LONDON, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Albaraka Bank Limited, the South African subsidiary of Bahrain-based Albaraka Banking Group B.S.C. (ABG) last year initiated an intensive project to replace its core banking system with the Equation Islamic Banking and Branch Automation System from Misys Plc., contributing to an improvement in the bank's competitive edge.

The multi-million Rand IT solution is in line with the bank's holding company's strategic direction and is being rolled out to select ABG subsidiaries around the world, inclusive of the South African banking operation. ABG is widely regarded as the world's leading Islamic banking group with units in 12 countries and a global branch network of some 300 branches.

COLOGNE, Germany, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

ActiveVideo Networks(TM) (http://www.activevideo.com/) announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Avinity Systems BV, bringing together the two leading providers of cloud-based interactive TV platforms and applications, and expanding the reach and availability of the Web-based user experiences that are redefining interactive television (iTV 2.0).

BOULDER, Colorado, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Covidien (NYSE: COV, BSX: COV), a leading global supplier of healthcare products, today announced the global launch of its Alarm Management System for the Nellcor(TM) OxiMax(TM) N-600x(TM) pulse oximeter. The OxiMax N-600x pulse oximeter is a full-featured, flagship oximeter that delivers accurate, reliable readings even during low perfusion and signal interference.

Oxygen saturation is a critical measure in patients experiencing respiratory depression. The Alarm Management System alerts hospital staff to periods of desaturation and potentially worrisome patterns and provides healthcare providers the ability to make timely, more-informed decisions about the care of patients.

LONDON, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- Internet Users in Turkey Spend More Time Online and Consume More Pages than Users in Other European Countries

comScore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its first report examining the online behavior of Internet users in Turkey, based on data from the comScore World Metrix audience measurement service. In April 2009, more than 17 million people in Turkey age 15 and older accessed the Internet from a home or work location, consuming an average 3,044 pages per visitor.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO )

Seventh Largest Online Population in Europe

LUCCA, Italy, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- Unified Solution for Performance Management and Financial Governance Minimizes Business Complexity

Tagetik, a global provider of CPM and Financial Governance solutions, today announced the release of Tagetik 3.0 at its 2009 User Conference. This new product enables companies to simplify the complexity of day-to-day business operations.

TORONTO, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

One of Africa's leading ophthalmologists has been appointed Regional Director for Africa for Operation Eyesight Universal, effective immediately.

Dr. Boateng Wiafe will spearhead the organization's work in the African region. He will work closely with Operation Eyesight's partners in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia, and with government ministries to guide the development of prevention and treatment programs, community development programs and government efforts all aiming to eradicate avoidable blindness.

LOS GATOS, California, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

Tigo Energy, (www.tigoenergy.com), the solar company whose unique technology significantly increases efficiency in photovoltaic solar installations, announced today that it has closed the second round of funding.

The US$10 million round was led by ICV, and joined by all existing investors (Matrix Partners, OVP and Clal Energy). The series B financing represented a significant premium to Tigo Energy's first venture round which was funded in May of 2008. Meir Ukeles of ICV has joined the Tigo Board of Directors following the round.

SAN RAMON, California, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

eQuest, the Global leader in Job Board Distribution and Internet Media Services, today announced the appointment of Peter Casey as Senior Vice President for European Operations. Based in London, Casey will oversee the business operations, partnerships, and new product sales in that region.

A new study carried out at the University of Leicester reveals that an alternative to oil could be found in ancient sea deposits dating to 300 million years ago.

Shale gas sourced in mudstones in shallow water seaways could provide the future alternative to fuel modern society in the wake of demands to find new energy sources, according to the doctoral research.

These mudstones, now exposed across central and northern England, contain up to 14% carbon.

A study in Nature has helped define the potentially significant contribution of permafrost thaw to atmospheric concentrations of carbon, which have already reached unprecedented levels.

A large amount of organic carbon in the tundra is stored in the soil and permafrost. This pool of carbon, deposited over thousands of years, remains locked in the perennially frozen ground. In recent years this area began to thaw, providing increased access to plants and microbes that could shift the carbon from the land to the atmosphere.