Del Potro stuns Federer to win US Open

NEW YORK: Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro upset five-time defending champion Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to win
Del Potro

the US Open men's final on Monday.

The shocker made Del Potro the first South American to win the US Open men's crown since countryman Guillermo Vilas in 1977, winning in his first Grand Slam final appearance to deny Swiss world number one Federer a 16th career Slam crown.

Del Potro dethroned five-time defending champion Federer ending an era to win in his first Grand Slam final.

"I don't have words to explain how I feel," a tearful Del Potro said, noting that a day after the day he called the greatest of his life for making the final, he felt "Much better".

Del Potro, who turns 21 next week, snapped Federer's 41-match unbeaten streak on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts to win 1.85 million dollars and destroyed the Swiss superstar's aura of US Open invincibility.

"I would like to congratulate Juan Martin on an unbelievable tournament. I had a great one but he was the best," Federer said.

"I would have never believed I could win five in a row here. It has been an amazing run for me."

Firing consistent winners, the 1.98m Argentine giant kept the pressure upon the player many hail as the greatest in tennis history, one he had never beaten in six prior attempts, and won after four hours and six minutes.

Del Potro led Federer by two sets in the French Open semi-finals before the Swiss rallied for a dramatic five-set victory.

But there was no such escape this time.

Federer was pushed into a fifth set for only the third time since the start of his championship run, the other times being against Andre Agassi in the 2004 quarter-finals and in last year's round of 16 against Igor Andreev.

Del Potro zipped a forehand crosscourt winner past Federer for a break and a 2-0 lead in the final set and denied the top seed on a break-point chance in the third game on his way to a 5-2 lead.

Federer served to stay in the match but found himself down two match points, both squandered by Del Potro with a wide forehand and a netted backhand.

But Federer's 11th double fault gave Del Potro another chance and he made the most of it, winning when Federer sent a forehand over the baseline.

Del Potro realized he had won, fell to the ground on his back and began to cry.
Source::timesofindia

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Tendulkar, Harbhajan script India's tri-series triumph

COLOMBO: Sachin Tendulkar's 44th ODI century and Harbhajan Singh's five-wicket haul scripted India's tri-series triumph as the visitors raised
India
their game when it mattered most and cruised to a 46-run win in the final match against Sri Lanka on Monday.
Thumped by 139 runs in their Saturday's meeting which cost them world number one ODI team's tag, India first amassed 319 for five and then shot out Sri Lanka for 273 in 46.4 overs to settle score.

Chasing a mammoth 320-run target, Sri Lanka got the perfect start from Tillakaratne Dilshan (42 off 29 balls) and Sanath Jayasuriya (36) before running out of steam. Down the order, the 70-run stand between Thilina Kandamby (66) Chamara Kapugedera (35) was a mere act of defiance and not enough to turn the match on its head.

Harbhajan Singh (5-56) was the wrecker-in-chief even though he missed a hat-trick chance.

Earlier, the Indian top order fired in unison and Tendulkar's majestic 133-ball 138 lifted them to a massive 319 for five wickets after Mahendra Singh Dhoni had won an important toss and elected to bat.

Tendulkar raised 95 runs with makeshift opener Rahul Dravid (39) and 110 with next man in Dhoni (56) and then Yuvraj Singh (56) provided the late charge to take the tally past the 300-mark.

The target was tough but Sri Lanka looked game for a fight with Dilshan going after Ishant Sharma. Dilshan greeted Ishant with back-to-back fours in his first over and then went on a rampage.

The famous Dilscoop was not far behind either as Dilshan executed the shot against his bemused Delhi Daredevils teammate Ashish Nehra.

Desperate for a breakthrough, Dhoni pressed in service Harbhajan Singh as early as in the eighth over and the offie did not let his skipper down, dealing a double strike that knocked the stuff out of Sri Lanka's chase.

Harbhajan castled Dilshan with his fifth delivery and then returned to catch Mahela Jayawardene (1) off his own bowling in his next over.

Encouraged by his success, Dhoni tossed the ball to Yusuf Pathan and the lanky offie claimed Jayasuriya, just when the left-hander had started looking menacing.

Two more quick wickets and Sri Lanka had lost their top half for 131 and once Sangakkara fell to a freak dismissal - his bat came loose and fell on the wicket on follow through - the hosts had the writing on the wall.

Earlier, 36-year-old Tendulkar seemed to be in imperious form as he notched up his 44th ODI century with a stunning display of strokeplay.

With Dinesh Karthik failing in both the matches, India opted for a new opening pair of Tendulkar and Dravid for the summit showdown and the experienced duo clicked together.

The two experienced batsmen found runs easy to come by as they took the total to 50 by the end of the 10th over and sought to accelerate the pace of scoring from then on.

Dravid got a reprieve when he was on 24 with Tillakaratne Dilshan dropping a fairly simple catch at gully, Thushara being the unlucky bowler.

Sangakkara introduced Lasith Malinga in the 13th over and Tendulkar greeted him with a glorious backfoot punch to the fence.

Dravid then lifted spinner Ajantha Mendis for a six but the wily Sanath Jayasuriya removed him in the next over. Dhoni promoted himself to the number three slot and got into the act almost immediately with a flurry of strokes.

He and Tendulkar kept up the pace of scoring without taking too many risks as they brought about the 100-run partnership to pile up the agony on the hosts.

Tendulkar took a single by cutting Mendis to the sweeper cover to notch up his 44th ODI century.

The hosts finally broke the partnership when Dhoni mistimed his pull shot and Kandamby took a well-judged catch.

A tired Tendulkar, who called in a runner after suffering from cramps, was dismissed at the fag end of the innings, being trapped leg before wicket by Mendis.

His sublime knock of 138 came off just 133 balls and was laced with ten boundaries and a six.

Down the order, Yuvraj chipped in with an unbeaten 41-ball cameo of 56 that had six fours and a six in it.

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Taking cue from mom, Rahul travels in a train

Taking a lead from his mother and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in practising austerity, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday travelled to Ludhiana in the chair car of Shatabdi Express.

A day after his mother flew to Mumbai in the economy class, Rahul boarded the train this morning from the New Delhi Railway Station to travel to the northern industrial city.

Rahul refused to accept flowers presented to him at the station, saying it was the privilege of the executive class passengers and also demanded that he be served water in a plastic cup like other passengers.

Passengers travelling by the train were elated to know that the young leader was travelling with them. "It is good that Rahul Gandhi is travelling with common people. He will get to see our problems first hand," a male passenger said. A woman travelling in the same coach said, "I am feeling great after hearing that I will travel with Rahul Gandhi".

Railway officials said that Rahul will be served 'paranthas,' curd, 'idli,' 'vada' and fruits. However, this menu was exclusively for him, the officials said, adding that any specific requests by Rahul will be gladly met.

Rahul is going to Ludhiana to inaugurate a four-day camp of young Congressmen. The AICC general secretary will return to the national capital by the same train in the evening.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who was behind the decision to ask two ministers S.M. Krishna and Shashi Tharoor to move to modest accommodation from their five-star dwelling afer a media expose, on Monday flew to Mumbai in a commercial flight in an ordinary class seat to participate in a party function in the financial hub.

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Three Indians attacked in Australia

After a brief lull in attacks on Indians in Australia, two students and their uncle were "brutally bashed" by a group of around 70 youth while playing here.

26-year-old Sukhdip Singh, his brother Gurdeep Singh and uncle Mukhtair Singh were attacked by the group when they were playing pool in the eastern suburb of Epping on Saturday.

"At around 11'o clock my brother-in-law Sukhdip was playing pool along with few family members when they were attacked by around 70 locals who were attending a party," said the victim's relative Onkar Singh.

"They were quitely playing and were trying to avoid trouble even after these locals were trying to provoke them by passing comments," he said. The group started telling them to go back to their country. "When they reached the car park to leave the place a huge crowd attacked them and started bashing. The attackers were in their teens and around twenties," he said.

Onkar claimed police have informed him that six of the 70 attackers have been arrested. The attacks come a month after Australian Government assured External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, during his visit here, that Indian students will be protected. Around 30 Indian students were attacked in various cities from June to August.

"Sukhdip was the one who received maximum injury and he broke his cheek, nose and jaw bones in the attack," Onkar said. The victim was in hospital for two days and was released yesterday, he said. Sukhdip is now unable to eat any solid food as his face is all swollen up, he said, adding that Sukhdip had arrived on spouse visa a month ago.

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Undertake yatra, Jagan told

New Delhi/ Hyderabad
Sept. 14: Some Congress leaders are suggesting that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, should undertake a yatra across the state to console the families of those who died after hearing of the demise of his father.
Party leaders are mulling over this proposal and a final decision will be taken when Mr Reddy meets with Dr K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
Mr Reddy has not moved out of the capital since the death of his father, confining himself to the late Chief Minister’s residence and receiving thousands of
visitors.
Dr Rao will also meet Congress leaders informally on Tuesday and review the situation. More poignantly, at the India Today Conclave held in the national capital, Mr Rao received the award under the category “Rural electrification/Energy 2005-2009 best big state” on behalf of the late chief minister. In Delhi, despite apprehensions about Mr Reddy’s experience, the Union law minister and AP in-charge, Mr Veerappa Moily, praised his success in running a newspaper and a television news channel.
The party spokesperson, Mr Abhishek Singhvi, in New Delhi said consultations were still going on over the succession issue and promised the party would come up with a solution ‘acceptable’ to all.
Asked how the Assembly could be convened without electing a CLP leader, Mr Singhvi said it was an internal matter of the party and could be done “sooner or later.”
Terming the situation as a transitional phase, Mr Singhvi said, “There is a government in place in Andhra Pradesh. There is a Chief Minister there. The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held at an appropriate time and this is only for the Congress to decide when.”

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TD leaders in upbeat mood despite defeat

Srikakulam/Hyderabad

Sept. 14: The Telugu Desam leaders are in an upbeat mood though the party lost to the Congress in the Tekkali byelection on Monday.
The reason is that the Praja Rajyam and the Lok Satta, which had divided the Opposition votes in 2009, were marginalised. The TD hopes that the 2014 polls will be a straight fight between the Congress and the Telugu Desam.
The TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, said the Congress won on a “double sympathy” for the MLA-elect and for YSR. “Despite the sympathy wave, the TD has done extremely well by getting 52,077 votes.”
Sources said Mr Naidu was pleased with the performance of the party and the marginalisation of the Praja Rajyam and Lok Satta.
The senior TD leader, Mr Umareddy Venkateshwarulu, said there was no loss to the Telugu Desam since the Congress retained its seat.
“The Congress margin is just 7,173. The TD has performed well despite the fears of sympathy wave,” he said. “The result indicates that YSR’s death made no impact on voters. If it had, Congress should have won by a thumping majority.”
The PR chief, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, too attributed the Congress’s bypoll win to the “YSR sympathy wave.” He said his party lost the election as it fielded a candidate at the last minute. He said the Congress victory was expected.

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Movie on YSR's life to be made

Hyderabad
Sept. 14: Paying his tribute to the late chief minister, director Puri Jaganath has decided to direct a film on Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. The film is titled Rajasekhar Reddy.
Tollywood actor, Rajasekhar, who is also co-producing the film, will play the lead. The filmmakers said that they would start shooting for the movie after three months of extensive research on the YSR’s life. They would also seek Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“We are taking extreme care in making this film. I feel very lucky to do this character. The story will cover the political career, family and other aspects of the chief minister’s life. We will carry out research and get the director to meet all the friends and family members of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy to ensure the story is close to his real life” said actor Rajasekhar.
“As we wanted a star director to take up this project, we contacted Puri Jaganath and he readily agreed. This movie will be on par with Iruvar, Gandhi and Nayakudu” said Jeevitha Rajasekhar, actor-turned-politician.

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Report of firing by Chinese troops incorrect: Centre

The government on Tuesday termed as "incorrect" a media report which said that two ITBP jawans were injured in firing by Chinese troops in Sikkim recently.

"A media report about two ITBP jawans having been injured due to firing from across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has come to notice. The report is factually incorrect," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in a statement in New Delhi.

The report had claimed that the ITBP jawans were injured when Chinese troops had fired at them in Kerang in northern Sikkim about a fortnight ago.

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Infiltration across LoC on the rise: PM

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday termed as "worrisome" attempts by secessionist and militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir to make common cause with "outside elements" to create an impression of turmoil in the state and said such a situation must not be allowed to develop.

Dr Singh also said infiltration from across the Line of Control and also via other routes such as Nepal, Bangladesh and the sea is "going up".

Dr Singh said there were reasons to be satisfied that both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state were held in a peaceful manner and that the level of violence is "perhaps at its lowest levels" since the beginning of insurgency in the late 80's.

"But there are certain developments that are worrisome. Infiltration across the Line of Control and also via other routes such as Nepal, Bangladesh and the sea is going up. Encounters with armed militants have become more frequent in recent weeks and months," he said.

In an obvious reference to terror groups operating from Pakistan, the Prime Minister said secessionist and militant groups within Jammu and Kashmir were again attempting to make common cause with outside elements and have embarked on a series of protest movements.

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CBI not to share Aarushi's cellphone details

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday declined to share any details about slain teenager Aarushi Talwar's mobile phone that has been traced 16 months after she and her domestic help Hemraj were found brutally murdered in her Noida home. Her parents, however, hope it will help find the real killer.

"Investigation is in progress. Keeping in view the interest of a fair and impartial investigation and also directions of the Supreme Court, the CBI does not propose to share any details with the media at this stage," said CBI spokesperson Harsh Bahal.

Aarushi's black Nokia N72 phone, a crucial piece of evidence in the case, was recovered from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr town by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Saturday.

"Aarushi's cellphone was recovered by Delhi Police's Crime Branch and handed over to the CBI," said Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat.

Bulandshahr Superintendent of Police (City) J.K. Sahi said a woman who once worked as a domestic help for the Talwar family had passed it on to a resident of the Uttar Pradesh town.

According to sources, the woman gave the phone to her relative Ram Bhool, who was using it since then. The man has been arrested and brought to Delhi for questioning.

Terming it as a ray of hope, Aarushi's mother Nupur Talwar said: "We have been waiting and we have been praying every day that something comes soon from the CBI. I am continuing to pray and hope that her killers will arrested soon."

"I think the mobile phone was an important piece of evidence in the case and it will help in nabbing the culprit," said Aarushi's father Rajesh Talwar.

Aarushi, 14, was found murdered in her Jalvayu Vihar apartment in Noida May 16, 2008. The family's domestic help Hemraj, who was missing then and was suspected to have killed her, was found murdered a day later on the terrace of the house.

The sensational case has remained unsolved.

All those who were picked up for interrogation in the weeks after the murder — Aarushi's dentist-father Rajesh Talwar, his medical assistant Krishna and two other neighbourhood domestic helps Raj Kumar and Vijay Mandal — have been freed after a period of detention while the CBI continues to hunt for evidence.

The CBI, which took over the case from Noida police last June, had failed to locate the mobiles of Aarushi and Hemraj and the weapon used to slit the two victims' throats.

Earlier this month, the CBI formed a new team to probe the Aarushi murder following reports that the vaginal swabs of the teenaged victim may have been substituted.

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Indian couple killed in fire in the US

An Indian couple, from Kerala, were killed on Monday in a fire that broke out in their home here.

Sixty-nine year old P.Y. Philipose, a pastor, and his wife Aleykutty Yohannan, 65, died as a fire engulfed their residence located in Des Plaines area in the outskirts of Chicago, media reports said on Tuesday.

"Firefighters found the bodies of an elderly couple inside their home in Maine Township this (Monday) morning," Daily Herald reported.

"Philipose and Aleykutty were discovered at about 10 a.m. on the first floor of their duplex (home)," the report added.

The couple's daughter, who was there with her husband, escaped the fire.

The report quoting an eyewitness said the couple's daughter, Shiny Philips, tried frantically to get back inside the house because her parents were trapped inside.

The family, hailing from Kerala, had been living in the home for nearly 10 years, the report said.

They were members of International Pentecostal Church of God Hebron Gospel Centre.

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US 'not aware' of Pak aid diversion

The US has said it is taking very seriously “allegations" by former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf that aid provided by it for the 'war against terror' was diverted during his tenure to strengthen defences against India, but refused to say whether any probe has been ordered.

A State Department official said the "allegations were not specific" and as of now the US was not aware of any such violations.

"This is former President who has made these allegations. We take seriously any allegations like this. But simply we don't have the details to be able to respond to the allegations," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters when asked about the latest revelations by Musharraf.

In an interview to a Pakistani news channel, Musharraf admitted that he had violated the rules governing the use of the military aid, but justified his action, saying he had "acted in the best interest of Pakistan".

Kelly evaded a reply when asked whether any investigations have been launched in this regard.

"First of all, Musharraf is a private citizen. He provided very few details, so we would refer you to him to get these kinds of details," Kelly said.

"I would just say, as a general principle, we take very seriously any allegation of using US-originating military assistance for purposes other than we had already agreed to and that we had intended them for," Kelly said.

Asked whether he was worried about the diplomatic implications of what Musharraf is saying, Kelly said: "It was a very broad statement with no specifics that I know of. And we would just need, I think, to have more details about that."

To a question whether there are some follow-up implications to this, he said: "Yes."

Reacting to Musharraf's statement, India has said the revelation does not come as a surprise to it.

"We have for some years now arguing that the only problem we have with the US military aid to Pakistan is its misuse against us," minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor had said on Monday in New Delhi.

Political observers here believe the latest revelation from Musharraf would have its implications on the US aid to Pakistan when the issue comes up for consideration before the US Congress.

A large number of lawmakers have been making assertions like this in the past.

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China begins probe into dumping of US goods

China on Tuesday said it had begun investigating the alleged dumping of auto and chicken products from the US, the ministry of commerce spokesman, Yao Jian said.

The ministry on Sunday said domestic enterprises had complained that chicken and auto products from the US were allegedly entering the Chinese market through unfair trade involving dumping and subsidy.

Domestic enterprises had said that the alleged dumping had hit the local market and asked the ministry to investigate.

China is strongly opposing trade protectionism and is willing to cooperate with other countries to promote the global economic recovery, the ministry said.

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Rupee gains 10 paise against dollar in opening trade

The rupee strengthened by 10 paise against the US currency in the opening trade on Tuesday on expectations of capital inflows by foreign funds as the stock market may open firm in line with other rising Asian bourses.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic unit gains 10 paise to 48.63 a dollar.

On Monday, the rupee closed 25 paise lower at 48.73/74 a dollar after the BSE Sensex fell by over 50 points.

Dealers said anticipation of capital inflows by funds into equity market, tracking firm trends on other Asian stock markets boosted the rupee.

The US currency weakening against other major currencies also supported the Indian currency, they added.

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OVL, partners drop plans to develop oil field in Iran

ONGC Videsh Ltd and its partners Indian Oil Corporation and Oil India Ltd have dropped plans to develop an oil field in Iran after the discovery was found to be commercially unviable.

The joint venture of OVL, Indian Oil Corp and Oil India (OIL) had in 2006 made an oil discovery in the Farsi offshore block which was, in the initial estimates, thought to contain one billion barrels of reserves.

"The oil discovery has been found to be commercially unviable primarily due to high sulphur content in the oil," an official in the consortium said.

The joint venture has informed the same to National Iranian Oil Company and have decided to abandon the project.

"The oil discovery has been held to be non commercial and we are not pursuing development of the discovery," he said.

The three have, however, submitted a master development plan envisaging an investment of USD 5 billion over 7-8 years in developing a massive gas field they discovered in Farsi.

The discovery, which was subsequently named Farzad-B gas field, has inplace reserves of up to 21.68 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), of which recoverable reserves may be 12.8 Tcf.

OVL holds 40 per cent interest in the Farsi offshore block located in the eastern part of the Persian Gulf off the coast of Iran near the Saudi Arabian border and covers an area of 3,500 square kilometres.

The Indian consortium wants to liquefy the gas and ship it back home in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

OVL, the overseas arm of state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp, IOC and OIL have a service contract for the Farsi block where they will be reimbursed 35 per cent plus USD 90 million investment they made during the exploration phase.

If the consortia gets the developmental rights, they will be paid a 15 per cent rate of return over and above the investments they make.

In the commercial viability report to NIOC, OVL - the operator of the field - has said the least gas volume was 9.48 Tcf and the high-case estimate was 21.68 Tcf after independent studies by Fugro Robertson Ltd of the UK and ONGC's Institute of Reservoir Studies.

OVL and IOC have 40 per cent stake each in the Farsi offshore block that was awarded to the consortium in 2002. OIL has the remaining 20 per cent.

The official said the commercial viability study of the gas discovery in Farsi block was completed in November 2007 while the report of commercial viability of the oil find was completed in April 2008.

Under Iranian rules, the project promoters are not allowed to take oil or gas out of the country. OVL had to fund all exploration operations that would be reimbursed only after ascertaining commerciality. MORE PTI ANZ MR 09151150 DELHI

OVL-IRAN 3 LST "The commerciality study for the gas discovery was submitted to the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) in December 2007 and accepted by the NIOC in September 2008, whereupon the gas field was named the Farzad-B offshore gas field," the official said.

The approval, however, did not include any timeline or deadlines for further discussions.

"In the event that the NIOC and the consortium fail to reach an agreement in respect of the master development plan for the Farzad-B offshore gas field within six months from October 1, 2008, the first date of the month following the date on which NIOC approved the commerciality study, either party may elect to withdraw from the negotiations unless the period is extended by agreement between the parties," he said.

Thereafter, NIOC may invite other companies and the Indian consortium to submit their proposal for the master development plan under competitive conditions, although priority would be given to the proposal submitted by the consortium.

"No timeline has been established for the implementation of the master development plan," he said.

Once the agreement on the master development plan is reached, NIOC will invite the consortium to negotiate the development services contract.

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Obama to talk with autoworkers union

Going before groups of autoworkers and union members, President Barack Obama is trying on Tuesday to assure blue-collar audiences that the economy is coming back — and that his administration deserves credit for saving some of their jobs.

Obama is scheduled to meet with workers at the General Motors Lordstown assembly plant near Youngstown, Ohio, where GM recently was able to start a second production line because of demand prompted by the federal Cash for Clunkers program.

Later, the president addresses the AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh, where he will urge the nation's largest labor union to support his health care overhaul.

"We didn't come here (to Washington) just to respond to crises; we came here to address America's prosperity in the future, and I think that's what he'll outline," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Monday, previewing the president's message.

Obama planned to leave Washington early Tuesday morning for a quick trip to the Lordstown plant, in the economically depressed Mahoning Valley in northeastern Ohio. He is expected to tell a crowd of GM workers that Washington programs are putting workers back on the job.

Demand from the temporary Cash for Clunkers program — which offered up to $4,500 for drivers to trade in gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient models — allowed GM to restart a second shift at the Lordstown plant, bringing about 1,000 people back to work making the compact Chevrolet Cobalt.

Next year, the Lordstown plant will start building the Chevrolet Cruze, another compact vehicle.

In Pittsburgh, Gibbs said, Obama planned to tell AFL-CIO members how his health care proposals would help repair an economy that is inching toward double-digit unemployment.

The events are designed to be heavy on working-class appeal in hopes of boosting the White House's credentials with the middle-class voters so crucial to the president's economic agenda.

Obama wraps up his daylong trip at a fundraiser for Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter in Philadelphia. He is expected to tell donors that Specter, who earlier this year switched from the GOP to the Democratic party, is crucial for pushing through a White House agenda that seems to have lost steam in recent weeks.

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