Social Issues

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Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat, said the National Security Agency "has knowingly acquired tens of thousands of wholly domestic communications even though this law was specifically written to prohibit the warrantless acquisition of wholly domestic communications." (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Rep. Trent Franks, Arizona Republican, that undercover investigations from pro-life groups like Live Action have collected video evidence showing "the actions and mentality of the Kermit Gosnell clinic are not limited to Pennsylvania." (ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS)

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Kermit Gosnell was convicted this year of murdering three newborns and a woman patient at his Philadelphia abortion clinic.

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FILE - In this March 26, 2013 file photo, Maryland's Dez Wells shoots a free throw during the first half of an NIT tournament basketball game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Wells, a former Xavier University basketball player, is suing the school, alleging it damaged his reputation by expelling him for what he says was a false sexual assault accusation. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File

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Slogans that translate as "boycott Christians" are painted on walls in Assiut. The Coptic Orphans international adoption agency, active in Egypt since 1998, called the violence against Copts "unprecedented."

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Egyptian police soldiers stand outside of their vehicle in Cairo on Tuesday. Egypt on Tuesday announced the arrest of the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, dealing a serious blow to the Islamist group at a time when it is struggling to keep up its street protests against the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi in the face of a harsh crackdown. (Associated Press photographs)

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**FILE** Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, speaks during the family leadership summit in Ames, Iowa, on Aug. 10, 2013. (Associated Press)

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Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, speaks during the family leadership summit this month in Ames, Iowa, where Republican presidential hopefuls try to impress Christian conservative voters. (Associated Press)

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Republican Gov. Chris Christie, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, signed into law Aug. 19 a measure making New Jersey the second state to ban so-called gay conversion therapies. Defenders of the practice have vowed to continue the fight. (Associated Press)