News from NPR

There are big questions about Mitt Romney's ability to appeal to Latinos. Hispanic voters favor President Obama over Romney by more than two to one, according to a recent Pew poll. But not everyone is sure the president's lead will translate to votes. Host Michel Martin speaks with columnist Ruben Navarrette and Maria Teresa Kumar of Voto Latino.

The two African countries have been clashing over a contested border region and oil, among other issues. Sudan has reportedly launched a series of aerial bombardments, in what South Sudan's president is calling an act of war. Host Michel Martin discusses the intensifying situation with Hannah McNeish, who's been covering the story for the AFP.

Have you noticed that the good thing about a job and the bad thing about a job are usually the same thing? The good thing and the bad thing about my job is that sometimes there are stories you just cannot get out of your head. Right now, there are two stories like that for me, and they are both kind of tough to talk about, so please be forewarned.

Some of the hottest artists in Latin music descend on Miami for the annual Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards. All week long, host Michel Martin checks in with Jasmine Garsd and Felix Contreras, co-hosts of NPR Music's Alt.Latino podcast. Today they discuss a surprising musical comeback for pop superstar Jennifer Lopez.

The 89-year-old sculptor recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to view two of his pieces in a collection for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. But the trip gave him the chance to fulfill another dream: marrying his partner of more than 30 years. Frank speaks with host Michel Martin about his art and his marriage.

Fox News reports that "senior Gingrich aides" say former House Speaker Newt Gingrich "plans to formally suspend or end his presidential campaign next Tuesday."

CNN writes that "sources close to Newt Gingrich say he will end his bid for the GOP presidential nomination next week."

Among the highlights so far today during Rupert Murdoch's testimony in London before an inquiry into the ethics of the British news media, and his News Corp. tabloids in particular, is this quote from the media mogul:

"I've never asked a prime minister for anything."

NPR's David Folkenflik, who is live-tweeting, and NPR's Philip Reeves, who has been filing radio reports, will have more as the inquiry continues.

On Tuesday, as he swept all five Republican presidential primaries — the first held since his last credible opponent conceded the race — Mitt Romney declared "the start of a new campaign."

Orders for equipment, appliances, aircraft and other so-called durable goods fell 4.2 percent in March from February, the Census Bureau reports.

It's the second decline in the past three months and the biggest monthly dip in three years. Much of the drop in March was due to a decline in orders for aircraft. "But companies also ordered less machinery and other equipment, a sign manufacturing output may slow," The Associated Press writes.

The basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest has been suspended for seven games for swinging his left elbow hard into the head of an opponent on Sunday.

Metta World Peace, as the Los Angeles Lakers forward is now known, will miss the team's last regular season game on Thursday. The Lakers then move into the playoffs, where each round is "best-of-seven." So he could miss most or all of the first round (if the Lakers extend that matchup beyond four games) and even a game or two in the second round (if the Lakers advance after just four or five games).