Looking Ahead

April 24

Armenians across the world commemorate the beginning of mass killings 100 years ago that pitched Armenians, one of the oldest people groups to accept Christianity, to the four corners of the earth. Thousands will participate in a torchlight parade in Yerevan to a memorial for the Armenian genocide, which began when Ottoman officials in Constantinople arrested then slew 250 Armenian church and lay leaders on this day, launching a killing spree against Christians that eventually left a million or more dead.

April 26

The United States Postal Service had planned to raise rates today on standard mail, periodicals, and packaging services, but now says it will indefinitely delay the rate hikes until the Postal Regulatory Commission signs off on the changes. Industries that depend on the U.S. Mail may cheer now, but the higher rates almost certainly will take effect some time this year.

April 28

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today for four cases that the justices could use to force states to recognize same-sex marriages. Gay marriage supporters will contend that state bans on the practice are unconstitutional, while state attorneys will argue that local governments have the right to maintain marriage as between a man and a woman.

May 4

Many high-school students will be cramming as the College Board today begins its Advanced Placement subject exam season. At 8 a.m. on May 4, the first batch of AP students will try to earn college credit when they take the Chemistry or Environmental Science exam. A Latin exam rounds out the testing on May 15.

May 5

Microsoft’s latest entrant into the tablet wars will hit store shelves on May 5 equipped with a secret weapon: Microsoft’s standard operating system. The tech giant plans to introduce the Surface 3 with the company’s standard version of Windows 8.1. The Apple Watch, meanwhile, was set to debut April 24.