As feared, a key rebel faction in Syria sides with Al Qaeda. President Obama lays down the gauntlet as he offers his budget. The Post Office says a government funding measure contains a provision requiring them to continue the Saturday service. Wall Street rallied on news of possible light at the end of the tunnel over the Fed’s quantitative easing policy. A Chinese human-rights activist in the United States says Beijing’s crackdown on religion has intensified under its new leadership.

Lawyers for the American pastor jailed in Iran say their client is suffering. The murder trial of infamous abortionist Kermit Gosnell continues. Democratic Gun Control legislation will get a procedural vote tomorrow. In economic news, the Dow rallies after a weak start to finish at an all-time high. The Obama administration's controversial birth-control mandate is one step closer to becoming law.

Members of Congress have returned to the nation’s capital with a full agenda. An Army Chaplain, Emil Kapaun, is finally awarded his Medal of Honor, 63 years later. Britain loses a hero as Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady, passes away. The US State Department weighs in on the recent violence in Egypt that claimed the lives of several Christians. In economic news, Alcoa posts greater year-over-year earnings but revenue fell short.

The birth control product Plan B goes over the counter to girls of any age. Christians mourn the death of four who were killed by Muslim extremists. North Korea may be prepping for another round of missile tests. As the markets fluctuate between highs and lows, eyes are on Alcoa, which reports its first quarter earnings after the markets close. After two Texas prosecutors were slain in two months, law enforcement agencies across the state consider ways to better protect their people.

Virginia becomes the twenty-first state to bar abortion funding under Obamacare and Pennsylvania considers becoming the 22nd. Connecticut’s governor signs sweeping gun control measures into law. The world readies in case North Korea makes good on its threats. Up and down day on Wall Street, starting down with bad news on jobs. A problem of demographics may influence arguments over government entitlements.

President Obama makes another public appeal for Congress to pass gun control. Israel launches the heaviest strikes against Gaza since last year’s truce. Israeli strikes come as Palestinian militants launch several rockets over the border, targeting civilians. Pyongyang warns its military is cleared to wage an attack on US targets while the White House attempts to diffuse tensions. A down day on Wall Street as traders bid stocks down on bad unemployment news. Numbers increase of young evangelicals who are walking away from orthodox positions on social issues in favor of a more fashionable set of beliefs.

Research into a government program to help buy health insurance that could end up costing more than anticipated. The United Nations passes the first comprehensive arms trade treaty. North Korea threatens to restart production of weapons-grade uranium. Markets shoot up after the president of the Atlanta Fed signaled the end may be in sight. Polls show growing numbers of young evangelicals uncomfortable with the biblical definition of marriage.

Prosecutors seek the death penalty in the Colorado theater shooting trial. State lawmakers strengthen laws on both sides of the abortion debate. The White House says it is paying more attention to military action on the ground than to Pyongyang’s threats. Markets end down on Wall Street at the closing bell as traders react to less-than-stellar news on manufacturing. Remembering Edith Schaeffer, widow of Christian intellectual Francis Schaeffer and an author in her own right.

Gun control activists are pushing for a vote when Congress returns from break. Cardinal Timothy Dolan says the Catholic church has some ground to make up in the public relations battle over marriage. North Korea continues threats aimed at South Korea and the United States. The markets open a new week and a new fiscal quarter today. A new poll finds the vast majority of Americans still own Bibles and consider it to be sacred scripture.

The economy continues to recover, but at a much slower pace than expected. The US reaffirms its commitment to defend South Korea from attacks. Authorities release search warrant details of the Newtown School massacre. The History Channel drama The Bible continues to be a big hit. The government reports an unexpected jump in jobless claims, but not enough to shake up Wall Street.