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A Facebook message, distributed during the 2010 United States congressional elections, influenced the voting behavior of millions of recipients and their friends. New research in the journal Nature highlights the potential of online social networks for shaping real-world behavior on a massive scale. Melissa Block talks to Shankar Vedantam.

Subscription-based business models are nothing new. But right now, e-commerce subscriptions are exploding. And in some cases, companies that make a unique pitch about their product line can win customers away from large retailers like Amazon.

Obama accepted his nomination highlighting a more somber version of the hope and change he promised in 2008.

The country's army swore oaths of loyalty to leader Kim Jong Un after he was given the new title of marshal of the nation. This follows the army chief's dismissal. Analysts suspect the announcements mask far deeper changes, but there's disagreement about what those changes are.

Tempers are boiling in Greece and other European nations that traded bailouts for a strict austerity plan. Some say Germany's rigid solution is already failing, and may even fracture the euro zone. If that happens, that'll be very bad news for the U.S., too.

For the summer season, we'll follow the rising band behind the hit "We Are Young" — and its backstage crew — as it hits the road.

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has developed a polished stump speech. During his events, Romney has campaigned as if President Obama is his only opponent. That tactic has forced his Republican rivals to try anything they can to knock him out of front-runner status.

Popular dating shows, imperial court dramas, ghost stories and spy shows have largely disappeared from prime-time TV in China. The clampdown on entertainment is part of a wider ideological campaign by Beijing. But the move risks alienating China's largely nonpolitical youth.

Critics accuse the prime minister and his conservative Fidesz party of pushing Hungary backward. The European Union says aspects of the country's new constitution violate EU law and treaties. But a government spokesman says the ruling party is merely fulfilling its election mandate.

Popular wisdom holds that a long and bitter primary election will hurt the eventual nominee come November. Drawn-out nomination races, the thinking goes, drain coffers and give rivals more time to gather ammunition. But many political analysts say a bruising primary can have certain advantages.