Obama ready for his trip to Latin America

WASHINGTON

OBAMA READY FOR HIS TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA

Determined to boost the U.S. relationship with Latin America, President Barack Obama will stick to his trip to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador despite mounting global troubles demanding his time, the White House said Tuesday. "The trip is on," Obama spokesman Jay Carney said as Japan's nuclear power plant crisis and upheaval across the Mideast consumed Obama's attention. "Economic growth in the United States is the president's top priority, and this trip is very focused on economic opportunities for the United States and trade relationships," Carney said. Obama will be out of the country from Saturday through Wednesday.

New regulations to help disabled

New regulations improving access for the disabled in everything from amusement park rides to movie theaters under the Americans with Disabilities Act took effect Tuesday. The changes will affect 7 million facilities across the United States, including many used for recreation.

FRESNO, Calif.

Settlement ends Ansel Adams suits

A man who had hoped to cash in on negatives he claimed were the work of Ansel Adams has agreed to not use the photographer's name to sell prints and posters made from the plates. The agreement between Rick Norsigian and the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust, which contends the negatives were not taken by Adams, resolves complaints both sides filed against each other in U.S. District Court.

Elsewhere

Washington: A House committee on Tuesday approved a measure to halt the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed program to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. President Barack Obama says he'll veto any bill to limit EPA authority.

Italy: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi paid for sex with an underage Moroccan teenager 13 times at his villa near Milan, prosecutors said in a document filed Tuesday seeking indictments against three aides for allegedly soliciting prostitutes for him.

Times wires