I'm David Deforest from the voa news center in Washington. (1)The skies over Europe reopened today,as airlines scrambled to clear a backlog of flights grounded by a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland.The European air traffic control agency says about 75% scheduled flights will operate today,all travel (restrictions) have been lifted in Britain and Germany.The task of clearing a backlog stranded passengers expected to take days. The closure of airspace over Europe has economic repercussion around the world this week,Jennifer Glass in London. Nearly 100,000 flights were canceled or delayed as volcanic ash forced the closure of European airspace.The International Air Transport Association says the (crisis) has cost airlines more than $1.7 billion and is devastating an already beleaguered industry.British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh says his company lost between $20 million and $30 million a day. "My personal belief is that we could have safely continued operation for a period of time," "I think there were occasions when the decision to close airspace could have been (justified)." Walsh says canceling everything was unnecessary ,Walsh says after the unprecedented delays and cancelations there will still be complications with air travel."I think to get back to (normal) levels of operation, from an industry point of view, I think will take weeks," Airlines are asking European governments for financial and logistical compensation to help (alleviate) some of their losses. Jennifer Glasse for VOA news. (2)Kyrgyzstan's ousted leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev says he is still the rightful president of his country.Mr. Bakiyev spoke Today in Belarus, where he took (refuge) earlier this week after being removed from office during violent anti-government protests on April 7. (3)Another say, NATO has apologized for the deaths of four Afghans shot by international troops, saying their report describing two of those killed as "known insurgents" was (incorrect). NATO says troops fired on a vehicle Monday in eastern Khost province because it kept accelerating toward the military convoy despite warnings to stop.The shooting sparked outcry from the victims' family members, who say all four of those killed were (teenagers) driving home from a volleyball game. A NATO statement Wednesday said a spokesman originally called two of the victims insurgents because their fingerprints matched those in a database for previous insurgent (activity). (4)Four Sahara desert nations are opening a joint military headquarters to coordinate their efforts against al-Qaida.Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger have all experienced trouble with the regional group al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. (5)Suspected Somali pirates have seized a Liberian-owned bulk carrier with 21 crew members, all of them Filipino.The European Union's anti-piracy force says the ship, the MV Voc Daisy, was hijacked today in the Gulf of Aden, off the (coast) of Oman. (6)In Bangkok tensions remain high following a troop build up in the city as anti-government (protesters) set up barricades around their rally headquarters.Ron Corben reports. Fears of fresh clashes between Thai security forces and anti-government protesters remain Wednesday.The protesters, led by the United Democratic Front against Dictatorship, want the government to resign and call new (elections).UDD leaders Wednesday ruled out new direct negotiations with the government, but say talks may be possible through third parties.One UDD leader, Nattawut Saikua, warns the military against moving to disperse the (demonstrators). Nattawut says the protesters are ready to move all the time but the situation now is to see who will make the first move. The army warns it will use tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to keep the protesters from spreading into other areas. The red shirts have responded by building barricades of tires and trucks, and stockpiling bamboo spears and stones.Ron Corben for VOA news ,Bangkok. (7)Tens of thousands of Indians demonstrate against rising food prices in the protest organized by country's main opposition party.The Bharatiya Janata party bused the demonstraters into the capital New Delhi today to protest the government (economic) policies,the rally disrupted traffic as protesters marched through the city center. I'm David Deforest from the voa news ,more news on the internet at voanews.com.