Abdifatah Yusuf Isse (center) and Salah Osman Ahmed (right) are among more than 20 young men who left Minnesota since 2007 to join al-Shabab. They are testifying against Mahamud Said Omar (left), who is accused of helping to send fighters and money to the al-Qaida-linked group in Somalia. AP hide caption

A word cloud of listener responses to the question, "Is there still a place for affirmative action in 2012, and why?" NPR via Wordle hide caption

Clotilde Arias (seated) with composer and arranger Terig Tucci, circa 1943. Courtesy of the Arias family hide caption

Mitt Romney's comments on abortion have surprised those on both sides of the issue. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

A nun chants while she and her sisters pray together during Vespers at their home near Dumfries, Va. Unlike older sisters shaped by Vatican II, a new generation of women are flocking to more conservative orders. Barbara Bradley Hagerty/NPR hide caption

Abigail Fisher, the Texan involved in the University of Texas affirmative action case, talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington on Wednesday. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

Lance Armstrong competes in the Rev3 Half Full Triathalon Sunday in Ellicott City, Md. Armstrong joined other cancer survivors in the event, which raised funds for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Steve Ruark/AP hide caption

In June, people in Madrid came to a distribution center where those in need could get food. Javier Soriano /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Industrial engineer Scott Summit made this guitar out of nylon powder. Courtesy of Scott Summit hide caption

The Minnesota Orchestra is one of many orchestras around the country dealing with labor disputes. Greg Helgeson hide caption

The hamster wheel, before she sank. Facebook.com/IrishSeaCrossing hide caption