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1. Air travel is starting to return to normal over European skies after massive disruptions due to ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland. Officials say it could be weeks before all stranded¹ travelers will get to their destinations. The International Air Transport Association says these disruptions have cost the industry nearly two billion dollars.

2. President Barack Obama is expected to meet with Senate leaders today to talk about the upcoming Supreme² Court vacancy³. Officials say Obama wants to talk to senators about the confirmation⁴ process and listen to any suggestions they may have for the job. Obama wants to have his pick confirmed in time for the new court term this fall.

3. The US love affair with foreign cars could be cooling. A new AP poll shows that more Americans now say US-made cars are better than automobiles⁵ made by Asian countries. The difference is small. But it's a big turnaround from a 2006 poll, in which Americans picked Asian-made autos 46% to 29%.

4. The parents, who pleaded guilty in the balloon boy hoax⁶, have agreed to pay about 36,000 dollars in restitution⁷ to authorities who responded to the incident. The local sheriff’s department and other agencies had sought 48,000 dollars.