Obama planning to create 2.5 million jobs

US President-elect Barack Obama sought to bring some relief to Americans anxious about their economic futures, outlining a plan to create 2.5 million jobs with public works programmes that will rebuild roads and bridges, modernise schools and create alternative energy sources.

The new recovery plan being developed aims to create millions of new jobs by January 2011. Mr Obama wants Congress to approve it quickly so he can sign it shortly after his inauguration.