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The National Security Agency was granted a top secret order forcing Verizon to turn over all of its US customers' phone records over a three-month period according to The Guardian, who published the full court order on Wednesday. Documents reveal that one of Verizon's subsidiaries is obligated to give the NSA all "telephony metadata" between the end of April through the end of July — all in the name of national security.

The Obama administration was in hot water not too long ago over a similar seizure of call information. The Justice Department recently secretly subpoenaed months' worth of the Associated Press's phone records.

Whether or not the collection of private information is "a critical tool in protecting the nation from terrorist threats," as The White House claims, is still up for debate. Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Michigan), told reporters a domestic terror attack was thwarted as a result of the order — but details on the nature of the attack are slim.

How, as a US citizen, Verizon customer, and phone caller, does all of this affect you? Here's what you need to know about who's involved, how this happened, and what exactly is being collected.

Who Is Involved?

• NSA — The National Security Agency, also known as the Central Security Service, is a federal agency under the US Department of Defense charged with communications intelligence and security, both domestic and foreign. Its activities are typically highly classified, and widespread domestic surveillance by this agency is not unprecedented.
• FISA Court — The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court was created under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, which presides over matters regarding surveillance of American citizens, permanent residents, or foreign powers. The FISA Court granted the secret order on April 25, giving the FBI and NSA access to Verizon's data.
• Verizon Business Network Services — This is the subsidiary of Verizon specifically targeted by the court order. It is a Virginia-based company that provides local and long-distance voice, messaging, and Internet access services to residential customers, businesses, communication wholesales, federal, state, and local governments.
• The White House — The Obama administration defended the practices but did not confirm the specific NSA order. The Rep. Mike Rogers did, however, say the NSA surveillance of phone records was used to thwart a "significant case" of terrorism within the last few years.

Exactly what data is collected from Verizon customers after the break.

"Listen to me or you can take the mic, but I'm leaving," Michele Obama reportedly told a heckler last night at a Democratic fundraiser. A woman interrupted the first lady to ask her why the president had not done more to stop federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT Americans. Apparently the heckler, lesbian activist Ellen Sturtz, had planned the confrontation on behalf of the group GetEQUAL. In a statement, Sturtz said: "I had planned to speak tonight with DNC officials but, as the First Lady was talking about our children's future and ensuring that they have everything they need to live happy and productive lives, I simply couldn't stay silent any longer. I'm looking ahead at a generation of young people who could live full, honest, and open lives with the stroke of the President's pen, and I was hoping that the First Lady would share my concern for all of our young people."

Despite Sturtz's intentions, neither the first lady nor the crowd, who came to her defense, were impressed. The first lady's supporters cheered when Sturtz was escorted out. This comes after President Obama was heckled late last month during a press conference on national security. The president took a different approach, waiting with an abundance of patience and telling the heckler, "We're addressing that ma'am" and saying "the voice of that woman is worth paying attention to" while admitting he didn't agree with much of what she said.

Listen to yesterday's exchange between the first lady and the LGBT activist now and just keep reading to see CNN's video of the encounter.

Have you asked yourself today, "What is Cara Delevingne up to?" The British model, who just made headlines as the new face of Saint Laurent, is unstoppable. Further proof can be found in her jam-packed schedule, which currently includes party throwing and dropping trou. Not necessarily in the way that you think — here's where you can expect to see Delevingne next.

Stars really are just like us — Jennifer Aniston proved that even Hollywood A-listers rework their wardrobes. The actress slipped into the same sweet Prada dress she chose for her 2011 Walk of Fame ceremony for pal Lake Bell's wedding over the weekend. The breezy printed dress is a perfect option for a Summer wedding, and with a few simple changes — new footwear and a chic crossbody bag — Aniston proved that it's easy to update the pieces already hiding in your closet, even two or three years later.

Coupled with Sienna Miller's recent appearance in a recycled Isabel Marant dress, does this change your ideas about celebrity wardrobes? Does it inspire you to reach into the back of your closet and style up a great piece you already have? Tell us what you think in the comments!