Nepal: Maoists withdraw ban
Kathmandu: In Nepal, 47 industries, which were forced to shut down by Maoists, will be reopening today.

The Maoists withdrew their ban on Wednesday, after the government agreed to release two activists of a Maoist-affiliated trade union.

It has also disclosed the whereabouts of 28 others. Many of the industries that were forced to shut down were Indian.
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OPEC hikes oil output
New Delhi: OPEC's Oil ministers have decided to lift the production ceiling by one million barrels a day to 27 million barrels per day.

It will come into effect from November 1. The increase in production has been ordered to bring down prices to a more sustainable level.
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Adobe taps Home Video market through Elements
San Jose, USA: With the cost of DV camcorders, and PCs powerful enough to edit video and DVDs having dropped significantly, it is now much easier for consumers to get professional quality results with their home videos. Adobe Systems Inc. has announced two new products for digital photo and digital video hobbyists. Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 software, adds new organization and sharing functionality, as well as the latest image editing tools, while Adobe Premiere Elements software delivers the professional-level results in an all-new product that combines simple video capture, sophisticated editing and quick output to DVD.

Available as separate products, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Windows and Adobe Premiere Elements also can be purchased together in a single retail package. Combined in one affordable solution, these products deliver the powerful software customers need to easily blend still photos with video clips.

Adobe Premiere Elements is a brand new Windows-based product for customers who want creative control and reliability when editing their home videos. Adobe Premiere Elements automates tedious tasks so video hobbyists are free to experiment with effects, transitions, text and audio. Footage can easily be captured from a DV camcorder directly to the video timeline, edited with professional-level effects and delivered as stunning custom DVDs, complete with menus and scene indexes.

Adobe has also introduced Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, a milestone upgrade to the consumer photo editing software.

Available as separate products, Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements 3.0 also can be purchased together in a single retail package. Combined in one affordable solution, these products deliver the powerful software customers need to easily blend still photos with video clips, create dynamic slideshows and photo-rich video projects that can be burned to DVD and easily viewed by friends and family on the TV screen.

Essential features in Adobe Premiere Elements include: reliable transfer of footage from DV camcorders to the video timeline with no interruptions; automatic shifting of video clips to fill in any gaps whenever scenes are trimmed or rearranged; and integrated DVD burning, which makes it simple to create DVDs. Consumers can experiment with a wide range of easy-to-use special effects, like warping, twirls and pans, as well as broadcast-quality scene transitions and titles. Adobe Premiere Elements customers can easily add sound effects and music - up to 99 audio tracks at a time - to set the mood for their home movies.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Macintosh, is a major upgrade to its digital imaging software for photo hobbyists, making it easier than ever to enhance images and dramatically transform photos. With the latest advanced editing tools, previously only available in Photoshop CS, Photoshop Elements 3.0 is the perfect companion to Apple's iPhoto, allowing aspiring photographers more creative control over their digital images for outstanding photographic results.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 software provides consumers with one-click fixes, in addition to more sophisticated techniques, when users require more advanced creative control. Updated editing tools instantly click away imperfections, transform photos with effects and filters, and correct color and lighting. With improved red eye removal, a simple click in the vicinity of the eye makes red-eye quickly disappear. Hit-features from Photoshop CS, including the powerful Healing Brush and the new Spot Healing Brush, fix blemishes and imperfections or even remove whole objects from photos with one click. Photoshop Elements 3.0 also supports Camera Raw functionality for the processing of raw data and 16-bit images for the brightest and most lifelike color.

A new and improved file browser allows Photoshop Elements 3.0 customers to find their photos more quickly by searching for photos based on a wide range of criteria, including the date and time the photo was taken, the type of camera that was used and the name of the person who shot the photo. With Photoshop Elements 3.0 customers can share their photos with family and friends in a variety of ways including Adobe PDF slideshows with music and transitions. Users also can print out their work using custom print packages in the sizes and shapes they require, choosing from a wide variety of borders and frame templates.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Mac OS X, 10.2.8 or 10.3 has an estimated street price of US $89.99.

Shipping later this fall, Adobe Premiere Elements will be available for an estimated street price of US $99.99. Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 plus Adobe Premiere Elements will be available as a bundle for an estimated street price of US $149.99.

Adobe creates world-leading digital imaging, design and document technology platforms for consumers, creative professionals and enterprises. Adobe's revenue in its last fiscal year exceeded $1.2 billion.
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Implant device to treat sleeping disorder
Washington D.C., USA: Sleep apnea is a serious health condition causing constant interruptions from sleep and depriving sufferers from the benefits of deep sleep. While the most common symptoms are snoring and fatigue, the disorder has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and memory problems. But for the first time, sufferers of sleep apnea can avoid painful surgery and life-long treatment options through a simple, one-time, minimally-invasive procedure.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Restore Medical the clearance to market the Pillar Procedure - the first implantable treatment cleared by the FDA for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is caused by a blockage of the airway usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. As a result, people with untreated sleep apnea repeatedly stop breathing and may wake up 20 to 30 times during the night.

The Pillar Procedure is designed to stiffen the palate to prevent or lessen blockages of the airway. The inserts are 18 mm in length and made from a soft woven polyester - a material used in implantable medical products for more than 50 years. The procedure is conducted in a single, short office setting using local anesthetic and is completely reversible. The Pillar Procedure offers patients a first-line treatment option with minimal pain, short recovery time, and less risk than other surgeries.
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Back to writing
Washington D.C., USA: A 2004 survey of American business executives found that poorly written job applications are a figurative kiss of death and that future job growth will increasingly emphasize writing skills.

In the age of global technology, business communication relies more on email and the written word than ever before. As a result, the survey also found that nearly half of all businesses are spending more than $3 billion a year to teach employees to write more effectively. The message is clear - whether you work in finance, real estate or even banking, you need to know more than just numbers.

To prepare America's youth for better careers, the National Commission on Writing is working to foster a greater emphasis on writing in high schools and colleges. Their recommendations include: increasing the amount of time students spend writing, applying new technologies to teach more effectively, and providing more funds to support teachers.
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