European leaders warmed to President Obama's emphasis on pragmatism and mutual values. Playing ping-pong and visiting Moneygall, Ireland, didn't hurt his popular image, either.

Balloon boy: TMZ.com posted the video in which Richard and Mayumi Heene say they'll work with California lawyer Perry Rausher on the auction.

Rep. Steve Israel, the Democrats' congressional campaign chief, hasn't said Democrats will retake the House – just that they might.

AP - Top House Republicans pressed President Barack Obama Wednesday for a detailed plan on budget cuts, and one leading lawmaker accused him of distorting a GOP Medicare proposal at the center of the partisan divide over spending.

AP - Government forces and tribal fighters exchanged gun and artillery fire in Yemen's capital early Wednesday, sending the crackle of gunfire and resounding booms over the city in fresh fighting that killed at least 41 people. The fighting spread to new areas, with tribesmen from the powerful Hasid confederation seizing buildings in neighborhoods in the city's south and northwest.

AP - The number of people hit by a massive European outbreak of foodborne bacterial infections is one third higher than previously known and a stunningly high number of patients suffer from a potentially deadly complication than can shut down their kidneys, officials said Wednesday.