Copies of President Barack Obama's budget plan for fiscal year 2014 are distributed to Senate staff on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday. The president sent Congress a $3.77 trillion spending blueprint that seeks to tame runaway deficits by raising taxes further on the wealthy and trimming popular benefit programs but has drawn angry responses from both the right and left.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1) BRACING FOR TEST MISSILE LAUNCH

South Korea deployed surveillance systems and a North Korean agency says Pyongyang has "powerful striking means" on standby.

2) ARMED MAN WHO HELD FIREFIGHTERS HOSTAGE KILLED

A Georgia man who was having financial problems staged a standoff for hours before a SWAT team stormed his home.

3) GUN CONTROL DEBATE BEGINS

The Senate launches discussion today on Obama's firearms plan, a day after two leading conservatives unveiled a compromise to expand federal background checks.

4) OBAMA'S BUDGET PROMISES DRAW CRITICS ON ALL SIDES

Senior advocates say Obama isn't protecting Social Security, and conservatives say he is going back on a promise not to raise taxes on the middle class.

5) SECURING THE BORDER

The AP's Erica Werner reports a landmark immigration bill would call for 100 percent surveillance of the U.S.-Mexico border and apprehending more people trying to cross.

6) A GRIM TALLY IN SYRIA

Human Rights Watch says the regime has killed at least 4,300 civilians in airstrikes since last summer, targeting bakeries, bread lines and hospitals in the north.

7) HERMIT LIVING IN MAINE WILDERNESS FOR 27 YEARS ARRESTED

Police say 47-year-old Christopher Knight is responsible for more than 1,000 burglaries in a small town to steal food and other staples.

8) PC SALES SLUMP

Microsoft's newest version of Windows, designed to work with touch-sensitive screens, appears to be driving buyers away from personal computers.

9) WHAT WILL STILL DELIVER ON WEEKENDS

The Postal Service backed away from a plan to end Saturday mail service.

10) WHO'S THE CLEAR FAVORITE AT THE MASTERS

With three victories this year, No. 1 Tiger Woods is likely to capture his fifth green jacket.