From NPR News in Washington, I’m Jim Howard.

President Obama has apparently signed off on a plan to increase aid to Syria’s opposition. The associated press is reporting that the President has approved the plan to provide communications equipment and medical supplies to Syria’s non-violent political groups and not to be armed rebels. Activists in Syria say at least 5 people have been killed today in massive anti-government demonstrations on the heels of the ceasefire agreement.

President Obama met a stop in Florida today on his way to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia. From member station WUSF in Tampa, Susan Giles Wantuck reports.

This is the President second campaign stopped in a week to the crucial swing stand in Florida. During his quick visit to the Port of Tampa, Mr. Obama said rather than being a nation of consumers, we needed to get back to our manufacturing roots.

“Shipping containers left ports like this packed with goods that were stamped with three proud words: Made in America.”

As he heads to call the hanger for the Summit of the Americas, the thorny issues of immigration policy, Cuba and drug policy are likely to hang over the discussions between the President and South American leaders. For NPR News, I’m Susan Giles Wantuck in Tampa.

The UN Security Council held a close-door meeting today to discuss North Korea’s failed rocket launch. The world body says the attempted launch violated two Council resolutions concerning testing for nuclear and missile technology. Council members would not say whether or not they’re considering more sanctions against North Korea. On two previous occasions, the Security Council has imposed sanctions after North Korea conducted a nuclear test. The rocket broken into pieces shortly after a liftoff.

Banking giant J.P. Morgan Chase says its profits improved during the first 3 months of the year. NPR’s Jim Zarroli reports that the bank contributes the improvement in part of a stronger economy.

J.P. Morgan said its profits were down 3% from the year before but its overall revenue was up. The company said its revenue from the investment banking was higher than it had been in the 4th quarter and there was an increasing loan demand and credit quality. Bank officials said that was partly because of new strengthened economy. J.P. Morgan is the second largest US bank by assets. Meanwhile, the 4th biggest Wells Fargo also reported a better than expected first quarter. It said its profits were up 13% from the year before. The bank said that was largely because of a big increase in its mortgage banking results. Jim Zarroli, NPR News, New York.

The White House says the President and the First Lady paid more than $160,000 in federal taxes last year. The President’s income return shows it’s just good to think and come about $790,000 about half of the Obama’s income come through Mr. President’s salary. The rest is from book sales. The returns also showed the Obama’s make to $172,000 in charitable contributions.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s down 68 points at 12,918; the NASDAQ Composite is down 35 points at 3,020. This is NPR.

Two Oklahoma men are being charged with murder and hack crimes from Easter weekend shooting spree that left 3 people dead. Police say 19-year-old Jake England and 33-year-old Alvin Watts have confessed all of the victims were black. England’s father was killed 2 years ago by a black man and police say the shootings may have been to avenge his father’s death.

A British police detective is suing Rupert Murdoch’s Times of London for hacking into his email and exposing him as the writer of an anonymous police blog. Larry Miller reports that he was subsequently disciplined by his force and ordered to stop his award-winning blogging.

In the legal action brought by Richard Horton a detective with Lancashire police force that the Times decided for a breach of confidence misuse of private information and deceit. Horton is seeking damages which if his successful could be substantial. Horton was reviewed as the writer of a police blog after a Times reporter hacked into his emails 3 years ago. Horton thought High Court injection to remain him anonymous. But the Times withheld the information that his emails were hacked and then he was exposed. The Times has since admitted the hacking and apologized. Horton’s lawyer is also representing 3 people who would be the first phone-hacking victims to sue the Murdoch organization in US courts. For NPR News, I’m Larry Miller in London.

Osama bin Laden’s 3 widows and their children will be heading to Saudi Arabia after they completed prison sentences in Pakistan for entering that country illegally. The defense attorney for the women say Pakistani officials would deport bin Laden’s sometime next week. Two of the women are from Saudi Arabia, one is from Yemen. They have been held in captivity since the US Navy’s Seals killed Osama bin Laden last May.

I’m Jim Howard, NPR News in Washington.