan today claimed responsibility for three blasts, including two carried out by suicide attackers, on a Shia procession in Lahore that killed 30 people and injured over 200. The claim of responsibility was made by top Taliban leader Qari Hussain, who said militants had carried out three suicide blasts in Lahore. Police officials, however, said the first blast was caused by a timed explosive device and the others by two suicide bombers. "I, Qari Hussain, accept responsibility on behalf of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan for the three suicide attacks (fidaee hamla) in Lahore on the Shia procession on the Hazrat Ali day on 1st September, 2010," said an audio statement sent to media by the Taliban. The transcription of the audio message in English was also sent to the media through email.

Pakistan Floods take $48bn toll

Pakistan's floods have caused losses of $US43 billion ($A48 billion), Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani says. ''This is a pensive moment in our history,'' he told members of his cabinet in a televised speech yesterday. ''There will be massive job losses, serious social implications and a snowball effect on manufacturing and services.'' The government would miss its economic growth target of 4.5 per cent for the year that began on July 1 and the economy might expand 2.5 per cent, Mr Gilani said. The International Red Cross said floodwaters had dislodged and carried landmines to areas previously deemed safe or de-mined, increasing risks to the population. An official said that since the beginning of the floods five people had been severely wounded by landmines in disaster-hit regions.