NORWAY - The Government Pension Fund Global saw 5.4% (155bn kroner, $25bn) wiped off its investments in the second quarter of 2010, pulled down by a decline in global equity markets and a massive loss on its stake in BP.

US - The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has assumed responsibility for seven plans covering almost 2,360 workers and retirees of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper group.

NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand's government is setting up a working group to study the merits of compulsory pension savings which could be debated at next year's election, Prime Minister John Key said.

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top five most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days (6 August - 13 August).

US - Denver's public schools saved money by borrowing $750m to close a pension deficit and to refund debt even after the interest-rate swaps it used with the financing backfired, officials said.

MEXICO - The Mexican Association of Administrators of Retirement Funds (Amafore) recorded profits of 2.6% in June, achieving a cumulative average of 6.6% in annualised terms.

US - Connecticut is to carry out an asset allocation and liability study for each of its six state pension funds.

CHILE - The controlling shareholder of AFP Habitat SA sold 140 million shares, or a 14% stake, in the pension fund manager at 435 pesos each, according to data posted by the Santiago exchange.

GLOBAL - Aegon has reported an increase in underlying earnings before tax increase from €414m ($531m) to €522m in Q2, supported by improved financial markets.

US - California Treasurer Bill Lockyer has asked the state's biggest pension plan to report the 100 highest state and local government salaries each year and to help prevent pay abuses.